2 Peter 3

(1)  This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
(2)  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:
(3)  Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
(4)  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.
(5)  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:
(6)  Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
(7)  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.
(8)  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.
(9)  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.
(10)  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.
(11)  Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
(12)  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?
(13)  Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
(14)  Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
(15)  And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
(16)  As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
(17)  Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
(18)  But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

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1. What direct statement leads us to believe Peter was the author of both books bearing his name? Verse 1.

2. What was Peter’s objective for both books? Verse 1.

3. Whose commandment is referred to in verse 2? (See the American Standard Version)

4. When were the scoffers going to come? Verse 3.

5. Was the statement of the scoffers true? Verse 4

6. Of what fact of history were the scoffers ignorant? Verse 5.

7. Does the word “perished” mean “dissolved into non-existence”? Verse 6. (See 1 Peter 1:7 and Luke 5:37)

8. What are the three “heavens” of the Bible, and which one is meant here? Verse 7.

9. Can you think of another New Testament passage in which fire is connected with the second coming of Christ? Verse 7.

10. How does the statement in verse 8 fit into the context of chapter 3? Verse 8.

11. What is meant by the statement that “the Lord is not slack concerning his promise”? Verse 9.

12. What two false arguments of the scoffers has Peter now refuted? Verse 9.

13. In what way will the day of the Lord come as a thief? Verse 10.

14. What do you think the “elements” are that shall melt with fervent heat? Verse 10.

15. In view of the destruction of verses 10 and 11, what manner of persons ought we to be? Verses 10-11.

16. Can you locate a passage, or passages, in the Bible promising new heavens and a new earth? Verse 13.

17. Do you believe heaven will be on this earth? Why, or why not? Verse 13.

18. How should we “be found of him” in that day? Verse 14.

19. How is the longsuffering of our Lord salvation? Verse 15.

20. According to Peter, did Paul ever write to these Christians? Verse 15.

21. Should we only study scriptures that are easy to understand? Verse 16.

22. What does it mean “to wrest” the Scriptures and what class of people do this? Verse 16.

23. Does Peter regard Paul’s writings as inspired? How do you know? Verse 16.

24. Is it possible for a person to fall from a state of steadfastness? Verse 17.

25. What is Peter’s final exhortation to these Christians? Verse 18.