I want to show you a verse in 2 Peter…but first, I need to give you a little background of why this book was written. Peter wrote his first letter (1 Peter) to encourage and teach new Christians how to stand strong in the midst of persecution and suffering. The Book of 2 Peter was written to be a warning to stay away from false teachers that are often subtly deceitful. They teach false doctrine, heresy, and cult activity…not at all different from today’s world. 2 Peter gives us clues as to help us detect false teaching.
“But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful morality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. In their greed they will make up lies to get hold of your money.”
2 Peter 1-3
In the last days…scoffers, along with these false teachers will say that Jesus is never coming back. When 2 Peter was written, God must have seemed very slow to these believers as they faced persecution day after day, and here we are…still waiting for His return! Read what 2 Peter 3:8-10 says…
“But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord really isn’t being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectantly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.”
Wow…this scripture tells us that God is not slow… He’s just not on our timetable. Peter says that God is patient…He’s waiting for more people to repent and turn to Him. But His patience will come to an end someday…and when that happens, there will be no more excuses God will accept.