1. Destruction of the Universe Destruction of Jerusalem? 2 Peter 3: Destruction of the Universe OR Destruction of Jerusalem?

2. Sam Dawson’s Conclusion on 2 Peter 3 “To use these passages to teach about the destruction of the universe at the end of time is to rip them out of their context, not only in Jesus’ and Paul’s teaching, but also the whole Bible.” We are warned: “There will be false teachers among you” (2 Peter 2:1) Our Responsibility:  “Test all things; hold fast what is good” (1 Thess. 5:21)  “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits” (1 John 4:1)

3. What are the “last days”? (2 Peter 3:3) Dawson says that “the last days spoken of in the New Testament are the last days of Judaism” Others believe that “last days” sometimes refer to the final dispensation of God’s dealings with man (Hebrews 1:2; 2 Timothy 3:1) Yet, Dawson himself is not dogmatic:  “…most probably the last days are the last days of Judaism, not the age of the Messiah’s reign since Pentecost.”  “Unless II Pet. 3.3 is the exception, the last days spoken of in the New Testament are the last days of Judaism”

4. Had the scoffers already come? (2 Peter 3:3-4) Dawson believes that the "scoffers" mentioned in the text are Jews who were currently expressing doubts that Jesus would come to destroy Jerusalem as He promised. He says: “These Jewish scoffers now said, ‘It’s been thirty-five years since Jesus made the promise. Jesus preached it; the apostles did; we’ve been preaching this; we’ve been waiting; and things keep going right on. Since he hasn’t come in thirty-five years, he won’t come!’” Peter plainly states that "scoffers WILL COME" not that "scoffers now said"

5. What is being paralleled to the flood? (2 Peter 3:5-7) Two important issues:  What is the meaning of “heavens” and “earth”?  What is the meaning of “perished”?

6. Dawson’s Interpretation of Heavens and Earth The old world perished by the same means by which God created it—by God. Notice that the world that then perished, the old heavens and earth was not the globe and sky. They were still there as Peter wrote, but he spoke of the old world order. Likewise, the planet and stars Peter lived on and under were the same planet and stars Noah lived on and under. Accordingly, the earth and heavens that passed away were not the planet and stars, but the corrupt pre-flood order. The planet and stars Peter lived on and under are the same planet and stars we live on and under. Consequently, the earth and heavens that are about to pass away in II Peter 3 are not the planet and stars, but the religious order Peter was living under, i.e., Judaism. Yet Peter refers to “the earth standing out of water and in the water.” That’s a neat trick for a religious order!

7. Dawson’s Interpretation of Heavens and Earth The old world perished by the same means by which God created it—by God. Notice that the world that then perished, the old heavens and earth was not the globe and sky. They were still there as Peter wrote, but he spoke of the old world order. Likewise, the planet and stars Peter lived on and under were the same planet and stars Noah lived on and under. Accordingly, the earth and heavens that passed away were not the planet and stars, but the corrupt pre- flood order. The planet and stars Peter lived on and under are the same planet and stars we live on and under. Consequently, the earth and heavens that are about to pass away in II Peter 3 are not the planet and stars, but the religious order Peter was living under, i.e., Judaism. Since the heavens and earth were created by the word of God, Dawson’s reasoning leads to the conclusion that God’s word created “the corrupt pre-flood order”

8. Dawson’s Interpretation of Heavens and Earth The old world perished by the same means by which God created it—by God. Notice that the world that then perished, the old heavens and earth was not the globe and sky. They were still there as Peter wrote, but he spoke of the old world order. Likewise, the planet and stars Peter lived on and under were the same planet and stars Noah lived on and under. Accordingly, the earth and heavens that passed away were not the planet and stars, but the corrupt pre-flood order. The planet and stars Peter lived on and under are the same planet and stars we live on and under. Consequently, the earth and heavens that are about to pass away in II Peter 3 are not the planet and stars, but the religious order Peter was living under, i.e., Judaism. But no “religious order” passed away at the flood. God dealt with mankind through the Patriarchs both before and after the flood!

9. Dawson’s Interpretation of Heavens and Earth The old world perished by the same means by which God created it—by God. Notice that the world that then perished, the old heavens and earth was not the globe and sky. They were still there as Peter wrote, but he spoke of the old world order. Likewise, the planet and stars Peter lived on and under were the same planet and stars Noah lived on and under. Accordingly, the earth and heavens that passed away were not the planet and stars, but the corrupt pre-flood order. The planet and stars Peter lived on and under are the same planet and stars we live on and under. Consequently, the earth and heavens that are about to pass away in II Peter 3 are not the planet and stars, but the religious order Peter was living under, i.e., Judaism. The antediluvian climate, geology, topography, and geography perished. In these respects Peter was not living on the same planet.

10. “…the world that then existed perished…” The Meaning of “Perished” The Bible frequently uses the terms "perish" and "destroy" not to refer to the loss of being, but to the loss of well being  Genesis 41:36 “…that the land may not perish during the famine.”  Joshua 23:16 “you shall perish quickly from the good land which He has given you.”  Jeremiah 9:12 “Why does the land perish and burn up like a wilderness, so that no one can pass through?”

11. What is the “Fire”? (2 Peter 3:7) Is “fire” frequently used to describe Jerusalem’s destruction ? Dawson claims that it is: “Thus, fire was to be the Jews’ fate, as Peter described it. It was so preached in the first gospel sermon in Ac. 2.17ff, when Peter quoted from Joel: "blood, fire, and columns of smoke." John the Baptist spoke of it (Mt. 3.10-11). Jesus himself said, "I came to bring fire on the earth (land)," Lk. 12.49. James 5.3 and I Thes. 2.16 say the same thing. Last, the fiery fate of Sodom was also a type of Jerusalem’s fate, Lk. 17.29f. History confirms that Jerusalem was burned to the ground. This was the day of judgment for Judaism.”

12. What is the “Fire”? (2 Peter 3:7) Dawson’s references offer no proof! In Matthew 3:10, John is speaking metaphorically when he says, "every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." IF the fire is literal here, so are the trees. In Luke 12:49, Jesus says that He wishes the fire He came to bring was "already kindled." In James 5:3 James says, “Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire.” 1 Thessalonians 2:16 does not mention fire. Luke 17:29 describes fire & brimstone raining from heaven Sodom; this did not happen at Jerusalem.

13. What is “The Day of Judgment”? 2 Peter 3:7 Dawson says that “the day of judgment” here is “the day of judgment for Judaism” when Jerusalem was burned. But note the typical use of the New Testament phrase “the day of judgment” in the following passages:  Matthew 12:36 “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.”  1 John 4:17 “Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment.”

14. When is “The Day of the Lord”? 2 Peter 3:10a Dawson says, “The Old Testament, with the exception of the Sabbath day, uses the term "day of the Lord" nearly exclusively of national judgment.” But how does the New Testament use it?  1 Thessalonians 5:2 "For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night."  1 Corinthians 5:5 "deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus."  2 Corinthians 1:14 “…that we are your boast as you also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus."

15. “A Thief in the Night” 2 Peter 3:10 Dawson says, "Saying that the day of the Lord would "come as a thief," Peter recognized thieves don’t send cards saying, "I plan to be in your neighborhood at 10:00 p.m. Tuesday night. Please have everything ready." Though we don’t know when the next thief is coming, that doesn’t mean we can’t have everything ready! The thief’s coming will not be by invitation or announcement. Peter said the Lord’s coming would not be by invitation or announcement, either”

16. “A Thief in the Night” 2 Peter 3:10 Yet, Jesus said that people could know when the destruction of Jerusalem was near:  “So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!” (Matthew 24:33). And Dawson disagrees with himself!  “Peter’s audience could look for the destruction of Jerusalem, for Jesus had given signs, Mt. 24.3- 15, 32-45 and Lk. 12.56, 21.28.” The destruction of Jerusalem was Some Thief!