SOME IMPRESSIONS FROM 2 PETER 3

Paul A Gray

In a sense, the whole of 2 Peter 3 could be summed up in John’s word in 1 John 2: 17, “And the world is passing, and its lust, but he that does the will of God abides for eternity.”

Similarly, Paul says, “Wherefore we faint not; but if indeed our outward man is consumed, yet the inward is renewed day by day. For our momentary and light affliction works for us in surpassing measure an eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things that are seen, but at the things that are not seen; for the things that are seen are for a time, but those that are not seen eternal”, 2 Cor 4: 16-18.

Peter was seeking, in what would be his final injunction to the saints before he died, to ensure that their minds were turned away from the transient world, to what is unseen and eternal. It is striking that he directs them to Paul’s ministry, no doubt having what was heavenly and spiritual in his mind. He reminds them that all things are under divine control, going back to the flood as evidence of God’s judgment of sin, but then reminding them of the continuation of the day of grace in that, for the Lord, “a thousand years are as one day”; counting according to man’s estimate of time is of no value, because time is God’s creature, and He is not controlled by it.

The references to “your pure mind”, to “holy conversation and godliness”, and to “without spot and blameless” were I think an antidote to the increasing corruption of the world. And if it was so then, how much more so now. They were to look for a new creation in which righteousness would dwell - and it will dwell because there will be no opposition to it, because it is entirely new and sin and death have no place in it, because all opposition to the divine will is gone.

At the present time, grace reigns through righteousness; in the millennium righteousness will reign; and in eternity righteousness will dwell. This is consistent with Paul’s teaching: “Then the end, when he [Christ] gives up the kingdom to him who is God and Father; when he shall have annulled all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign until he put all enemies under his feet.”, 1 Cor 15: 24,25.

This is the time to take heed; the Lord said, “Watch”. But it is also the time to grow, in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.