Second Peter is a provision of God in view of the dread corruption of Christendom in its bold defiance of the authority of the Lord Jesus and the government of the Father. False teachers would not only ignore, but also systematically undermine every true principle of God’s government. Would this therefore absolve the godly from their responsibility of obedience? Quite the reverse! Rather, the fullest provision is made to encourage absolute subjection of heart to Him. His authority will yet completely triumph. Terrible judgment will be meted out, not only to the ungodly world, but also to the ungodly professors of Christianity.

God’s divine power has marvelously and graciously supplied every necessary thing to sustain that fresh, vibrant life that is in contrast to the stagnant deadness of apostasy—a word which means the giving up of Christianity. God’s power also furnishes the godliness that is so valuable at a time when ungodliness is predominant. And this provision is connected with the vital knowledge of Himself personally, the living God revealed in the Person of the Lord Jesus. He calls us by glory and virtue: He sets before our eyes glory as the end in view, and virtue—moral excellence—as a precious, present incentive, for it is such virtue as is seen in all the history of the Lord Jesus.

In chapter 3 the certainty of the coming judgment of God is spoken of in sobering, awe-inspiring terms. The judgments here are not only the judgments of the Tribulation, but of the heavens passing away and the burning of the earth with “fervent heat” (3:10–11). Such themes are intended to have a sanctifying effect on every person.