The fact that Peter calls this the “second” epistle to those to whom he wrote (chap. 3:1), shows that it was written to the same ones that his first epistle was written to—Christian converts from Judaism scattered through Asia Minor (modern day Turkey). J. N. Darby confirms this, stating: “The Second Epistle declares itself to be a second addressed to the same persons: so that the one and the other were destined for the Jews of Asia Minor” (Synopsis of the Books of the Bible, Loizeaux edition, vol. 5, p. 423). Peter does not indicate how much time elapsed between the two epistles; but scholars generally agree that it was a relatively short period of time.
In keeping with all second epistles in our Bibles, Peter’s second epistle contemplates the breakdown and failure of the Christian testimony (Christendom). While the first epistle is silent as to the rise of evil in the Christian profession, this second epistle sounds a warning of it in no uncertain terms. Peter announces that there would be a great impending apostasy (an abandoning of Christian truth) in the closing days of the Christian testimony. The Apostle Paul tells us that it will reach its climax after the Church has been called away to heaven, when “the man of sin” (the Antichrist) will be revealed (2 Thess. 2:33Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (2 Thessalonians 2:3)). True believers will not apostatize, but they can get swept along with the current of apostasy and let go of certain principles and practices that they once held (chap. 3:17 – “led away along with the error of the wicked”). The epistle does not merely announce the coming declension, but it also gives us important instruction as to how we can be preserved from the influence of apostasy. This epistle, therefore, is very applicable to the saints in our day when the corruptions which Peter speaks about have entered the Christian profession. The epistle encourages faithfulness in a day of declension.
If, in the first epistle, Peter is seen as a teacher and a shepherd instructing and exhorting the flock of God, in this second epistle, he is seen as a prophet announcing the judgment of Christendom and the world at the Appearing of Christ. In the first epistle, Peter guides the sheep; here, in the second, he guards them.
An Outline
In chapter 1, the Apostle shows that God has anticipated the corrupt state that would characterize the Christian testimony in the last days and has made full provision for the saints to escape the corruptions of the world that would come into the Church.
In chapter 2, the Apostle announces that false teachers would be the instruments through which these corruptions would come into the Christian profession.
In chapter 3, the Apostle shows that these infidel mockers will deny the Lord’s coming and will meet with His judgment when He appears to judge the world in righteousness and create a new heavens and earth.