Read 2 Peter 3:1-18
Meditate on the passage.
Reflect
Which of the verses or words speak the most to you?
What can you learn about the last days? What are your thoughts about the last days?
How should we approach the last days?
How is God's view of time or even a day different from us?
What other thoughts or observations strike you?
Relate
This is Peter's second letter. It shows his growing concern for the 'sheep' that he's supposed to feed (John 21: 17).
Some may see this passage as one addressing the subject of eschatology since phrases like 'the last days' or 'the day of the Lord' are mentioned no less than 3 times.
Other than those phrases, I'm equally attracted by some of the other phrases in the passage such as 'reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking (v3)'; 'with the Lord, a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day (v8)'; 'wrote you with the wisdom that God gave (v15)'; and 'grow in the grace (v18)'.
The following is an inspirational quote from Spurgeon with reference to verse 3:"The purest minds need stirring up at times. It would be a great pity to stir up impure minds. That would only be to do mischief; but pure minds may be stirred as much as you please, and the more the better.”
We should, therefore, not get offended if we're being reminded or 'stirred'. In fact, it's good to be 'stirred' every once in a while. For only a pure mind seeks renewal.
Many things have been spoken about the last days or eschaton. There are many who are more curious about it than captivated by it. Up to today, there is still no consensus about the events leading up to 'that day' although there are a few versions as to how that would look like depending on whether one holds a pre - millennium, post - millennium, pan -millennium or a - millennium view.
Truth is, that is not what is important. We only need to be certain that the last days will come. As to when that will be, no one really knows. And no one will ever know since there is no one privy to this 64 - million, billion or trillion - dollar question. There’s simply no amount of money, power or wisdom that can get us the answer.
But suffice to say, we need to be ready for that day, which could spring upon us anytime. Let us not be caught unawares then, but know that there is a way of living that anticipates the coming of that day. And it pays for us to live that way from this day.
In light of the unexpectedness of that day, there should be an urgency to share the gospel with as many people as possible. As the day draws even nearer, there will be more of such opportunities to do justice to God's grace. The question is: Will there be as many takers? Perhaps, for that reason, there is a compassionate reason behind God's timing.
We could either be like those living in 19th century America who thought that Christ would return on October 22, 1844 based on the prediction of a farmer named William Miller. However, when the day came and went, and nothing happened, many became disillusioned and abandoned their faith. Or we could live differently as kingdom people while still waiting for that day.
Speaking of which, time is totally out of our control no matter how much we try to speed up things or prolong a matter. In this area as in others as well, we are not in the same league as God. Besides, there is also no mention as to how time came to be. It was already there right 'in the beginning' with God. In that sense, a day to God may not be the same as a day to us. And a thousand years may be just a day to God (paraphrasing v 8).
On this subject, Joel B. Green interestingly wrote that "God sees time with a perspective we lack; even the delay of a thousand years may well seem like a day against the back-cloth of eternity. Furthermore, God sees time with an intensity we lack; one day with the Lord is like a thousand years.”
It will be helpful to note, too, that the pursuit of God requires an explicit understanding of time. Solomon learned his lessons about time in Ecclesiastes 3. The Psalmist learned the impact of time when he wrote: Be still (Psalm 46: 10). I have learned that time is beautiful as long as God is behind it.
Turning the attention now to v 8, I must say that I'm both encouraged and challenged by it as a writer. Inspiration is undoubtedly the spark and flow that is required in writing. But what's more important than inspiration is wisdom, especially the wisdom that comes from God. It begs me here to ask myself the question: Am I writing with the wisdom that God gives?
As for Peter complimenting Paul on his writing, it puts paid to doubts of strain in their relationship, arising from differences in their ministry philosophy and opinions (Galatians 2: 6 - 10). How good it is when God's servants work together and regard one another favourably.
Lastly, what does 'grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour' (v 18) mean to you and me? This is how Peter ends his letter. We could treat it as a simple closing remark or as an emphatic exhortation.
But it is my belief that growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord will stand us in good stead for the last days.
Rest
Lord, give us a right understanding of time and your grace. Help us live as people who know the sacredness and blessedness of time. And may we grow each day as a disciple in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour.
Naville Chia
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