Peter's Epistles
For an in-depth study of 2 Peter 3 and the Day of the Lord, Click here.
Lest someone think Peter might have changed his mind later, we find him still teaching believers to anticipate Christ's post-tribulation coming in glory in his Epistles, rather than a secret rapture. His testimony is consistent in both of his sermons and both of his Epistles.
1 Peter 1
1 Peter 1
Peter encouraged believers to remain faithful to Christ until the "revelation of Jesus Christ." The word "revelation" is the Greek word "apocalypsis." This word is used of the second coming several times. Each time it has the idea of Christ's coming in glory, showing Himself to the world in all His awesome power. Paul gave a vivid picture of the revelation of Christ in the following verse.
II Thessalonians 1
Peter went on to warn believers of the coming trial, encouraging them to remain faithful, and partake gladly in suffering for Christ. Again he encouraged them to fix their hope on Christ's coming in glory and power, just as in the Olivet Discourse, [Matt. 24:29-31].
1 Peter 4
The "fiery trial" was a specific time of testing that would end with the revelation of Christ in glory. The King James Version, by using the definite article and future tense, ["the fiery trial which is to try you"], indicates it was a trial that would come in the future to try them all. Most likely, he was referring to the tribulation, although this is not certain from the text. However, the important point here is that Peter encouraged them to place their hope in Christ's coming in glory and power. This is definitely not a secret rapture. Christ's coming in glory is always post-tribulational, [Matt. 16:27, 24:20, 25:31, Mark 8:38,13:26, Luke 9:26, 21:27, 2 Thess. 1:9].
In his second Epistle, Peter devoted the entire third chapter to the second coming. He addressed the apparent delay in Christ's return from the perspectives of ungodly scoffers, and believers, longing for Christ's return. In verses 3-7, Peter wrote that this delay should not be interpreted by unbelievers that Christ is not coming. Then he told believers the reason for the delay.
2 Peter 3
Notice, it does not say the Lord is longsuffering to the lost, but to us. He does not want any to perish. This strongly implies God is waiting for Christians to complete the Great Commission! This idea comes directly from the Olivet Discourse, and was reinforced by Jesus after the resurrection.
Matthew 24
Acts 1
Peter went on to describe the coming of the Lord, calling it the "Day of the Lord," [vs. 10], and the "Day of God," [vs.12]. In his first sermon, Peter clearly established the fact that the Day of the Lord will come after the cosmic signs, the darkening of the sun and moon. And, Jesus told him these same signs would occur "immediately after the tribulation."
Acts 2
Matthew 24
Peter connected the expected coming of Christ for Christians with the coming of the "Day of the Lord" [Compare vss. 9&10]. And, he understood this to occur "immediately after the tribulation."
It is interesting to note that Peter repeated himself in verse 12, but substituted the phrase "Day of God" for the phrase "Day of the Lord." No doubt the phrases are interchangeable. The "Day of God" is found only one other time in the Bible, and it is undeniably in a post-trib setting, [Rev. 16:13-16].
No hint of pre-tribulationism can be found in Peter's sermons or Epistles. He faithfully obeyed the command of Christ by repeating Jesus' teaching concerning the blessed hope of believers.
7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
(NKJV)
13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
(KJV)
7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
(KJV)
12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
(KJV)
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
(KJV)
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
(KJV)
6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
(KJV)
20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:
(KJV)
29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
(KJV)
