Scoffers Will Come Scoffing
Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of
which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may
be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy
prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord
and Savior, knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the
last days, walking according to their own lusts, 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 creation. For this they willfully forget: that by the word of
God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water
and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished,
being flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth which are
now reserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the
day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
The Lord is Longsuffering
But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord
one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count
slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any
should perish but that all should come to repentance. But the day
of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the
heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will
melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in
it will be burned up.
What Manner of Persons Ought We to Be?
Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what
manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because
of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the
elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according
to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which
righteousness dwells.
Be Diligent
Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be
diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;
and account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation-- as
also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to
him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in
them of these things, in which are some things hard to
understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own
destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.
Grow in the Lord Jesus
You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware
lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away
with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now
and forever.
Amen.
