2 Peter 3:1-18 Denying the flood in the last days

2 Peter 3:1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: [kjv]

ταυτην ηδη αγαπητοι δευτεραν υμιν γραφω επιστολην εν αις διεγειρω υμων εν υπομνησει την ειλικρινη διανοιαν [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "ειλικρινής" ≈ "sincere" as in separated by the light of the sun.

The modern Greek word "ειλικρινής" (ee-lee-kree-NEES) ≈ "sincere, frank".

2 Peter 3:1

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KJV: This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:

Greek: ταυτην ηδη αγαπητοι δευτεραν υμιν γραφω επιστολην εν αις διεγειρω υμων εν υπομνησει την ειλικρινη διανοιαν

2 Peter 3:1

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KJV: This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:

Greek: ταυτην ηδη αγαπητοι δευτεραν υμιν γραφω επιστολην εν αις διεγειρω υμων εν υπομνησει την ειλικρινη διανοιαν

2 Peter 3:2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: [kjv]

μνησθηναι των προειρημενων ρηματων υπο των αγιων προφητων και της των αποστολων υμων εντολης του κυριου και σωτηρος [gnt]

2 Peter 3:2

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KJV: That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

Greek: μνησθηναι των προειρημενων ρηματων υπο των αγιων προφητων και της των αποστολων ημων υμων εντολης του κυριου και σωτηρος

Peter tells of the "coming" or "advent" of the Lord and of false teachers and prophets in the last days. It happened before and will happen again.

2 Peter 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, [kjv]

τουτο πρωτον γινωσκοντες οτι ελευσονται επ εσχατων των ημερων εν εμπαιγμονη εμπαικται κατα τας ιδιας επιθυμιας αυτων πορευομενοι [gnt]

3:4 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. [kjv]

και λεγοντες που εστιν η επαγγελια της παρουσιας αυτου αφ ης γαρ οι πατερες εκοιμηθησαν παντα ουτως διαμενει απ αρχης κτισεως [gnt]

More: 2 Peter 2:1-22 Déjà vu all over again

2 Peter 3:3

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KJV: Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

Greek: τουτο πρωτον γινωσκοντες οτι ελευσονται επ εσχατου εσχατων των ημερων εν εμπαιγμονη εμπαικται κατα τας ιδιας αυτων επιθυμιας αυτων πορευομενοι

2 Peter 3:4 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. [kjv]

και λεγοντες που εστιν η επαγγελια της παρουσιας αυτου αφ ης γαρ οι πατερες εκοιμηθησαν παντα ουτως διαμενει απ αρχης κτισεως [gnt]

This statement by Peter is a statement of the evolutionary principle/assumption of uniformitarianism.

Uniformitarianism, also known as the Doctrine of Uniformity, is the assumption that the same natural laws and processes that operate in our present-day scientific observations have always operated in the universe in the past and apply everywhere in the universe. Wikipedia

2 Peter 3:4

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KJV: 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.

Greek: και λεγοντες που εστιν η επαγγελια της παρουσιας αυτου αφ ης γαρ οι πατερες εκοιμηθησαν παντα ουτως διαμενει απ αρχης κτισεως

Latin: dicentes ubi est promissio aut adventus eius ex quo enim patres dormierunt omnia sic perseverant ab initio creaturae

2 Peter 3:5 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: [kjv]

λανθανει γαρ αυτους τουτο θελοντας οτι ουρανοι ησαν εκπαλαι και γη εξ υδατος και δι υδατος συνεστωσα τω του θεου λογω [gnt]

3:6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: [kjv]

δι ων ο τοτε κοσμος υδατι κατακλυσθεις απωλετο [gnt]

Peter says they are "willingly ignorant". That is, they ignore it on purpose.

The Ark Encounter, at https://arkencounter.com, provides a way to see and experience a life-size (according to the Bible) Noah's Ark.

2 Peter 3:5

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KJV: 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:

Greek: λανθανει γαρ αυτους τουτο θελοντας οτι ουρανοι ησαν εκπαλαι και γη εξ υδατος και δι υδατος συνεστωσα τω του θεου λογω

Latin: latet enim eos hoc volentes quod caeli erant prius et terra de aqua et per aquam consistens Dei verbo

2 Peter 3:6

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KJV: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

Greek: δι ων ο τοτε κοσμος υδατι κατακλυσθεις απωλετο

2 Peter 3:7 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. [kjv]

2 Peter 3:7

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KJV: 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.

