2 Peter Chapter 3 — The Day of the Lord
Peter addresses the concerns of skeptics regarding the Lord's return, explaining that God's delay is an act of patience to allow for repentance. He looks forward to the day when the heavens and earth will be renewed in righteousness.
1This is now, beloved, the second letter that I have written to you; and in both of them I stir up your sincere mind by reminding you
2that you should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets and the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior,
3knowing this first, that in the last days mockers will come, walking after their own lusts
4and saying, “Where is the promise of his coming? For, from the day that the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.”
5For they willfully forget that there were heavens from of old, and an earth formed out of water and amid water by the word of God,
6by which means the world that existed then, being overflowed with water, perished.
7But the heavens that exist now and the earth, by the same word have been stored up for fire, being reserved against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
8But don’t forget this one thing, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but he is patient with us, not wishing that anyone should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
10But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fervent heat; and the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
11Therefore, since all these things will be destroyed like this, what kind of people ought you to be in holy living and godliness,
12looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God, which will cause the burning heavens to be dissolved, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?
13But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.
14Therefore, beloved, seeing that you look for these things, be diligent to be found in peace, without defect and blameless in his sight.
15Regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given to him, wrote to you,
16as also in all of his letters, speaking in them of these things. In those, there are some things that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unsettled twist, as they also do to the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
17You therefore, beloved, knowing these things beforehand, beware, lest being carried away with the error of the wicked, you fall from your own steadfastness.
18But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
2 Peter 3:8
“But don’t forget this one thing, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”
This verse highlights the vast difference between human and divine perspectives on time and history.
2 Peter 3:9
“The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but he is patient with us, not wishing that anyone should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
It explains that the delay in Christ's return is an expression of God's mercy and desire for human salvation.
2 Peter 3:13
“But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.”
This verse points to the ultimate hope of believers for a restored and perfectly righteous creation.
Chapter Summary
In the final chapter of his second letter, Peter encourages believers to remember the teachings of the prophets and apostles. He warns that mockers will arise in the last days, questioning the promise of Christ's return by pointing to the apparent stability of the world since creation. Peter reminds them that the world was previously judged by water during the flood and that the current heavens and earth are reserved for judgment by fire. He explains that God’s perspective on time differs from humanity’s, with a thousand years being like a single day to Him. The perceived delay of the Day of the Lord is actually a manifestation of God’s patience, as He desires that no one should perish. However, the Day of the Lord will arrive unexpectedly like a thief. Peter concludes by urging believers to live holy and blameless lives, growing in grace and knowledge, while acknowledging that some of the apostle Paul’s writings are difficult to understand and often twisted by the ignorant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Peter explains that what humans perceive as slowness is actually God's patience. He is waiting to give more people the opportunity to come to repentance before the final judgment occurs.
The text describes the heavens passing away with a great noise and the elements being dissolved with fervent heat. This destruction leads to the creation of new heavens and a new earth.
Peter acknowledges that Paul's letters contain some things that are hard to understand. He notes that ignorant and unsettled people twist these writings, just as they do with other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
Believers are encouraged to live in holiness and godliness, making every effort to be found in peace, without defect, and blameless in God's sight.
Study Note
Peter's classification of Paul's letters alongside 'the other Scriptures' in verse 16 is a significant early historical indicator of the formation of the New Testament canon.
Related Chapters
1 Thessalonians 5
Both chapters use the metaphor of a 'thief in the night' to describe the suddenness of the Day of the Lord.
Revelation 21
This chapter provides a detailed vision of the 'new heaven and a new earth' that Peter promises.
Psalms 90
The psalmist similarly reflects on God's eternal nature and how a thousand years are like a day in His sight.
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