http://versebyversecommentary.com/2-peter/2-peter-39b/ by Dr. Grant C. Richison Thu, 24 May 2012 18:49:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://versebyversecommentary.com/2-peter/2-peter-39b/comment-page-1/#comment-51488 Grant Mon, 07 Feb 2011 19:03:06 +0000 http://versebyversecommentary.com/1998/08/04/2-peter-39b/#comment-51488 Don, I agree that the primary argument in context is for believers, however, Peter injects "any" as a parallel to "us," which, it appears to me, that he is dealing with both the believer and the non-believer. The "any" refers to those who "perish" indicating that they are lost. Don, I agree that the primary argument in context is for believers, however, Peter injects “any” as a parallel to “us,” which, it appears to me, that he is dealing with both the believer and the non-believer. The “any” refers to those who “perish” indicating that they are lost.

]]> http://versebyversecommentary.com/2-peter/2-peter-39b/comment-page-1/#comment-51484 Donald Knapp Mon, 07 Feb 2011 18:38:27 +0000 http://versebyversecommentary.com/1998/08/04/2-peter-39b/#comment-51484 In studying this passage, it appears that the "us" in 3:9b is the believer, NOT the world of unbelievers, and is referring back to verse 8 where Peter exhorts believers to "stop being forgetful in the sphere of" the timing of God's judgment in verse 7. Some [believers] count the delays of God as denials, and become easily discouraged. The Tribulation saints will, in their distress, say "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" (Revelation 6:10). Already a couple of years of Daniel's 70th week are past, and these saints ARE ALREADY MARTYRED and in heaven (6:9), and STILL do not comprehend God's "longsuffering" even of "earth dwellers". In fact, His judgments had already begun, and it says "they [the earth dwellers] repented not" four times (cf. 9:20, 21; 16:9, 11). Could it be, also, that your reference to God's "will" as God's plan is correct in that His plan DID NOT PREDESTINE unbelievers to hell, but that they chose it for themselves. Thus, if the Lord rescues and saves anyone, it is by His grace alone. This grace does not NECESSITATE his saving everyone just because His "will" as a plan including selecting out from the world of humanity those who would be His by purchase. The bottom line of this whole section appears to be aimed at instructing believers concerning the "scoffers" of v.3, not at the scoffers themselves. How we need to trust His ways in these last days of global chaos and rebellion against Him. DK In studying this passage, it appears that the “us” in 3:9b is the believer, NOT the world of unbelievers, and is referring back to verse 8 where Peter exhorts believers to “stop being forgetful in the sphere of” the timing of God’s judgment in verse 7. Some [believers] count the delays of God as denials, and become easily discouraged. The Tribulation saints will, in their distress, say “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” (Revelation 6:10). Already a couple of years of Daniel’s 70th week are past, and these saints ARE ALREADY MARTYRED and in heaven (6:9), and STILL do not comprehend God’s “longsuffering” even of “earth dwellers”. In fact, His judgments had already begun, and it says “they [the earth dwellers] repented not” four times (cf. 9:20, 21; 16:9, 11).
Could it be, also, that your reference to God’s “will” as God’s plan is correct in that His plan DID NOT PREDESTINE unbelievers to hell, but that they chose it for themselves. Thus, if the Lord rescues and saves anyone, it is by His grace alone. This grace does not NECESSITATE his saving everyone just because His “will” as a plan including selecting out from the world of humanity those who would be His by purchase.
The bottom line of this whole section appears to be aimed at instructing believers concerning the “scoffers” of v.3, not at the scoffers themselves. How we need to trust His ways in these last days of global chaos and rebellion against Him. DK

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