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?

** Jesus’ first coming was to open the way of salvation. This is like a man sowing a seed. His second coming is like a man reaping the harvest. Harvest then involves two aspects: winnowing to remove chaff, and collecting in order to gather grains into a barn. So his second coming means the closing of the opportunity to repent and be saved. It means the day of judgment for what one has done with the gospel while in the body.

** 1) Simply by the word of God; 2) Specifically by the words spoken by the holy prophets and the command given by the Lord through the apostles (like the Apostle Peter or Paul)

** They say that Jesus is not going to come again.

** The basis of their argument is two fold: 1) What their evil desires want to see and admit; and 2) superficial observation of nature covering only a portion of it in terms of time and scope of the natural phenomena. 

** Peter.

** God’s word is correct and reliable, for God’s word is from the mind of God who sees everything from beginning to end, whereas scoffers’ view is biased and contaminated by their evil desires. 

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?

** Present heavens and earth are reserved for fire. The objects to be destroyed include: heavens, the elements, the earth, and everything in it. Also included are “ungodly men” (7)

** It is to rid the existing universe of what is ‘ungodly’, every hint of it. 

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)

** The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise (of his coming again).

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?

** Overall it helps me to see myself objectively rather than subjectively. When viewed objectively (esp. in God’s eyes), I have so many life “issues” which must be addressed before ‘D’ day. God is the God of perfection. I get the sense that in a way I am like the skipper of the boat called Titanic, for a boat is meant to stay afloat, not sink. 

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?

** It is again designed to produce perfection out of his children, so they would fit for the perfection to come. A thief is good at finding the cracks in security. We are to secure our life’s ‘boat’ making it watertight, just as Noah ensured that his boat (ark) would be free of any defects, for even the slightest hole/imperfection would cause the boat to leak, and then sink.

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?  

** Only those who are made holy and godly. As Rev. 21:27 says, “Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.”

** 1) Home is different from house. It is a prepared environment where one can find comfort and ease, ready to enjoy life to the full. 

2) Righteousness means right relationship based on the love that seeks the highest good of others. 

3) These two words characterize the nature of the new heaven and the new earth. Along with the word ‘new’ which is free of anything ungodly and unholy, they depict the perfect environment in which life can prosper fully, both in quantity and in quality.

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.”

** NO one but “you” (me) is to be on “your” (my) guard. The word “guard” presupposes the existence of enemy which is the devil who so surreptitiously tries to break into your life, tempting you, so you would fall prey to all kinds of temptations. 

** It also reminds me of the importance of living life “correctly” according to the truths the Bible teaches. Life is a complex venture. It requires all truths of God about life, so it is only when life is lived according to God’s truths that one can live it to the fullest extent possible, living to one’s full potential. 

** This statement indicates that it is only in the Lord that I can find all the truths of life. And I need to grow in his grace (of his sin-forgiveness) and knowledge of Jesus’ love and power, esp. His person which is the perfect model of perfect citizen in the perfect kingdom of God. 

The end