2 Peter 3:3

2 Peter 3:3 ‘Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts,'

‘Know this first of all' -‘recognize this fact in the beginning' (Woods p. 180). Consider how God helps us to understand His word. ‘Here is the first thing to understand or remember about what the apostles said.'

‘that in the last days' -The final dispensation, the time between the death of Christ and the end of the world (Acts 2:17; Hebrews 1:1; 1 John 2:18). It appears that from the letter, these mockers were already present, that is, the false teachers that Peter was opposing were ridiculing the idea of. final judgment. Let it be noted, that the phrase ‘last days' is not an expression which is used for. specific period of time right before the end.

‘mockers will come with their mocking' -‘Mockers'-scoffer (Psalms 1:1). These false teachers were mocking the idea that Jesus would come again in judgment. They argue that too much time has gone by, thus one can safely discard any idea of. future judgment. ‘Peter now has to face the key question of his letter. Was Jesus wrong to promise that he would return….May not the false teachers have. point when they argue that the long delay they have experienced effectively invalidates the promise? The issue is all the sharper after two thousand years. Questions about whether Jesus will return, the manner of his return and why he has not returned have grown in relevance. If he is not going to return physically, then “it would be stupid to wait---the promises are false”, and we can give ourselves over to the enjoyable self-centeredness of the people Peter is attacking.' (Lucas/Green p. 128)

‘following after their own lusts' -Here we are given. valuable insight into why such people ridicule and deny any future judgment. It is precisely because they want to do what they want to do. ‘Although these people may present themselves as sophisticated and knowledgeable, having delicate qualms and posing courageous questions about the more difficult elements of Christian teaching, they are in reality driven by their greed and disobedience. It is sin, not sophistication, which is in the driving-seat, and the false teachers are merely following.' (Lucas/Green p. 129) When people ridicule the idea of absolute standards and. final division between the lost and the saved, their motivation isn't intellectual for rejecting such truths, but it is moral. People don't reject the idea of hell because of Scriptural or intellectual reasons, but primarily for personal reasons.