The Valley of the Shadow of Death Part 2 of 5
The Valley of the Shadow of Death Part 2 of 5
Now back in our text in 2 Peter 3, Peter tells us that we need to remember the words of the prophets and the things we have been told by the Apostles of Jesus Christ.
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.
The prophets foretold the coming of a savior. They predicted that there would be a new way of relating to God. A way based on faith rather than obedience to laws. They prophesied that righteousness would be available and that sins would not be counted against people.
The Apostles spoke about the real-life manifestation of that Savior. They provided the details about the new way of relating to God by faith. They taught that righteousness was not attained by behavior, but instead given as a gift to be received through faith in Jesus the Anointed Son of God.
Nevertheless, not everyone believes that good news of Jesus Christ. Instead, they follow the ages old way of trusting in their own abilities for righteousness or denying that they even need a savior. Many people scoff at the idea of faith. They live by what seems right to them and deny that Jesus is who He says He is and has done what He says He has done. These are acts of their will, as Peter points out next.
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.
Paul said something similar in Romans 1:18–21 (KJV 1900) “18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” We will leave it here, but this passage continues making this case through verse 32.
Think about the idea of people talking back to God and acting as though they know more than He and can tell Him He is wrong. These two passages are talking about this sort of attitude. We find in this world a general attitude of obstinate belligerence toward God. More than simply a failure to understand and agree, it is a rejection of Jesus and the gift He has made available.
