Peter, in his writing of 2 Peter, had warned the Christians of those who would doubt the second coming of the Lord, and who would try and belittle the Christians for their beliefs.

He also assured them by using the creation of the world and the universal flood in the days of Noah as illustrations of God’s power.

Peter wrote of how God works in his own time, not on man’s. He also told of how God keeps his promises and desires all to be saved.

Yet, God leaves that decision to man – obey or not.

He then asked the question, "With knowing all these things, what manner of persons ought ye to be?"

The same question should be asked today by all. Realizing that all which now exists will one day be destroyed (and that the date of this occurrence is a mystery to man), how should one be living?

Christians are only pilgrims in this land – their allegiance must be to God. The earth and all the things within in are only temporary.

Paul expressed it this way: "Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal" (2 Cor. 4:18).

Men and women should not be so caught up in this world that they lose their focus on the goal of heaven.

Christians should be found constantly living holy lives. Peter wrote of living holy and godly.

Christians are to be "looking for and hasting unto" the coming of the day of the Lord.

The idea here is that Christians should earnestly desire and are looking forward to that day. It is on that day that all earthly trials and tribulations will end. There will be no more pain and suffering, sickness and dying.

Peter then spoke of heaven, referring to the new heavens and the new earth.

It will not be a refurbished earth, but heaven itself for this world will be burned up.

Christians are to look for the coming of the Lord. That meant they were to live to be ready for the judgment day.

This is true of those who follow Christ today. They are to obey the gospel and live their lives so that when the trumpet sounds (1 Thess. 1:13-17), they will also be ready to meet the Lord.

Peter believed in repetition to teach. He cautioned his readers to be aware less they be led away with the error of the wicked (2 Peter 3:17). He knew they could stumble and fall as Christians.

His desire was that they remain steadfast. His final exhortation to prevent these things for happening was to grow both in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

All men today should heed the warning of Peter and seek to be obedient to God. Some men will still doubt the truth of God’s word. But true it is, and it must be obeyed.