2 Peter 3:4
The sermon explores the skepticism surrounding the promise of Christ's return and affirms the certainty of His coming despite doubts.
John Gill addresses the skepticism surrounding the promise of Christ's return, as expressed in 2 Peter 3:4. He highlights the mockery of those questioning the fulfillment of this promise, pointing out that the prophets, Jesus, and the apostles all affirmed His second coming. Gill emphasizes that despite the apparent continuity of the world since the time of the patriarchs, this does not negate the truth of God's promises. He encourages believers to remain steadfast in their faith, trusting in the eventual fulfillment of Christ's return, despite the doubts of the world.
Text
Ver. 4. And saying, Where is the promise of his coming?.... That is, of the coming of the Lord and Saviour, 2Pe 3:2; the object of their scorn and derision, and whom they name not, through contempt; and the meaning is, what is become of the promise of his coming? where the accomplishment of it? The prophets foretold he would come; he himself said he would come again, Joh 14:3; the angels, at his ascension, declared he would come from heaven in like manner as he went up, Ac 1:11; and all his apostles gave out that he would appear a second time to judge both quick and dead, Ac 10:42 1Pe 4:5, and that his coming was at hand, Php 4:5; but where is the fulfilment of all this? he is not come, nor is there any sign or likelihood of it:
for since the fathers fell asleep; or "died": which is the language of the Scriptures, and here sneered at by these men, who believe them so fast asleep as never to be awaked or raised more; and by "the fathers" they mean the first inhabitants of the world, as Adam, Abel, Seth, &c. and all the patriarchs and prophets in all ages; the Ethiopic version renders it, "our first fathers":
all things continue as [they were] from the beginning of the creation; reasoning from the settled order of things, the constant revolution of the sun, moon, and stars, the permanency of the earth, and the succession of the inhabitants of it, to the future continuance of things, without any alteration; and consequently, that Christ would not come, as was promised, to raise the dead, judge mankind destroy the world, and set up a new state of things: the fallacy of which reasoning is exposed by the apostle in the following words.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Introduction to the promise of Christ's coming
- Context of 2 Peter 3:4
- The skepticism of the scoffers
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II
- Historical references to Christ's promise
- Prophetic declarations of His return
- Apostolic teachings on the second coming
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III
- The argument of continuity in creation
- Misinterpretation of the 'fathers' falling asleep
- The permanence of the natural order
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IV
- The fallacy of reasoning against Christ's return
- The assurance of fulfillment of God's promises
- Encouragement to remain steadfast in faith
Key Quotes
“The prophets foretold he would come; he himself said he would come again.” — John Gill
“All things continue as [they were] from the beginning of the creation.” — John Gill
“The fallacy of which reasoning is exposed by the apostle in the following words.” — John Gill
Application Points
- Trust in God's promises even when they seem delayed.
- Encourage others to remain steadfast in their faith amidst skepticism.
- Reflect on the historical assurances of Christ's return to strengthen your hope.