II Peter 3

“What kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives ...” (11). Peter reminded his listeners that even though the current world seems changeless, in fact there was a beginning, there have been cataclysmic changes, and there will be an end (5-7). At God’s coming judgment, the earth and “everything done in it” will be “laid bare” or exposed (10). Now is the time, Peter says, to live according to Jesus’ kingdom, the restored creation “where righteousness dwells” (13).

In light of Jesus’ return, Peter urges us to make every effort “to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him” (14). The world will pass away, but whatever belongs to Jesus’ kingdom lasts forever.