2 Peter 3:5-6 For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished.
Peter continues to reflect on the errors of the false teachers. The teachers do not consider the Scripture, and in particular, the story of creation and the flood from Genesis. Specifically, what they are forgetting is that when God speaks, things will happen. When God makes a promise, God will keep it and it will take place. In a broader sense, what God says in the Bible will come true. The context of the previous verse emphasizes Jesus’ second coming. God has a perfect record for keeping promises through His prophets. The readers of this letter should not be deceived into listening to the words of the false teachers and prophets, the so-called scoffers. Sometimes it can be difficult to trust in God’s promises, especially if we are in the midst of a difficult situation when our faith is tested. If we can put this letter with Peter’s first letter, it is possible that the readers were experience difficult times of suffering and persecution. They may have begun to doubt God’s promises. This is a natural reaction to discouragement. It is also the devil’s scheme to tempt with doubt and empty words. The serpent in the garden of Eden raised doubts in the mind of Eve about the truth of God’s word: “Did God really say . . . ?” There are a lot of scoffers today, even within the “church,” who raise doubts about the Bible. They see it as only a human book about God rather than a divine word from God. We must take seriously what is revealed in the Bible for it is the record of God’s word to humanity and is still relevant for today.
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