False Teachers, Scoffers, and Christ’s Return: 2 Peter 3

False Teachers in Peter’s Day and Ours

False teachers are nothing new. Even in the Apostle Peter's day they were causing doubt and confusion. In 2 Peter 3, Peter addresses some of the arguments that false teachers and scoffers were making regarding the return of Jesus. It is surprising to know that many of these same arguments exist today.

What Is Uniformitarianism and Why It Matters

One such argument is called uniformitarianism. According to scientists, uniformitarianism is the belief that the slow, natural processes shaping the earth today have always worked the same way in the past, and these processes alone explain earth’s history. The principle of uniformitarianism, they say, is essential to understanding Earth's history. Scoffers in Peter’s day used this idea to dismiss God’s past judgments, like the flood, and His promise to return.

The return of Christ and the judgment of mankind "can't be true," they believe because something like this has never happened. But as we will see in 2 Peter 3, this isn't so. Peter warns that this way of thinking ignores God’s past judgment and His promise to act again in the future.

Modern Mockers of Christ’s Return

Modern mockers are everywhere online. One recently sneered, "Another year and Jesus hasn’t returned." Another joked that the real "Great Disappointment" was simply believing He would come at all. Today, scoffers often dismiss Christ’s return by pointing to purely scientific explanations of the world or mocking faith as outdated. Their words may sound clever, but Peter explains that such attitudes are a willful rejection of the truth.

Remembering the Prophets, Apostles, and Christ’s Teaching

In this chapter, Peter is reminding the early church to remember the words and teachings of the prophets and of Jesus and His apostles. In other words, remember the Old Testament prophecies and what would become the New Testament (2 Peter 3:2). There were so many false teachers in Peter's day, just as there are now, it was worth reminding the church who it is they could trust and rely on for truthful teaching. Identifying true teachers is something we must be able to do.

False Teachers and Scoffers in 2 Peter 3 and Their Lusts

Peter continues to say that in the last days people would mock the coming of Christ. Understand that for Peter, anytime after Christ's ascension into Heaven was the last days, because he knew that Christ could come at any time. These people will not just scoff at Christ's return but they will also follow their own "lusts" (2 Peter 3:3). Lust doesn't just refer to uncontrolled sexual desires but also to anything that fulfills your own selfish desires and disregards the consequences. Some examples are materialism, power, or self-centeredness.

These false teachers who are mocking Christ will say, "Where is the promise of His coming?" They have read prophecies in the Old Testament and now they hear Jesus promising to return but so far: no Jesus. If they thought they had waited a long time 2,000 years ago think about now.

Ignoring the Creator and the Flood

And what is their evidence that He isn't returning? In their belief, there has never been judgment for sin and there never will be (2 Peter 3:4). The idea that God would intervene in the real, physical world seems ridiculous to them. The real reason for their rejection of Christ returning and His judgment is explained in the next verse, 2 Peter 3:5.

Here Peter tells us they "willfully forget" who made the earth. They have chosen, whether they are aware of it or not, to ignore that God made the earth. They also disregard that He controls the processes within it. It was He who put these processes in place and it is He who can choose to change them.

In Genesis 6-9, we read the record of the great flood. Peter reminds these "scoffers" that God has indeed intervened in the world in the past to bring judgment (2 Peter 3:6). Obviously, if He has brought judgment in the past He can do it again. For Peter there was no doubt that the flood was a real historical event, not myth as many people today, even Christians, believe. Jesus also affirmed the flood as a real event (Matthew 24:37). God can do as He will with the world that was created by Him. Judgment came by flood in the past but in the future it will be by fire.

Judgment by Fire and God’s Patience

Peter explains in 2 Peter 3:7 that the earth will eventually be destroyed by fire. He explains to these false teachers that the "ungodly" will certainly be destroyed. Just as a global flood seemed unlikely, so too may a future judgment by fire, yet Peter assures us it will come.

In 2 Peter 3:8, he states a familiar saying, "with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." Peter isn't saying that a day is literally equivalent to a thousand years but that God is outside of time. He doesn't count time as we do. Things will happen in His perfect timing and perfect will.

