Dr. Lawrence Butler

The Bridge Church, Pembroke

Lesson 10 Chap. 3:1-4

Peter has for a while now been reminding the people that false prophets have been around for a long time. He continues in chapter 3 to inform them that these wicked teachers will be present in the future, even until the end of this age. His desire is for the church to keep their “pure” minds focused on the proper things. A pure mind is one that is unmixed, or sincere, and should never be contaminated by accepting some false doctrine.

The epistle states clearly and firmly that the words of the Old Testament prophets, as well as the gospel as presented by the apostles of Christ, are the true and eternal utterances of Almighty God. They need no further explanation from someone whose pernicious activities were described in the previous chapter. Their presentation in chapter 2 leaves no doubt that they know nothing of God.

Peter is now revealing that these teachers are really scoffers, meaning they are “mockers,” apparently making fun of those who expected the return of Christ. Not believing the prophetic word given by either the prophets, the apostles or Jesus Christ, these men had become heretics, doubting and denying the second coming of Christ. The language used here by Peter refers to the second Advent, the actual return to this earth by Christ to set up His millennial kingdom. Not everyone agreed with this doctrine, even though it was taught by Christ Himself (for example Matt. 25:3134, Luke 13:29, Luke 22:30). Paul actually called the names of some who had left the faith and taught doctrines contrary to that presented by Jesus (I Tim. 1:20, II Tim. 1:15).

The reasoning for doubting the teaching of the New Testament apostles was simple. “And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation” (II Peter 3:4). In other words, nothing like this has ever happened before, why should we believe it now?

Life will continue as it has since the beginning of time.

We know this is not true. Many things have already changed. Some are convinced the climate has changed, others are not convinced.

Man now has the power to destroy himself with weapons never before seen until the last several years.

Scenes of destruction found in the book Revelation can now be accepted as the outcome of nuclear war.

Yes, my brother, many things have changed. We need the miracle of the appearance of Jesus Christ to save this present world!