Errors About the Second Return

 

Text: 2 Peter 3:1-14

Intro: Chapter 2 – the error of lasciviousness; Chapter 3:1-14 – the errors about Christ’s return

         Perhaps no single doctrine has caused so much controversy than the Biblical teaching of

         Christ’s return. The true expectation of His return must harmonize with other Biblical truths

 

 

I. Remember the true Hope does not exclude any of God’s Saints – v. 2

 

A.  Peter’s hope was the ONE hope of the O.T. Saints – v. 2

B. Paul’s hope was the ONE hope of Israel – Acts 28:20

C. There is only ONE hope for the saints – Eph. 4:4

D. The ONE hope is that hope promised before the world began – Tit. 1:2; 2 Tim. 1:9-10

E. It is the ONE hope promised in the gospel – Col. 1:15

F. It is the Blessed Hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ –Tit. 2:13

 

The HOPE of the gospel is found in what it promises – eternal life

 

 Any theory of the second coming that excludes some of the saints is a false theory

 

 

II. What Scoffer’s and some saints are Ignorant of – vv. 3-14

 

A. How Christ Interprets His Promise to Return

     1. Not as Scoffers who interpret “quickly” as men count quickness – vv.8-9

         a. Christ counts “quickly” from the viewpoint of eternity

         b. Two thousand years are but two days from His point of view

 

     2. Not as Some Ignorant Saints who interpret “looking” as imminent – vv. 12-14

         a. Looking for something does not mean it is imminent? – vv. 12-14

             1. Looking for “new heavens and a new earth” – 2 Pet. 3:12-14

             2. Looking for payday, coming of loved ones to visit, etc.

         b. Looking for God’s promise according to God’s timetable

 

     3. Not as some ignorant saints who deny necessary preceding prophecies

         a. The Pretrib theory DEMANDS that nothing must occur prior to the Lord’s reurn

               – Acts 1:11

         b. Not Pentecost – Acts 1:5

         c. Not the Great Commission – Acts 1:8

         d. Not Paul’s mission is complete

                     - His mission to – Acts 9:15-16

                     - His mission to Jerusalem – Acts 20:22-23

                     - His mission to Rome – Acts 23:11

                     - His mission to Ceasar – Acts 27:23-25

         e. Not the destruction of Jerusalem

          f. Not  the completion of the Biblical cannon – Isa. 8:16-18

         g. Not the return of Israel from captivity – Isa. 11:11; Lk. 21:24

         h.  Not  Peter’s death – 2 Pet. 1:15

         i. Not the salvation of all the elect – 2 Pet. 3:9-10

 

 

    3. Not as some saints who see a delay as an opportunity for themselves – v. 14

        a. Christ comes as a “thief” upon those not watching

           1. The Goodman of the house did not watch

           2. He comes upon church members not watching – Rev. 3:3

           3. He comes upon those sleeping – Rev. 16:15

           4. He does not come upon those watching as a thief – I Thes. 5:4

        b. We are to be always in a state of watchfulness

 

 

 

III. The True expectation harmonizes with Two Biblical Essentials        

 

A. It harmonizes with necessary preceding prophecies – Mt. 24:32-35

    1. You cannot watch for Him without watching for those things that herald His coming

    2. All Prophecies must be fulfilled

 

B. It harmonizes with a constant state of watchfulness – Mk. 13:33 (2 Pet. 3:14)

     1. Only by WATCHING can you come to know (Mt. 24:33) what is presently unknown (Acts

          1:6-7; Mt. 24:36

     2. Watching includes more than starring into the sky

         a. Military term for those in HIS SERVICE

         b. To be dressed for duty

         c. To be in your PLACE of duty

         d. To be ALERT on duty

         e. To be READY to respond as instructed

     2. What Jesus says to them He says to all – WATCH -