Peter begins closing his second letter by telling his readers the purpose of both his first and
second letters was to provide "reminders" which would "stimulate you to wholesome thinking."
The word "thinking" (dianoia) was a common word among philosophers including Plato, who
used the exact phrase that Peter uses in 3:1. Peter is using words from the philosophy and
religious systems familiar to the Greeks and Romans to communicate eternal, Christian Truth
in the language of these pagans who have been born again.

Peter clearly identifies the source and vehicle of the written revelation as being Old Testament prophets and New Testament apostles. Recalling the "words spoken in the past by the holy
prophets and...through your apostles" will "stimulate you to wholesome thinking." The words of Scripture will provide intense teaching and thought provoking study that will enable the
believer to hold to the truth and to live a godly life.

The topic Peter is addressing here is two-fold. Peter is addressing the doctrine of the Lord's
return in judgment and our response to live holy lives in anticipation of the Lord's coming
and his kingdom.

Peter warns that people will doubt and mock the doctrine of the Second Coming and the
judgment (evaluation) that will follow. As a result of their rejection of the truth these scoffers
do not have faith in this doctrine, thus their lifestyles are given over to the pursuit of
"their own evil desires."

The contrast is set between two groups of people in the church: The first group hears and
remembers the doctrine of the OT prophets and the NT apostles, and as a result they are
motivated and empowered to live a holy life as they anticipate the Lord's return and his kingdom.
The second group rejects and scoffs at the word of God and, instead follows human
philosophy and popular opinion which leads to an evil lifestyle that will be judged and
destroyed upon the Lord's sure return.

"“What you are is
God's gift to you,
what you become is
your gift to God.” 
- Hans Urs von Balthasar

Rapture Views:
Pretribulational - believes Jesus will rapture the entire church of believers before the tribulation begins.
Midtribulational - believes Jesus will rapture the believers in the church in the middle of the tribulation period.
Prewrath - synthesis of pre-, mid-, and posttribulationalism, together with a refinement of the timing issue to remove the church before the judgment of God begins on the earth.
Posttribulational - the belief that Jesus will rapture the church at the close of the tribulation period.
Partial Rapture - the belief that only spiritual believers who are walking in fellowship with God will be raptured. This includes several raptures throughout the tribulation period to rescue believers who have purified their lives.
No Rapture - the belief that the second coming of Christ occurred in 70 AD (Preterism) and that Paul's teaching about being "caught up" to meet Jesus in the air was completely spiritual, and not meant to be applied literally.