{"id":4297,"date":"2014-10-03T09:08:19","date_gmt":"2014-10-03T15:08:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.wordofgodtoday.com\/?page_id=4297"},"modified":"2024-11-20T11:49:54","modified_gmt":"2024-11-20T18:49:54","slug":"second-peter","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.wordofgodtoday.com\/second-peter\/","title":{"rendered":"Second Peter"},"content":{"rendered":"<p align=\"center\"><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<h2 align=\"center\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><b>SECOND PETER: <\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<h2 align=\"center\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><b>RESISTING FALSE TEACHERS<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p align=\"center\"><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><b>By<\/b><\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><span style=\"font-size: 20px;\"><b>Jim Gerrish<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"height: 4em; visibility: hidden;\">A<\/div>\n<p align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wordofgodtoday.com\/second-peter\/rembrandt_van_rijn_-_st-_peter_in_prison_the_apostle_peter_kneeling_-_google_art_project\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4298\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4298\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wordofgodtoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Rembrandt_van_Rijn_-_St._Peter_in_Prison_The_Apostle_Peter_Kneeling_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"411\" height=\"506\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wordofgodtoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Rembrandt_van_Rijn_-_St._Peter_in_Prison_The_Apostle_Peter_Kneeling_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg 3664w, https:\/\/www.wordofgodtoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Rembrandt_van_Rijn_-_St._Peter_in_Prison_The_Apostle_Peter_Kneeling_-_Google_Art_Project-244x300.jpg 244w, https:\/\/www.wordofgodtoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Rembrandt_van_Rijn_-_St._Peter_in_Prison_The_Apostle_Peter_Kneeling_-_Google_Art_Project-833x1024.jpg 833w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 411px) 100vw, 411px\" \/><\/a><i style=\"font-size: 10px;\">St. Peter in Prison<br \/>\n<\/i><i style=\"font-size: 10px;\">1631 by Rembrandt<br \/>\n<\/i><i style=\"font-size: 10px;\">(Picture credit Wikimedia Commons)<\/i><\/p>\n<div style=\"height: 3em; visibility: hidden;\">A<\/div>\n<h3 align=\"center\"><strong><em>Light of Israel Bible Commentaries\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n<div style=\"height: 3em; visibility: hidden;\">A<\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><em>All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from: The Holy Bible: New International Version\u00ae, NIV\u00ae,\u00a0Copyright \u00a9 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by the International Bible Society.<\/em><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><em>Used with permission.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Copyright \u00a9 Jim Gerrish 2019<\/p>\n<p> <\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><span style=\"font-size: 12px;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>INTRODUCTION<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p> <\/p>\n<p>The little epistle of Second Peter is often ignored by Christians today.\u00a0 Some reasons for this are that the epistle is often questioned by scholars, and it is also a short work easily overlooked by Bible readers.<sup>1<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Second, Peter is without a doubt the most questioned book in the New Testament, with most scholars doubting that Peter could have written it. Fuller professor Thomas Schreiner says, \u201cIf one were inclined to doubt the authenticity of any letter in the New Testament, it would be 2 Peter.\u201d <sup>2<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>It might help us to look at some of the reasons why many scholars reject it.\u00a0 Perhaps the primary reason is that the style of writing is different than that of First Peter. This has been noticed since earliest times. The book has an unusual vocabulary, with 57 words being used in the book that are not used in the remainder of the New Testament.<sup>3<\/sup>\u00a0 The early father of the church, Jerome (c. 347-430), felt the difference in style was due to the use of a different scribe.\u00a0 It is of note that Jerome included Second Peter in his famous <em>Vulgate <\/em>version of the Bible.<sup>4<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Scholars feel that Second Peter is dependent on Jude and many of them feel that Jude is a postapostolic work.\u00a0 As with other Bible books, some scholars feel that the adversaries in the book are Gnostics and they seem certain that Gnosticism did not develop until the Second Century.\u00a0 Some think that the book was not sufficiently attested to by the earliest Christian leaders.\u00a0 Also, the book was not mentioned in the <em>Muratorian Fragment<\/em>, which may be dated as early as AD 170, and contains the earliest listing of New Testament books.<\/p>\n<p>To Second Peter\u2019s credit, it is now felt by some that Jude could actually be dependent on Second Peter instead of the other way around.<sup>5 <\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0Many writers now admit that there was certainly a proto-Gnosticism in the First Century and that Paul actually dealt with it in the Book of Colossians.<\/p>\n<p>It should be noted that not all scholars reject Peter\u2019s authorship of the epistle. While some in the early church questioned that Peter wrote it, they never questioned the book\u2019s message.<\/p>\n<p>Clement of Rome, around AD 95, seems to have quoted from it. The church father Irenaeus (130-200) possibly alluded to the book. Clement of Alexandria (150-215) wrote a commentary to Second Peter\u2014 a commentary which is now lost.