An End-Time Perspective

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This is the final message in a series of sermons on the book of 2 Peter. The message emphasizes Peter's admonition for holy living in light of the coming "Day of the Lord."

Written Excerpts:

2 Peter 3:11 ^(NKJV) Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness

Introduction:

I’ve been preaching a series of messages through the book of 2 Peter for the past several weeks. The sermon today is the 9^th and last message, which will address the second half of chapter 3. Last Sunday we spoke on the first half of the chapter and talked about the judgment and the mercy of God. Peter assures his readers that a day of judgment is coming regardless of what the scoffers may say. He also assured them that the primary reason it hadn’t come yet was because God is longsuffering and does not want anyone to perish (to be lost).

Today we are picking up at verse 10 and are reminded that the coming “day of the Lord” will be overwhelming in many ways. The phrase “Day of the Lord” was understood by the early Christians as well as ancient Jews as a term that referred to the coming of God when He would eliminate all evil and establish righteousness.

Let us take a few minutes to consider the description he provides of that notable day, then we will follow-up with three specific admonitions given in light of what’s coming.

I.     The Day of the Lord Described (Verses 10 and 12)

A.  The Day will arrive suddenly and unexpectedly.

“as a thief in the night” – This is a description that was used repeatedly by Jesus and other Apostles to represent the unexpected arrival of the Lord.

B.  Everything will change.

“heavens pass away”

“elements melt”

“fervent heat” “burned up” 

“being on fire” 

There is some debate among scholars whether all these descriptions are to be understood literally or if Peter is simply employing apocalyptic language to emphasize the fact that everything that was thought to be permanent is gone.

(Tyndale) But the most important point is the moral implications in this coming of the Lord and that is what Peter turns his attention to next.

II.    The Admonitions for Preparation

A.    Live holy (11, 14)

“Holy conversation” – clean, pure, separated and devoted to one person –the Lord Jesus Christ. We don’t keep making excuses for why we don’t live holy, but we keep striving for more of Christ and His grace to make us what we ought to be. As soon as we say, “I can’t …” We limit the power and the grace of God.

“Godliness” – Back in chapter 1 we learned that godliness was… a compound word literally meaning to “worship well”; thus, worship rightly directed. (Robertson’s Word Pictures/Vincent Word Studies)

The word emphasizes the inward attitude of worship and reverence and piety toward God along with conduct and other outward actions that confirm the heart attitude.

Live holy because of what’s coming.

v. 11 “seeing that…” – Peter definitely links the kind of life his readers should live with the “day of the Lord.”

Live holy because that’s all that really matters.

When this day arrives, and everything of material value is destroyed as verses 10 & 12 describe, then the only thing that will survive or matter is the spiritual/moral life. You and I won’t be able to depend on material possessions, bank accounts, positions and popularity then. The only thing that will be important then is our relationship with Christ and whether we let Him transform our lives.

B.    Live carefully (12-14, 17)

The next admonition Peter gives is what I describe as “living carefully.” Living holy has to do with our spiritual and moral life and character, but living carefully speaks more of our attitudes as we go about living holy.

Living carefully means living with expectation. (12-14a)

“looking for & hasting;” “we…look for;” “seeing that ye look for” – These words give the idea that these believers are not ones who will be caught by surprise. 

Jesus gave several parables in his earthly ministry that described a master showing up unexpectedly when the servants least thought he would come. In those parables He often would admonish the hearers, “So watch therefore…” We all need to live with the expectation that Jesus is coming soon. If we do, we will not allow ourselves to get careless about the important principles for righteous conduct.

Living carefully includes diligence and caution. (14b, 17)

v. 14 – “be diligent” – This literally means “make haste” and gives the idea of giving a zealous effort.

v. 17 – “beware” – so that you don’t fall from your own steadfastness. Don’t become self-confident and smug.

It’s amazing sometimes how so many people exercise such intense effort and awareness or caution about many things in life EXCEPT their spiritual condition.

C.    Live healthy (18)

Healthy living is implied in the imagery of growth. (18)

“grow in grace and in knowledge” – We talked about this at the very beginning of this series in the beginning of chapter 1. The Christian life is never presented in the Bible as a life that is stale and stagnant. If we are in relationship with Jesus Christ, that is a vital and vibrant relationship that is intended to mature and grow and develop.

If God is infinite – and He is! Then there is always new truths and new heights and depths for us to reach in our knowledge of Him and His will for us.

Healthy living refers to moral and spiritual health.

When Peter urges his readers to “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” he is essentially summarizing what he was urging them to do in 1:5-7 in the list of virtues or qualities that they were to add to their faith.

Conclusion:

Peter ends his letter with a short doxology (praise).

…To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

All of human history is leading up to one final climax – the complete and total triumph of Jesus Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords. He will be glorified by every creature in heaven and earth. Every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!

Let us close our worship service by standing together and singing the hymn: Jesus Is Coming Again