In his own words (2 Peter)

Much is said about Apostles Peter and John throughout the New Testament.  However, we do not hear things from their perspectives until the end of the Bible.

Peter makes some interesting statements in 2 Peter to put the New Testament together.  

First, Peter affirms the Apostleship of Paul in 3:15-16.  He talks about the letters from Paul as being inspired by the wisdom of God.  He also associates the letters from Paul to "other Scriptures" that people ignore at their own peril.

This is a big statement.  Peter was left in charge of the church by Jesus.  Paul and Peter also had numerous public disagreements about the role of the Old Testament law as the Gospel goes to the Gentiles.  Paul even publicly rebuked Peter in Acts.

Second, Peter briefly talks about the personal account of being with Jesus.  In particular, he talks of Jesus' transfiguration.  He states that he was there "on the sacred mountain" and heard the voice from heaven identifying Jesus as "my Son".  

Peter also throws out a few ideas that seem to focus on the free will of the believer.  In 1:5-13, he focuses on the effort of the believer to make their "calling and election sure".  In 2:20-21, Peter discusses how people can know Christ, be free of the world, and then fall back into it.  For them, it is better to having never known righteousness at all.

Peter also discusses the role of prophecy, including the prophecies about the return of Jesus.  He says that there will be people in the "last days" who scoff at the return of Christ.  To them, life continues on as it had from the moment that time began.  If we remember from Acts 2, Peter himself interpreted of prophecy from Joel in that "last days" seemed to mean "after Pentecost".  There seems to not be any indication that Peter is introducing a new "last days".

I focus on this now because I think it is relatable.  Sometimes, it is hard to keep in mind that Jesus can return at any moment "like a thief".  If 2,000 years have gone by without the return of Christ, who is to say that another 2,000 years will pass before Christ returns.  

But alas, Peter anticipates this sentiment and reminds Christ will come back like "a thief".  

Likewise, Peter introduces a very interesting concept - to God, a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like a day.  What does this mean?  That God stands outside the parameters of our the human understanding of time.