Some argue "How can we be in the Times of Restitution? Just look at all the trouble in the world. This cannot possibly be the Kingdom of God."
The exact same argument is used to say:
According to the above text the "Times of Restitution" are positively linked to the Return of Christ. He cannot return before the Times of Restitution begin. Therefore, if Christ has returned, the Times of Restitution must have begun. Any other thought is in direct contratiction to the Word of God.
[1] This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: [2] That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: [3] Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, [4] And saying, Where is the promise of his presence? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. [5] For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: [6] Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: [7] But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
[8] But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. [9] The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. [10] But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. [11] Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, [12] Looking for and hasting unto the presence of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? [13] Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
When examining this passage we should notice a few things. The Apostle Peter wants us to "be mindful of the words which were spoken by the holy prophets." It was this same Apostle Peter who told us that all the holy prophets spoke of the Times of Restitution. Let us quote from a Dawn publication commenting on this very passage in 2 Peter 3:
"Peter indicates that even after the Lord's return some of these false teachers would continue to misrepresent the truth. In this connection he calls them scoffers, who would be saying, 'Where is the promise [Greek, 'evidence'] of his coming [Greek, 'presence'], for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.' (II Pet. 3:4) It was Peter, who, in Acts 3:19-21, declared that all God's holy prophets had foretold 'times of restitution of all things.' This testimony of the prophets had been given to the fathers of Israel, but Peter implies that the scoffers would say that there is no evidence of Jesus' presence, that all things continue as they were." – Book of Books, Part 15
In other words these are saying: "We do not see any evidence of Restitution (the promise of his presence.) All things are continuing as they were." But is that a correct way to look at our Lord's return? We answer No! What are some of the evidences of Christ's return, and therefore evidences that we are indeed in "the times of restitution?"