Let me pull up 2 Peter 3 again and show you why I believe they are "Christians" (quote unquote).
2 Peter 3:1-4
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 coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
I highlighted in red three points that make a strong case for these scoffers being "Christians" (false Christians).
1. Where is the promise of His coming?
This could be argued either way. Either these are secular people who do not believe in the His second coming or they are Christians perplexed by the timing of His coming.
2. Since the fathers fell asleep
Fathers fell asleep indicates they associate themselves with the patriarchs and apostles.
3. All things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.
This indicates they believe in God's creation described by Scripture.
I would stress that these are not true Christians, because they do mock and they are ignorant. Furthermore, in verse 8 the Word implores the "brethren" not to be ignorant - further distinctions from the wheat vs. tares.
As far as the argument goes for Christ coming to all people as a thief in the night, read 1 Thessalonians 5 and Revelation 3:
1 Thessalonians 5:1-5
1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
Revelation 3:3
Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
The elect will watch. Therefore, Jesus will not come as a thief and the elect will know what hour He comes upon them.
If Christ does not come as a thief in the night for the elect, shouldn't we reexamine the verses that have this particular phrase in them?
I get everyone's concern for setting dates, however, I'm not here to just argue to puff myself up. I truly believe this is going to happen and it will surprise a lot of people. If anything, examine the Biblical timeline we believe in. If it's wrong, May 21st, 2011 is wrong. In a way, I'm offering a challenge to those who are skeptical.
Go to Youtube and type in: Timeline of history illustrated wmv
It's too precise and perfect for it to be false. No one has debunked this so far, but don't believe me: grab your Bible and study this video. Thanks! <3