In 2 Peter 3:3-7, the apostle Peter warns that in the last days, scoffers will question the promise of Christ’s return. They will follow their own desires and dismiss God’s coming judgment as if nothing will ever change.
These scoffers argue that life has always gone on the same way since creation. They ignore the reality of God’s past actions like the flood.
By doing this, they overlook clear evidence that God has intervened in history. He will act again in the future.
This perspective challenges anyone who takes the Bible seriously. It invites believers to examine how they live and what they believe about the future.
Understanding Scoffers in the Last Days
In 2 Peter 3:3-7, Peter warns about people who openly reject and ridicule the promise of Christ’s return. These individuals follow their own desires and dismiss God’s truth.
They create doubt and confusion among others.
Definition and Characteristics of Scoffers
A scoffer mocks or ridicules the truth of God’s Word. In the last days, scoffers reject the teaching that Christ will return to judge the world.
According to 2 Peter 3:3, scoffers “follow their own evil desires” and use words to undermine faith. They may ask, “Where is the promise of His coming?” to cast doubt.
Common traits of scoffers include:
- Mocking biblical promises and prophecy.
- Dismissing moral standards found in Scripture.
- Encouraging others to ignore God’s commands.
They do not simply doubt; they actively oppose the message of the gospel. They lead others away from it.
The Rise of Scoffing and Mocking the Truth
The Bible teaches that scoffing will increase during the period between Christ’s ascension and His return. This entire span is considered the last days.
The intensity of mockery may grow over time. In 2 Peter 3:4, scoffers claim that “all things continue as they were” to deny future judgment.
They interpret the delay in Christ’s return as proof it will never happen.
Modern scoffing often appears as:
- Public ridicule of Christian beliefs.
- Questioning the reliability of Scripture.
- Promoting the idea that moral truth is relative.
This trend creates an environment where mocking the truth becomes socially acceptable. It makes it harder for some to stand firm in their faith.
Motivations: Sinful Desires and Walking After Their Own Lusts
Peter explains that scoffers act from their own evil desires and lusts. They choose lifestyles that oppose God’s commands.
They reject anything that challenges their behavior. By denying Christ’s return and judgment, they remove the idea of accountability.
This allows them to live without moral restraint.
Examples of such motivations include:
- Pursuit of pleasure without regard for God’s standards.
- Self-centered ambition that ignores eternal consequences.
- Rejection of authority, both divine and moral.
Their scoffing is not only about disbelief. It is a way to justify actions they do not want to give up.
This matches Peter’s warning in chapter 3, verse 3 that their behavior is tied directly to “walking after their own lusts.”
The Promise of Christ’s Return
Peter reminded believers that Jesus Christ’s return was certain, even if some denied it. The early church faced people who questioned the promise of His coming.
The apostles and prophets had already spoken clearly about it in Scripture. God’s word gave both the warning and the hope.
Doubting the Promise: Common Objections
In the first century, some scoffers claimed that nothing had changed since the beginning of creation. They argued that if Jesus was coming back, it would have happened already.
These objections often came from those who lived according to their own desires. They saw no evidence of judgment and assumed it never would come.
As noted in 2 Peter 3:3-4, such people ignored God’s past actions, like the flood in Noah’s day. This selective memory led them to dismiss the promise of His coming.
Their reasoning was based on human timelines, not God’s. Peter urged believers to remember that God’s plans follow His own perfect schedule.
The Role of the Holy Prophets and Apostles
The holy prophets in the Old Testament spoke of the day of the Lord and God’s final judgment. Their writings gave a foundation for understanding Christ’s return.
The apostles continued this message after Jesus’ resurrection. They repeated His words about coming again and called believers to live in readiness.
Peter stressed that both groups—prophets and apostles—were united in their testimony. This agreement across centuries showed that the promise was consistent and trustworthy.
Scripture preserved these messages for future generations. The church was not left guessing; it had a clear record of God’s plan.
The Assurance of Jesus Christ’s Coming
The assurance of His coming rests on the character of God. What He promises, He fulfills.
Jesus Himself said He would return, as recorded in passages like John 14:3. The apostles passed on this promise to the early church, and it remains for believers today.
Peter reminded them that God had acted in history before—creating the world, judging it by water, and one day judging it by fire (2 Peter 3:5-7).
These past events show that His word is certain. Believers can trust that the promise of His coming is real.
Lessons from Creation and the Flood
The early history of the world shows how God’s Word shaped the heavens and the earth. Water played a role in both creation and judgment.
These events reveal His power to bring life, sustain it, and also to bring it to an end when people reject Him.
God’s Word in Creation of the Heavens and Earth
According to 2 Peter 3:5, the heavens and earth came into being by the Word of God. Creation was not random but followed His direct command.
The earth was formed out of water and through water. This recalls the Genesis account, where God separated the waters to shape land and sky.
By speaking, He brought order from chaos. Light, land, seas, plants, and living creatures came into existence because He willed it.
His Word is not just information—it is active and powerful. The same authority that made the world also sustains it today.
The Flood: Historical Judgment and Its Significance
Peter reminds his readers of the flood in Noah’s time. The world of that time was deluged and destroyed.
The deluge came by water, covering the earth and wiping out all life except those in the ark. It was a direct act of judgment on human wickedness.
The flood shows that God’s patience has limits. When evil fills the earth, He acts to set things right.
It also points forward to another coming judgment—this time by fire, not water—when the ungodly will face accountability.
Deliberate Forgetfulness of God’s Actions
Peter warns that some people choose to forget these events. This deliberate forgetfulness is not due to lack of evidence but a refusal to acknowledge God’s authority.
