2 Peter 3:11-13 meaning

In 2 Peter 3:11-13, Peter makes the logical conclusion that since judgment is inevitable and all things of this earth will be destroyed, then believers ought to focus their attention toward being prepared for Jesus’s return. Having talked about the prophetic end of the world, Peter makes a practical present—day application of this truth to the everyday lives of his readers beginning with:

Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! (vv. 11-12).

First, Peter gives a prophetic recap of the end of the world, saying Since all these things will be destroyed (v.11). The phrase these things refers to the universe together with the inhabited earth, and all that is on it. These are to be destroyed. The phrase are to be destroyed translates the Hebrew word “lyo” which pictures the cosmic glue that holds together the elements of the universe being unloosed. This loosening will create a violent event that destroys all we know.

Since the elements will be destroyed in this way, meaning the destructive way of fire and intense heat just described, then this reality ought to serve as a primary motivation for our conduct. Since “ungodly men” will be destroyed in this awesome judgment (2 Peter 3:7) then we certainly ought to focus our full attention and energy on being godly.

Peter follows this logical progression and makes a present—day application to his readers. Given the looming judgement, the logical question is then what sort of people out you to be in holy conduct and godliness. If ungodliness brings this terrible judgment, then it only makes sense for all who believe in the name of Jesus to pursue godliness with all their might.

Even before godliness, the first kind of state his readers ought to be in is in holy conduct. The word conduct is a translation of the Greek word “anastophe” that means a way of life that behaves according to certain principles. This is a favorite word of Peter that he uses eight times in his letters (1 Peter 1:15, 18, 2:12, 3:1, 2, 16, 2 Peter 2:7, 3:11).

This principled way of life is described using the adjective holy, meaning being dedicated or consecrated to the service of God in a way that results in being pure. This word is used by Peter eleven times (1 Peter 1:12, 15, 16, 2:5, 9, 3:5, 2 Peter 1:18, 21, 2:21, 3:2, 11).

Not only did Peter want his readers to live in holy conduct, he also added and godliness., Peter uses the word translated godliness four times in his second letter (2 Peter 1:3, 6, 7, 3:11). He presented godliness as an important stage in moving up the stairsteps to maturity in 2 Peter 1:6-7, following knowledge, self—control, and perseverance. We can take from this that godliness is a persistent pattern of a living application of the knowledge of God. The 2 Peter 1:6-7 attributes that follow godliness—brotherly kindness and love—would certainly fit with the phrase holy conduct.

Peter’s assertion tells us that adopting and practicing prophetic truth produces personal purity. He also tells us that ungodliness leads to judgment and loss. This is a truth affirmed by the Apostle John as he warns that there will be some believers who will live a wasteful life of impurity, and will be embarrassed when Christ returns (1 John 2:28).

That ungodly living leads to judgment and loss is also affirmed by the Apostle Paul who asserts that some believers will be “saved, yet so as through fire” because the deeds they did on earth burn up in the judgment fire of Christ (1 Corinthians 3:15). Peter urges his followers to keep their hearts and minds focused on the future looming judgment and live their lives to please God. It is in pleasing God that we gain true fulfillment, the full experience of life (Matthew 7:14, Luke 14:26-27, John 17:3).

Peter wants his readers to be looking for and hastening the coming day of God (v. 12). Peter seems to make a distinction between the “day of the Lord” in 2 Peter 3:10 and the day of God here in verse 12.

The “day of the Lord” in verse 10 refers to when the Lord Jesus Christ judges the world at the end of the age. This period begins with a three—and—a—half—year period Jesus called a time of “great tribulation” in Matthew 24:21. At the end of this period Jesus will return to earth and destroy the enemies gathered against Him and His people (Revelation 19:21).

The day of God in verse 12 may refer to the time that follows the day of the Lord. This is inferred by verse 13 which speaks of a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. If this is the case, it could either refer to the period beginning with the messianic reign of Revelation 20:4 or to the beginning of the new heaven and new earth as spoken of in Revelation 21:1, or perhaps to both. During the messianic reign, righteousness fills the earth until Satan is released for a brief time when there is one last rebellion that is defeated (Revelation 20:7-10). The next thing we are told in Revelation is that there will be a judgment followed by a new heaven and earth (Revelation 20:11-15, 21:1).

