v1-2: Certainty and assurance. Peter returns to themes of chapter 1, this time looking to God's faithfulness, and the promise of Christ's return. We must be mindful of the truths of God, be more conscious of what God has said, meditating more often on the things of Christ.

Peter wrote to remind these Christians of the truths of Christ which they had already known. The words of N.T. apostles are scripture in the same way as the O.T. prophets.

v3-4: Many despise the promises of God, especially that of Christ's return. The scripture actually prophesies the existence of such people. The abundance of such "scoffers" is a sign of the last days.

The fact that some promises are not fulfilled does not mean that God is no longer faithful to His word; it does demonstrate His long-suffering.

The particular false thinking that Peter challenged was that everything will continue as it always has. Such thinking was typical of pre-Christian religion. The truth of God's word is that there is an end, a destiny, which is God's plan and intention. Modern thinking, influenced by atheistic philosophy and post-modernism, has returned to this pre-Christian view. Such thinking is consistent with people's own evil desires, since they are ignorant of personal accountability.

v5-7: They wilfully forget, choosing to lay aside the truths of God revealed in scripture. This is another indication of their religious background. See Rom 1.28.

All things were made by God's word, Ps 33.6, 9. By that same word;

• all things were flooded;
• all things are sustained;
• and all things will be destroyed.

Yet through all these things, the godly are preserved; such is God's power and faithfulness.

v8: The Lord God exists outside time, so any 'delay' means nothing to Him. He is not subject to the same time that affects our lives.

v9: The Lord God is not ignorant of the effect of time upon human lives, and He is not uncaring. Christ's return is delayed, giving opportunity to repent.

God's intent is not that people perish. But the only way out of that destiny is to repent. God is not indulgent, changing His standards just to let sinners into Heaven.

v10: The day of the Lord, or the day of God, v12; something sudden and unexpected; used in Joel and Zephaniah to describe times of judgment, especially on an unbelieving and ungodly Jewish people.

Peter speaks of creation being burned up, melting with fervent heat. The existing creation has an end; and thus it is folly to grasp the things of this world.

v11: Our response to these truths; the Bible teaching of the Lord's return, and "the day of the Lord" is not to encourage speculation, but to promote holy and godly living.

v12: We are looking forward to the day of God, hastening to it, that the righteousness of God be fully manifested in the world, and His purposes be fulfilled. For the unbelieving world, the day of God is a fearful thing; everything that they value will be destroyed. (Jewish Rabbis taught that sins delayed the coming of the Messiah.)

The "day" is not necessarily a period of 24 hours; Peter does not enter into an argument on the length of the "day."

v13: We look for the unseen, Heb 11.3, a new heavens and a new earth, which exist solely by God's promise. This will be a place of righteousness only, not mixed with sin, a place of utter perfection. This is God's re-creation, not the result of human efforts.

v14: Our hope means that we look forward to the future, not just in pious words, but by godly desires and diligence.

We work to be found at peace with Him, not ashamed of His coming, 1 John 2.28.

Without spot and blame, compare Eph 5.27; 1 Pet 1.19.

v15-16: Peter regarded Paul's writings as Scripture. Such a statement also answers any accusation of difference between Peter and Paul. References to prophets and apostles (v2) indicate that the NT bears the same authority as the OT.

There is such a thing as truth, and therefore there is error; for many twist the truths of God, and will be rewarded properly.

v17: We have been pre-warned, and are therefore ready to avoid error. We must remain steadfast, loyal to God in all circumstances.

v18: We are commanded to grow, to press on to know Christ, for He is Lord and Saviour. In this way we will avoid being carried away into error. See also 1.5-9. As recipients of God's grace, we grow in grace, the seed of God (1 John 3.9).

Ultimately, God's glory will be revealed in Jesus Christ; and that does not depend upon anything of us or in us. Yet, there is glory for God as we bear fruit, John 15.8; Phil 1.11.