2 Peter - Verse-by-Verse Biblical Exegesis

kingdom, but some will have their works burned up because they were shown to be
nothing but wood, hay, and stubble. However, some will enter with rich rewards because
their works have been proved to be gold, silver, and precious stones. (J. MacArthur)
While entering the kingdom has often been equated with inheriting the kingdom, there is
no semantic or exegetical basis for the equality. Even in English we acknowledge a
distinction between entering and inheriting. A tenant, for example, may live on or enter a
landowner’s great estate, but he does not own or inherit it. To inherit simply means to
“possess.” Similarly, there is no reason to assume that entering the kingdom and living
there is the same thing as owning it and ruling it. The heirs of the kingdom are its owners
and rulers and not just its residents. In other words, salvation is unchangeable but our
inheritance in the kingdom of God is not unchangeable. Once saved, always saved, but
our inheritance in God’s kingdom may change considerably. The loss of one’s
inheritance is not the same as a loss of salvation. (J. Dillow)
It is possible for Christians to lose their inheritance. Esau forfeited his inheritance, but he
was still Isaac’s son. He did not forfeit his relationship to his father. Furthermore, at the
end of his life Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau regarding their future. A Christian can deny
his inheritance rights. While this is not the same thing as losing one’s justification, the
consequences for eternity are serious … The position of a child of God is, indeed, not
forfeitable, but not the total fullness of the heavenly birthright (inheritance). We are
therefore not surprised to read in 1 Cor. 6:10 that unrighteous Christians will lose their
inheritance in the kingdom of God. Such an interpretation of the passage is consistent
with the Epistle to the Hebrews and the OT concept of the forfeiture of inheritance rights
by disobedience. (J. Dillow)
To diligence God will furnish “the abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom” of
Christ. Christ has two kingdoms: the temporary one of the thousand years, and the eternal
one. The temporary one is the porch into the eternal one. All believers will obtain an
entrance into the eternal one. But to obtain a part in the temporary, is to have the rich or
abundant entrance into the eternal. Now those who never stumble in the race shall be
chosen into the kingdom of the thousand years, and thus obtain the abundant entrance
into the final kingdom. This will be missed by those who only enter on the kingdom in its
everlasting state. (R. Govett) The conditional participle, “if you do,” holds forth a real
danger to the readers of this epistle. They might “fall” and forfeit their rich welcome into
the eternal kingdom. (J. Dillow)
Notice that Peter will put an emphasis not upon the Rapture but upon the coming of
Christ to establish His kingdom. You see, Peter is one apostle who did not look forward
to the Rapture. He knew he would never live to see the Rapture because the Lord Jesus
had told him that he was to die a martyr’s death. Therefore, he knew that shortly he must
put off his tabernacle, that is, his body. (J. McGee) “Seeing” the kingdom is by the
exercise of the faculty of faith, planted in regeneration. “Entering” the kingdom will take
place when it is established. (W. Best) He considers their doctrine and deeds equivalent
to a denial of Christianity, a return to the bondage to sin, and a guarantee of destruction.
(D. Watson)