2 de Pedro 3:1-18. Escatología bajo ataque, parte 2.

Second Letter of Peter: A Warning and Exhortation

Introduction to 2 Peter Chapter 3

• The speaker invites the congregation to open their Bibles to 2 Peter chapter 3, verses 1-18, emphasizing the importance of the message.

Key Themes in Peter's Message

• The apostle Peter writes this second letter to remind believers of prophetic words and commandments from Jesus Christ through His apostles. He aims to awaken their understanding.

• A warning is issued about scoffers who will arise in the last days, questioning the promise of Christ’s return and living according to their own desires.

God's Judgment and Patience

• The text highlights that God created the heavens and earth by His word, which will ultimately be reserved for judgment by fire due to human wickedness. This serves as a reminder of divine authority over creation.

• Emphasizing God's patience, it states that a day for Him is like a thousand years; He delays judgment not out of slowness but out of mercy, desiring all to repent before destruction comes.

Living in Expectation

• Believers are encouraged to live holy lives while awaiting new heavens and a new earth where righteousness dwells, highlighting the importance of being found blameless at Christ's return.

Warnings Against Misinterpretation

• The speaker references Paul's writings on these matters, noting that some find them difficult and twist them for personal gain or misunderstanding, leading to their own destruction. Thus, believers must guard against such errors.

Contextual Background

• Peter addresses Jewish believers who have faced displacement due to persecution; he seeks to prepare them spiritually for suffering while also imparting doctrinal truths as he nears his death. This letter serves as a testamentary warning against impending deception before Christ’s return.

Apostasy as a Central Concern

• The concept of "apostasy" is introduced as a significant theme—an anticipated widespread falling away from faith characterized by rejection of accountability before God amidst rampant sinful desires in society during the last days. This reflects an overarching concern regarding spiritual integrity among believers.

Escatology Under Attack

• The discussion transitions into eschatology—the study of end times—highlighting how this doctrine faces challenges today similar to those addressed by Paul previously; it emphasizes vigilance against false teachings regarding Christ's second coming and final judgment.

Understanding the Attack on Eschatology

The Nature of the Attack

• The false teachers in 2 Thessalonians claimed that the Lord's coming was imminent, suggesting Christians should not work. This is a different attack than previously seen, which now denies Christ's second coming altogether.

• The current attack asserts that Christ will not return for a second time, as outlined in the passage being studied today. It highlights both the attack and defense regarding eschatology.

Structure of Discussion

• The discussion will first address "eschatology attacked" (verses 1-4) followed by "eschatology defended" (verses 5-18). A metaphorical "time machine" will be used to explore past, present, and future contexts of these teachings.

• The term "last days" refers to the period between Christ's first and second comings, with increasing urgency as we approach the end times. Understanding this context is crucial for interpreting current events and teachings.

Identifying the Attackers

• In verse 3, it is noted that scoffers will come in the last days; these are likely Gnostic false teachers from the first century who mocked Christ’s return due to their belief that physical bodies are inherently evil.

• These Gnostics denied Christ’s incarnation and resurrection because they believed human existence was flawed; thus, they rejected any notion of eternal life in a physical body. Their motivations stemmed from a desire to indulge their sinful nature rather than adhere to biblical truth.

Characteristics of Scoffers

• Scoffers act according to their own desires (concupiscences), which often leads them to create false doctrines that contradict God’s truth in order to justify their actions and avoid accountability before God.

• Concupiscence refers to intense desires—often negative—that drive individuals away from divine truths towards self-serving philosophies or lifestyles aimed at satisfying personal lusts or sins.

Modern-Day Parallels

• Today's scoffers can be likened to those who live solely for earthly pleasures, dismissing concepts like judgment or an afterlife with phrases such as “let us eat and drink for tomorrow we die.” They reject any transcendent meaning beyond immediate experiences.

• These contemporary scoffers may laugh off discussions about hell or spiritual matters as absurdities; this reflects a broader trend of apostasy expected before Christ's return. Such attitudes have persisted throughout history under various guises but remain fundamentally unchanged in intent and philosophy today.

Voluntary Ignorance Among Scoffers

• Verse 5 indicates that these scoffers deliberately ignore truths about God’s creation and His promises; they are not victims but willingly choose ignorance over enlightenment because it aligns with their desires for autonomy from religious constraints.

• Throughout history, these figures have adopted new labels—such as progressives or free thinkers—indicating a rejection of traditional beliefs while promoting secular ideologies devoid of divine influence or accountability. This evolution illustrates how skepticism manifests across different eras while maintaining core characteristics rooted in rebellion against God’s authority.

Understanding the Nature of the Attack on Christian Eschatology

The Essence of the Attack

• The essence of the attack is articulated through a mocking question: "Where is the promise of His coming?" This reflects skepticism towards Christ's second coming, referred to as "advent" or "arrival."

• The term "advent" signifies both arrival and coming, indicating that when discussing the second coming, it refers to a significant event in Christian eschatology.

Historical Context and Skepticism

• Skeptics argue against Christ's promise of return by referencing historical continuity; they claim that since creation, nothing has changed significantly. They dismiss divine intervention or judgment as non-existent.

• These arguments stem from a secular perspective that disregards scriptural accounts, suggesting that humanity has developed its own theories about existence without acknowledging a creator. This viewpoint is termed "cosmogony."

Naturalism and Uniformity

• The skeptics maintain a belief in naturalism, asserting that everything exists due to natural processes rather than divine creation. They perceive existence as unchanging and immutable over time.

