2 Peter 3:8

But forget not this one thing, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

This verse is based upon Psalms 90:4, the thought being a refutation of the mockers who took the Lord's delay as proof that he would not act. "Faith orients man to eternity, whereas scoffers remain children of time."[28] Wheaton pointed out that Peter here opposed the mockers with two arguments: (1) "Time is of no consequence to God," and (2) "Through his love for men, God is keeping open the door of repentance for men as long as possible."[29] The first of these arguments is in this verse, and the second is in the next.

Both Robinson and Green considered it very significant that Peter's reference here to Psalms 90:4 omitted all reference to millennialism, or chiliastic claims, the omission being a strong indication that this epistle was not written at a late date. At the very time the advocates of a late date for 2Peter propose to date this epistle, millennialism was running absolutely wild; and Green asks:

If this epistle had been written in the second century when this doctrine was so widespread that it almost became a touchstone of orthodox Christianity, is it likely that the author (pseudonymous) could have refrained from making any allusion to it whatever when quoting the very verse (Psalms 90:4) which gave it birth?[30]

The implications of the truth in view here are a profound denial of a late date for 2Peter; and Green's perception of this prompted Robinson to quote this passage in full,[31] including it in the mass of evidence that led him to change his mind and date it in the 60's.

[28] Barnett, as quoted by Michael Green, op. cit., p. 134.

[29] David H. Wheaton, op. cit., p. 1257.

[30] Michael Green, op. cit., p. 135.

[31] John A. T. Robinson, op. cit., p. 181.