2 Peter 3:10

Jesus will not continue to wait for ever. Jesus said that people would not know when would return (Luke 12:39-40). People do not expect a thief to come suddenly to their house in the middle of the night. In a similar way, Jesus will suddenly return to this world. God will not give people any more time to obey him. Instead, Jesus will come to *judge them. When Jesus comes, the sky will disappear with a fierce roar. Fire will burn up the earth and everything on it.

Live in the right way

v11 Everything is going to disappear. So, think about what kind of people you must be. You should be holy. You must respect and please God. v12 Jesus will return. You must expect and eagerly wait for that day. The sky and everything that is in it will burn up. The great heat will melt it. The fire will destroy everything. v13 But we are looking forward to what Jesus has promised. There will be a new heaven and a new earth. Everyone who lives there will obey God’s commands. v14 Dear friends, I know that you are waiting for these things to happen. Therefore, work very hard to live a pure life. Make sure that nobody can blame you for any *sin. Make sure that there is no trouble between you and God.

Verse 11

Since the present world will end like this, Christians must live holy lives. People who do not know God say, ‘Eat and drink. Be happy’ (Luke 12:19). They just want to enjoy themselves now. But God will punish people who do not obey him (chapter 2). So, Peter encouraged the Christians to be holy (see also 1 Peter 1:15-16). ‘Holy’ means to be separate from evil things and to belong to God. When Jesus returns he will reward Christians (2 Peter 1:10-11 and1 Peter 1:3-5).