Be Aware Of The Scoffers

BE PREPARED FOR THE SCOFFERS IIPeter 3:1-7

8-11-7

Today I want us to be aware of and prepared for those who will scoff at Jesus Christ’s return. Listen as I read today’s text found in II Peter 3:1-7

1This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: 2That 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:

3Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts*, [cares & desires]

4And 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”.

5For this they willingly [a personal decision] 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: 6Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

7But 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 [destruction] of ungodly men.

Ø Lets keep this verse in mind as we think on what we’re told would be going on just before He returns:

2 Peter 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, [to make mocker] walking after their own lusts [cares *desires-

The 2nd coming of Jesus Christ and the end of the world is the subject of these verses.

People that know nothing about the Lord Jesus and His 2nd coming seem to be fascinated about this subject. But fascination is not what God is after in discussing the return of His Son and the end of the world. What God is after is preparation—for man to prepare himself to receive God’s Son.

Peter tells us that the first thing to know is; —scoffers shall come.

I want to point out 5 things here in these verses:

1. Peter says in vs 1-2 that he wants to bring to their memory what they have

heard before.

2 And then in vs 3 that there would come scoffers in the last days, & that is where were at in our day and time.

3 Also in vs 3 that people would be walking according to what they wanted & desired.

4 Also in vs 3 they would scoff and ridicule the idea of the return of Jesus Christ.

5. Then Peter says in vss 5-7 that they are willingly ignorant

1This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:

The phrase "pure minds" vs 1 means to have a clear, pure, unmixed, focused mind.

Thoughts are to be true and pure from the untrue and impure.

Paul said in the last days men would have only a form of godliness.

2ndt Tim. 3:5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

2nd tim.4: 4 and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. This leads me to say right here that if your not in a sound Bible preaching & teaching church your wasting a lot of time that could be to your advantage as for as your growing in the things of God are concerned. Bible doctrine is most important.

I’ve talked to people that had never heard about the rapture, and its so sad. That tells me that their going to a so called church with bad leadership. form of godliness

Our mind must be pure and clear from wandering and impure thoughts if it is to study the Word of God and learn its great teachings. The mind must be pure and clear of worldly thoughts if it is to understand the great truth of the return of Jesus Christ to earth.

Let me remind us that we have not arrived as yet, all of us are still in these corrupt bodies, and all of us need to ask God to forgive us of our sins every day.

1st john 1: 6If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. So we need to be cleansed of our sins every day.