The use of this term in the early church was a marker of the new family relationship that exists amongst believers in Christ who call on one Father (Acts 15:25; Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 4:17; Ephesians 5:1).1 This is the second time in close proximity (see also 2 Peter 3:1) that Peter refers to believers as beloved. On this occasion he does so to show a transition in his argument and to draw them in with himself in contrast to the heretics.2
8 But 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.