The Promise of His Coming

2 Peter 3:1-13

Intro.

1. In the OT prophets, the coming of the “day of God” was inseparably connected with the day of God’s wrath against sinners - Zeph. 1:14-17; Joel 2:28-32 (Acts 2:16-21).

2. Language is applied in NT to the 2^nd coming of Christ – 2 Pet. 3:4, 10, 12.

a. Day of wrath against sinners - 3:7.

b. Day of reward for saints - 3:13.

3. The promise of His coming in judgment has been repeatedly mocked - 3:3-4.

a. To support their lustful lifestyles.

b. By false doctrines (Premillennialism; universalism; uniformitarianism).

4. Apostle forcefully defends the reality of Christ's return (3:1-9). Then, he describes its events, effects & result (3:7-13).

I. THE REALITY OF THE SECOND COMING - 3:1-9.

A. Inspired Testimony has been Given to Convince Us of its Certainty - 3:1-4.

1. Jesus promised - Matt. 25:31-33.

2. Angels assured - Acts 1:9-11.

3. Apostles proclaimed – 1 Ths. 4:16; 1 Pet. 1:7; 1 Jno. 3:2.

4. 3:1-2 - Remember these words!

B. God’s Past Judgments Against Sin Should also Convince Us that He Will Keep His Promise & Come to Judge Sin - 3:4-7.

1. 3:4 – “All things continue as they were.”

2. 3:5 - They willfully forget the flood:

a. 3:5-6 - The flood was a violent destruction of the world because of sin - Gen. 6:5-8.

b. 3:6 - The old world was destroyed & a new world - purged of sin - emerged.

c. 3:7 - Present world stored up for fire when God judges the ungodly.

d. 3:12-13 - Out of this destruction will come a “new heavens & a new earth.”

C. Certainty of His Coming not Nullified by the Passing of Time - 3:8-9 (Psa. 90:4; 3:15).

II. EVENTS, EFFECTS & RESULT OF THE DAY OF THE LORD (What will happen & how we should react) - 3:7-13.

A. Some of its Events – 3:7-12:

1. The ungodly judged & punished for their sin – 3:7.

a. Evil will not win the day! Defeated & punished (Rev. 20:11-15).

b. Do not envy the wicked! (Prov. 23:17-18)

c. 3:10 - As a thief (suddenly & without warning).

2. The repentant will be saved – 3:9 (Acts 17:30-31); 2 Ths. 1:10.

3. Destroy the present world – 3:10-12 (3:7).

B. Some of its Effects – 3:11-12:

1. Motivates holy, godly lives – 3:11.

a. 3:9 - Repentance (cf. Acts 26:20).

b. 1 Pet. 1:15-17; Matt.25:30 - Unholy, unproductive lives will be punished!

2. Enables us to earnestly desire that day – 3:12.

a. KJV (“hasting”) - speudo, “to urge on, to be eager for the arrival of” (Moulton, 373).

b. 3:13 - We look for reward, not punishment!

C. The Result of the Day of the Lord: A New Order Will be Ushered in for the People of God – 3:13 (Isa. 65:17; 66:22); Rev. 21:1.

1. Heavens (expanse) & earth (place of habitation) - A new habitation will emerge (1:11):

a. Pre-flood world (3:5) - Destroyed by water

b. Post-flood world (3:7) – Reserved for fire.

c. The church (Eph. 2:22) – To be delivered up to God (1 Cor. 15:24).

d. Heaven, the eternal kingdom – Rev. 21:1-3.

2. New (fresh, unworn) - “Where righteousness dwells.”

a. Cf. 3:7 - Evil in this world.

b. Rev. 21:27 - Not in the world to come!

Conclusion

1. Who will you trust your future to: The word of mockers or the words of the apostles of Christ?!

2. Jno. 14:1-3 – Christ’s promise to you if you are a Christian.