“looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?” (2 Peter 3:12).
There are several ways we can approach the various themes within this passage. The first is relatively simple and clear: God’s people should look for Christ’s return in advance of this coming day of God. However, this does not mean we should seek to associate a date with Jesus’ return. As Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 24:36, “Now concerning that day and hour no one knows–neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son–except the Father only” (HCSB). Instead, every generation should wait expectantly for Jesus’ second advent.
Next, we have this reference to “…hastening the coming of the day of God.” “Hastening” conveys several related ideas including “to urge on,” “impel,” or “to be eager for the arrival” of something. (1) While some may view this approaching day of God with a sense of dread, Jesus’ followers should eagerly embrace its arrival. For instance, Jesus once explained the underlying differences between those mindsets…
“…everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God” (John 3:20-21).
We can also view this reference to “hastening” from a different perspective. As we’ve already seen, the word “hasten” is used to describe an attempt to expedite an action or activity. In light of this, our text from 2 Peter 3:12 underscores the need to avoid a passive mindset in anticipation of that day. Instead, we should actively employ the talents, skills, abilities, gifts, and opportunities that God has graciously given us for use in His service today.
As one source observes, “…[Its] not that God’s eternal appointment of the time is changeable, but God appoints us as instruments of accomplishing those events which must be first before the day of God can come.” (2)
Finally, this reference to “the day of God” invites a comparison to Jesus’ experience in the Garden of Gethsemane. When Jesus was seized in Gethsemane, He said to those who came to arrest Him, “…Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness” (Luke 22:52-53). So even though Jesus’ enemies had their hour in the waning days of His earthly life, 2 Peter 3:12 tells us that God will have His day in the future.
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(1) G4692 speudo. Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary of the New Testament https://www.billmounce.com/greek-dictionary/speudo
(2) Jamieson, F. &. B. (2000, February 19). Commentary on 2 Peter 3. Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/jfb/2Pe/2Pe_003.cfm