Having affirmed that God’s judgment will definitely come, Peter also encourages believers by highlighting two individuals who escaped judgment, namely Noah and Lot. They were protected by God and rescued from his wrath.
Both Noah and Lot were spared from judgment because they were considered righteous. To be righteous is to be right with God, to enjoy his favour and goodwill.
Neither Noah nor Lot were made right with God because of their works. Though Genesis 6:9 says that Noah was blameless among the people, this does not mean that he was perfect. In relation to the people around him he was someone who sought to walk with God and live in relationship with him. Yet, we know that he also misused alcohol after the flood (Genesis 9:21). Neither was Lot’s obedience perfect. He chose to live outside the land of Canaan (Genesis 13:1–18), in a city known for its lawlessness. Though he showed hospitality to the visitors that came to the city (Genesis 19:1–3), he nevertheless offered to give his daughters up to the men that came looking for sex (Genesis 19:6–8) and he was hesitant in leaving (Genesis 19:16). The perfect life which God’s righteousness requires was not rendered by either Lot or Noah.
Similar to Abram (Genesis 15:6), both Noah and Lot were made right with God because of their faith in his promises, faith in Christ. Noah responded to God’s instructions about building an ark with the obedience that comes from faith (Genesis 6:22, see also Hebrews 11:7) and as a result he was made right in God’s sight (Genesis 7:1). Lot likewise responded to the instructions he received from God (through the angels, Genesis 19:12–14) with the obedience that comes from faith and as a result he was rescued from judgment.
Admittedly righteousness through faith might not be so clear from these two Old Testament examples, but this core biblical doctrine is certainly present and it is affirmed by Peter. The righteous man, who has faith in Christ (2 Peter 1:1), will be rescued from trials and preserved from the wrath to come. Like Noah and Lot, those who trust in Christ and submit to him as master will be protected and rescued. Christian believers therefore do not have to fear that they will be destroyed when God comes in judgment. For them the day of judgment will be the day of salvation (see 1 Thessalonians 5:9).
4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment;