◄ What Does 2 Peter 3:14 Mean? ►

As Peter nears the end of his earthly life, there seems to be an increasing urgency to warn the Body of Christ of the mounting danger of false teachers, whom the apostle identified as rebellious, mercenary, animalistic, and deceitful men who are persistent sinners.

Although he reassures us that such false teachers will finally be deposed and destroyed at the Second Advent of Christ when He returns to set up His Millennial Kingdom, Peter is also keen to stir up the believer's awareness of the difficult conditions Christians will face on earth, as the end draws near.

The first thing to note is that scoffers will rise up to ridicule the blessed hope that we have in Christ when He returns in the clouds to take us to be with Himself. These ungodly mockers will not only refuse to acknowledge the truth of God's Word, but will endeavour to eliminate Him as the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth.

Not only will the 'Day of the Lord' take these evil men by surprise: "Like a thief in the night," but Peter even informs us of happenings that will take place at the end of Christ's Millennial rule, when the heavens will pass away with a great noise, the elements will melt because of the intense heat, and the earth and all that is in it will be burned up – after which God will make a new heaven and a new earth.

It is in consideration of all that Peter has told us of the divine power and promises of God, together with shocking events that are soon to take place on earth, that believers are exhorted: "Therefore, beloved brethren, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace - spotless and blameless."

We have an important reason to be spiritually alert, to identify and expose the evils of our day, and not to become ensnared by them. We also have a great incentive to live a holy and blameless life that abides in Christ and is honouring to the Lord. And so, we are urged by Peter to live in peace with one another, to walk in spirit and in truth, and to share the good news of the gospel of grace with those that are dead in their sins.

As the apostle Peter draws his final letter to a close, we should all take note of the increasing urgency of his message and remain watchful for the any day return of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. May we all be diligent to guard our hearts and minds and be found at peace in Christ. May we be spotless in thought, word, deed, and motive, knowing that the time is short.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the urgency of Peter's epistle. May I take note of the warning to identify error and pursue His perfect peace as the time for Christ's return draws ever closer. May I rest in Him and, in the power of the Holy Spirit, be spotless in thought, word, deed, and motive, for I desire to live blamelessly before Your face. This I ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.