The End Times
Time is a problem for humanity. One is conceived, born, lives, and dies in vaporous fashion. People want to save time, while their spending time because they know they are running out of time. The paradox is applied when skeptics consider the looming wrath of God. It seems like it takes forever for God to act in judgment against rebel sinners. They know it and so do God’s chosen people, who suffer while they wait for the second advent of Jesus Christ.
The return of Christ and the judgment of the world are coterminous. The end is coming; but misinterpreting the delay is not helpful to anyone. It is the mercy of God that He is slow to wrath. His patience is literally our salvation. The proclamation of coming judgment is not erroneous.
The Apostle Peter presses this issue upon the readers of his second epistle, which addresses the heretical teaching of mockers. Both believers and unbelievers need to hear and heed the warning of the prophets and apostles. The message has not changed.
Heretics desire God to be something He is not. Invariably, false teachers will alter their interpretation of the Bible in order to accommodate their sinful lifestyle. Those who practice sexual immorality prefer the “God is love, only” approach to biblical interpretation. They avoid preaching books like 2 Peter because they are exposed for who they are as opponents of the truth.
Peter called out the heretics and by doing so, he warned the true believers regarding their message and lifestyle. This is where ethics and eschatology meet. Ungodly men are unholy. They are carnal, fleshly, worldly in their actions. Hence, it is not surprising they would teach the doctrine of demons, to lead others into rebellion against the holy God.
The world has no future, according to the Bible. Final judgment is coming; and the Judge is righteous (Jn 5:22; 1 Jn 2:1). God is all-knowing, all-wise, and all-powerful. Nothing and no one escape His scrutiny. Therefore, the apostle’s emphasis for his readers is that they prepare with proper conduct, not calendars and speculation. Children of God ought to behave as their holy Father who is in heaven (1 Pet 1:15–16).
There is an obvious tension in our waiting for the return of Jesus Christ. The world’s inhabitants are storing up wrath for themselves for this day of wrath (Rom 2:5). The Day of the Lord will be sudden judgment, however (2 Pet 3:10). It will come upon the world like a thief who was unseen, unheard, and suddenly possessions are not there. This is how God’s Word affirms the timing of the end things: the world waits and then it happens with utmost immediacy.
It is foolish for speculators to try and guess the time of this day because God’s Word insists it is foolish. No one knows the day nor the hour that destruction will come to the world and all who are in it (Mt 24:36). Hence, ignorant sinners live like it will never happen. They give no heed to the warnings. With licentious lifestyles, they preach libertine messages to the delight of those who love darkness and whose deeds are evil (Jn 3:19).
The warning is for utter destruction for the whole earth. The means of destruction will be fire and fervent heat (2 Pet 3:7, 10, 12). The roar of elements disintegrating will fill the ears of all who are present and for those who will be resurrected to judgment on that last day of human history (Jn 5:29).
It is Jesus Christ — who was mocked, scorned, reviled, and whose Name continues to draw the ire of wretched sinners — who will appear in His glory along with His saints and angels (1 Thess 3:13; 2 Thess 1:10). The day of wrath is appointed for both salvation and for judgment. Jesus is coming to rescue His bride, His church, the Israel of God. Jesus is also coming as the warrior Judge to put an end to the human rebellion that has transpired history (Jer 20:11; Rev 19:11–21).
All authority belongs to King Jesus (Mt 28:18), the Son of God, who has received everything from the Father and who always does the will of God in executing His rule and reign over all. The One they mocked will be their Judge on the day of sentencing to eternal punishment to fiery hell in the lake of fire (Mt 25:41, 46; Jude 7; Rev 20:14–15).
The destruction of the “heavens” has multiple views of interpretation (2 Pet 3:10). Some think it is merely the atmosphere of this present earth; while others believe that the entire universe will be done away with under this judgment of God.
There is also a mixed view regarding the earth and the melting of the elements. Some see a burning and a restoration; while others interpret the old being done away with entirely. Regardless of one’s interpretation of destruction, it will be entire and severe, according to the will and work of God.
Fire is one way of purification. The heavens and the earth will be purified to the extent that sin will no longer be present. Sinners, too, will be removed to the place of permanent, eternal fire. Noting the eternality of hell, one concludes that there is no ultimate purification for the reprobate.
God employed the flood of water in Noah’s day as a type of end times destruction by fire. Men have usurped the symbol of God’s promise not to flood the earth, again, as some type of evidence that He will not judge them for their sins. They are mistaken; for it escapes their notice that God can and will bring universal judgment with another element.
In the matter of waiting for Christ’s return and the day of God’s wrath, there is the reason for the delay. God is patiently gathering His elect so that none of them would be lost in the judgment of sinners (2 Pet 3:9). Jesus promised that He would lose none of His own (Jn 6:39). He is the perfect Savior with the perfect record for gathered objects of His salvation (Jn 17:12; Acts 4:12; 1 Thess 3:13; 2 Thess 1:10).
In conclusion, a complete end, by fire, is coming to this present evil age and the sin-saturated physical world (Zeph 1:18). May God grant you, my dear reader, the grace of repentance (Acts 5:31; 11:18); for He is calling all men everywhere to repent from their sin and rebellion and to full submission to the King of glory, Jesus Christ (Ps 24; Is 45:23; Acts 17:30; Rom 14:11).
Finally, let us live in the manner worthy of our calling to be children of God, by living out our days in holy conduct and godliness; for our future has us presented holy and blameless before the Father at the consummation. The One who presents us is Jesus Christ, the Judge of this world and Savior of His people.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
January 28, 2025
2 Peter 3:8–10