This event of Revelation 21:1 appears to be the same event Peter speaks of here in 2 Peter 3:10-13. Regardless of the specific time period meant by the phrase day of God it is clear that what

Peter exhorts his readers to be looking for refers to a time when the earth is filled with righteousness. To be looking for means to anticipate and order our actions so as to be prepared. If we are looking for an upcoming vacation we would make preparations so that we can enjoy our trip. In a similar way, we should be living our lives to prepare for the time that is coming, a time of judgment and of reordering the earth. The way to prepare for the day of God is to lay up treasures that will await our arrival.

Not only does Peter exhort his readers to be looking for the coming day of God, but he also exhorts his readers to be hastening the coming of the day of God. The word hastening has the idea of causing something to happen by exercising special effort. What can Christians do that hastens the coming of the day of God?

One thing Jesus told His disciples to do was to pray to God that, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done.” (Matthew 6:10). Jesus also told the disciples, “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14). Both of these verses infer that holy living and righteous actions of God’s people play a significant part in God’s timing for when He will physically bring His kingdom to earth, such that the earth is filled with righteousness, as is promised in verse 13.

The day of God is cited as a cause of the destruction of the current earth. Peter uses the phrase because of which to refer to the day of God. The advent of the day of God requires as a prerequisite that the heavens will be destroyed by burning and the elements will melt with intense heat (1 Peter 3:10).

This further indicates that the day of God refers to the period of time that begins with the new earth. It seems that we cannot have a world that fills with righteousness until the old world is done away with, saying: But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells (v. 13).

Peter begins verse 13 with But, in contrast to the destruction of the present heavens and earth. In contrast to the existing earth, according to His promise, referring to the promise God made that He would restore the earth, we are looking for new heavens and new earth (Revelation 21:1, Romans 8:21). This earth will differ from the current earth, for this new earth will be one in which righteousness dwells. This means the new earth will be unaffected by sin or death (Isaiah 60:21, 65:25, Revelation 21:27).

The idea of a new heaven and earth is inferred as early as Genesis 8:22, which uses the phrase “while the earth remains.” Isaiah 65:17 and 66:22 explicitly promise a new heaven and earth. That Isaiah tells us that in this new earth the “former things will not be remembered” indicates that it will contain a vastly superior quality of life; there will be no “longing for the good old days.” Thus, the coming of a new heaven and earth is according to His promise. If God promises something, then it will surely come to pass (2 Corinthians 1:20, Hebrews 10:23).

It is certain that there is a new world coming. And it will be preceded by a day of judgment. So believers most certainly should be living with that in mind. Peter shares Paul’s perspective that all we do should be done in a manner to please the Lord, because it is He who will judge our deeds and from Him we will receive the reward of the inheritance (2 Corinthians 5:9-11, Colossians 3:23-24). The best way to experience life here on earth is also the best way to gain the greatest reward of life in the age to come, and that is to climb the “stairs” to Christian maturity and live in holy conduct and godliness (1 Peter 1:5-7).

While the false teachers who were polluting the church denied this prophetic promise of Christ’s return to judge the world (2 Peter 3:2-3) and instead continued to promote an immoral lifestyle (2 Peter 2:1-2, 14), Peter knows that living in such a way as to inherit the rewards from the prophetic promise produces a motivation to pursue Christian maturity.

Peter opened this letter exhorting these believers to follow the path of Christian maturity (2 Peter 1:5-7). He ends it in the same manner but adds an urgent motivation: Jesus is returning and will judge the world. Heeding Peter’s exhortation will result in a life—example of holy conduct and godliness. The believers who heed Peter will grow from their rich intimacy with the Lord (2 Peter 1:2-4) to walk up the stairsteps toward maturity (1 Peter 1:5-8)!