QT 18/11/2026 Wed 2Peter 3 Scoffers & the Beloved 讥笑的人与蒙爱的人

QT 18/11/2026 Wed 2Peter 3 Scoffers & the Beloved
READ https://www.esv.org/2Peter+3/

Two groups of people are living in the last days: scoffers who mock Christ's return, and the beloved who await His coming. Which group are we? Discover how God's promises should transform our lives in 2 Peter 3!

Scripture Focus: 2 Peter 3:17–18 (ESV)
“You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Introduction: Two Groups, Two Destinies

In 2 Peter 3, the apostle Peter contrasts two groups: the scoffers and the beloved. The scoffers mock the promise of Christ's return, questioning why He has not yet come. They follow their sinful desires and disregard God's coming judgment. The beloved, however, trust God's promises, recognize His patience, and look forward to the new heavens and the new earth where righteousness dwells.

Peter reminds believers that Christ's return is not merely a doctrine to understand; it is a truth that should transform how we live.  The central message is that while scoffers mock the promise of Christ's return, the beloved must trust God's Word, live holy lives, and grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

(1) The Scoffers: Mocking God's Promise (2 Peter 3:1–7)

“Scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.” (v. 3)

They question Christ's return. The scoffers ask, “Where is the promise of his coming?” (v. 4). Because generations have passed and the world appears unchanged, they assume Christ will not return. But God's apparent delay does not mean His promises have failed. His timetable is not governed by human expectations.

Scoffers overlook God's judgment. Peter reminds them that God created the world by His Word and judged the ancient world through the flood (vv. 5–7). The same God who created and judged the world has appointed a future day of judgment.

Scoffers follow their sinful desires. Their rejection of Christ's return is connected to the lives they want to live. If there is no judgment, they imagine they can live as they please. We may not openly mock Christ's return, yet we might make the error of living as though He will never return.

Application: Are we living for temporary pleasures or in light of eternity? Remember: The scoffers dismiss God's promises, but the beloved remain anchored in His Word.

(2) The Beloved: Trusting God's Patience and Promise (2 Peter 3:8–13)

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you.” (v. 9)

God's timing is perfect. Peter reminds us that a thousand years are like one day to the Lord (v. 8). God is not slow; He is patient. His patience provides people with an opportunity to repent and receive salvation. God's patience is an expression of His mercy, not a cancellation of His judgment.

The day of the Lord will come. Christ's return will be unexpected, like a thief (v. 10). The present world will face God's judgment, and all our earthly achievements will ultimately be exposed before Him. This reminds us to live responsibly and share the gospel urgently while the opportunity remains.

God promises a glorious future. “But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” (v. 13) Our hope is not in this passing world but in God's promised future, where righteousness dwells.

Application: Trust God's timing, share His gospel, and fix your hope on His promises. Remember: The scoffers question God's promise, but the beloved trust the faithful Lord.

(3) The Beloved: Living Holy Lives and Growing in Christ (2 Peter 3:11–18)

Live holy and godly lives: “What sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness?” (v. 11) Since Christ will return, believers should live in a manner that pleases Him. Holiness and godliness should shape our thoughts, words, relationships, and priorities. We do not earn salvation through good works; rather, we pursue holiness because we belong to Christ.

Remain steadfast in the truth. Peter warns believers not to be carried away by the error of lawless people (vv. 16–17). We must study Scripture carefully, discern false teaching, and remain grounded in God's Word. The beloved must not only recognize the danger of scoffers but also guard against being influenced by their error.

Grow in grace and knowledge. “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (v. 18). Peter concludes with two essential responsibilities.

• Grow in grace: Depend on God's favor and become increasingly humble, patient, and forgiving.
• Grow in knowledge: Know Christ through His Word, understand His character, trust His promises, and obey His commands.

The Christian life is not simply about avoiding error. It is about becoming more like Jesus Christ. Remember: The beloved are not merely waiting for Christ to return; they are growing in Christ until He returns.

Reflection: Which Group Are We Among?

Second Peter 3 challenges us to examine our lives.

• The scoffers mock God's promises; the beloved trust His Word.
• The scoffers follow sinful desires; the beloved pursue holiness.
• The scoffers disregard judgment; the beloved anticipate God's promised future.
• The scoffers reject spiritual truth; the beloved grow in Christ.

Let us remain steadfast in faith, holy in conduct, watchful against error, and continually growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. “To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18)

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You that Your promises never fail. Help us resist false teaching, live holy lives, and share the gospel while there is still time. Keep us steadfast in Your Word and help us grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ as we await His glorious return. In Jesus' name, Amen.

QT 18/11/2026 星期三 彼得后书 3 讥笑的人与蒙爱的人
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/2pe/3/

末世有两类人：一类是 “讥笑的人” 嗤笑基督再来的人，另一类是期待祂再来、蒙神所爱的人 ( 亲爱的 )。我们属于哪一类呢？让我们从《彼得后书》第3章中发现，神的应许应当如何改变我们的生命！

经文聚焦：《彼得后书》3:17–18
“ 所以，亲爱的，你们既然预先知道了，就要谨慎，免得受恶人的错谬引导，就从自己坚固的地步上坠落。18 你们却要在我们的主、救主耶稣基督的恩典和知识上长进。愿荣耀归给他，从现在直到永远。阿们。”

引言：两类人，两种命运

在《彼得后书》第3章中，使徒彼得对比了两类人：讥笑的人与蒙爱的信徒。讥笑者嘲弄基督再来的应许，质疑祂为何尚未再来。他们随从自己的罪恶私欲，无视上帝即将降临的审判。然而，蒙爱的信徒则信靠上帝的应许，体认祂的忍耐，并期盼那公义存留的新天新地。

彼得提醒信徒，基督再来不仅仅是一个需要理解的教义；它是一个应当改变我们生活方式的真理。其核心信息是：当讥笑者嘲弄基督再来的应许时，蒙爱的人必须信靠神的话语，过圣洁的生活，并在耶稣基督的恩典和知识上不断成长。

(1) 讥笑者：嘲弄神的应许（彼得后书 3:1–7）

“最重要的，你们应当知道：在末后的日子，必定有好讥笑的人出来，随着自己的私欲讥笑说。”（第3节）

他们质疑基督的再来。这些讥诮者问道：“他要降临的应许在哪里呢？”（第4节）。因为几代人已经过去，世界似乎毫无变化，他们便断定基督不会再来。但神看似迟延，并不意味着祂的应许落空了。祂的时间表并不受人类期望的左右。

讥笑者 忽视了神的审判。彼得提醒他们，神曾借着祂的话语创造了世界，又借着洪水审判了古时的世界（第5–7节）。那位创造并审判世界的同一位神，已经定下了一个未来的审判之日。

讥笑者追随自己的罪恶私欲。他们拒绝基督再来，与他们想要过的生活息息相关。若没有审判，他们便以为可以随心所欲地生活。我们或许不会公开嘲笑基督的再来，却可能犯下这样的错误：活得仿佛祂永不回来一般。

应用：我们是为暂时的享乐而活，还是以永恒为念？请记住：讥笑者轻视神的应许，但蒙神所爱的人却始终以祂的话语为根基。

(2) 蒙神所爱的人：信靠神的忍耐与应许（彼得后书 3:8–13）

“主决不耽延他的应许，像有些人以为他是耽延的一样；其实他是宽容你们，不愿有一人灭亡，却愿人人都悔改。”（第9节）

上帝的安排是完美的。彼得提醒我们，在主看来，一千年的时间如同一日（第8节）。上帝并非拖延，而是宽容。祂的宽容为人们提供了悔改并得救的机会。上帝的宽容是祂怜悯的体现，而非对祂审判的取消。

主的日子必将到来。基督的再来将出人意料，如同贼一样（第10节）。现今的世界将面临神的审判，我们一切属世的成就最终都将在祂面前被揭露。这提醒我们要负责任地生活，并在机会尚存之时迫切地传扬福音。

神应许了一个荣耀的未来。“但是我们按照他所应许的，等候新天新地，有公义在那里居住。” （第13节）我们的盼望不在于这将要过去的世上，而在于神应许的未来——那里有公义常存。

应用：信靠神的时间安排，传扬祂的福音，并将盼望定在祂的应许上。请记住：讥笑者质疑神的应许，但蒙爱的信徒却信靠那信实的主。

(3) 蒙爱的信徒：过圣洁的生活并在基督里成长（彼得后书3:11–18）

过圣洁敬虔的生活：“这一切既然都要这样融化，你们应当怎样为人，过着圣洁和敬虔的生活”（第11节）既然基督必将再来，信徒就应当以讨祂喜悦的方式生活。圣洁与敬虔应当塑造我们的思想、言语、人际关系和生活优先次序。我们并非靠善行赚取救恩；相反，我们追求圣洁，是因为我们属于基督。

要坚定地持守真理。彼得告诫信徒，不要被那些悖逆之人的谬误所迷惑（第16–17节）。我们必须仔细研读圣经，辨别假教导，并以神的话语为根基。蒙爱的信徒不仅要认识到嗤笑者的危险，还要警惕不要受其谬误的影响。

在恩典和知识上长进。“你们却要在我们的主、救主耶稣基督的恩典和知识上长进。”（第18节）彼得在结尾提出了两项至关重要的责任。

• 在恩典上长进：倚靠神的恩典，日益变得谦卑、忍耐且乐于饶恕。
• 在知识上长进：通过祂的话语认识基督，理解祂的品格，信靠祂的应许，并遵行祂的诫命。

基督徒的生活不仅仅是避免犯错，更是要越来越像耶稣基督。请记住：蒙爱的子民不仅在等待基督再来，更是在基督里不断成长，直到祂再来。

反思：我们属于哪一类人？
《彼得后书》第三章挑战我们审视自己的生活。

• 讥笑者嘲弄神的应许；蒙爱的子民信靠祂的话语。
• 讥笑者追随罪恶的私欲；蒙爱的人追求圣洁。
• 讥笑者无视审判；蒙爱的人期待神应许的未来。
• 讥笑者拒绝属灵的真理；蒙爱的人在基督里成长。

让我们在信仰上坚定不移，在行为上圣洁无瑕，警醒防备错误，并在我们主耶稣基督的恩典和知识中不断成长。“愿荣耀归给他，从现在直到永永远远。” （彼得后书 3:18）

祷告

天父，感谢祢，祢的应许永不落空。求祢帮助我们抵挡异端，过圣洁的生活，并在尚有时间之时传扬福音。求祢使我们坚定持守祢的话语，并帮助我们在等候主耶稣基督荣耀再来之际，在祂的恩典和知识上不断成长。奉耶稣的名祷告，阿们。