Bible Study Letters Online Tracts
Bible Study Letters Online Tracts
The Coming Again of Jesus
[ Bottom of Page ]
Christ Died For Our sins
Reaching forth...
An Examination of 2 Peter 3:3-9
2 Peter 3:3-7
3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4 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.
5 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:
6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7 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.
Showing particulars about those making mock about the coming again of our Lord for the judgment and perdition of ungodly men, that being a matter considered here in these Scriptures, and not going on much about other manifestations of scoffers in these last days, I hope to show, concisely, and in context this passage of Scripture, 2 Peter 3:3-16 being that judgement of the ungodly, and the salvation of those chosen to salvation from the beginning (Ephesians 1:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:13), that must be saved before the coming judgement (John 6:37-39, 44-45, 64-65; 10:11, 14-15, 26-29; 17:6, 9-10, 13-17), those elect to be brought to belief of the truth, for election is unto salvation, for the faith of God's elect is with acknowledgement of the truth which is after godliness (Titus 1:1), for without holiness, that is sanctification or godliness, none shall see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).
Notice it is the coming of Christ, called the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. Verses Jude 12-19 speak of the coming judgement, and of the ones to be judged. Matthew 25:1-34 also speaks of that day, as does 1 Thessalonians 3:13, 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9, and Revelation 1:7. Revelation 19:11-18 also speaks of the coming day of judgement.
The ungodly are those that do not regard the Word of God, for it is to them, line upon line, and they will not regard. Sin is transgression of the law (1 John 3:4). All those that do not please God, that is, those without faith (Hebrews 11:6), are among the ungodly, for whatsoever is not of faith is sin (Romans 14:23). Sin is of the devil (John 8:44; 1 John 3:8), so is of those without faith, the unregenerate (1 John 3:9). Ungodliness includes omission of deeds as well as commission of deeds, for knowing to do good and doing it not is sin (James 4:17). Even the thought of the foolish is sin (Proverbs 24:9), thus God's people are to bring every thought into subjection of Christ (Acts 8:22; 2 Cor 10:3-5). All in this condition are under the wrath of God, and there is no greater wrath (Revelation 6:16; 14:9-10, 19; 19:15). The ungodly are ordained to this condemnation (Jude 4). All are under this condemnation, by the first birth, being without faith (Galatians 3:22-25). You must be born again, of God (John 1:13), for in Christ, you are of faith (Galatians 3:25-27). Straight is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life (Matthew 7:13-24; Isaiah 28:9-13).
2 Peter 3:8
8 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.
For 2 Peter 3:8 consider Psalms 90:4, "For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night." Our pilgrimage on earth is brief, but our Lord abides in eternity, and with the Lord we have all eternity, free from the constraints of time. Now we in our earthly vessel have no promise of tomorrow (James 4:14; Proverbs 27:1; 1 Cor 15:44-49), and might become restless at a supposed delay in the Lord's coming again. This delay is showing forth longsuffering on God's part, counted as salvation for the elect (2 Peter 3:15), and a time the ungodly become more bold in sin (Eccl 8:11; Psalms 10:11; Proverbs 1:16). Take notice the coming again of our Lord is for judgment of the ungodly (2 Peter 3:3-7).
Having mentioned the comparison of eternity to a thousand years, and one day compared to a thousand years, let me warn, our last day in this body of flesh is certain, and that last day will be brief, in comparison to the total of the days were granted. That day is going to arrive, and we shall not escape it. Those that mocked at the words of Noah about the flood discovered that last day, and it was terrible but brief. Every day till that last day seemed the same as the day before, but that day arrived as they discovered. Those that murmured, not believing the Word, counting it a strange thing, not necessary to believe, instead persisting in going their own way discovered their last day the terror of our Lord, and perished. There are scoffers going about today, convincing men of their own sufficiency, making men comfortable with themselves, not teaching the fear of the Lord (Psalms 19:9; 34:11; 111:10; Proverbs 1:7, 29). While the Bible is sometimes spoken of highly, it is nevertheless not given heed, men's hearts not being right with the Lord (Matt 15:7-9; Isa 29:13; Ezek 33:31-32)
2 Peter 3:9
9 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.
