Epistle of 2 Peter

Whereas 1 Peter is a response by Peter to attacks from without, resulting in persecution and suffering, 2 Peter is in response to infiltration from within the ranks.  In particular, false teachers and false prophets arising to deceive the very elect of God (2:1). Peter instructed the saints to reject these false ministers of God and to live righteously in view of God's coming judgment.  They are to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (3:18).

The authorship of this letter can be attributed by both external and internal testimony.  It was not ascribed to Peter until Origen's time (AD 185-253) and he himself started the letter with his salutation (1:1).  It was written between AD 64-67.

The outline of the letter can be summarised as follows:
Ch 1: Cultivation of holiness
Ch 2: Condemnation of heresy
Ch 3: Confident hope

One of the key passages of this book is 3:9, "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."  God's time frame is different from man's.  We live in finite time and space; while God inhabits eternity - a place without space-time constraints.  That's why Peter said that a thousand years is like a day to the Lord.  So to the God, it's been like 2 days since Christ ascended to heaven.  And God is currently very patient with all men (and women); desiring that they repent of their sins and believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.

But the time will come when the patience of God will run out and He would unleash his judgment on mankind (3:10).  The fire of God's wrath would destroy the earth completely which would bring about the hope of a new heaven and a new earth (3:13).  During the time of Peter, it's unthinkable how earth could be completely destroyed.  In our day, it's not impossible due to nuclear warheads. The exhortation for believers then is to live spotless, blameless lives and to be at peace with God (3:14).  Jesus will deliver His saints from the wrath of God to come (1 Thes 1:10).

Dear friends, are you at peace with God?  If not, why not allow Him to come into your life today by opening the door of your heart.  Prayer is the key that unlocks the door of our hearts to allow Christ, the Prince of Peace to enter in.  This is a simple prayer that can be said, "Dear God, I confess that I am a sinner in need of your grace and mercy.  Forgive me of all my sins. Thank you Lord Jesus Christ for paying the price of my redemption.  I open the door of my heart and ask you to come in.  Come and take control of my life and be my Lord and Saviour. Amen."