Greek: οι δε νυν ουρανοι και η γη αυτου τω αυτω λογω τεθησαυρισμενοι εισιν πυρι τηρουμενοι εις ημεραν κρισεως και απωλειας των ασεβων ανθρωπων

2 Peter 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. [kjv]

εν δε τουτο μη λανθανετω υμας αγαπητοι οτι μια ημερα παρα κυριω ως χιλια ετη και χιλια ετη ως ημερα μια [gnt]

It has been almost 2,000 years since Revelation was written. If the events have not happened yet, is that "soon".

Peter has something to say about time as viewed by man and as viewed by God.

God is eternal and outside of time and the constraints of time as we know it. The idea of "soon", as in a few days from God's point of view could be thousands of years from man's point of view.

Peter then indicates that God wants to provide enough time so that no one is without excuse.

2 Peter 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. [kjv]

εν δε τουτο μη λανθανετω υμας αγαπητοι οτι μια ημερα παρα κυριω ως χιλια ετη και χιλια ετη ως ημερα μια [gnt]

3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. [kjv]

ου βραδυνει κυριος της επαγγελιας ως τινες βραδυτητα ηγουνται αλλα μακροθυμει εις υμας μη βουλομενος τινας απολεσθαι αλλα παντας εις μετανοιαν χωρησαι [gnt]

3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. [kjv]

ηξει δε ημερα κυριου ως κλεπτης εν η οι ουρανοι ροιζηδον παρελευσονται στοιχεια δε καυσουμενα λυθησεται και γη και τα εν αυτη εργα [gnt]

2 Peter 3:8

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KJV: But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

Greek: εν δε τουτο μη λανθανετω υμας αγαπητοι οτι μια ημερα παρα κυριω ως χιλια ετη και χιλια ετη ως ημερα μια

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. [kjv]

ου βραδυνει κυριος της επαγγελιας ως τινες βραδυτητα ηγουνται αλλα μακροθυμει εις υμας μη βουλομενος τινας απολεσθαι αλλα παντας εις μετανοιαν χωρησαι [gnt]

Peter tells us that the Lord is not "slow" but will delay coming to give all a chance to "make way" to "repent" as in an "after thought". When it happens, it will happen "quickly".

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. [kjv]

ου βραδυνει κυριος της επαγγελιας ως τινες βραδυτητα ηγουνται αλλα μακροθυμει εις υμας μη βουλομενος τινας απολεσθαι αλλα παντας εις μετανοιαν χωρησαι [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "βραδύνω" ≈ "make slow, delay" which comes from "βραδύς" ≈ "slow" and which is the opposite of "ταχύς" ≈ "quick" which, depending on context, might mean "soon".

The ancient Greek word "χωρέω" ≈ "give way, make way". Those described should "give way" or "make way" for "repentance". The Greek word for "repentance" means, literally, to "think after" what one is doing. "Repentance" starts in the mind. There is another Greek word for "change what you are doing".

More: Come quickly: sooner or later

More: Think after what you heard and repent

More: John 21:24-25 Giving way to the gospel writing style of John

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. [kjv]

ου βραδυνει κυριος της επαγγελιας ως τινες βραδυτητα ηγουνται αλλα μακροθυμει εις υμας μη βουλομενος τινας απολεσθαι αλλα παντας εις μετανοιαν χωρησαι [gnt]

3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. [kjv]

ηξει δε ημερα κυριου ως κλεπτης εν η οι ουρανοι ροιζηδον παρελευσονται στοιχεια δε καυσουμενα λυθησεται και γη και τα εν αυτη εργα [gnt]

The modern Greek word "βράδυ" (VRA-thee) ≈ "evening" as in the long slow wait for the evening, with, perhaps, a "thief in the night".

A similar meaning development is in Spanish in "tarde" ≈ "late, afternoon".

2 Peter 3:9

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KJV: The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Greek: ου βραδυνει ο κυριος της επαγγελιας ως τινες βραδυτητα ηγουνται αλλα μακροθυμει εις ημας υμας μη βουλομενος τινας απολεσθαι αλλα παντας εις μετανοιαν χωρησαι

2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. [kjv]

ηξει δε ημερα κυριου ως κλεπτης εν η οι ουρανοι ροιζηδον παρελευσονται στοιχεια δε καυσουμενα λυθησεται και γη και τα εν αυτη εργα [gnt]

2 Peter 3:10

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KJV: But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Greek: ηξει δε η ημερα κυριου ως κλεπτης εν νυκτι εν η οι ουρανοι ροιζηδον παρελευσονται στοιχεια δε καυσουμενα λυθησονται λυθησεται και γη και τα εν αυτη εργα κατακαησεται ευρεθησεται

2 Peter 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, [kjv]

2 Peter 3:11

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KJV: Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

Greek: τουτων ουν ουτως παντων λυομενων ποταπους δει υπαρχειν υμας εν αγιαις αναστροφαις και ευσεβειαις

Peter mentions the "coming" or "advent" in 2 Peter 3:12.

