2 Peter 3 - A Study Guide By Mark A. Copeland

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                     "THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PETER"

                             Chapter Three

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To be reminded that there will be scoffers of the promise of the
   Lord's coming

2) To review the catastrophic events to occur when the Lord returns, and
   the promise of new heavens and a new earth

3) To note Peter's estimation of Paul as a brother and his epistles as
   Scripture

4) To carefully consider the twofold admonition at the end of the
   epistle

SUMMARY

In this final chapter Peter seeks to stir up his readers by reminding
them to give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles of the Lord.
Especially as it relates to promise of His coming, for in the last days
scoffers will come who conveniently forget that the Word which tells of
the judgment day by fire was also the same Word which brought about the
destruction of the world by the flood.  Any delay is not to be construed
as slackness on the Lord's part, for time means nothing to the Lord.
Rather, delay is an indication of the Lord's longsuffering, who does not
want any to perish but for all to repent (1-9).

When the day of the Lord does come, it will be unexpected like a thief
in the night.  A mighty conflagration will dissolve the heavens and the
earth with all its works.  In anticipation of such things, Christians
are to focus on holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening
that day when God's promise will be fulfilled of new heavens and a new
earth in which righteousness dwells (10-13).

We should view the longsuffering of the Lord as opportunity for
salvation, even as Paul wrote in his epistles of such things (though
unlearned and unstable souls have twisted his words to their own
destruction, just as they do the rest of the Scriptures).  With
admonitions to beware lest they fall, and to grow in the grace and
knowledge of the Lord Jesus, Peter brings his second epistle to a close
with a doxology to Christ (14-18).

OUTLINE

I. THE SCOFFERS WILL COME (1-9)

   A. REMEMBER THE WORDS SPOKEN BEFORE (1-4)
      1. Peter writes this second epistle to stir up his readers by way
         of reminder
      2. To be mindful of the prophets' words and the apostles'
         commandments
      3. That scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to
         their own lusts
         a. Questioning the promise of the Lord's coming
         b. Declaring that all things continue as they were since
            creation

   B. REMEMBER THE WORLD WAS DESTROYED BEFORE (5-7)
      1. Which the scoffers willfully forget
      2. That the world once perished being flooded with water
      3. The same word that brought destruction by water now promises
         judgment by fire
         a. The heavens and the earth which now exists are reserved for
            fire
         b. When comes the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men

   C. REMEMBER THE LORD'S TIMELESSNESS AND LONGSUFFERING (8-9)
      1. Do not forget that time means nothing to the Lord
         a. One day is as a thousand years
         b. A thousand years is as one day
      2. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, but longsuffering
         a. Not willing that any perish
         b. But that all should repent

II. THE DAY OF THE LORD WILL COME (10-18)

   A. UNEXPECTED WITH CATACLYSMIC DESTRUCTION (10-12)
      1. The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night
      2. The heavens and the earth be dissolved
         a. The heavens will pass away with a great noise
         b. The elements will melt with fervent heat
         c. The earth and its works will be burned up
         d. The heavens will be dissolved being on fire
      3. Since all these things will be dissolved...
         a. What manner of persons ought we to be in holy conduct and
            godliness?
         b. Looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God?

   B. EXPECTED BY THOSE WHO ARE LOOKING (13-18)
      1. According to His promise, we look forward
         a. To new heavens and a new earth
         b. In which righteousness dwells
      2. Looking forward to these things, we should be diligent
         a. To be found by Him in peace
         b. To be without spot and blameless
      3. We thus consider the longsuffering of the Lord to be salvation
         a. Of which the beloved brother Paul has written, according to
            the wisdom given him
         b. In which are some things hard to understand, which the
            unstable and untaught twist to their own destruction
      4. Knowing such things beforehand, we should beware and grow
         a. Beware lest we fall from our own steadfastness, led away
            with the error of the wicked
         b. Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus
            Christ
      5. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - The scoffers will come (1-9)
   - The day of the Lord will come (10-18)

2) How did Peter seek to stir up his readers' minds? (1-2)
   - By reminding them of the words of the prophets and the commandments
     of the apostles

3) What would scoffers be saying in the last days? (3-4)
   - "Where is the promise of His coming?"
   - "For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they
     were from the beginning of creation."

4) What do they willfully forget? (5-6)
   - That by the Word of God the world was once destroyed by water

5) What does the Word of God say concerning the heavens and the earth?
   (7)
   - They are kept in store and reserved for fire until the day of
     judgment and perdition of ungodly men

6) What should we be careful not to forget? (8)
   - That time is meaningless to the Lord
   - With the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years
     as one day

7) How will the day of the Lord come? (9)
   - As a thief in the night

8) What will happen when that day comes? (9)
   - The heavens will pass away with a great noise
   - The elements will melt with fervent heat
   - The earth and the works that are in it will be burned up

9) Since all these things will be dissolved, what should we do? (11-12)
   - Concern ourselves with holy conduct and godliness
   - Look for and hasten the coming of the day of God

10) Again, what will happen to the heavens and the elements? (12)
   - The heavens will be dissolved being on fire
   - The elements will melt with fervent heat

11) Despite such an end, what do we look for according to His promise?
    (13)
   - New heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells

12) Looking forward to such things, about what should we be diligent?
    (14)
   - To be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless

13) How should we view the longsuffering of the Lord? (15)
   - Salvation

14) Who else wrote about such things?  How? (15-16)
   - Our beloved brother Paul
   - According to the wisdom given him

15) How does Peter describe the epistles of Paul? (16)
   - As speaking of these things
   - In which are some things hard to understand

16) What do the untaught and unstable do with such writings of Paul?
    (16)
   - They twist them to their own destruction

17) In what category does Peter place the writings of Paul? (16)
   - As part of "the Scriptures"

18) Knowing such things beforehand, what warning does Peter give his
    readers? (17)
   - Beware lest you fall from your own steadfast, being led away with
     the error of the wicked

19) What final admonition does Peter give to his readers? (18)
   - Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
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