Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen (2 Peter 3:1-18).
Peter ends his second epistle with the message, “Don’t lose heart!” This could also be said positively as, “Remain steadfast!” Remain steadfast, even in the face of pagans, heretics, and false teachers who rage against you, and mock you, and kill you for your trust in God’s promises. They mock us because Christ is slow to return and judge the living and the dead as he promised. But Peter reminds us that God stands outside of time. His schedule is not ours, just as our idea of slowness is not His. And, as with all that God does, His delayed return works to the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.[1] Where we see slackness, God exhibits patience. All the while during these last days, Christ is drawing all men to Himself.[2] He does this through His ministers, by Word and Sacrament. He forgives us our sin, when we are distracted by the cares of this world, and do not seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness.[3] God, Peter writes, is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Those who do not come to repentance cannot, on the Day of the Lord, say they weren’t given enough time. Let us not waste that time. We earnestly ponder the question Peter poses: What manner of people ought we to be, in light of the coming destruction?
When the Day of the Lord finally comes, there will be no time for repentance, or escape. A great noise! Fervent heat! The heavens pass away. The elements melt. The earth, along with all the works therein, burned up; gone forever. To those who have refused the gift won for them by Christ’s death and resurrection, terror. For those who participate in Christ’s death and resurrection through their Baptism,[4] who have remained steadfast, the fulfillment of hope. New heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. The former, says the prophet Isaiah, shall not be remembered or come to mind.[5] No more weeping or crying; every tear shall be wiped away.[6] “Behold!” says Jesus, “I am coming quickly!” Amen! Even so, Lord Jesus, quickly come! Amen![7]
[1] Romans 8:28
[2] John 12:32
[3] Matthew 6:33; 13:22
[4] Romans 6:1-14
[5] Isaiah 65:17
[6] Rev. 21:4
[7] Rev. 22:12, 20
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