On May 19, 1780, citizens of New England experienced a remarkable and frightening event. In mid-day it became so dark that people lit candles to see in their own homes. Odd clouds appeared on the horizon, chickens hid and birds became silent before disappearing. The general public, very familiar with the Bible, were sure the return of Jesus was taking place.

In Hartford, Connecticut, the state legislature was in session. As members left their desks to stare out the windows, a motion was made to adjourn so everyone could return home and await Christ’s return to judge the world. Colonel Abraham Davenport, a senator, whose grandfather founded the colony of New Haven, stood and addressed his fellow lawmakers.
"I am against an adjournment," he said. "The day of judgment is either approaching, or it is not. If it is not, there is no cause of an adjournment; if it is, I choose to be found doing my duty. I wish therefore that candles may be brought" (Timothy Dwight, Connecticut Historical Collections, 1822).
Nearing the end of his letter, the aged apostle reminds his readers that in light of God’s patience and His judgment of this world, believers in Christ are responsible to live a particular life.

I. Holy Living (2 Pet 3:11). Bible prophecy isn’t given to stretch our imaginations or cause fear, but to reveal Christ and motivate us to godliness in love and awareness of His judgment (1 Jn 2:28). Yet a person who doesn’t believe God’s Word will do anything he likes without fear of accountability to God. There are four possible lifestyles in light of God’s judgment: (1) Hedonism, living according to your desires; (2) Apathy, living without interest, enthusiasm, or concern for the future; (3) Despair, an absence of hope that life has meaning and purpose; or (4) Holiness and godliness.

The Christian’s conduct or lifestyle will be marked by holiness (hagios), which means to be set apart from sin and self unto God and His service. God requires people to be like He is(Lev 19:2; 1 Pet 1:15-16). Because of sin, holiness is impossible unless God bestows it. God declares the believer holy through faith in Jesus, then the Spirit grows the saint in that holiness or sanctification through the Scriptures (Eph 1:4; 5:25-27; 1 Pet 1:2, 13-21). Salvation is God’s work for us; sanctification is God’s work in us. Holiness is an external manner of life; godliness is an internal attitude that reflects God’s character.

II. Eager Duty (2 Pet 3:12). The believer’s hope isn’t in this world which is going to end and has nothing to offer believers. Our eyes are focused on eternity, looking for (eagerly anticipating) and hastening (eagerly desiring) the day of God when He is all in all (Ps 110:1; Acts 2:33-35; 1 Cor 15:28; Phil 2:10-11; 3:21; Heb 10:13). The eternal age or day of God hasn’t come because God is patiently working His plan in time and history to save sinners before judging the ungodly. We’re not to sit back and wait for Jesus, we are to be busily about God’s work (Jn 9:4)!

Our work is to live a godly life (2 Pet 1:3-11) and share the gospel. Evangelism is the responsibility of every believer (Matt 28:19-20; Acts 1:8). You are the mouthpiece God uses to proclaim His message of salvation in words and in godliness.

III. Expectant Looking (2 Pet 3:13). We - the same people as the us, any, all (2 Pet 3:9), and you (2 Pet 3:11) - look expectantly to God’s promise of eternity in His sure prophetic word (2 Pet 1:19-21). Isaiah wrote of this promise to create new heavens and a new earth 600 years before Peter lived or John wrote Revelation (Is 65:17; 66:22; Rev 21:1)! How sure is God’s Word!

The word new (kainos) describes something new and superior to the previous kind. Neos is something new to you or recently made or bought. God won’t remodeling the universe; it will be made from scratch (2 Cor 5:17).
In God’s new creation righteousness (that which is in right relationship with God) dwells. Dwell (katoikeo) describes a settled down and permanent home. Righteousness doesn’t dwell in this universe, but one is coming characterized only by what is right with the Creator. No more curse, night, death, sorrow, crying, or pain - all results of sin (Rev 21:4; 22:3, 5).