Peter's explanation for Christ's delayed return emphasizes divine patience as opportunity for repentance rather than divine indifference or inability to fulfill promises. His teaching about the day of the Lord coming like a thief while the heavens pass away with roaring fire demonstrates both the certainty and cosmic scope of final judgment. The vision of new heavens and earth where righteousness dwells, combined with recognition of Paul's letters as Scripture, encourages holy living while warning against twisting biblical teaching to one's own destruction.