Thursday, August 7 – 2 Peter 2, 3

1. False prophets will come as in the times past. What will they deny? (2 Peter 2:1)1)

2. How will these false prophets “exploit” the church? (2 Peter 2:3)

3. How does Peter describe those who scoff because of the delay in Christ’s coming? (2 Peter 3:1-4)
4. How does Peter demonstrate that God’s way of measuring time differs from ours? (2 Peter 3:8)

Some interpret that the apostle Peter established a fixed rule by comparing one day to a thousand years. Based on this, various prophetic calculations have arisen. A particular denomination teaches that God created this world in periods of 1,000 years instead of 24-hour days. However, the only rule established in the Bible is “a day for a year,” which is applied to prophetic timelines like those in Daniel (see Numbers 14:34 and Ezekiel 4:6). We should not take Peter’s words as a strict mathematical rule but rather as an illustration of the brevity of human life compared to God’s eternity.

If we interpret literally what is said in 2 Peter 3:8, we must also consider Psalm 90:4, from which Peter quoted only part: “For a thousand years in Your sight are like yesterday when it is past, and like a watch in the night.” (Psalm 90:4, NKJV)

Night watches for the Roman guard lasted about three hours, while the watches of the priests in the temple were around 30 to 40 minutes, to ensure the altar’s fire did not go out. As we can see, the length of a watch could vary. Just like the author of Psalm 90, all Peter meant is that we cannot compare our limited time with God’s limitless time.

Regarding 2 Peter 3:10, this verse has been misinterpreted by many, teaching that Christ’s coming will be invisible, likening it to the secret arrival of a thief. This is not so. Indeed, a thief does not come beating a drum nor send a text message in advance, but that does not mean he cannot be detected if one is watching. Jesus Himself said:

“But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.” (Luke 12:39, NKJV)

The focus of Jesus is not on the thief but on the need for us to watch, stay awake, and remain attentive to prophecy so that we are prepared and waiting for the Lord. The truth becomes clear when it says, “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him” (Revelation 1:7, NKJV). Interestingly, Christ is the greatest “thief” in history, for with His love, He “stole” our hearts. Who gives glory to God? Hallelujah!

Regarding 2 Peter 3:11-12, here we find another interesting text. The mistake in its interpretation is not only found among brethren of other denominations but also among us, Adventists. There’s a tendency to say that we must “hasten the coming of Christ,” and thus we motivate ourselves to do missionary work and preach the Gospel to “hasten” the Lord’s return. Please, I don’t want anyone to misunderstand me and think that I am saying we should not preach the Gospel or engage in missionary work. My passion is the spreading of the truths of the Gospel of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

What I mean is that God has a time for everything, and His plan of salvation follows times predetermined by His divine providence. “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son” (Galatians 4:4, NKJV). Similarly, dear friends, Christ will come at the time only God knows. Meanwhile, we must be faithful in fulfilling our mission, but we cannot alter God’s clock, which neither delays nor hastens. Note that the text in 2 Peter 3:12 does not say that we “hasten” the coming, but rather “hastening yourselves.” That is, we must hasten ourselves in our own preparation as we wait. “Looking for and hastening…” We pray to the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts so we can face the apparent delay without our faith and trust in the Lord being affected.

Finally, Solomon wrote a proverb about the fool who returns to his folly (Prov. 26:11), but the reference to the “washed sow” may have been common in Jewish circles during Peter’s time. This imagery is used to describe someone who comes to Christ, is washed in His blood, and then returns again to the world, becoming defiled with the old worldly life.

I wish you many blessings as you dedicate yourselves to studying the Scriptures. I pray that God places heavenly eye salve on our eyes so we can truly discern His will as revealed in His Holy Word, helping us to recognize the true light that will lead our steps to the heavenly Canaan.