2 Peter 3:3: Knowing This First Of All, That Scoffers Will Come In The Last Days With Scoffing, Following Their Own Sinful Desires.

2 Peter 3:3

[3] Knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. (ESV)

When Peter says the phrase, "first of all," he is referring to first in importance, not necessarily first in a list of things. In this section of his letter he will emphasize more about the character of the false teachers. They are scoffers. They look at the judgments of God, which was prophesied by many prophets, and also spoken of by apostles of God at that time, and mock them.

When we read that scoffers will come in the last days we should have a proper understanding of when the last days take place. When are the last days? Have they come yet? Are we still waiting for the last days to come? Very simply, the last days are the days between Christ's ascension until his return. If you are reading this right now, you are living in the last days!

Peter was living in the last days. He was dealing with scoffers in his time. He is not speaking of the last days in a future tense. These scoffers were particularly scoffing the fact of Christ's return. They were not interested in teaching, or believing, in the return of Christ. The reason for this is that if Christ were to return, they would assuredly be judged.

Scoffers do not want to face the judgment. Rightfully so. As Peter tells us, these scoffers are following their own sinful desires. We know that those who follow their own sinful desires will not inherit eternal life. These scoffers wanted a theology that fit their wicked lifestyle. They were not interested in believing or teaching the truth of God's judgment against sinful mankind.

If you are believing a gospel that does not require you to repent of your sin, you have not believed the gospel at all. Forgiveness of sin is required for eternal life. It is freely offered to all who repent and believe in Jesus Christ. Have you done this? If not, do it now!