Here we find the context being the coming again of the Lord for judgment of the ungodly, those that claim sufficiency of themselves (Luke 18:7; Proverbs 8:13), claiming they have of themselves done some thing others have not thinking by that to escape hell (Isaiah 28:15, 17-18), having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof (2 Tim 3:1-5), those that deny our Lord makes difference between one man and another (1 Cor 4:7), those our Lord hates, and with that in mind, it is God's will, to us-ward, that is, those beloved of the Lord, that none of the beloved should perish. Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Indeed, the beloved love Him, because He first loved us (1 John 4:10, 19). Just as certain as it is the ungodly shall perish, the beloved of God shall be saved (Acts 11:18; 13:48; 2 Tim 2:25; Matt 9:13). Christ gave Himself for His own (John 10:11), those before given Him by the Father (John 6:37-39, 44, 65; 17:6).Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Luke 18:7
7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?Proverbs 8:13
13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.Isaiah 28:15, 17-18
15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:
17 Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.
18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.2 Timothy 3:1-5
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
The beloved of God have been subjected to a multitude of shameful treatment (Heb 11:33-38), but not one has ever perished, and not one ever will. The ungodly shall certainly perish, if not wonderfully saved by grace through the faith of the operation of God, and that not of themselves (Eph 2:8-9; Col 2:12). Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. The Spirit generates faith in the elect, working faith in them (Col 2:12). There are various kinds of faith, yet what I mention is that not natural to man, but is instead exotic, true justifying faith called "A faith of the operation of God" and they by the operation of God believe with true justifying faith (Acts 13:48; Col 2:12; Rom 3:28; 5:1). That faith is evident in various ways. One hears, repents and believes. There is knowledge, assent and appropriation. The one with justifying faith has relief, joy and appreciation. Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. As Thomas Watson says it,
"1. Self-renunciation. Faith is going out of one's self, being taken off from our own merits, and seeing we have no righteousness of our own. (Phil 3:9) ... 2. Reliance. The soul casts itself upon Jesus Christ; faith rests on Christ's person. ... 3. Appropriation, or applying Christ to ourselves."
The willingness of the soul to cast itself on Christ is brought about by God's power (Psalms 110:3) working effectually in us for our will of itself only hates God. Salvation is of the Lord. That appropriation, applying Christ to us is by the Spirit (John 1:12; 3:6, 8; 2 Thess 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2), our being born of God, for in Christ, we have faith (John 17:21, 25; Galatians 3:27; Romans 6:3-6), and not before, and that casting of the soul on Christ and appropriation of Christ is not by man as the merit-mongers would have it, instead is by our being made willing by the power of God, by the excellency of His power (2 Cor 4:6-7) for our own will as an unregenerate man would only hate God, our not able to please God, our will not free from sin till faith has come, our being born of the Spirit.
We love Him, because He first loved us. Salvation is not a process, neither is it a feeling. It is a work of God, faith wrought in man instantly by the operation of God, and that not a result of man's will, for man's will is fallen, corrupt, wicked. The justifying faith is shown with those born again, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God (John 1:13; Col 2:12). This operation results in holiness, for without holiness no man shall see the Lord (2 Tim 3:5; Hebrews 12:14). Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ are to be preached, to every creature. As is clear, not all are saved, the gospel preached not mixed with faith in each and every one that hear it. But with that, it is made obvious by reading and believing the Scriptures, His sheep hear His voice, and follow Him (John 10:4, 14, 16, 25-27; 17:8). Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Those that are not the sheep, that is the goats, hear Him not (John 6:64; 10:26; 17:9, 14). The merit-mongers reject this, counting on their own self, and not Christ, not trusting God in matters of salvation, instead turning to their own way, even as those having ears that hear not, not hearing because they are not His sheep. They have ears but they hear not. But if any hear, having been taught of the Father (John 6:45), it will result in holiness, for they shall obey our Lord, obedience to the gospel naturally resulting in holiness, and that because they love Him, that love being the motive for obedience, their having first been loved by Him. That is all realized with self-renunciation, reliance and appropriation as described previously.
Before one can embrace the excellence of the Gospel, the old nature must be delivered the death blow.
That sinful man in pride rejects this is everywhere shown, the merit-mongers going about to destroy the clear testimony of Scripture, wandering about as the enemies of the cross of Christ do, claiming their will be done and not our Lord's, denying the Word of God, counting the Word as being less significant than their own wicked imagination. Yet God is no respecter of persons, and those refusing God's Word will answer for that. Even the Scriptures tell us, "...For thou hast magnified Thy Word above all Thy Name." (Psalms 138:2 b) What sorry excuse those have that reject that Word.
