<p>3:1 <i>This is now, beloved, the second epistle that I write to you; and in both of them I stir up your sincere mind by putting you in remembrance</i>- 2 Peter 3 concerns the coming of the 'day of the Lord' both in AD70 and more importantly in our last days. The allusions to the Olivet prophecy, which is similar in this respect, and the use of the word <i>parousia</i> to describe this 'coming' of the Lord confirm this approach. This chapter contains warnings of a major apostasy that would arise within the latter day ecclesia, and urgent exhortations as to how we should live in the last days. It is not an exaggeration to say, in the light of this, that these words were fundamentally written for our generation, living just prior to the second coming, notwithstanding any other application to earlier generations. The purpose of this chapter, in common with the whole second epistle, was to &quot;stir up (the Greek implies suddenly, with force) your pure minds... that ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy (Christian?) prophets (e.g. Paul, v.15), and of the commandment of us the apostles&quot; (v.1,2).</p><p>&quot;Sincere minds&quot; could be an example of Peter imputing righteousness to his readership, assuming their sincerity and standing &quot;in Christ&quot; despite being aware of serious failures amongst them. Or it could be that Peter is now focusing upon the faithful remnant amongst his readership.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>