Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water.6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
But do
not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand
years, and a thousand years are like a day.
The Lord
is not slow in keeping his promise, as some
understand slowness. Instead he is patient with
you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
But the day of the Lord will
come like a thief. The
heavens will disappear with a roar; the
elements will be destroyed by fire, and the
earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.11 Since
everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be?
You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you
look forward to the
day of God and speed its coming. That day
will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will
melt in the heat. But in
keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new
earth, where righteousness dwells.
So then, dear friends, since
you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace
with him. Bear in mind
that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear
brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. ( 2 Peter 3: 3-15)
God bless you.
