2 Peter: Faith In A Skeptical World Exemplo

The promises of Jesus influenced Peter right up until the end of his life. In 2 Peter he points us also to these promises. It is by receiving the promises of Jesus that we share in the divine nature, have fellowship with Him and share His righteous way of life (1:4). In chapters 2 and 3, Peter contrasts the false promises of the false teachers (2:19) with the reliable, glorious promises of Christ about His return (3:9). And now, in verse 13, ‘according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells’ (ESV). 

Promise and expectancy are tied together here. Just as certain are we that Jesus promised the new heavens and new earth, so are we equally certain that it is coming. Christians live expectantly because they trust the One who made them a promise. Since we must wait, Peter urges us to wait well. The repetition of the verb ‘to wait’ (ESV) or ‘look forward to’ (NIV) in verses 13 and 14 is not redundant, but emphasises the posture of the Christian. 

The ‘new’ heavens and new earth may be best understood in the sense of ‘renewed’ – the heavens and the earth will be made new, with some degree of continuity with the old, to fulfil the longing of creation to be ‘set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain ... freedom’ (Rom. 8:21, ESV). The created world became a victim of the fall, and so too it benefits from Christ’s victory over sin and His renewal of all things. 

A succinct, powerful phrase is used to describe our new, eternal realm of existence – it is ‘the home of righteousness’ (v. 13), or more literally, ‘where righteousness dwells’ (present tense). The pursuit of righteousness is a thread that runs through the Bible – through the Law, Prophets, Writings, the teachings of Jesus and His Apostles. Righteousness, justice and peace are promised and delivered by God for His people, finally and forever. 

Since we are God’s precious people who will forever inhabit a righteous new land, righteousness is to be the eager pursuit (see also 1:5, 10) for our ‘new’ lives even now. Our lives are to be unsullied by sin (‘spotless’) and morally blameless (v. 14). 

Peter’s exhortation is motivated by nothing less than love for those with ears to hear. He is writing to those he loves – his ‘dear friends’ (v. 14, NIV) or ‘beloved’ (v. 14, ESV) – in the name of the One he loves, that they might know what is coming, and wait well. 

Reflection

Why do you think God provides these helpful, exciting descriptions of our new life? How have you failed to allow them to shape you in the past? How might they shape your life until He comes?