1. The Epistles of Peter & Jude Lesson 17: Past Proofs of Future Judgment (2 Peter 3:1-9) “Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle, in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder.” -- 2 Peter 3:1

2. 2 Peter 2 contained strong Warnings Against False Teachers REVIEW: There will be false teachers among us. (2:1) Many will follow them. (2:2-3) God will punish them -- as He did fallen angels, Noah’s world, and Sodom. (2:4-9) They are motivated by lasciviousness, greed, corrupt desires, & disrespect for authority. (2:10-11) They are characterized as unreasoning beasts, revilers without knowledge, pleasure seekers, carousers, adulterers, & habitual sinners. (2:12-16) They are full of empty promise! (2:17-22)

3. Identifying False Teachers Is it necessary to discern every evil motive and characteristic of a person before he can be identified as a false teacher? 2 Peter 2:1 states that false teachers “will secretly bring in destructive heresies” Jesus described false teachers as wolves in sheep’s clothing who would be recognized by their fruit! (Matthew 7:15-16) Satan’s ministers can “transform themselves into ministers of righteousness” (2 Cor. 11:15) False teachers “by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple” -- we must make note of who they are based on their fruit! (Romans 16:17-18 )

4. Past Proofs of Future Judgment (2 Peter 3:1-9) Looking Back to Inspired Words Peter’s desire is to “stir up your pure minds by way of reminder.” (3:1) –Our ability to recall and apply truth relates to the purity of our minds! The word translated “pure” only occurs one other time -- Philippians 1:10 where it is translated “sincere”. The word literally means “judged by sunlight…tested as genuine” (Strong) Purity has nothing to fear from light! (John 3:21) –Reminders of truth will have positive effects on pure minds (2 Peter 1:12-15; Philippians 3:1-3)

5. Past Proofs of Future Judgment (2 Peter 3:1-9) Looking Back to Inspired Words Peter wants us to be mindful of the words spoken by the prophets and the commandments of the apostles (3:2) –The prophetic word and the commandments of the apostles came from God Himself (2 Peter 1:19-21; John 16:13-14; 1 Corinthians 14:37) –The church is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets (Ephesians 2:19-22) –The words of the apostles and prophets warned of those who would scoff at God’s Judgment (Jude 17-18; 2 Timothy 3:1-9; Zech. 1:4-6; 7:12)

6. Past Proofs of Future Judgment (2 Peter 3:1-9) Looking Back to the Flood Scoffers will come… (3:3-4) –“In the last days” (cf. Hebrews 2:1-2) –“Walking according to their own lusts” When we use our own desires to determine what is right, we will always be wrong! (Deuteronomy 12:8; Proverbs 12:15; 21:2) –Denying the coming of the Lord based on false historical assertions. Claiming that “all things continue as they were since the beginning of creation.”

7. Past Proofs of Future Judgment (2 Peter 3:1-9) Looking Back to the Flood Scoffers willfully forget… (3:5-6) (Note that willful ignorance of truth invariably leads to error and condemnation, cf. Romans 1:21-25, 28) –The power of God’s word demonstrated in creation (Genesis 1; Psalm 33:9) –The destructive power of God’s word demonstrated in the flood (Gen. 6:7,13, 7:4, 23) Note that Peter considered the flood to be an actual historical event and used it to illustrate important truths (1 Peter 3:20; 2 Peter 2:5) As did Jesus in Matthew 24:38-39

8. Past Proofs of Future Judgment (2 Peter 3:1-9) Looking Back to the Flood The same Word which both created and destroyed the heavens and earth, preserves them now and will destroy them in the future (3:7). –God’s word preserves the world (Hebrews 1:3) –God’s word reserves the heavens and the earth for “fire” until the judgment day (2 Thess. 1:6-10)

9. Past Proofs of Future Judgment (2 Peter 3:1-9) Looking Back to an Infinite God We must not forget Who God is (3:8-9) –He is eternal! The passing of time is insignificant to the One who inhabits eternity (Psalm 90:2-4) –His mercy and longsuffering account for delaying His coming! (3:15; 1 Peter 3:20; Romans 2:3-4)