They ignore that God created the world by His Word and that He once judged it through the flood. By doing so, they dismiss the reality of future judgment.
This attitude allows them to live as if there are no consequences. The past shows that God’s actions in history are real and decisive.
For more insight into Peter’s warning about scoffers and their denial of God’s past works, see the study guide for 2 Peter 3.
The Day of Judgment and the Destruction of the Ungodly
Peter teaches that God has set a time when the present heavens and earth will face destruction. This event will involve fire, judgment, and the removal of all that is ungodly.
A new creation will follow.
Fire Reserved for the Heavens and Earth
According to 2 Peter 3:7, the current heavens and earth are “reserved for fire” by God’s command. Their destruction is not random but planned.
The fire represents a complete and final removal of the present order. It will not be a partial cleansing but a total transformation.
God’s word once brought the world into existence and once destroyed it by water. This time, the destruction will come by fire.
This fire points to both physical and moral purification. It will burn away corruption, sin, and everything that opposes God’s will.
Destruction of the Ungodly
The same fire that transforms creation will bring the destruction of the ungodly. In this context, “ungodly” refers to those who reject God’s truth and live by their own desires.
Peter warns that this destruction is certain. It is not an empty threat but a fixed part of God’s plan for the day of judgment.
The ungodly will not escape because of wealth, status, or influence. Judgment will be fair and based on truth.
This warning also serves as a call to repentance. God’s patience now allows time for people to turn to Him before this day arrives.
The Day of the Lord: Future Judgment
The day of the Lord is a term in Scripture for a decisive moment when God acts in judgment. In 2 Peter 3:10, it comes “like a thief,” meaning it will be sudden and unexpected.
On that day, the heavens will disappear with a roar. The elements will burn up, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.
This future judgment will reveal the reality of every person’s life. Nothing will stay hidden.
For believers, this truth encourages holy and godly living. For the ungodly, it serves as a final warning before the day arrives.
God’s Patience, Grace, and the Call to Repentance
God shows patience by holding back His final judgment. He gives people time to turn from sin.
His grace offers a clear path to salvation through Jesus Christ. Believers are called to grow in knowledge and live in a way that reflects godliness and justice.
God’s Mercy and Delay in Judgment
The delay in Christ’s return does not mean God neglects His promises. As explained in 2 Peter 3:9, God is patient, not wanting anyone to perish but wanting all to come to repentance.
This patience is an act of mercy. God gives more time for people to hear the truth and respond.
Believers should see this delay as a gift. It gives them a chance to prepare their hearts and live with godliness while waiting for the Day of the Lord.
God’s justice will come at the right time. Mercy gives space for change before judgment falls.
Opportunities for Salvation
Every moment before Christ’s return is a chance for salvation. Through grace, God offers forgiveness for sin and hope of eternal life to anyone who believes in Jesus.
Repentance means turning away from sinful desires and choosing to follow God’s commands. It is more than regret; it is a change in direction.
People often delay this decision, thinking they have more time. But the call to salvation is urgent because no one knows the exact day of Christ’s return.
Key steps toward salvation include:
- Hearing and believing the message of Christ
- Confessing faith openly
- Turning from sin and pursuing godliness
- Living in a way that honors God’s justice
Growing in Grace and Knowledge
After receiving salvation, believers should grow in both grace and knowledge of the Lord. This growth strengthens faith and prepares them to live blameless lives.
Grace gives the strength to overcome sin. Knowledge, gained through Scripture and prayer, helps believers understand God’s will and apply it daily.
Growth is not instant. By practicing godliness, showing mercy, and seeking truth, believers reflect Christ’s character and stay ready for His return.
Living in Expectation: Preparing for Christ’s Return
Believers should live with a clear focus on God’s promises. They stay faithful in conduct, belief, and hope.
Scripture points to both challenges and encouragements while waiting for Jesus’ return. Christians must remain steadfast and prepared.
Living Holy and Godly Lives
Peter urges believers in 2 Peter 3:11 to live holy and godly lives because the day of the Lord is coming. Holiness means setting apart one’s life for God and avoiding sinful habits.
Godliness shows respect for God’s authority and commands. This includes honesty, kindness, and integrity in relationships, work, and worship.
Practical steps include:
- Daily prayer for strength and guidance.
- Regular Bible reading to align thoughts and actions with God’s will.
- Serving others in humility and love.
By living this way, believers show faith in God’s promise and readiness for Christ’s return.
Looking Forward to the New Heavens and New Earth
Peter describes a future where God will create a new heavens and a new earth where righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:13). This hope motivates believers to endure trials and resist temptation.
The promise is not about escaping the present world but about God’s complete renewal of creation. The Bible describes this as a place without sin, suffering, or death.
This expectation shapes priorities. Believers invest in what has eternal value, focusing on faith, obedience, and love.
Guarding Against False Teachings
In 2 Peter 3, Peter warns about scoffers who doubt Christ’s return. These false teachers follow their own desires and twist God’s truth.
Guarding against such influence requires knowing Scripture well. Regular study helps believers recognize when someone misuses verses.
They can stay grounded by seeking fellowship with mature Christians. They should be cautious about teachings that contradict the Bible.
As Jesus warned in Matthew 24:37, many will be unprepared when He returns. Discernment is essential.
Encouragement from Paul and Other Scriptures
The apostle Paul often encouraged believers to stay faithful while waiting for Christ. In 2 Timothy 4:8, he speaks of a crown of righteousness for all who long for Jesus’ appearing.
Other passages, like 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, remind Christians that the Lord will return with power. He will gather His people.
These words bring comfort and help believers stay strong.
