2 Peter 3:3-7 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after 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 the creation. (5) 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: (6) Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: (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.
Did you ever stop to meditate on this passage in 2 Peter? I love it when the Lord opens my eyes to something in the Bible that I had not “noticed” before! It’s like finding a little treasure 🥰
Why would in the entire Bible the word “scoffer” appear only once? It must be important. The same Greek word for scoffer is used 13 times in the Gospels only but translated as “mock.” All 13 times were used in relation to Christ. But this time, in 2 Peter 3:3, it is translated as scoffers. That stood out to me. The only time that this word was used was in relation to the end times. I always thought that it was strictly referring to the unbelievers. But notice that in verse 4 it references the scoffers speaking “Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue…”! When the Jews spoke of the “fathers,” it meant that they knew what was written and taught by their spiritual leaders. It’s comparable to “Christians” who belittle what they have been taught in church all their lives. In this case, however, it has to do with the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Ignoring end-time prophecy as a believer is scoffing what the Bible teaches.
Is it any wonder that people laugh or look at you like you have two heads when you speak of the Rapture of the Church or anything relating to the Tribulation period? They think we’ve gone nuts! The lack of knowledge of end-time events is increasing daily. People want to go on living their lives without thinking about “the end.” People want to get married, have children, buy a house, or find the ideal job. They don’t want to hear that Jesus is coming soon. The one time that the word “scoffers” is used, it speaks of these same people.
It saddens me that polls have shown that only two percent of pastors today preach on the topic of the end times. TWO PERCENT! Why is that? Is it because they are more interested in growing their numbers. Nearly one third of the Bible revolves around prophecy. If a pastor doesn’t preach on the topic, he is leaving out nearly 33% of the Scriptures! Does that not speak volumes to you? If you are in a church where the topic is not taught, we are blessed with preachers who do teach it online. Don’t miss out on the greatest gift that God has left us! How can we comfort others in these terrifying times if we are not ourselves comforted by God’s warnings? He warns us so we are not surprised when something prophetic occurs before our very eyes! We are seeing the conflict in the Middle East and it has already been prophesied in Ezekiel! Because we are forewarned, we can show peace to the unsaved in the midst of trial and tribulation. Why else would Paul say to comfort one another in 1 Thessalonians 4:18?
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. (14) For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. (15) For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. (16) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (18) Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
The phrase “comfort one another” is only found once in all of Scripture and it is in this very passage about the Rapture! Jesus is coming to get His Bride, the Church, before the wrath of God comes upon the unbelieving world. Who are the ones that are to receive God’s wrath? A simple search to the word in the New Testament reveals that it is used 47 times (in the KJV) in 45 verses. Not one of those verses describes the born-again believer covered by the precious blood of Jesus Christ! It can be summarized in the following verse:
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
This verse is used to differentiate between the saved and the unsaved. Who receives God’s wrath? The answer is clear that it is the one who does not believe on the Son. Christ’s Bride most definitely believes on the Son and, therefore, is not going to be receiving God’s wrath, whether at death or during the end times. What do you think happens during the seven-year Tribulation which starts in chapter 6 of the Book of Revelation? The seven seals are opened and it is revealed that those who are living at this time are going to receive God’s wrath:
Revelation 6:16-17 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: (17) For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
Friend, why would the Lamb bring down wrath on His Bride? He wouldn’t! Therefore, tell others about the salvation that Christ brings so they too can be part of the Bride who will be raptured before the Tribulation period! If you are a born-again Christian and have never studied this out, I hope you are blessed by it and encouraged in your heart. If you are not born again, I urge you to settle the matter right now! Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!