Get the free app for more features and content.
Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play

The Promise of the Lord’s Coming

1This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you; in them I am trying to arouse your sincere intention by reminding you 2that you should remember the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets, and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken through your apostles. 3First of all you must understand this, that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and indulging their own lusts 4and saying, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since our ancestors died, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation!” 5They deliberately ignore this fact, that by the word of God heavens existed long ago and an earth was formed out of water and by means of water, 6through which the world of that time was deluged with water and perished. 7But by the same word the present heavens and earth have been reserved for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the godless.

8But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. 9The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. 10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed.

11Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, 12waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? 13But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.

Final Exhortation and Doxology

14Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; 15and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation. So also our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, 16speaking of this as he does in all his letters. There are some things in them hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other scriptures. 17You therefore, beloved, since you are forewarned, beware that you are not carried away with the error of the lawless and lose your own stability. 18But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Click here to learn more.

Featured Resources

Day of the Lord

Day of the Lord

Does God care about all of the evil humans perpetrate in our world, and if so...

BibleProject

N. T. Wright on Justification and Sanctification

N. T. Wright on Justification and Sanctification

https://seedbed.com Seedbed's mission is to gather, connect, and resource ...

Seedbed

John Piper and Tim Keller Wrestle with Sanctification

John Piper and Tim Keller Wrestle with Sanctifi...

John Piper and Tim Keller sat down to discuss the biblical vision of sanctifi...

Desiring God

What Is the Bible's Definition of Sanctification?

What Is the Bible's Definition of Sanctification?

Learn more: https://www.crossway.org/books/sanctification-tpb/

Crossway

Top 3 common mistakes when studying the Bible?

Top 3 common mistakes when studying the Bible?

Watch more episodes of Honest Answers here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?...

Southern Seminary

Introduction to 1 and 2 Peter

Introduction to 1 and 2 Peter

Sebastian Kim introduces 1 and 2 Peter from a Korean Christian perspective, l...

Fuller Studio

Book of 2 Peter Summary: A Complete Animated Overview

Book of 2 Peter Summary: A Complete Animated Ov...

Watch our overview video on 2 Peter, which breaks down the literary design of...

BibleProject

New Testament Letters: Literary Context

New Testament Letters: Literary Context

In the New Testament, there are 21 letters written by early Christian leaders...

BibleProject

New Testament Letters: Historical Context

New Testament Letters: Historical Context

In the New Testament, there are 21 letters or epistles written by early Chris...

BibleProject

New Testament Summary: A Complete Animated Overview

New Testament Summary: A Complete Animated Over...

Watch our overview video on the New Testament. This video breaks down the lit...

BibleProject

Explore 2 Peter 3