Christ’s Coming and Earth’s Restoration
In verse 17 Peter introduces the subject of the second coming of Christ, and the restoration of the earth to its Eden state. He makes the interesting statement that God had spoken concerning it “by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.” We can find in the Old Testament a multitude of references to it; and we are by no means to suppose that we have all that the prophets have said. But we have enough. Surely a subject that has so largely engaged the attention of God’s holy prophets, ought not to be lightly esteemed by us. The coming of Christ is the important doctrine for the people of this age. It alone can give life and force to the other doctrines of the Bible. It is the Christian’s hope. The “Speaker’s Commentary” says: “To believers, the second advent ought to be a joyous thought; death is to be swallowed up in victory, and the Lord God shall wipe away all tears from all faces.”