2 Peter 3:1-2 gets to the heart of why Peter has written this second letter. He reminds his readers to remember the prophetic commandment to watch for Christ’s coming, which Jesus taught and His apostles have continued to teach.

2 Peter 3:3-4 explains that prior to Christ’s return, people will follow their own desires. They will mock the promise of His coming, casting doubt that it will happen. They will argue that nothing has changed since the beginning of creation. Things are as they always have been.

2 Peter 3: 5-7 argues that these mockers who doubt Christ’s return fail to realize not only that the universe was created by God’s Word and the earth was once destroyed by a global flood, but also it is by God’s Word that the universe, including ungodly people, is currently being reserved for a fiery judgment day.

2 Peter 3:8-9 continues to dismantle the incorrect perspective of the mockers. The mockers are wrong to think God is slow or delayed. God’s perception of time is vastly different from ours—one day is like a thousand years to Him, and a thousand years like one day. God created time, thus He exists outside of it. He is not slow in keeping His promise that Jesus will return. God is patient, desiring that everyone would have an internal resolve to reject their own sinfulness and get right with Him.

2 Peter 3:10 explains that the day when God will judge the earth will coming unexpectedly. The universe will be destroyed with fire and the earth and all its achievements will be burned up.

2 Peter 3:11-13 applies the end of the universe and destruction of the earth as a motivation for believers to live holy lives while on earth, expectantly looking for the day of God, when His predicted judgment will take place and the promise of new heavens and a new earth will be fulfilled. This new earth will be perfect; there will be nothing evil or apart from God’s will. All will be right.

2 Peter 3:14-16 discusses how God will one day judge the earth, and destroy creation, and create a new earth—therefore, believers should work hard so that when Christ comes we may be found living holy lives that honor Him. We should understand that Jesus has not returned yet so that more people might believe in Him. We should study the writings of Paul to understand and apply them to our lives. Other people misrepresent Paul’s writings, which results in their own loss and punishment.

2 Peter 3:17-18 exhorts Peter’s disciples to be careful that they do not fall for the error of the men who follow their sinful desires, who are false teachers, and fall away from our own commitment to the truth. Instead we should grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, who has glory both now and forever.