2nd. Peter - Last Days

2 Pet. 3 - referring to Last Days = last time - (Jesus' 1st. return to His 2nd. return)

2 Pet.3:1-8  from Psm. 90:4   Vs. 2 = old testament  - God's spoken word (vs. 5-7) makes it all happen.

2 Pet. 3:9 - Very important verse - God is patient because He's merciful and kind and good.
with Ezek. 18:23, 32  and 1 Tim. 2:3-4

2 Pet. 3:10-12 - The End comes suddenly and Violently!! - Isa. 34:4, Joel 2:30-31, (but not also - Joel 2:32 !)
We tend to forget that the end will come violently. 

2 Pet. 3;13 = will it all be new?  or Re-newed?  Many different views - Pre-millennial, post-millennial, NO millennial.   Peter's point = it will happen!!

2 Pet. 3:14-15 - "Because He is patient,Salvation is still available!!   Illustration:  the Prodigal Son!  Luke 15.

2 Pet. 3:16-18 - Peter refers to Paul's writings as Scripture.

Observations:   

(1)  Miracles are not the norm!  were only three periods of great miracles from the time of Moses to today.
And,
(2)  Divine mystery will always accompany the Christian faith  (when?  how?  why the wait?)  We will never understand all that God has for us.
So....
(3)  Scoffers will come.   These are more than skeptics - they deliberately forget!! - Rom. 1:32
because we won't have miracles all the time and won't have all the answers,  Divine mystery remains.
And,
(4)  they will distort the scriptures  because they want to follow "own evil desire", not follow God's desire (will).  They want their will.

Peter's whole point in this chapter:

BUT IF God can create, flood, sustain by His Word

THEN He can also fulfill promises of Christ's return  -- by His Word!!!

Therefore:  (1)  "make every effort" - (2 Pet. 3:14 compare with 2nd. Pet. 1:5)

(2)  be on guard...  2 Pet. 3:17 - "lest fall" 
Example:  Peter - of the 12, of the inner 3, unofficial leader of the Apostles, "the Rock" - denied Christ!!!
don't be discouraged -- by the length of time
don't be distracted - by the world - Heb. 2:1

AND
(3)  grow ... 2 Pet. 3:18 "in the grace  He offers - freely given
                                    "in the Knowledge" you can acquire

Comparison:  Christian walk to bicycle riding:  ie.  stop moving and fall over!!!   Stop growing and fall away!