• Their argument hinges on the idea that if no divine judgment has occurred historically, then it seems absurd to believe in an impending judgment day orchestrated by God or Christ. This represents their mockery of faith in divine accountability.

Defending Christian Eschatology Against Mockery

Key Teachings for Defense

• In response to skepticism, Peter emphasizes four fundamental teachings aimed at preserving faith against such mockers: acknowledgment of creation by God and accountability before Him. These teachings serve as vital legacies for believers.

Understanding Creation

• The first point made by Peter is that skeptics willfully ignore God's role as creator; He created the heavens and earth through His word and sustains them through water (both literally and metaphorically). This highlights intelligent design within creation itself.

Accountability Before God

• Peter argues that because there is a creator who holds humanity accountable, all individuals will ultimately face judgment—this was previously demonstrated during the first universal judgment (the flood). Thus, past events foreshadow future accountability.

First Judgment as Precedent for Second Judgment

• The first universal judgment serves not only as an example but also as a warning for what is to come—a second universal judgment must occur according to God's mathematical principles: if one exists (the flood), then logically two must follow (the final judgment).

Understanding the Concept of Duality in Creation

The Binary System of Creation

• The speaker introduces the idea that God created the world based on a binary system, emphasizing that for every element, there exists a counterpart (e.g., night and day, man and woman).

• This duality extends to significant events such as resurrection and judgment, indicating that if there is a first occurrence (like the first universal judgment), there must be a second.

The Second Universal Judgment

• The speaker references 2 Peter 3:7, explaining that current heavens and earth are reserved for fire on the day of judgment against ungodly men.

• Contrary to popular belief since the 19th century, which suggests a millennium before final judgment, Peter's teachings assert that Christ’s second coming will directly lead to this second universal judgment.

Scriptural Evidence

• The speaker cites various scriptures (Matthew 24 & 25; Romans 2; 1 Thessalonians 4; 2 Peter 3) to support the claim that Christ's return signifies immediate judgment rather than an intervening period.

• Emphasizing the importance of understanding scripture in context, he encourages highlighting key verses to grasp their full meaning regarding Christ’s return and its implications.

Clarifying Misconceptions

• Addressing skeptics who mock the promise of Christ's return, he points out that this promise is intrinsically linked with God's day of judgment.

• He stresses that Peter equates Christ’s second coming with "the day of the Lord," reinforcing their connection throughout scripture.

The Nature of Judgment Day

• On "the day of the Lord," described as coming unexpectedly like a thief at night, significant cosmic events will occur including destruction by fire (2 Peter 3:10).

• This event marks not just destruction but also transitions into eternity as indicated by Peter’s teachings about growing in grace until then.

The Eschatology According to Apostle Peter

Summary of Key Concepts

• The speaker summarizes apostolic eschatology as consisting of three worlds and two judgments:

• Three Worlds: Pre-flood world, post-flood world, and new creation.

• Two Judgments: Judgment by water (the flood) and future judgment by fire.

Response to Skepticism

• He addresses modern skepticism regarding moral conduct without divine accountability. He counters this notion with biblical truths about impending judgments awaiting all humanity.

Judgment and Faith in the Coming World

The Consequences of Unrepentance

• Individuals who do not repent from their bisexuality, transsexuality, or metrosexuality will face judgment in the coming world. They risk remaining trapped in a cycle of sin and never entering the new heaven and earth where justice resides.

The Battle of Beliefs

• A growing skepticism and disbelief will permeate society, fueled by an anti-Christ spirit that challenges faith. This creates a fierce battle between mockers and believers, with weak-minded individuals particularly vulnerable to doubt.

Impact on the Weak in Faith

• Those lacking firm faith or who ignore apostolic teachings will be significantly affected by worldly influences. Their doubts about Christ's second coming may lead to spiritual harm if they do not strengthen their beliefs against mockery.

Teaching Resilience Against Mockery

• Children exposed to mocking environments, such as schools promoting evolution and sexual libertinism, need strong theological foundations to withstand peer pressure. Parents should actively teach them biblical truths to fortify their faith against deception.

Exhortation for Spiritual Vigilance

• The Apostle Peter emphasizes the importance of being alert and receiving exhortation regularly through church attendance. This practice helps believers remember foundational teachings that strengthen their faith against false doctrines prevalent today.

Importance of Memory in Faith

• Christians often forget what strengthens their faith; thus, Peter urges constant remembrance of apostolic teachings rather than being swayed by modern revelations from false prophets that dilute true doctrine.

Strength Through Prophetic Word

• When believers stray from the "more sure prophetic word," they become weak and susceptible to doubt during challenging times when mockers arise globally. Staying grounded in scriptural truth is essential for resilience against skepticism about Christ's return.

Divine Strength Against Adversaries

• Just as God empowered Ezekiel with strength against rebellious faces, He equips believers with divine fortitude (symbolized as diamond) to confront mockers without fear, contrasting it with those whose hearts are hardened like stone (666).

Response to Mockery

• In dealing with mockers who ridicule faith or Christ’s promises, prayer is encouraged—asking God for mercy on some while recognizing others may be reprobates whose increasing mockery reveals their true nature; discernment is crucial in these situations.

Conclusion: Call to Prayer

• The sermon concludes with a call for prayerful reflection on God's word and acknowledgment of His glory amidst challenges faced by believers today as they await Christ's return amidst rising skepticism and ridicule from society at large.