“Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder) …”

Chapter three introduces the subject of the Lord’s return in the light of false teaching. Three times Peter uses the Greek word for “looking forward.” Peter wants his readers to look forward to the Second Advent of Jesus Christ because apostasy will not prevail in the end.

Beloved

Peter employs the word “beloved” four times in this chapter (2 Peter 3:8,14,17). He calls his readers “beloved” four times because he treats a subject that concerns God’s own. That subject is the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Some Christians evidently were not aware that Jesus was coming back.

Peter loved his readers. Believers were objects of Peter’s love because each one was the object of God’s love (1 Jn 3:1,2; 4:7). Each and every believer has the same amount of love from God.

We answer to one name in public, but we may respond to another term in private such as “sweetie” or “honey.” Our wife calls us by different names than our colleagues at work. I hope that name is not “jerk!” God’s term for His own is “beloved” (Eph 1:6).

I now write to you this second epistle

Peter now explicitly states his purpose for writing his second epistle. He wants Christians to know that, at the end of this age, many apostates will come to deceive Christians. They also need to know that there is hope at the end of the day — Jesus will return to resolve apostate issues.

PRINCIPLE:

The reality of Jesus’ return keeps us on the tiptoe of expectancy.

APPLICATION:

Jesus may come momentarily. We might meet Jesus at any moment. This should keep us at peak spiritual vigilance moment by moment.