2 Peter 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? [kjv]

προσδοκωντας και σπευδοντας την παρουσιαν της του θεου ημερας δι ην ουρανοι πυρουμενοι λυθησονται και στοιχεια καυσουμενα τηκεται [gnt]

3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. [kjv]

The English chemical term "stoichiometric"was coined from the ancient Greek word "στοιχεῖον" ≈ "element" and the Latin word "metricus" ≈ "measure".

2 Peter 3:12

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KJV: Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

Greek: προσδοκωντας και σπευδοντας την παρουσιαν της του θεου ημερας δι ην ουρανοι πυρουμενοι λυθησονται και στοιχεια καυσουμενα τηκεται

Latin: expectantes et properantes in adventum Dei diei per quam caeli ardentes solventur et elementa ignis ardore tabescent

2 Peter 3:13

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KJV: Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Greek: καινους δε ουρανους και γην καινην κατα το επαγγελμα αυτου προσδοκωμεν εν οις δικαιοσυνη κατοικει

2 Peter 3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. [kjv]

διο αγαπητοι ταυτα προσδοκωντες σπουδασατε ασπιλοι και αμωμητοι αυτω ευρεθηναι εν ειρηνη [gnt]

2 Peter 3:14

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KJV: Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

Greek: διο αγαπητοι ταυτα προσδοκωντες σπουδασατε ασπιλοι και αμωμητοι αυτω ευρεθηναι εν ειρηνη

2 Peter 3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; [kjv]

και την του κυριου ημων μακροθυμιαν σωτηριαν ηγεισθε καθως και ο αγαπητος ημων αδελφος παυλος κατα την δοθεισαν αυτω σοφιαν εγραψεν υμιν [gnt]

2 Peter 3:15

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KJV: And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

Greek: και την του κυριου ημων μακροθυμιαν σωτηριαν ηγεισθε καθως και ο αγαπητος ημων αδελφος παυλος κατα την αυτω δοθεισαν αυτω σοφιαν εγραψεν υμιν

2 Peter 3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. [kjv]

ως και εν πασαις επιστολαις λαλων εν αυταις περι τουτων εν αις εστιν δυσνοητα τινα α οι αμαθεις και αστηρικτοι στρεβλουσιν ως και τας λοιπας γραφας προς την ιδιαν αυτων απωλειαν [gnt]

2 Peter 3:16

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KJV: As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

Greek: ως και εν πασαις ταις επιστολαις λαλων εν αυταις περι τουτων εν οις αις εστιν δυσνοητα τινα α οι αμαθεις και αστηρικτοι στρεβλουσιν ως και τας λοιπας γραφας προς την ιδιαν αυτων απωλειαν

2 Peter 3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. [kjv]

υμεις ουν αγαπητοι προγινωσκοντες φυλασσεσθε ινα μη τη των αθεσμων πλανη συναπαχθεντες εκπεσητε του ιδιου στηριγμου [gnt]

2 Peter 3:17

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KJV: Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

Greek: υμεις ουν αγαπητοι προγινωσκοντες φυλασσεσθε ινα μη τη των αθεσμων πλανη συναπαχθεντες εκπεσητε του ιδιου στηριγμου

2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. [kjv]

αυξανετε δε εν χαριτι και γνωσει του κυριου ημων και σωτηρος ιησου χριστου αυτω η δοξα και νυν και εις ημεραν αιωνος [gnt]

2 Peter 3:18

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KJV: But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Greek: αυξανετε δε εν χαριτι και γνωσει του κυριου ημων και σωτηρος ιησου χριστου αυτω η δοξα και νυν και εις ημεραν αιωνος αμην

2 Peter 3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. [kjv]

υμεις ουν αγαπητοι προγινωσκοντες φυλασσεσθε ινα μη τη των αθεσμων πλανη συναπαχθεντες εκπεσητε του ιδιου στηριγμου [gnt]

3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. [kjv]

αυξανετε δε εν χαριτι και γνωσει του κυριου ημων και σωτηρος ιησου χριστου αυτω η δοξα και νυν και εις ημεραν αιωνος [gnt]

2 Peter 3 contains interesting prophecies in terms of scientific knowledge some 1800 years before they were understood. He ends with a warning (next to last verse of the book).