Study Desk

^(C1)Beloved, this is now the second letter I am writing to you in which I am ^(C2)stirring up your sincere mind by way of a reminder,

to ^(C1)remember the words spoken beforehand by ^(C2)the holy prophets and ^(C3)the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles.

^(C1)Know this first of all, that ^(C2)in the last days ^(C3)mockers will come with their mocking, ^(C4)following after their own lusts,

and saying, "^(C1)Where is the promise of His ^(C2)coming? For ever since the fathers ^(F1)(C3)fell asleep, all things continue just as they were ^(C4)from the beginning of creation."

For ^(F1)when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that ^(C1)by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was ^(C2)formed out of water and by water,

through which ^(C1)the world at that time was ^(C2)destroyed by being flooded with water.

But by His word ^(C1)the present heavens and earth are being reserved for ^(C2)fire, kept for ^(C3)the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly people.

But do not let this one fact escape your notice, ^(C1)beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and ^(C2)a thousand years like one day.

^(C1)The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but ^(C2)is patient toward you, ^(C3)not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.

But ^(C1)the day of the Lord ^(C2)will come like a thief, in which ^(C3)the heavens ^(C4)will pass away with a roar and the ^(C5)elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and ^(C6)the earth and ^(F1)its works will be ^(F2)discovered.

Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,

^(C1)looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which ^(C2)the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the ^(C3)elements will melt with intense heat!

But according to His ^(C1)promise we are looking for ^(C2)new heavens and a new earth, ^(C3)in which righteousness dwells.