The Coming Judgment
(Genesis 7:1–24; Jude 1:17–23)
Beloved, this is now my second letter to you. Both of them are reminders to stir you to wholesome thinking 2Ti 1:62Pe 1:12-151Pe 1:1-21Pe 1:221Ti 5:22Mat 5:8Psa 24:4Psa 73:1 by recalling what was foretold by the holy prophets and commanded by our Lord and Savior through your apostles. Jud 1:172Pe 2:21Luk 1:701Pe 1:10-122Pe 1:19-21Luk 24:44Act 10:43Act 28:23
Most importantly, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 1 Jud 1:181Ti 4:1-22Pe 2:102Co 4:2Jud 1:162Pe 1:202Ti 3:1Pro 1:22 “Where is the promise of His coming?” they will ask. “Ever since our fathers fell asleep, everything continues as it has from the beginning of creation.” Jer 17:15Mal 2:17Jer 5:12-13Luk 12:45Isa 5:18-19Ecc 8:11Mat 24:48Ezk 12:22-27
But they deliberately overlook the fact that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water, Heb 11:3Psa 24:2Gen 1:9Gen 1:6Psa 136:6Psa 33:6Jhn 3:19-202Th 2:10-12 through which 2the world of that time perished in the flood. 2Pe 2:5Mat 24:38-39Gen 7:10-23Luk 17:27Gen 9:15Job 12:15 And by that same word, the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 2Pe 3:102Pe 3:12Isa 51:6Rev 21:1Mat 24:352Pe 2:92Th 1:7-8Mat 25:41
The Day of the Lord
(Zephaniah 1:7–18; Malachi 4:1–6; 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11)
Beloved, do not let this one thing escape your notice: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 3 Psa 90:4Rom 11:251Co 10:11Co 12:1 The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance. 1Ti 2:4Rom 2:4Hab 2:3Psa 86:15Isa 30:18Rev 2:21Luk 18:7-81Ti 1:16
But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed 4by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare. 5 Rev 21:1Mat 24:352Pe 3:7Rev 16:15Isa 51:61Th 5:22Pe 3:12Mrk 13:31
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to conduct yourselves in holiness and godliness 1Pe 1:15Php 1:271Pe 2:121Ti 6:112Pe 3:12Jas 3:13Isa 34:4Php 3:20 as you anticipate and hasten the coming of the day of God, when the heavens will be destroyed by fire and the elements will melt in the heat. 2Pe 3:10Isa 34:4Mic 1:4Tit 2:131Co 1:7-82Pe 3:7Isa 64:1-12Psa 50:3 But in keeping with God’s promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. Isa 65:17Rev 21:1Isa 66:22Rev 21:27Isa 60:21
Final Exhortations
Therefore, beloved, as you anticipate these things, make every effort to be found at peace—spotless and blameless in His sight. 6 1Th 5:231Th 3:13Php 1:101Co 15:581Jn 3:31Co 1:82Pe 1:5-10Php 2:15
Consider also that our Lord’s patience brings salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom God gave him. Rom 2:41Ti 1:162Pe 3:91Pe 3:20Jas 3:17Jas 1:5Luk 21:15Pro 2:6-7 He writes this way in all his letters, 7 speaking in them about such matters. Some parts of his letters are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, 8 as they do the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. Mat 15:6Heb 5:112Pe 2:14Jas 1:8Php 3:19Jer 23:36Mat 22:29Rom 8:1-39
Therefore, beloved, since you already know these things, be on your guard so that you will not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure standing. Col 2:8Heb 3:142Co 11:13-151Co 15:581Co 10:12Eph 4:14Mat 7:152Pe 2:18-22 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Col 1:10Eph 4:151Pe 2:2Col 3:10Php 3:81Pe 5:10-112Pe 1:3Eph 1:17
Amen. 9