WE ARE IN THE LAST DAYS: WHAT TO EXPECT

2 Peter 3:3-9,11-18
[3]Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

The Holy Spirit through Peter tells us that we will be seeing - and are indeed seeing - scoffers.

[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 the creation.

This type of scoffing saying "where is the promise of His coming?" is seemingly designed to bring thoughts like "What's taking you so long, Lord? Why are you allowing me to be humiliated this way?" Therefore do not allow yourselves to entertain such thoughts. God has a timetable, a schedule if you will. The best answer to this question is that God is allowing more time for people to repent, which is entirely accurate.

[5-6]For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

"they willingly are ignorant..." It's not that the scoffers were not informed, but that they willingly chose to reject the news of what was coming their way, and that is that the ultimate end of the earth is destruction.

[7]But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

"...of judgment and perdition of ungodly men." A reiteration of who the specific targets of what's coming.

[8]But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

Now this [v8] is a strange entry into this passage, unless you have come to realize that this is the KEY to solving the prophetic riddle of Hosea 6:1-2, which is God's message to the Jews as to WHEN their chastisement will end. Of course us Christians can borrow this verse for the useful prophetic information it contains with regards to God's timetable.

[9]The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Indeed! Those who do not know God's schedule in Hosea 6:1-2 will think God has forgotten His commitment to His promises and to the ensuring of the fulfillment of the prophecies in His word. But if you strived to know and discovered what God has been telling us ALL ALONG regarding His schedule, you will be patient and encouraged to stand fast and to occupy.

[11]Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

"in all holy conversation and godliness..." Haven't you heard of too many professing Christians indulge in toilet humor and cussing? Making light of such things as adultery and fornication? God is ANGRY with such behaviour. Let these things be henceforth far from us.

[12-18]Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." If you plan to MIGRATE to another country, you would want to know everything there is to know about this other country. Salvation is just the visa, and what is referred to by the writer of Hebrews as "milk". The writer of Hebrews also tells us not to get stuck with "milk". The bible is a treasure trove of information about this other country, but they need to be prayerfully and diligently sought out.

"It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter."
                         - Proverbs 25:2

A parallel prophecy with additional information is available at 2Tim 3:1-13.