Peter warned that scoffers would come into this world and speak out against God motivated by the need to justify their own sinful lifestyles or to simply deny that there is a God, thus mocking God and all Christian beliefs. He said they would start with a sarcastic question about Jesus’ return, but would soon add the lie regarding that all things will continue as they were from the beginning. Peter then told us that they would deliberately overlook the evidence regarding creation and the worldwide flood that occurred in Noah’s day. Peter now continues with a warning saying that God will, using words, bring destruction on the world again.
3:7 But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
By the same word, here Peter reminds us that God spoke all things into existence and then years later spoke again, this time bringing judgment through a worldwide flood to destroy all but eight individuals on earth, and now He would again speak, this time bringing final judgment and complete destruction. The use of the plural ‘heavens’ could also be understood to refer to nearly everything we know to exist[1] (land, atmosphere, planets, stars, the universe, etc.)
Peter says that everything that exists today is being stored up (saved) for a future fire. Please note that everything on earth will be destroyed. The reason I am pointing this out is that there is a strong movement within Christianity that believes, as Christians, we should be actively involved in saving the planet. I am not saying this is not a prudent thing to do since God gave humans oversight and instructed us on how to be good stewards, but it’s just not our priority. We are called to be light in a dark world and bring Christ to those who do not know Him! The social gospel, as many call it, is simply not Biblical. Instead, we need to focus on the Great Commission (see Matthew 28:18-20), that’s our priority.
The Greek word for ‘fire’ can be found in the New Testament over 70 times, and the Hebrew equivalent 375 times in the Old Testament. As we have discussed in chapter 10, the “rule of first mention” can help us understand how a word is to be interpreted (or applied) when it appears later in Scripture. The first three times this word is used in the Old Testament it points to God, first as a component of the Abrahamic Covenant, then as a judgment from God, followed by a sacrifice to God (see Genesis 15:17; 19:24; 22:6-7, see also Exodus 3:2; 7:23-24; Matthew 3:10-11; 5:22). Upon further investigation we see that the word is indeed most often used regarding sin, sacrifice (substitutionary action as the result of sinning), and judgment (punishment for not seeking forgiveness), all pointing to the fact that God is a ‘just’ God. In other words, the world is being stored up for final judgment. Also note that we have a new earth and a new heaven coming (see verse 13 and Revelation 21:1-5). There are a number of verses that speak about the yet-future “day of judgment” (see Job 21:30; Psalms 96:13; Romans 2:5; Hebrews 9:27; 10:27 for a few examples), so who is going to be judged and destroyed? Peter clarifies that it will be for “the ungodly.” This word makes it clear that there is no middle ground. You are either for God (a believer), or against Him (nothing in-between, read Matthew 12:30).
Peter has given the Christian community solid ‘intel’ on what is coming regarding the intense mocking from unbelievers (and now here today). However, he is also giving a strong warning to those scoffers. It is easy to see why a scoffer might want to deny the flood, since they are following their own sinful desires and don’t want to hear about judgment. The logic from a scoffer’s perspective might follow something like this: If there was no flood then there was no judgment. If no judgment, then perhaps there is no God, and if there is no God, then there are no ‘rules’ to follow. If no rules, then no future judgment, then there is no need to stop following sinful lusts and desires. To them the existence of Christianity threatens their sinful lifestyles. It may be motivated by guilt, but more than likely they simply do not want to be held accountable to anyone, especially a Creator God! Facing these scoffing individuals is never easy, but we need to prepare and engage.
3:8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
Peter now turns to us and says, “do not overlook this one fact, beloved.” The word translated here as ‘overlook’ is the same word he used in verse five speaking about the scoffers, but now he is asking us to not overlook something that is very important. Peter writes that we are to remember that God is outside of time, “that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years and thousand years in like one day.” I can’t tell you the number of times I have heard this verse misused! This phrase is not an equation that is to be used to ‘open up’ other passages in the Bible that speak about a thousand years (or a 1,000-year period of time), it is not to be applied like some secret decoder! The phrase it is not to be allegorized. Peter quotes Psalms 90:4 to make a point that God is outside the realm of time (see Isaiah 57:15). God created time; He is not in any way influenced by time, so time is not relevant.
Let me ask you, what’s it like to live or dwell in eternity? If you are honest you’ll recognize that there is no way for us to even begin to answer that question. We all have been taught from an early age that things have a beginning and an end. Do you remember your history teacher drawing a horizontal line with a starting point on the left side and the ending point on the right? That’s how we relate to everything; we can’t help it since we are finite creatures. How do you measure time in eternity? Again, we have no way in knowing; perhaps it’s not possible to measure time in eternity. To help us understand (as much as our finite brains can handle), Peter is giving us an insight into the concept of eternity as well as God’s timing in this and the following verse which relates to the purpose of His timing. To Him one day is like 1,000 years, 2,000 years, or 3,000 years! I would guess that if time has no influence then the passage of time is probably not perceptible.
I am sure there are many who have, or will someday wonder about God’s timing. Here, Peter informs us that the Lord is not slow as some count slowness (‘slackness’ in KJV or NKJV). Peter is undoubtedly responding to the initial question the scoffers would ask, “Where is the promise of His coming?” (see verse four)
3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
Peter then turns to the purpose of His delay. He is patient towards us! He is truly long-suffering, just look at the Old Testament to get a sense of His willingness to wait. He waited over 100 years for the corrupt world to listen to Noah before bringing destruction. He sent numerous prophets, enemies, droughts, evil kings, etc., to the Northern and Southern Kingdoms for many years before they were conquered. These are only a few examples, simply stated God is patient. Why is He patient? Because He does not wish that anyone should perish, He desires all to seek repentance! Does God get what He desires regarding humanity? Sadly, no, there are some that simply refuse to accept any level of accountability.
Aren’t you glad He waited for you? We should now understand, He had you, and all those that will accept salvation in the future, in mind as a reason for His delay; He is waiting for people to be born and to repent of their sins. After all, Jesus said: “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:32) “Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” (Luke 15:27) Paul also reflected this in his first letter to Timothy, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.” (1 Timothy 2:1-6)
These verses are good to remember especially when we wonder why God answers prayer the way He does, or why things happen the way they do. Just like a good parent, He wants what’s best for all mankind, He wants people to confess their sins and come to repentance. But what if they do not come to repentance (as we discussed earlier, we know that some will not accept the free gift of salvation)? Since God knows all things and is outside time, He already knows who will not accept His offer no matter what.
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[1] Strong, J. (2001). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software. Strong’s Greek No. 3772