My Dear Friend,

Petrine eschatology, or Peter's view of the last things, is, when read thoughtfully, nothing short of shocking.

Not merely stimulating, engaging, or inspiring. Shocking! I dare say very few Christians have given it a second thought. But with the signs of the times upon us, we should, we must do so. If we do not, we will deeply regret it when Jesus suddenly appears and, suddenly, we realize we are not ready!

Moved by the Spirit of prophecy, Peter wrote that the "Day of the Lord" is coming with the sudden appearance of the "thief" in the night (2 Peter 3:10). This "thief" is Jesus. He will one day appear in the sky - as unannounced as a burglar - to catch away His bride church (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18). Then the Day of the Lord, consisting of 7 years of Tribulation (Revelation 6:1-19:21) and 1,000 years of Israel's long-awaited Messianic kingdom, will run its course (Revelation 20:1-10).

After the Day of the Lord, the "Day of God," or the eternal state, will arrive, being distinguished by a newly created earth and heavens (Revelation 21:1). The God-indwelt capital of this new earth, New Jerusalem, is the eternal home of the redeemed (Revelation 21:2 - 22:5). New Jerusalem is well known among Christians. But Peter adds something that is not well known. And it is shocking.

At the end of the Day of the Lord, just before the new heavens and earth appear and the Day of God begins, the entire cosmos - earth, sky, galaxies, stars, planets, asteroids, meteors, satellites, space dust, and all the "elements" present in the material creation - will be "melt[ed]," "burned up" and "dissolved" with superheated, intense fire (2 Peter 3:10-11). Thoroughly. Irreversibly. Why? This divine judgment is the ultimate cost of Adam's sin: the creation tainted by his sin must now be done away with! It is not an acceptable home for the redeemed. Apparently, the redeemed will observe this wondrous judgment from the safety of the "third" heaven, the presence and paradise of God. The implications of this colossal creation cremation are clear.

All the works of fallen mankind throughout time - cities, technologies, weapons, transportation systems, governments, national capitals, buildings, houses, monuments, and so forth - will be "burned up." This will be God's final judgment upon Adam's rebellious, proudly independent, self-serving, idol-worshiping, Christ-hating, satanic, unredeemed social order. This prophecy is not without controversy.

Some Bible expositors claim the heavens and earth will merely suffer a fiery renovation. The earth's crust will merely be divinely resurfaced, not thoroughly "dissolved," or "disintegrate[d]" (2 Peter 3:11, Phillips). Yet Peter's language is unmistakably clear and undeniable. He describes this future destruction of the entire material creation with the word "dissolved." And he states this not once but three times. "Melt" (2 Peter 3:10), "dissolved" (3:11), and "dissolved" (3:12) are all translated from the same Greek word, luo, meaning "destroy, dissolve, break into parts, put an end to." Wow!

That's a powerful, hurricane-force word-wind, a biblical atomic blast! My skin, hair, and entire body are being blown backwards. But strangely, this jarring news makes me feel good inside. Why? It means my Master, the love of my life, the Savior of my sin-and-self-afflicted soul, Jesus, is coming that much sooner! I cannot help being deeply comforted by this thought. And prompted to very meaningful spiritual meditation on Peter's prophecy.

Have you slowly and deeply considered it? Believed it? Evaluated your short life span with it in view? Peter urges us to do so and to allow this prophetic shock treatment to impact not only our minds but also our way of life.

Jesus' right-hand apostle wrote, "Dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in His sight" (2 Peter 3:14, NLT). "Make every effort," or "be diligent" (ESV), or "be eager" (Moffatt), or "make certain" (Phillips) to do these things. What things?

• LIVE "HOLY" (2 Peter 3:11) - or completely separated from sin, in the purity God desires and describes for us in the Bible; and unto God, for His exclusive pleasure and use. Peter explicitly promises this "hastens" the Lord's coming (2 Peter 3:12) and the subsequent End-Times events that lead up to the Day of God.

• LIVE "GODLY" (2 Peter 3:11) - or like the godly One, Jesus. We can do this only as we seek Jesus every day, let prayer to Him be our very breath, love and study His Word, and make every effort to live according to it in our thoughts, motives, words, and actions.

• LIVE "IN PEACE" (2 Peter 3:14) - meaning peace with God, the peace of God, and, as far as possible, peace with people. Peace with God is maintained by God's grace and also by us intentionally feeding on what God loves and avoiding what He hates. The peace of God is ours if we commit to cast every care and need on Him by believing, childlike prayer in Jesus' name (Philippians 4:6-7). Peace with people requires more effort. It occurs when we choose to love them for Jesus' sake, forgive every offender quickly and thoroughly, and determine to have Christ's mind and follow His biblical instructions in our interactions with all people - including those who make every effort to let us know they disrespect or despise us. By doing so, we live in peace: peace with God, the peace of God, and peaceful mercy toward all people.

