Though not the focus of 2 Peter 3:1–7, Peter gives us a reminder that the return of Christ will be a beautiful and wonderful moment. He refers to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour (2 Peter 3:2), two titles that have also appeared elsewhere in his letter (2 Peter 1:11). These titles contain within them two promises:

Lord is a promise that Christ is God’s King and thus the one who will establish a perfect kingdom on earth (see also Psalm 2:1–12, Psalm 21:1–13). Saviour is a promise that Christ can bring sinners into this kingdom. Even if we deserve to be cast out from God’s presence, he can make us holy, perfect, and pure so that we can look forward to life with him.

These two promises from God can also be trusted because he is faithful. As evidence of God’s faithfulness Peter points us to the heretics themselves. Their very presence is proof that what we read in the Old Testament and what we heard from the apostles (in the New Testament) can be trusted. God is faithful to his Word. He promised that there would be mockers in the last days and there are mockers in the last days. God does not lie and thus where his Word testifies to the return of Christ that is also a promise that can be believed.