Life presents us with trials, tests, and opportunities that require intense preparation: an important interview, a certification exam, the impending birth of a child. Often we know how long we have to prepare– but if not, we would still be wise to do all we can to be ready. In 2 Peter 3:8-18, Peter calls us to prepare for the great day of judgment when Christ returns. In short, Peter says, “Don’t waste the Lord’s patience.”

False teachers have come into the church teaching that Christ’s “delay” shows that he is not going to return (2:1-2) and therefore they can live however they want (2:2-3). Peter writes to correct this false teaching. God’s apparent slowness is really his patience (v. 8-10a). God can’t be “slow” because he is eternal (v. 8, Ps 90:2, 4). He has ordained this season of “patience” so that people would turn from sin and return to him through faith in Christ (v. 9, 15).

We must not waste this patience because Christ’s return will bring judgment and destruction (v. 10-13). Peter says everything will be dissolved (3x he foretells a great fire (4x), and says the earth and heavens will be destroyed 2x). This will be a day of great judgment for the false teachers and the wicked (3:7, 17). But for the Christian, it will be a day of great joy as God brings forth the New Heaven and New Earth (v. 13, Isa 66:17-18).

Lastly, as we wait Peter calls Christians to prepare by eagerly awaiting the return of Christ (“waiting” v. 12, 13, 14) and be diligent about living like Christ - without spot or blemish (v. 14, 1 Peter 1:19). Most of all we should “grow in the grace and knowledge” of Christ (v. 18) especially by submitting ourselves to Scripture (1:19, 3:16).