Warning To The Scoffer

2 Peter 3
Mike Maglish

Part of 1&2 Peter: Standing firm in shifting times

March 26, 2026

1This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, 2that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles —2 Peter 3:1–2 (ESV)3knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. 4They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” —2 Peter 3:3–4 (ESV)

Scoffer - ἐμπαῖκται - Derider, Mocker, Scoffer 

They follow their own evil desires (2 Peter 3:3, Jude)

Scoffing is when I use God’s PATIENCE to justify my DISOBEDIENCE.

Three common forms of scoffing inside the church

Intellectual scoffing: 
“I don’t believe there will be accountability” 
Practical scoffing: 
“I believe Jesus will judge… I just live like he won’t.” 
Cynical scoffing: 
“I’ve seen hypocrisy; therefore I reject urgency.” 

5For 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, 6and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. 7But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. —2 Peter 3:5–7 (ESV)

Scoffers reinterpret God’s PATIENCE as God’s ABSENCE.

8But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. —2 Peter 3:8 (ESV)4For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night. —Psalm 90:4 (ESV)

God exists outside of time: Isaiah 57:15, Habakkuk 1:12

God’s timing is not human timing: Ecclesiastes 3:11, Isaiah 55:8-9

 —John 3:16-18 (ESV)

God’s patience is TIME for repentance, not TOLERANCE for rebellion.

 —1 Peter 3:11-13 (ESV)

Dissolved - λύω (luō) - Untie, Loose, Set Free, Permit, OR Destroy, Put an end to, Eliminate 

Exposed - εὑρίσκω (heuriskō) - Discover/learn, Attain, Begin to experience, Be found to be.

The day will EXPOSE what’s real so live HOLY right now.

14But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. 18For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit —1 Peter 3:14-18 (ESV)

Our future is not ESCAPE, our future is RIGHTEOUSNESS.

MY TAKEAWAY:  I’ve Been _____.

Option A: “scoffing.” 
Not necessarily with my mouth—but with my choices. Response: “God, I repent. I stop rationalizing.” 

Option B: “stalling.” 
I’m not mocking, I’m postponing. Response: “God, I don’t want to be lukewarm. I commit today.” 

Option C: “striving but tired.” 
I want holiness, but I feel weak. Response: “God, thank you for patience; strengthen me to live godly as I wait.”