2 Peter 3:10-18

2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 

This is a verse often overlooked by the future earthly kingdom and 1000 year millennial reign supporters. 

(In seeking the counsel of much wiser and more experienced men in exegesis, the proposal was offered that Peter, in these nearby verses, was speaking of the old law service passing, the elements thereof burning with fervent heat and the heavens being dissolved, ushering in the age of grace under the new testament.  I am not skilled enough to bring forth such a position, but allow that some men will see these verses differently than the conclusion I have drawn.) 

2Pe 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,  What confidence or love shall we hold to the vain and temporal things of this earth that will pass from memory in fiery destruction, when we have the treasures of the heavenly King awaiting us?  Because of the blessed future what manner of persons should we now be?  Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 

2Pe 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?  Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 

If we have our affections set above, looking to the end of days with anticipation, knowing the glory to be revealed, we should comfort and encourage one another with the sure knowledge such is coming: 1Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 

2Pe 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.  Isaiah 65:17    Rev 21:1 

The Jews believe in a renewed heaven and earth after the destruction of this one, an idea which has no basis in scripture. We know the new heavens and new earth speak of the Kingdom which Christ established and will eventually be delivered up to the Father.  Peter here advises all those who read his words to look for that kingdom, for many will seek, and not find it.  He advises them to strive in enter in, where righteousness dwells, and that those who are able, may become kings and priests unto God, serving Him in spirit and in truth, and enjoying the fruits of that heavenly kingdom. 

2Pe 3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.  The direction to look for such things, be found of him in peace and without spot and blameless points to no other opportunity than the daily judgment seat of Christ, wherein all appear, in the courtroom of the heart and mind, where Christ sits and reigns in new earth and where the Spirit of God communes with us, leading and guiding us into all truth.  The above statement cannot point to eternal heaven, as the requirement to look and seek such speaks of works, and the possibility of our not being spotless or blameless.  Those harsher realities (spotted and guilty) can only take place in this physical world. 

2Pe 3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you

1Ti 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 

Were God as quick to chastise and condemn as we are to sin, there would be no possibility for us to ever correct our sinful path.  Our sins would hold us under the chastening rod permanently.  But God, who is rich in mercy, is longsuffering toward us, as little children, granting us space to learn our lessons and repent.  Such longsuffering grants us eventual knowledge and temporal salvation. 

2Pe 3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.  Peter had access to many, if not all of Paul’s letters and he equates them with scripture.  At this time in history, the complete canon had not yet been compiled, but it was close.   

Men have from the beginning attempted to wrest or twist scripture to their own advantage, in order to support their personal doctrines.  We are warned that no scripture is of private interpretation, yet our warfare on this front has not ended even after 2000 years. 

2Pe 3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

Colossians 2:8 

2Pe 3:18  But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.