◄ What Does 2 Peter 3:11 Mean? ►

As the apostle Peter neared the end of his life, he taught about the coming 'Day of the Lord' and warned the little flock of Christ that in the last days, mocking men would ridicule the truth of Christ's return demonstrating their ignorance of the God's Word, and their foolish assumptions that things are going to continue on ad infinitum. God stepped into the pages of history many times to pronounce His judgement on a Christ rejecting sinful world following an extended period of grace - at creation, the flood, the tower of Babel, and also at the Cross.

Peter's warning counsels us to hold the things of this world lightly: "Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way," (via a day of judgment and the destruction of the ungodly men).

OH! We are not appointed unto wrath, for God's fury against sin in our lives was poured out on Christ, our substitute and Saviour, but one day God will say 'enough' and everything in heaven and earth will be shaken and destroyed – everything that is not of Christ – everything that is connected with this fallen, ungodly world system. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, the apostle Peter warns us that to be clear what sort of people we should be, in holy conduct and godliness.

Peter exhorts us to purity and holiness, to holy behaviour and godly conduct. Our labour should not be in perfecting the things of this world which will one day all be destroyed, but perfecting our relationship with our substitute and Saviour – to know Him more clearly, to love Him more dearly, and to follow His more nearly, day by day.

In the time we have left, let us store up treasures in heaven, where moth and rust will not destroy. Let us share the life saving news of salvation to all we meet; let us love one another as Christ loved us; let all we do in the days we have left on this earth be to the glory of God. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for telling us the fate of the heavens and the earth; that it will all be burned up, pass away, and be dissolved. It helps to put into perspective my love for this world and the things of this world, compared with the things of You which will never pass away. Help me to hold onto everything of this world lightly and to draw ever closer to You, day by day, being conformed into Your image. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN.