Scoffers in the Last Days 2 Peter 3:3

While writing his final words to the church, the apostle Peter felt it important to remind them to “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 Savior”. There was a strong reason for this, because in their day and ours false prophets would infiltrate the church. In chapter three and verse three Peter tells us what type of people these false teachers will be. He wrote:

Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

The verse begins, “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers,” One of the first things Peter desired those in the church to know is that in “the last days” which refer to “the days of this present age and the day Christ will return from heaven” “scoffers” would come. “Scoffers” means “mockers or those who mock”. Peter made it clear that in the days before the return of Christ, there would be mockers in the world.

The verse continues, “walking after their own lusts,” Peter also made it clear that these “scoffers” would be “walking” or “pursuing, following after or carrying over to” “their own lusts” or “desires, cravings, longings, and passion for what is forbidden”. In other words they would be following after the desires within their flesh. Not only would these people be mockers, but church members were to know them by their fleshly lusts.

We have many people in the world who mock Christians for their beliefs. The apostle Peter wrote these words that we should not be surprised at this. Because these scoffers are and will be abundant, they do not realize that they have fulfilled scripture by being the mockers they are. As we consider this verse we should ask the Lord Jesus to make us more aware in these last days of those who would scoff, and that we will be more alert to the desires within them. May the Lord Jesus cover us with His wisdom that we will not find ourselves among those who do not know them.

Next time we will see what the scoffers say, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

 

Until tomorrow...there is more...

 

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