Salvation Tense: Glorification Warning (Future Tense)
2 Peter 3:3–4 — “Knowing this first, that in the last days mockers will come, walking after their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of his coming? For, from the day that the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.'”
═══ OPORD ═══
WHO: Mockers (empaiktai — scoffers, ridiculers) who walk after their own lusts. Their mockery is not intellectual — it is moral. They reject Christ’s return because it threatens their lifestyle.
WHAT: Peter prophesies that scoffers will challenge the core promise of glorification: Christ’s return. Their argument: nothing has changed since creation — where is this promised coming? This is called “uniformitarianism” — the assumption that the future will mirror the past. It denies divine intervention. But their error is willful (as Peter will show in the next verses). They do not want Christ to return because His return means judgment of their lusts.
WHERE: In the last days — and we are in them. From the ascension of Christ until His return, we live in the last days.
WHEN: Now. The scoffers are here. The mocking is loud. The cultural message is: “There is no accountability. Live as you please.”
WHY: Because if there is no Second Coming, there is no final judgment, and if there is no judgment, there is no urgency for sanctification. The scoffers attack the future tense of salvation to undermine the present tense. But Peter stands firm: He IS coming. The promise is sure.
═══ PRAYER ═══
Lord Jesus, You are coming back. I believe Your promise even when scoffers mock. Their ridicule does not change Your faithfulness. Help me to live with the reality of Your return shaping my daily choices. I will not be moved by those who walk after their own lusts. My hope is in Your coming. Maranatha — Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.
═══ DAILY CHALLENGES ═══
Challenge 1: When you hear someone dismiss eternal accountability (in conversation, media, or culture), silently affirm: “He IS coming. The promise stands.”
Challenge 2: Live today as if Christ could return before sunset. What would you do differently? Do that thing.