2 Peter 3

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BBE WEB

The design here is to remind of Christ's final coming to judgement

My loved ones, this is now my second letter to you, and in this as in the first, I am attempting to keep your true minds awake; This is now, beloved, the second letter that I have written to you; and in both of them I stir up your sincere mind by reminding you;
So that you may keep in mind the words of the holy prophets in the past, and the law of the Lord and Saviour which was given to you by his Apostles. that you should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and the commandments of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior:
Having first of all the knowledge that in the last days there will be men who, ruled by their evil desires, will make sport of holy things, knowing this first, that in the last days mockers will come, walking after their own lusts,
Saying, Where is the hope of his coming? From the death of the fathers till now everything has gone on as it was from the making of the world. and saying, “Where is the promise of his coming? For, from the day that the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.”

He will appear unexpectedly, when the present frame of nature will be dissolved by fire

But in taking this view they put out of their minds the memory that in the old days there was a heaven, and an earth lifted out of the water and circled by water, by the word of God; For this they willfully forget, that there were heavens from of old, and an earth formed out of water and amid water, by the word of God;
And that the world which then was came to an end through the overflowing of the waters. by which means the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished.
But the present heaven and the present earth have been kept for destruction by fire, which is waiting for them on the day of the judging and destruction of evil men. But the heavens that now are, and the earth, by the same word have been stored up for fire, being reserved against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
But, my loved ones, keep in mind this one thing, that with the Lord one day is the same as a thousand years, and a thousand years are no more than one day. But don’t forget this one thing, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
The Lord is not slow in keeping his word, as he seems to some, but he is waiting in mercy for you, not desiring the destruction of any, but that all may be turned from their evil ways. The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but is patient with us, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief; and in that day the heavens will be rolled up with a great noise, and the substance of the earth will be changed by violent heat, and the world and everything in it will be burned up. 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 be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.

From thence is inferred the need for holiness, and stedfastness in the faith

Seeing then that all these things are coming to such an end, what sort of persons is it right for you to be, in all holy behaviour and righteousness, Therefore since all these things will be destroyed like this, what kind of people ought you to be in holy living and godliness,
Looking for and truly desiring the coming of the day of God, when the heavens will come to an end through fire, and the substance of the earth will be changed by the great heat? looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God, which will cause the burning heavens to be dissolved, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?
But having faith in his word, we are looking for a new heaven and a new earth, which will be the resting-place of righteousness. But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.
For this reason, my loved ones, as you are looking for these things, take great care that when he comes you may be in peace before him, free from sin and every evil thing. Therefore, beloved, seeing that you look for these things, be diligent to be found in peace, without blemish and blameless in his sight.
And be certain that the long waiting of the Lord is for salvation; even as our brother Paul has said in his letters to you, from the wisdom which was given to him; Regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given to him, wrote to you;
And as he said in all his letters, which had to do with these things; in which are some hard sayings, so that, like the rest of the holy Writings, they are twisted by those who are uncertain and without knowledge, to the destruction of their souls. as also in all of his letters, speaking in them of these things. In those, there are some things that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unsettled twist, as they also do to the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
For this reason, my loved ones, having knowledge of these things before they take place, take care that you are not turned away by the error of the uncontrolled, so falling from your true faith. You therefore, beloved, knowing these things beforehand, beware, lest being carried away with the error of the wicked, you fall from your own steadfastness.
But be increased in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. May he have glory now and for ever. So be it. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
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