Be Careful Of Scoffers (2 Peter 3:1-9)

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Peter is writing his’last words’ as an ongoing reminder for Christians, to keep them safe from the dangers of false teachers and remind them of the coming Day of the Lord.

  1. Be aware and careful of scoffers (vv3-4)
    • This is of first importance: scoffers will come “among us” cf. 2:1. Chapter 2 is about false teachers:
      • Like springs without water, like mists in a storm 2:17.
      • Boasting 2:18 cf. 2 Cor 10:17-18.
      • They promise freedom but are slaves 2:19.
      • Some only barely escape them 2:18b.
    • They say “everything just carries on, it’s meaningless” 3:4.
    • OT Prophets also had scoffers (Ezekiel 12:22, Malachi 2:17, 3:13-15).
  2. Scoffers ignore the reality of creation and judgement (vv5-7)
    • The scoffers ignore creation and the flood.
    • Just as for Noah the flood came, the Day of the Lord will come for us.
    • The Day is a day of revealing (2 Pet 3:10, 1 Cor 3:12, Luke 12:2-3), of judgement (Mal 4:1), of salvation for those in the Lord (Mal 4:2)
  3. We have time now to repent (vv8-9)
    • God’s timing is not ours. God is patient and forbearing (cf. Rom 3:25).
    • God does not desire for anyone to perish, yet he is always just (cf. Ezekiel 33:11).
    • The requirement is not righteousness, but repentance.