2 Peter

2 Peter is a NT epistle, written by the apostle Peter in the mid 60’s A.D., a few years after his first letter. He wanted to remind the church of apostolic teaching, to guard against false teachers, and to consider the day of the Lord. This book is like the book of Jude. It is Peter’s last testament, as he realized he would be martyred soon, and he wanted the church to hold tight to the gospel and to be stimulated to wholesome thinking (3:1).

In chapter 1, he wanted the believers to make their calling and election sure (1:10). He listed seven (number of completeness) qualities to be added to faith to grow into maturity and to be productive in the Christian life: goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. The church is to depend upon the Word of God, which was handed down by the prophets and the apostles. Peter, as an apostle, recounts the transfiguration of Christ, where they heard the voice of the Majestic Glory calling Jesus ‘the son, whom he loves, with whom he is well pleased.’ The word of the prophets was made more certain (1:19) by the apostolic witness to the fulfillment of Scripture in the life, death, and resurrection of the Messiah Jesus.

In chapter 2, Peter warned the church about false teachers (2:1). They will secretly introduce heresies, deny the sovereign Lord, follow shameful ways, be greedy, make up stories, be bold, arrogant, despise authority, and blaspheme. Peter compared their punishment to the demons’ judgment, and that of ungodly ancient people during the time of the flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, and Balaam. Like brute beasts, they too will perish (2:12). With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning (2:14). Blackest darkness is reserved for them (2:17). They are slaves of depravity (2:19).

In chapter 3, Peter predicts what will happen in the day of the Lord, the end times. In the last days scoffers will come (3:3). They will complain that the Lord’s Day has not come yet. By the word, the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for judgment (3:7). Peter clarified that the Lord does not work on our timetable- with him a day is like a thousand years. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, God’s people are to live holy and godly lives (3:11). They are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth (3:13). The Lord’s patience means salvation (3:15). The church is not to be carried away by lawless error, but rather to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ (3:17-18).