Thank you for the interpretative question on II Peter 3:10, “Is II Peter 3:10 proof that the rapture and the tribulation will not occur?”
As one reads the broader context of II Peter 3:10, the Apostle Peter is referring to the “day of the Lord” as to the coming or return of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Peter. The Apostle Peter does not address the events prior to Jesus Christ nor give details as to events after Jesus Christ returns in this passage. In other words, the Apostle Peter is referring what will happen on the Day that Jesus Christ will return.
Here are some thoughts for one consideration that the Apostle Peter believed in the events surrounding the coming of Jesus Christ:
A. The Apostle Peter refers to a future coming of Jesus Christ.
As one reads II Peter 1:16–18 says this, “For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”[b] 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain” (A searchable online Bible in over 150 versions and 50 languages). Bible citations are from the New International Version.
The Apostle Peter recounts as his testimony of seeing the Son transformed before their eyes on that mountain. Peter believed that the Lord Jesus will return to or on earth in power and glory. Granted that the text does not state that this is the “rapture” or the Second Coming of Christ, but that Peter saw the transformed Christ. Peter believed in the return of Jesus Christ.
B. The Apostle Peter believed the Old Testament prophecies and the words of Jesus.
II Peter 1 says this, “We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (NIV).
The Apostle Peter declares his belief in the Old Testament prophecies that includes the Great Tribulation and his recounting of the Lord’s words about the future events before his return (II Pet. 3:1–2).
Matthew 24 says this, “15 So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’[a] spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let no one on the housetop go down to take anything out of the house. 18 Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. 19 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 20 Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again…
25 See, I have told you ahead of time. 26 “So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 28 Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather. 29 “Immediately after the distress of those days “‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky,
and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’[b] 30 “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth[c] will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.[d] 31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other (NIV).
Could this prophecy be fulfilled in 70 CE with Titus destroying the Temple? Christians differ on the interpretation. Jesus states that will come a catastrophic event unparalleled in the world before his return. I believe those events are revealed to the Apostle John in greater detail before the return of Jesus Christ (Rev. 4–19). One has to read and study the Scriptures to determine what one believes, reading the pros and cons of both positions.
C. The Apostle Peter addresses the Day of the coming of Jesus.
There were scoffers and false teachers who declared that Jesus had already come or that Jesus is not returning since 30 years has passed since his ascension to heaven.
II Peter says this, “Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly” (NIV).
The Apostle Peter is stating that the no one knows the day or time when the Lord Jesus will return. “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief.” That is the emphasis that the Lord will come like a thief, an unknown time period. Thus Peter is not discussing the events prior to that Day but the fact that he can come at any given moment in time. He encourages the followers to continue living godly lives as if he would return the next moment.
SUMMARY: The Apostle Peter encourages the believers to hold onto their faith of the coming of the Lord Jesus in rebutting individuals who scoffs at the idea that Jesus will return at all. Peter is not addressing the timeline for the Lord’s return, but the day of his return.
For more perspectives:
https://www.quora.com/Is-II-Peter-3-10-proof-that-the-rapture-and-the-tribulation-will-not-occur