The Word of God stands, and as shown from 2 Peter 3:9, all the sheep shall be gathered, not one lost, as they shall hear His voice (John 10:16). All the ungodly shall suffer the wrath of God, and rightly so, suffering the vengeance of God for their own sins (Isaiah 61:2; Nahum 1:2; 2 Thess 1:6-10). Be aware those that wrest the Scriptures build up condemnation for themselves (2 Peter 3:16; 2 Peter 2:9; 3:7; Romans 2:5; Jude 4). Keep in mind, the elect begin as those under the wrath of God, there being no place to boast of personal merit, as those do that wrest the Scriptures, also wrest their place of boasting as they allow they have come to salvation apart from the operation of God (Luke 23:40; Romans 2:5; Eph 2:13; Romans 3:27; Titus 3:2-5). Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Faith has its law, and it shall not be broken.
This is all being said in plain terms, very direct. The world we are in is fallen and ruled by the malady of unbelief, and against that evil I strive to be clear in what I am saying, finding plenty go about to please the sinful and make them confident of themselves, not at all to the glory and honor of God, and not generally to the benefit of those that follow such messengers, my knowing very well this that I say is not pleasant to man (Revelation 10:9). The excellence of the golden thread of the gospel is delivered with a sharp point of the needle. The Sword of the Spirit, being the Word of God, is described as that but sinful man has gone about to smooth the message to the taste of man. It is no longer God's message that is often delivered, but is instead fables and commands of men, and compared against such what I am saying is extremely bitter to the belly, but the end of the matter is what is most important, and it is God, not man that should be considered before thinking to please any other first. With that in mind, the Words are pleasant for me to find coming forth as such, from in my mouth.
Closing on comments for 2 Peter 3:9 there a few things needed to be said. Much more could be said, and I hope the Book will not be closed to these truths, but that they will be searched out. To particulars I look for a practical application of what I have been saying and showing to be easily discovered in the Word of God.
Any that will deplore their sins, imploring God's mercy, shall do so having redemption through the blood of the Lamb. Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. This comforting truth does not make void other truth. The ungodly that will to remain ungodly still, have no excuse and shall suffer the wrath of the Lamb. Will any claim to forsake their sin, then let them forsake their sin in truth, and not in pretence (Josh 24:14; Luke 8:15; John 4:23-24; 1 John 3:18), and let them turn to Christ, casting themselves on Him by the faith of the operation of God, having been born of the Spirit.
New birth is essential to salvation. We must be born again, that of God. Our being born again is the cause of, and not result of faith. The gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation. Of his own will begat He us with the word of truth. (James 1:18) Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. (1 Pet 1:23) Salvation is of the Lord. We are justified by faith, faith the result of the operation of God, that not of yourself, it is a gift of God. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Rom 10:17) No unregenerate man has this faith, and simply cannot please God. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? (Rom 10:14) We are to preach the gospel to every creature. Apart from repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ none shall be saved. Without faith it is impossible to please God. Faith is a gift of God, not exotic to man, that faith being evidence of and produced in the believer by the new birth. Salvation is of the Lord.
If you will believe with true justifying faith, for we are justified by our faith, be confident it is because you have been chosen to salvation by the decree of God (John 6:37; Acts 13:48). Will you believe the record that God has given of His Son, that Christ died for His beloved, and will you love Him? We love Him because He first loved us. Will you take Him at His Word?
Christ died for sinners, and let none forget that. Christ died for the sheep. Do not be found as those that count themselves unworthy of ever lasting life, thinking to approach God some other way (Acts 13:46; Matt 22:8; Mark 16:16). The longsuffering of our Lord is evident, but He will not hold back for ever (Acts 19:8-9). The time will come when you will not hear of these matters again, and you will be left to yourself. The Lord is coming to execute judgment on the ungodly, those rejecting the Word of our Lord.
His sheep hear His voice, but there are some that do not hear, because they are not His sheep. This is a terrible matter, and not to be denied because the flesh wars against it. Pay close attention: “The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?” (Isaiah 33:14).
Will you cast your soul on Christ? Then be certain you shall be received, for He receives all those that come to Him (John 6:37). Will you refuse to agree with Him? Then it is you that counts yourself unworthy of everlasting life, and you shall have your part with the ungodly (Hebrews 4:2). Will you claim the name of Christ? Then show that by godliness. If you perish it will be by your own hand (Proverbs 1:20-33; Ezekiel 33:11), as you will eat of the fruit of your own way, and be filled with your own devices. By your own love for and preference of fleshly pleasure you shall perish, if you reject the joy of the Lord (Romans 6:16).
Come and hear, all ye that fear God,
and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
Psalms 66:16
People Need Jesus
Send This Page Around The World
Tell A Friend About This Page
Bob Krajcik
[ Bible
Study Letters ]
Your Comments Welcomed
Your Privacy Respected
[ Top of Page ]