“These things” to which the brethren are to be looking forward to concern the discontinuing of the present state of the “heavens,” “elements,” “earth and the works that are in it” (v. 10). “All these things will be dissolved” at “the coming of the day of God” (v. 11-12). These things are continued in reservation for the “judgment and perdition of ungodly men” (v. 7). Such men who will be punished are those who are with spot and blame, and as such are not at peace with God (cf. Isaiah 59:1-2). Therefore, do not be like them, but be a person who holily conducts himself, and is constant in his Godward piety.

The “longsuffering of our Lord” exists because of His desire for the salvation of all men (v. 9, 15). It is a common subject of inspired scripture, one that Paul wrote about frequently. Although his writing was clear and able to be understood, there were “untaught and unstable people” who abused his texts to their own destruction. “Untaught” in that they did not have the knowledge concerning proper examination of scripture, and “unstable” in that they were not firmly grounded in the truth. However, Peter’s audience knew, and were “established in the present truth.” They need only “beware.” Paul told the Corinthians to, “take heed lest [you] fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12), and Peter’s readers needed to do the same. But how?

“Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (v. 18). Thus, the bookends of Peter’s second epistle concern diligence in the study of scripture, and introspection (cf. 1:2-11). There is a personal component to our salvation. It is given by God to those who follow His word. So follow we must. Yet, first we must know!

Note: Peter’s mentioning of the abuse of Paul’s writings teach us an important lesson (v. 15-16). All scripture is given by God for the benefit of our growth (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16-17). However, if we fail to properly inspect and exegete the texts given to us, they can produce death instead of life. It is not that scripture is dangerous, but that scripture misunderstood, twisted, and abused will do anything but good. Similarly, Paul described himself as a sinner under the Old Law – “And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death” (Romans 7:10). If we fail to be doers of scripture, we will die. Furthermore, if we twist the scriptures to mean something they are not intended to mean through proper exegesis, it will not produce life, but death.