We Can Depend On God’s Promises

As he explained in II Peter 1:13-15, Peter had written this book to remind Christians what God has commanded.  “Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath showed me.  Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.”  He then went on to explain how the scriptures were given and to warn about the dangers of false teachers who pervert their meanings.  In II Peter 3, he focuses on some things we need to remember if we are to maintain a proper spiritual life.

In addition to the false teachers who deliberately pervert the scriptures, we are surrounded with people who scoff at God’s authority and power, and even in many cases his very existence.  Sadly, many have simply accepted their beliefs, even within the modern churches.  II Peter 3:1-4 warns us to cling to the scriptures rather than the popular beliefs.  “This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: That ye 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 Saviour: Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after 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 the creation.”

They consider the scriptural teachings as outdated beliefs that would have already happened if they were true.  In the process, they ignore the historical evidence those beliefs are based upon.  II Peter 3:5-7 describes that basis.  “For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.”

Geological, archaeological, and historical records from around the world all indicate a global flood which destroyed most things living on earth, and that the same power which created the earth in the beginning is preserving those things until a time of future Judgment against those who reject his authority and power.  Christians need to remember that God is real and that he will do what he has said, as II Peter 3:8-10 tells us.  “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, 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 the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.”

We need to understand that God is an eternal being, and is not bound by time like we are.  Perhaps the best way to explain this is to consider trying to explain how long something will take to a child.   To the child, five minutes seems like forever, but to the adult, several hours can seem like no more than five minutes.  Like the child, we get impatient and assume God has forgotten when to God, it has only been a few moments.  God has not and will not forget his promise, despite how we may feel.  Just as a mother would wait until the proper time to start a birthday party so the guests can arrive, God will not judge the world until the proper time so that his guests can be saved.  At the proper time it will come, without warning, and when it does, the world we know will be destroyed even more completely than it was by the flood.  This time no trace of the present world will remain, but all will be burned away.  Even elements such as silicone or tungsten will melt.

Understanding that God’s judgment is sure ought to affect how we live our lives here on earth, as II Peter 3:11-12 reminds us.  “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?” If we believe that God will destroy the earth, there ought to be a concern that we will be destroyed as well. 

Fortunately, the promise includes more than just destruction, so we can make plans for the future, as II Peter 3:13-16 tells us.  “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.  Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.  And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.”

The waiting period give us a chance to turn to God and live as he commanded us, following the things Paul wrote in his various letters, although some of them are difficult to understand without the Holy Spirit’s guidance, with the result that some people distort what he has said and bring God’s judgment on themselves.  We need to avoid making similar mistakes.     

“Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.  But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” (II Peter 3:17-18)