Why does God wait? Peter tells us the reason in 2 Peter 3:9. He waits because He wants to give everyone a chance to repent. It isn't tardiness holding Him back, but God's patience with us. He doesn't wish us to perish, but if we choose to, that is our decision. There will be signs leading up to His return.

Jesus describes the times prior to His return like the beginning of birth pains for a woman in labor. We will see more and more indications that His return is near. Wars and earthquakes will come, Christians will be martyred, false prophets will arise and lawlessness will increase. Then Jesus says, like lightening He will return (Matthew 24). Peter echoes this in his letter.

As 2 Peter 3:10 explains, Christ's return will be sudden. Then will come the destruction of those who mocked and rejected Him. A great noise, a fervent heat, and then the earth and its works will be burned up.

Living in Holiness as We Wait

Since this is what is coming, and we know it, because the Lord is faithful and true to His word, Peter asks, "How shall we live?" (2 Peter 3:11). We should all be able to answer this question. We should be pure, holy, and live righteous lives in expectation of what is coming.

These false teachers, who laugh at the idea of judgment, show no fear and live as they please in their own lusts. There is no fear of tomorrow and what may come because they believe they know more than God. They dismiss the flood. They dismiss Jesus and the prophets. They answer to no one and nothing but their own selfish desires.

We wait for this day, not with glee over the destruction of anyone, but happy that finally the world will be remade. We will live in that perfect world that God had always planned for us. Peter explains that the elements will melt in the heat and the heavens will be dissolved. Peter suggests that our holy lives and prayers may align with God’s plan, perhaps hastening the day of the Lord, or at least reflecting our eager longing for His return (2 Peter 3:12).

We know that in the Lord's Prayer He teaches us to pray, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven". This points to God’s perfect will, which is fully realized in heaven and will one day be perfectly fulfilled on earth.

Peter concludes this chapter reminding his readers that we have been promised a New Heaven and a New Earth. Revelation 21:1-4 reiterates this promise. We should long for this because, as he says, this is where "righteousness dwells" (2 Peter 3:13).

Because of this we should be diligent, which means hard working and careful, to be found holy and at peace. This should be our natural desire because we love God and are His children. We have been transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. Because He lives in us, He gives us the ability to please God (2 Peter 3:14).

Peter again reminds us if God delays His righteous judgment, it is because He longs for as many as will, to become His children. Peter also tells the church that Paul has written similar things to them. This reinforces our acceptance of Paul as speaking the true words of God (2 Peter 3:15). Peter contrasts Paul with the false teachers he has been discussing.

Peter even acknowledges that some of what Paul writes is difficult to understand. He mentions those who would twist difficult passages because they are "untaught or unstable." Today, just like in Peter’s day, you don’t have to look far online to find people twisting Scripture to fit their own ideas. Beware who you listen to. Peter says they also do this with other Scriptures (2 Peter 3:16).

Some Christians, especially today it seems, want to teach that Paul's writings are not to be taken as seriously as the Gospels or the teachings of Jesus and yet here Peter calls them Scriptures. Peter is validating the worthiness of Paul's writings. They too are inspired by God.

But now Peter explains, since we have been warned about these "lawless people" who want to twist Scripture, we won't be tricked by them. Still be careful not to be "carried away with their errors." Why? Peter says so we can remain steadfast and not fall away (2 Peter 3:17).

Growing in Grace and Knowledge of Christ

Peter concludes the chapter by telling us the importance of growing in the "grace and knowledge" of Jesus. When we grow in grace, our faith becomes deeper and stronger. It will be more difficult to be influenced by false teachers and scoffers as 2 Peter 3 describes.

When we grow in knowledge we learn more about Jesus and who He was and is. We deepen our relationship with Him, somewhat like a married couple who after 50 years of being together, can finish each other's sentences. We know Him and we understand His will for us (2 Peter 3:18).

Because of this we can give glory to our Savior who is worthy of all honor today and for all of eternity. God speaks to John in Revelation 21:6-7 and says, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son." Are you thirsty? Come to the waters!