• LIVE "WITHOUT SPOT" (2 Peter 3:14) - or without any "spot" of worldliness in which our fleshly nature rules us (Ephesians 5:27; Jude 23). This means we live consistently free from the control of bodily lusts, the pride of life, the love of this fallen world, and the envy of sinners and carnal Christians. Why? So that we may live freely and joyfully "in the Spirit," or with the liberating power, ability, grace, and guidance of the Holy Spirit energizing us.

• LIVE "BLAMELESS" (2 Peter 3:14) - or without any unconfessed, unforgiven offenses in God's sight. If we walk closely with Christ, we will indeed be blamed for many things by some sinners and un-Christlike Christians, of that there is no doubt. But we will not be guilty of their accusations. Joseph, Daniel, and Paul were all accused of being lawbreakers by wicked, envious, lawbreaking men and women, but all three were submissively obedient to God's Word, call, and guidance, and thus "blameless" in His sight.

• "LOOK" (2 Peter 3:14-15) - or (lit.) to await with watchful expectation the things Peter prophesied: the coming of the "thief in the night," the Day of the Lord, the dissolving of heaven and earth, and the Day of God. To "look" is to keep these prophesied wonders in the back of one's mind and make choices daily that enable one to be prepared for their arrival. "Lookers," therefore, are neither ignorant, apathetic, nor scornful concerning "his coming" (2 Peter 3:4).

• "GROW IN GRACE AND KNOWLEDGE" (2 Peter 3:18) - or go steadily forward pursuing spiritual growth. The only way to avoid "fall[ing] from your own [spiritual] steadfastness" (2 Peter 3:17), or current spiritual discipline, is to go forward. Steadily. Daily. Always! No Christian stands still spiritually. The moment we stop moving forward, we start sliding back to the old ways of life. Discipleship is not for the uncommitted or lazy. We must also grow in "knowledge" by: studying Scripture; receiving instruction and correction from pastors and teachers; seeking God daily in prayer, worship, and devotional Bible reading; examining ourselves constantly; and learning the Spirit's quiet, intimate ways of dealing with us. This alone insures we will not be "led away" by sin or error (2 Peter 3:17) which, whatever its form, results from not knowing God's Word or His Spirit's witness sufficiently.

• "BE DILIGENT" (2 Peter 3:14) - or (lit.) be zealous, eager, devoted, or quick to do what Peter exhorts: be holy, godly, peaceful, without spot, blameless, looking, and growing in grace and knowledge. When Christians take "his coming" seriously, zeal flows naturally. And they are diligent, not slothful; and quick, not slow, to prepare themselves for the fulfillment of Peter’s monumental prophecies.

Which brings us back to Peter's shocking prophecy.

Some crafty deceivers use shocking false information - propaganda, if you will - to move unthinking people to take the wrong path for their own selfish purposes. Others spew shocking threats to move easily intimidated souls to stop walking in the right path, from doing Christ's will and walking in His ways. But Peter's shock talk is neither crafty nor selfish.

It is true, written in love, and for our highest good. And in this 21st Century, its fulfillment is near. Which makes it vital information. Of utmost importance. A must-read motivational writing. A must-see movie about "things to come" (John 16:13). Inspired by our heavenly Father. Produced and marketed by the Holy Spirit. Released in the church by its Head, Jesus. Birthed in God's heart, Peter's prophecy is intended to transform our hearts - and our lives.

Summing up, we already know Christ's eschatology: Matthew 24-25 give us His primary End-Times prophecies and readiness warnings. We also know Pauline eschatology: his First and Second Thessalonian epistles encapsulate his view of the phenomena attending Christ's Appearing and Return. And we know Johannine eschatology: Revelation discloses John's inspired predictions of the last things with amazing clarity and fullness. So, it's only fitting that we add Petrine eschatology to our body of End-Times knowledge.

And now you have it. But what will come of it? I suggest we begin assimilating this last-days learning into our present-day living by prayer. Here's a petition I am making. Perhaps you wish to pray it with me:

"Heavenly Father, I'm stunned by Peter's inspired prediction that everything I see around me will one day be dissolved. But I believe every word of it, embrace it, and will study it in your holy fear. May that wondrous, life-changing awe grip me now, body and soul. This moment. Permanently. Never letting me go. May it leave me not fanatically but faithfully mindful of Peter's profound prophecy as I go about my daily business. Under your Spirit's mighty power, help me live as Peter instructs: holy, godly, in peace, without spot, blameless. Help my minute mind grasp this mountainous vision, run with it, and share it with whoever is willing to listen. Amen. So be it, Lord!"

Grasping, running, sharing,

Dr. Greg Hinnant

GREG HINNANT MINISTRIES