In this chapter, Peter is winding down his second letter. He reminds his flock of his letters and how and what his intentions are, which are, “to inspire you to a sincere and pure way of thinking by reminding you of what you already know.”
He stressed to his flock to be on guard against scoffers and mockers whose goal is to divide the church. Peter said these scoffers and mockers will use a long and old belief that Jesus and Christianity is doomed and that Christianity would never succeed because the return of Christ has been talked about for years, and still there is no sign of His coming.
But Peter knew just how to respond. He quotes the very words of God, Himself. “A day to the Lord is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like a day.” God delays the Lord’s coming because He wants no one to perish and He wants all to come to know Jesus, to be saved.
No one, but the Father, knows the day or hour when Jesus will return.
But just as it was in the times when Peter wrote this letter, things today “seem” to look pretty bad to the world but remember as believers, we see things not as falling apart, but as falling into place. All things are working together according to God’s ultimate purpose and superior wisdom and according to God’s time-table.
To those who do not believe, the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
But as believers, we are warned by Peter to live holy and godly lives, as we look forward to that day. If we do this, that day will not come to “us’ like a thief in the night.
1 The 5:2-4 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.
Amen!
Pastor Wayne Gardner