The Skeptics Annotated Bible (986 page)

16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.

(2.16) “The dumb ass speaking with man’s voice” The author of 2 Peter believed the story in Numbers (22.28-30) about the talking ass.

17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.

18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.

19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.

(2.21) “It had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.”
442 Is it possible to fall from grace?

22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

(2.22)
“The dog is turned to his own vomit.”

3
This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:

(3.1) “This second epistle … I now write unto you.” See note for 1.1.

2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

(3.3-8) The author of 2 Peter is aware of the failed expectations of early believers. Jesus, who was to come soon, didn’t come at all. Many “scoffers” have begun to ask, “Where is the promise of his coming?” He tries to cover for Jesus by claiming that “one day with the Lord is as a thousand years.” It has been used by believers ever since.

3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

(3.3)
“There shall come in the last days scoffers.”

4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

(3.4)
“Saying, where is the promise of his coming?”

5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

(3.6)
“The world … being overflowed with water, perished.”
God drowned everyone on earth except for Noah and his family.
God’s first killing

7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

(3.7)
“The heavens and the earth … are … reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.”
God will set the entire earth on fire so that he can burn non-believers to death.