2 Peter 3

The Day of the Lord Will Come

1 Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which a I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), 2 that you may be mindful of the words b which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of 1 us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, 3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, d walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of e creation." 5 For this they willfully forget: that f by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth g standing out of water and in the water, 6 h by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But i the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for j fire until the day of judgment and 2 perdition of ungodly men.

8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and k a thousand years as one day. 9 l The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but m is longsuffering toward 3 us, n not willing that any should perish but o that all should come to repentance. 10 But p the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which q the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be 4 burned up.

11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be r in holy conduct and godliness, 12 s looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will t be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will u melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for v new heavens and a w new earth in which righteousness dwells.

Final Words

14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent x to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; 15 and consider that y the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation - as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his z epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the a rest of the Scriptures. 17 You therefore, beloved, b since you know this beforehand, c beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 d but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. e To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

  1. Cross References
    2 Peter 1:13
    Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you.
  2. Cross References
    2 Peter 1:21
    For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
  3. Cross References
    2 Peter 2:10
    And especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries.
  4. Cross References
    Genesis 6:1 - 7
    Now it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them.
  5. Cross References
    Genesis 1:6
    Then God said, "Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.
    Genesis 1:9
    Then God said, "Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear"; and it was so.
    Hebrews 11:3
    By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.
  6. Cross References
    Psalms 24:2
    For He has founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the waters.
    Psalms 136:6
    To Him who laid out the earth above the waters, For His mercy endures forever.
  7. Cross References
    Genesis 7:11
    In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in th...
    Genesis 7:12
    And the rain was on the earth forty days and fo...
    Genesis 7:21 - 23
    And all flesh died that moved on the earth: bir...
    Matthew 24:37 - 39
    But as the days of Noah were, so also will the ...
    Luke 17:26
    And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will b...
    Luke 17:27
    They ate, they drank, they married wives, they ...
    2 Peter 2:5
    And did not spare the ancient world, but saved ...
  8. Cross References
    2 Peter 3:10
    But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
    2 Peter 3:12
    Looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?
  9. Cross References
    Matthew 25:41
    Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:
    2 Thessalonians 1:8
    In flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
  10. Cross References
    Psalms 90:4
    For a thousand years in Your sight Are like yesterday when it is past, And like a watch in the night.
  11. Cross References
    Habakkuk 2:3
    For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.
    Romans 13:11
    And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.
    Hebrews 10:37
    For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry.
  12. Cross References
    Psalms 86:15
    But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.
    Isaiah 30:18
    Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you; And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him.
  13. Cross References
    Ezekiel 33:11
    "Say to them: ' As I live,' says the Lord GOD, 'I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?'
  14. Cross References
    Matthew 20:28
    "just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
    Romans 2:4
    Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?
  15. Cross References
    Matthew 24:42
    Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour ...
    Matthew 24:43
    But know this, that if the master of the house ...
    Luke 12:39
    But know this, that if the master of the house ...
    1 Thessalonians 5:2
    For you yourselves know perfectly that the day ...
    Revelation 3:3
    Remember therefore how you have received and he...
    Revelation 16:15
    "Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he ...
  16. Cross References
    Genesis 1:6 - 8
    Then God said, "Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.
    Psalms 102:25
    Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands.
    Psalms 102:26
    They will perish, but You will endure; Yes, they will all grow old like a garment; Like a cloak You will change them, And they will be changed.
    Isaiah 51:6
    Lift up your eyes to the heavens, And look on the earth beneath. For the heavens will vanish away like smoke, The earth will grow old like a garment, And those who dwell in it will die in like manner; But My salvation will be forever, And My righteousness will not be abolished.
    Revelation 20:11
    Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.
  17. Cross References
    1 Peter 1:15
    But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.
  18. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 1:7
    So that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
    1 Corinthians 1:8
    Who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
    Titus 2:13 - 15
    Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.
  19. Cross References
    Psalms 50:3
    Our God shall come, and shall not keep silent; A fire shall devour before Him, And it shall be very tempestuous all around Him.
  20. Cross References
    Isaiah 24:19
    The earth is violently broken, The earth is split open, The earth is shaken exceedingly.
    Isaiah 34:4
    All the host of heaven shall be dissolved, And the heavens shall be rolled up like a scroll; All their host shall fall down As the leaf falls from the vine, And as fruit falling from a fig tree.
    Micah 1:4
    The mountains will melt under Him, And the valleys will split Like wax before the fire, Like waters poured down a steep place.
  21. Cross References
    Isaiah 65:17
    For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.
    Isaiah 66:22
    For as the new heavens and the new earth Which I will make shall remain before Me," says the LORD, "So shall your descendants and your name remain.
  22. Cross References
    Romans 8:21
    Because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
    Revelation 21:1
    Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.
  23. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 1:8
    Who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
    1 Corinthians 15:58
    Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
    1 Thessalonians 3:12
    And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you.
    1 Thessalonians 3:13
    So that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.
    1 Thessalonians 5:23
    Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
  24. Cross References
    Psalms 86:15
    But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.
    Romans 2:4
    Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?
    1 Peter 3:20
    Who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.
  25. Cross References
    Romans 8:19
    For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.
    1 Corinthians 15:24
    Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.
    1 Thessalonians 4:15
    For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.
    2 Thessalonians 1:10
    When He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.
  26. Cross References
    2 Timothy 3:16
    All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
  27. Cross References
    Mark 13:23
    But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.
  28. Cross References
    Ephesians 4:14
    That we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting.
  29. Cross References
    Ephesians 4:15
    But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head - Christ -
  30. Cross References
    Romans 11:36
    For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.
    2 Timothy 4:18
    And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!
    Revelation 1:6
    And has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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