The scoffers deny but which the people of God cling to.
2 Peter 3: 8-10 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this: that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord does not delay His promise, as some consider it to be delay, but who is patient with us, not wanting anyone to perish, but all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements burning will be destroyed, and the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
1- That one day is like a thousand years with the Lord, and a thousand years like one day: What takes us forever is nothing more than a little time for God, All things are equally close and present in His sight; the distance of a thousand years before an event occurs is no more to Him than the interval of one go.
2- The Lord does not delay His promise: The truth is that God will keep His promise, and He will do so without delay according to His time. Any delay perceived by our perspective is given by the patience of God. There is a compassionate purpose in God's timing.
3- Not wanting anyone to perish, but for all to come to repentance: Peter here reveals to us a part of God's glorious heart. The reason why Jesus' return has not been soon is for everyone to come to repentance, because God does not want anyone to perish. We understand that God does not want anyone to perish in the sense of a divine decree, as if God had declared that no sinner will perish.
4- But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night: Even though the Lord's patient love for the lost makes it appear that He is delaying His coming, the truth is that He will certainly come. And when Jesus returns, He will come in a time that will surprise many (as a thief in the night). The result of his coming will be a total transformation of the present world (in which the heavens will pass with a great roar, and the burning elements will be undone). God could destroy the Earth again as He did in the times of the flood. "There is still enough water to flood the Earth, and there is enough iniquity to induce God to destroy the Earth and its inhabitants." (Clarke) However, God has promised to deal with this world with fire, and not with water.
5- Living in the light of the last days and the promise of God. 2 Peter 3: 11-13 Since all these things are to be undone, how should you not walk in a holy and godly way of life, waiting and hastening for the coming of the day of God, in which the heavens, burning, they will be undone, and the elements, being burned, will melt! But we hope, according to his promises, new heavens and a new earth, in which justice dwells.
How should you not walk: “The King is coming; He's going to come to His throne, and at His judgment.
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