Peter reminds the church that false teachers were predicted to come and mock the coming justice of Jesus in the last days. These teachers assume that Jesus’ delayed return means no return, and therefore, they live after their sinful desires. However, they fail to realize that the Lord’s delay is actually the Lord’s patience that all should turn from sin, escaping the coming justice. As recipients of God’s patience, we can participate in His patience toward all people, even our enemies.
Draw near, O nations, to hear,
and give attention, O peoples!
Let the earth hear, and all that fills it;
the world, and all that comes from it.
For the Lord is enraged against all the nations,
and furious against all their host;
he has devoted them to destruction, has given them over for slaughter.
Their slain shall be cast out,
and the stench of their corpses shall rise;
the mountains shall flow with their blood.
All the host of heaven shall rot away,
and the skies roll up like a scroll.
All their host shall fall,
as leaves fall from the vine,
like leaves falling from the fig tree.