How many times have we seen a Scripture abused when someone tries to apply it without consideration to context? In this essay I would like to look at a well known passage of Scripture in light of the context in which it was given. Hopefully it will offer a new perspective some of you may not have considered. This will be a critical look at one of the great passages of Messianic reassurance which has a direct bearing on our generation. So let’s roll up our sleeves and take a look:
2 Peter 3:1-10 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: 2 That ye 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 Saviour: 3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4 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 the creation. 5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
In order to define the context we must first identify the people to whom this epistle was written. Verse 1 above tells us this epistle was a follow-up to one written earlier. In Peter’s first epistle we find our answer.
“1 Peter 2:12 12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
The epistles of Peter were written to Jewish believers. Paul confirms this in Galatians 2 where he spells out Peter’s apostleship:
Galatians 2:8 8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
To truly understand the epistles of Peter then, we must view them through the eyes of a Jewish believer. With this in mind let’s take another look at 2 Peter 3. The passage indicates there was some doubt among the Jewish believers about the return of Jesus. Peter explains to those who were in doubt that they had not been forgotten but the Messiah had not returned yet because there was a greater purpose at work. That purpose was YHWH’s desire to see all of them come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:4 4 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 the creation.
2 Peter 3:9 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
So what does Peter offer those Jewish believers as reassurance that YHWH had not forgotten them?
2 Peter 3:8 8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
Say what? To us, 2000 years removed, this statement might not make a lot of sense, but to a Jewish believer this reference would have been readily understood. For those not familiar with the Old Testament it will take a little effort to understand this statement. Let’s look back at verse 2 now for some more clues. By way of introduction Peter specifically tells his audience to:
…… 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 Saviour. 2 Peter 3:2 2
Peter tells them first to remember the words of the holy prophets. There are several clues which indicate Peter had a specific prophet in mind but one in particular that leaves no doubt. Every Jewish believer would have recognized the significance of 1 Peter 2:10:
1 Peter 2:10 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Have any of you heard these words before? You might not have but any Jewish person would have instantly known them. These words are taken from the first and second chapter of the book of Hosea (Salvation). YHWH uses Hosea, his wives, and children to make a prophetic statement concerning the sin of Israel and Judah and their eventual repentance and restoration.
Hosea 1:9-11 9 Then said God, Call his name Loammi: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God. 10 Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God. 11 Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be gathered together, and appoint themselves one head, and they shall come up out of the land: for great shall be the day of Jezreel.
Hosea 2:23 23 And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.
The book of Hosea not only explains that Israel and Judah will eventually return to YHWH and be restored to their land, but it also tells them when it will happen.
Hosea 5:14 – 6:3 14 For I will be unto Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah: I, even I, will tear and go away; I will take away, and none shall rescue him. 15 I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early. Come, and let us return unto YHWH: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. 2 After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. 3 Then shall we know, if we follow on to know YHWH: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.
What were Peter’s words of reassurance concerning the perceived delay of the Messiah? He told not to be ignorant of just one thing:
2 Peter 3:8 8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
See what happens when Scripture is understood in context. Just in case you aren’t convinced I give you the words of James who in the following passage is also encouraging his Jewish brethren to have patience concerning the Messiah’s return. Here he also quotes a portion of Hosea 6:
James 5:7-8 7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord.Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
Doesn’t a little context change the whole picture? Almost 2000 years ago Israel rejected the “Hosea”/Salvation of YHWH. According to the apostle Paul this was all part of the plan of YHWH to bring salvation (Hosea) to all people. (For those who don’t know, the Hebrew version of Jesus’s name is Yehowshuwa/Yeshua/Joshua. This means YHWH is Salvation. Also the Old Testament Joshua/Yeshua was originally named Hosea before his name was changed by Moses.)
Romans 11:25-32 25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: 27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. 28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes. 29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. 30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: 31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. 32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
My fellow believers, it has been almost “two days” since YHWH brought blindness upon Israel so that the Gentiles might also learn of Yeshua, the Salvation of YHWH . The 3rd day is almost upon us and the times of the Gentiles are winding down. Israel’s “Hosea” (Salvation) will return and we will witness the fulfillment of Luke 13:35:
Luke 13:35 35 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of YHWH.
Psalm 118:25-26 25 Save now, I beseech thee, O YHWH: O YHWH, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. 26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of YHWH: we have blessed you out of the house of YHWH.
Both Hosea and James tell us our Salvation comes as the early and latter rain. We have already had the spring rains when Yeshua came the first time as a suffering servant. Are you ready for the fall rains and the return of Yeshua as King?
