It is unclear exactly what Peter meant with this statement but it certainly seems to suggest that our human responses can influence God’s plans.1 Quite possibly it is connected with God’s patience. Since God is delaying the day of judgment so that sinners can repent, we should expect the day of God to come sooner if lots of sinners come to repentance (see Matthew 6:10; Matthew 24:14; Acts 3:19–21, similar to Isaiah 60:22).2 Sadly, however, repentance is not common, evidenced by the book of Revelation which contains a repeated lament that instead of repenting, people keep on sinning and cursing God (Revelation 9:20–21; Revelation 16:9, Revelation 16:11).3
12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!