Prepared for Christ's Coming - 2 Peter 3:8-18

by David Woods

I think Jesus' parable of the wise and foolish virgins is very intriguing. As I understand, in Jewish culture the bridegroom would come to the bride's house and take her to his home in a festive procession.

The virgins were to wait expectantly for the groom's appearance. They did not know when he would come. But they knew that he would.

Unfortunately, five of the virgins did not have an adequate amount of oil. Therefore, when the groom was drawing near they were vainly searching for an open market to buy more oil, instead of waiting for him. As a result, they missed his coming.

Many have given all sorts of interpretations to this parable and different elements of the story. The excessive analogizing may have at times even obscured the intent of the story.

What was Jesus' intent in telling the parable of the wise and foolish virgins? Was it to remind us to have enough oil - however you wish to define that? The simple message of the story is the same as the text for our Sunday School lesson for today:

Big Idea: Christ expects the Christian to be prepared for His return.

Peter gives four instructions in our text which, if we will follow, will prepare us so that we can be ready and unashamed at Christ's return.

1. Be informed, vv. 8-10.

Of what should we be informed?

a. Christ's concept of time, v. 8.

I have heard different interpretations of this verse. Some have concluded that since, according to Bible scholars, our earth is about six thousand years old, that each thousand years represents one day to Christ and that He will return at the end of the sixth day or millennium.

Thus, the seventh day or millennium will be a "day of rest" - the thousand years that Revelation promises that Christ will reign on this earth before destroying this earth and creating a new heaven and a new earth.

Discussion: Do you think we should take this verse to literally describe God's counting of time? Why or why not? What is Peter's purpose in writing these words?
(I'm sure good Christians will have differences of opinion concerning this issue. However, the primary point Peter seems to be attempting to make is that we should not become weary in well doing because what seems like an interminable time to us does not seem so to Him.)

b. Christ's concern for mankind, v. 9.

Discussion: Do our activities as individuals and as a church belie a similar passion that not one person in the world would enter eternity without Christ?

Discussion: How might we develop such a great passion and love for the lost?

c. Christ's coming, v. 10.

Concerning Christ's return, we should know that He will return secretly and unannounced. Many will not be prepared. Furthermore, we should understand that His return marks the end of this world.

This earth will be dissolved and will be no more. But this is not an event to fear; rather, we should look forward to His return for He has prepared a place much, much better than this world for us to live for eternity with Him.

2. Be diligent, vv. 11-15a.

a. Seek peace, v. 14.

Discussion: With whom are we to seek peace?

Discussion: Some political commentators would suggest that sometimes peace is only achieved by having victory over one's enemies. Do you think this is what Peter intended? What should the Church's role be in promoting world peace?

b. Seek holiness, v. 14.

The Bible teaches us that the Christian may be purified of the carnal nature, that spiritual virus of sin with which we are born.

However, some holiness people seem to believe that entire sanctification represents a pinnacle of one's experience after which we have no further growing or cleansing necessary in our lives.
Experience teaches us differently. Even though we may be entirely sanctified and our motives may be pure, there is continued growth in holiness that is necessary. There are areas in our character and attitude that need adjusted or growth.

Reflection: I would like you to reflect back on this past week. Have you held wrong attitudes, made unfair or insensitive comments, or dwelt on inappropriate thoughts?

Prayer: Right now I would like to lead us in prayer asking God for forgiveness for areas in which we may have failed Him this week and ask Him to continue His cleansing, transforming work within us.

c. Spend time wisely, v. 15a.

In my study of this verse, I am unsure whether the implication of the instruction to "account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation" is a personal concern or if it includes a corporate concern.

What I mean is this: is this verse simply telling us to realize that Christ's delay is so that we can further make our salvation sure? Or, is Peter saying that we should realize Christ's delay allows us more time to evangelize the world?

Either way, the principle remains the same: we should spend our time wisely.

William Barclay wrote:

There is nothing more dangerous than a repeated experiencing of a fine emotion wiht no attempt to put it into action. It is a fact that every time a man feels a noble impulse without taking action, he becomes less likely ever to take action. In a sense it is true to say that a man has no right to feel sympathy unless he at least tries to put that sympathy into action. An emotion is not something in which to luxuriate; it is something which at the cost of effort and of toil, and of discipline and of sacrifice, must be turned into the stuff of life.
(Gordon MacDonald, A Resilient Life, p. 180)

I am afraid that this quote adequately describes why evangelism as a priority of many local churches has been misplaced and replaced with other things. We have had our emotions stirred numerous times but have failed to take action. As a result, we have become increasingly hardened and resistant to the stimuli that produce those emotions.

Discussion: Would you brainstorm with me about ways we can make evangelism a true priority of our church?

3. Be wary, vv. 15b-17.

a. The danger of a lazy mind, v. 16.

The "Working With The Word" section of the teacher's quarterly says that the word translated as "unlearned" in verse sixteen appears only here in the New Testament.

"The thought is of a person who has not disciplined his mind to think clearly or to come to balanced conclusions." (p. 79)

Why does a lazy mind cause one to be vulnerable to the "error of the wicked"?

Gordon MacDonald in A Resilient Life, pp. 169-170, says:

The undisciplined mind becomes a lazy mind and easily succumbs to the dominance of another mind. I confess my growing uneasiness at this American Christian world of ours which - thanks to Christian media - is drowning in books, TV programs, and radio where preachers offer systems of thought that are absorbed by the vulnerable listener without the slightest hint of dialogue. Little of value and depth is ever learned through the one-way monologue, be it a sermon or a lecture. And yet there are many eloquent speakers who are relentless in offering their opinions and judgments on just about every issue and who weave a spell of thought that relieves the individual of exploring things for themselves.

The undisciplined mind too easily accepts a blanket ideology that offers a "correct" response for everything. One walks through the Christian community knowing full well that an inappropriate response to a political comment, a doctrinal issue, or a matter of social policy can lose friends, a reputation, even a job. The disciplined, trained mind, however, resists the cookie-cutter approach to thought. It weighs every question and asks if Scripture speaks directly or indirectly to the matter. It weights it in the light of history: How has the Christian community faced this question before? It measures the matter in terms of its ability to reflect the redeeming love of God. And it asks, will this bring credibility or shame to the Christian movement?

b. The danger of unstable minds, v. 16.

Discussion: Have you ever known a person with a lazy or unstable mind? Describe such a person.

4. Be growing, v. 18.

a. In grace.

Discussion: What is grace?

Discussion: What does it mean to grow in grace?

b. In knowledge of Christ.

Discussion: What is the difference in growing in knowledge about Christ and growing in knowledge of Christ?

Reflection: Would you characterize your spiritual growth as growing in knowledge about Christ or as growing in knowledge of Christ? What actions should you take this week to grow more in experiential knowledge of Christ?

Prayer: