1.

What does the Apostle Peter say about the judgment to come? (v. 7)  How is this judgment related to the coming of Jesus?  On what basis does he say that the judgment is sure to come?  (v. 2)  Yet what do the scoffers say?  What is the basis of their argument? (v. 4)  Peter and the scoffers cannot both be right.  Who is correct, Peter or the scoffers?  Why?

2.

Throughout the passage we see expressions like “reserved for fire,” “destroyed by fire,” “destruction…by fire,” and “will melt in the heat.” (vs. 7,10,12)  What are reserved for fire, to be destroyed by fire? (v. 7)  What does this observation tell us about God’s purpose in bringing about the judgment?

3. 

Consider what Peter says in verse 8 and think about time as the Lord perceives it.  According to the Lord’s perception of time, about two symbolic “days” have past since Jesus’ first coming until now.  What does this teach us about how to understand Jesus’ promise to come again? (v. 9a)

4.

How do the following statements in verse 9b affect your life today: 1) “He is patient with you;” 2) “not wanting anyone [including you] to perish;” and 3) “but everyone [you again] to come to repentance.”  What does this passage show about the Lord? 

5.

Verse 10a says, “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief.”  Why do you think the Lord designed it this way?

6.

In vs. 10b-14, Peter says that we are looking forward to “a new heaven and a new earth.”  He also says that we “speed” the coming of the day of the Lord.  We understand the phrase “new heaven and new earth” (especially the word “earth”) to be literal, not metaphorical.  What kind of people will inhabit it? (v. 14)  This place is also called “the home of righteousness.” (v. 13)  What do the words “home” and “righteousness” suggest about the nature of this place?  

7.

How do the following exhortations from verses 15-17 apply to your life? 1) “Be on your guard;” 2) “so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position;” and 3) “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”