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It seems to me that we can approach the events of II Peter 3 in one of two ways. We can let the
context determine the timing, or we can let the timing determine the context.
Dennis has chosen the former and has done a convincing and thorough job. In this writing, I
would like to propose our consideration of the latter.
• If this is in fact a new prophecy (i.e., Peter has been given a new revelation which has not
previously been given through the prophets) then, based upon the context of the passage, it
seems fairly reasonable to conclude that the prophecy is literal and therefore, future to us.
“Case closed.”
However, if it is not new prophecy, but rather, repeated prophecy, then I maintain it is wise
that we should search the scriptures to see where it has previously been prophesied. We can
then study the previous prophecy to compare this repeat/confirmation of prophecy.
This is not without precedent. After all, Daniel 12 was given, and Jesus confirmed it in Matt.
24:15 ff. There are other examples, of which I will not show here for sake of brevity (not my
strong suit!)
• II Peter 1:19-21: “And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed
as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your
hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for
prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by
the Holy Spirit.” (NKJV)
• II Peter 3:1-4: “Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up
your pure minds by way of reminder), that you 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 Savior, knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to
their own lusts, 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 creation.’” (NKJV)
• II Peter 3:15: “…also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has
written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things,…” (NKJV)
It seems that Peter himself confirms three times in this writing that he is not delivering new
prophecy but is rather confirming previous prophecies. Since this seems to be the case, we
should search the scriptures to see where these prophecies arise. Peter states that they are in
Paul’s epistles; I am not going to address the Pauline epistles herein, as I do not think the
prophecy is limited to Paul’s epistles based upon II Peter 3:2 (i.e., “prophets”, plural).
Previous prophecy
Isaiah 66:
1 Thus says the LORD:
"Heaven is My throne,
And earth is My footstool.
Where is the house that you will build Me?
Comparison of events
Conclusions
• Unless there is more than one destruction of heaven and earth, and more than one “new
heavens and new earth”, then II Peter 3 and Isaiah 65-66 speak to the same events. And if
this is the case, then since Isaiah 65 and 66 have already been fulfilled, then II Peter 3 must
also already be fulfilled.
• If II Peter 3 is a duplication of Isaiah 65-66, then it has been fulfilled based upon Luke 21:22
“For these are days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.” (i.e., at
AD 69).
• Matt. 5:17-18: “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come
to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or
one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.” Since the law has been
fulfilled (v. 17) and since the entire law has passed (which includes every jot and tittle, v. 18)
then all has been fulfilled (v. 18) and thus heaven and earth has passed away (v. 18). These
would of necessity be the same heavens and earth of II Peter 3 and Isaiah 65-66. (Note: If
the law has not passed, then let’s get that temple rebuilt quick-like!)
• The first century immanency of II Peter 3 (emphasis mine):
v.2 “that you may be mindful of the words…”
v.8 “But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a
thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”
v.9 “The Lord is not slow about his promise,”
v.11-12 “Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons
ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of
the day of God,…”
v.13 “Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth
in which righteousness dwells.