Who are the scoffers mentioned in this passage?

The scoffers are people who mock the promise that Jesus will return. They are described as walking after their own desires, meaning they live the way they want without regard for God. They treat sin and faith as a joke and ask, “Where is the promise of his coming?” Because life seems to go on as usual, they think there will be no final judgment. Their problem is not lack of information, but a heart that does not want to accept what God has said.

What do the scoffers mean by asking, “Where is the promise of his coming?”

When they ask, “Where is the promise of his coming?” they are doubting that Jesus will ever return. They point out that people have died and the world seems to go on just like it always has. From this, they wrongly conclude that God will not step in to judge. Peter shows that they ignore how God has already acted in history, especially in the Flood, where God suddenly changed everything after a long time of apparent peace.

What does it mean that people are willingly ignorant of the Flood?

Being willingly ignorant means they choose to ignore what God has clearly shown. The passage says they forget that God created the world by his word and once destroyed it by water in the time of Noah. This was a real judgment that changed the whole earth. By refusing to think about this, they comfort themselves that judgment will never come again. Peter uses this to say that the same God who judged by water will one day judge by fire.

What does “reserved unto fire” teach about the future of the world?

“Reserved unto fire” means that the present heavens and earth are being kept by God for a future day when he will judge by fire. The world seems stable and unchanging, but it is actually being held for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly people. This shows that history is not random. God is in control, he has judged before by the Flood, and he has set a coming day when he will deal with all evil fully and finally.

What does “one day is with the Lord as a thousand years” mean here?

This line does not give a formula for counting years but shows that God’s view of time is not like ours. For God, a long period to us is like a day, and a short time can hold as much meaning as a thousand years. Peter uses this to answer those who think God is slow or late. What feels like a delay is not forgetfulness. God is not working on our clock. His timing is perfect, and he is never in a hurry or behind.

Why does God seem to delay the day of judgment and Christ’s return?

The passage says clearly that God is not slow in the way people think. He is patient. He is giving time for people to repent. God does not delight in anyone perishing in judgment. Instead, he wants people to turn from their sin and come to him. The “delay” is mercy. Every extra day is another chance for someone to hear the truth, be humbled, and seek forgiveness before that final day comes suddenly.

What does this passage teach about God’s character?

This passage shows both God’s justice and his patience. He is just, because he has judged the world before by the Flood and will bring a final day of judgment by fire. Sin will not go on forever. At the same time, he is patient and kind. He holds back judgment, not because he is weak or has forgotten his promise, but because he wants people to repent. He keeps his word, and his mercy and holiness are both seen in his timing.

How should believers respond when people mock the idea of Jesus’ return?

Believers are told not to be shaken by mockery, because scoffers were expected. Instead of arguing in fear, they can remember two things. First, God has already stepped into history in creation and in the Flood, so future judgment is not strange. Second, what looks like delay is God’s patience. This should move believers to steady faith, holy living, and concern for others, using this time to point people to repentance while there is still time.

Why do some people struggle with the idea of God judging the world by fire?

The idea of final judgment can be hard because it is serious and sobering. Some may feel it does not fit with a loving God. This passage shows that love and judgment are not opposites. God has already given warnings in history, like the Flood. He is now giving a long season of patience so people can turn back to him. Judgment by fire is not random anger but the settled end of long rebellion. It shows that God takes evil seriously and will finally set things right.

2Pet.3.3

2 Peter 3:3

KJV

Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

The Coming Judgment

This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:

That ye 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 Saviour:

Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after 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 the creation.

For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, 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 the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Cross References

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