\u00a0 It is interesting that the early church totally rejected other supposed writings of Peter but they still clung to Second Peter.<sup>6<\/sup>\u00a0 Regarding the <em>Muratorian Fragment<\/em>, it should be noted that the work is damaged and neither does it include Hebrews, James or First Peter.<sup>7<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Second Peter was probably written to the same group of people the apostle addressed in his first letter.\u00a0 Peter warns them about the appearance of certain false teachers. He actually reminds them of his first letter to them in 2 Peter 3:1.\u00a0 It is of note that Peter mentions being present for Christ\u2019s Transfiguration (1:16-18).\u00a0 This would obviously be a bold claim to make for someone writing under a false name.<\/p>\n<p>The book was likely written from Rome since early tradition attests that Peter was there.\u00a0 It would have had to be written before Nero took his own life in AD 68.\u00a0 Scholars generally date the book from around AD 64-66, shortly before Peter was martyred by the mad ruler.<\/p>\n<p>Although Second Peter is a little book, it is packed with greatly needed gospel information.\u00a0 Schreiner says that the \u201ceschatological enthusiasm\u201d of early Christianity still pulsates through this small work.<sup>8<br \/>\n<\/sup><\/p>\n<p> <\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>CHAPTER 1<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:<strong> 2 Peter 1:1\u00a0 <\/strong><br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<p>It is interesting that some of the best manuscripts have not \u201cSimon\u201d here, but rather the Semitic \u201cSymeon.\u201d\u00a0 This original name is used only in one other instance in the New Testament, at the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15:14.\u00a0 Schreiner sees this name as an indication that 2 Peter should have an early date of writing, rather than a later one.<sup>1\u00a0 <\/sup>It is also very doubtful that a false writer would dare to use the Semitic name of Peter.<sup>2<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Of course, Simon Peter was the chief of the apostles.\u00a0 Since he, in a sense, held the \u201ckeys to the kingdom\u201d (Matt. 16:19), we can understand why it was Peter who opened up the gospel to the Gentiles in Acts chapters 10 and 11.\u00a0 In both of his epistles Peter is continuing to minister to Gentile people, although he was primarily an apostle to the Jews (Gal. 2:7).<\/p>\n<p>Peter calls himself a \u201cservant\u201d (<em>doulos<\/em>) of Jesus.\u00a0 This Greek word is often used of believers in the New Testament.\u00a0 The word really means \u201cslave.\u201d\u00a0 Barclay says of this word: \u201cTo call the Christian the <em>doulos<\/em> of God means that he is inalienably possessed by God.\u201d <sup>3<\/sup> Jesus did say in Matthew 23:11, that the one who is greatest will be the servant.\u00a0 Peter also calls himself \u201capostle\u201d (Gk. <em>apostolos<\/em>), or one \u201csent out\u201d by the Lord.<\/p>\n<p>We see here that our righteousness comes from God (cf. Jer. 23:6).\u00a0 It is a gift from God through Jesus, and in other places it is referred to as \u201cimputed\u201d or \u201ccredited\u201d righteousness (Rom. 4:11, 23-24). \u00a0We are instructed for our protection to always wear this righteousness of Jesus as a breastplate (Eph. 6:14).<\/p>\n<p>In this verse the expression \u201c<em>God and Savior Jesus Christ<\/em>\u201d is used.\u00a0 Schreiner says here:\u00a0 \u201cThe grammar clearly indicates that Jesus Christ is called \u2018God\u2019 in this verse.\u201d <sup>4<\/sup> \u00a0There are several other places in scripture where Jesus is called God (cf. Jn. 1:1, 18; 20:28; Rom. 9:5; Tit. 2:13; Heb.1:8).<\/p>\n<p>We cannot help but notice that \u201cfaith\u201d is also a gift from God (cf. Eph. 2:8; Rom. 12:3).\u00a0 We are like poor beggars reaching out to God who graciously gives us everything that pertains to life and godliness.\u00a0 Peter assigns great value to faith, calling it \u201cprecious.\u201d\u00a0 Fuller professor Everett Harrison asks, \u201cand why not: It is the \u2018coin of the realm\u2019 in God\u2019s kingdom.\u201d <sup>5<\/sup> The word used here for \u201cprecious\u201d is a Greek compound <em>isotimos<\/em>, and it means \u201cof equal worth.\u201d <sup>6<\/sup> We must never forget that our Christian faith is precious.\u00a0 Like those to whom Peter wrote, most of us are Gentiles who suddenly find ourselves by faith elevated to the same level as Peter and many others in that early church.\u00a0 All of us, if we are mature in Christ, need to hold tight to this precious faith. \u00a0The early Anglican commentator, John Trapp says, \u201cA child may hold a ring in his hand, as well, though not as fast as a man.\u201d <sup>7<\/sup><\/p>\n<p><em>\u201c<\/em><em>Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord\u201d <strong>(1:2). <\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>Peter uses a standard prayer or blessing here, wishing that his hearers be filled with an abundance of the Lord\u2019s grace and peace. Long ago Chrysostom (347-407) said, \u201cPeace is the mother of all good things and the foundation of our joy.\u201d <sup>8 <\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0It assures us that the long war between God and man is at last over.<\/p>\n<p>Peter here begins to emphasize the knowledge of God.\u00a0 The Greek word is <em>epignosis, <\/em>and means a \u201cfull, perfect, precise knowledge of God.\u201d <sup>9<\/sup> \u00a0\u00a0Peter is no doubt beginning his attack on the Gnostic teachers who were promising a special hidden knowledge, which really turned out to be a false knowledge. College director and web commentator David Guzik says of this true knowledge:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em>Knowing God is the key to all things that pertain to life and godliness…We are willing to try almost anything except the knowledge of him. We will trust in the schemes and plans of men instead of the knowledge of him. We will try knowing ourselves instead of the knowledge of him…The Greek word knowledge doesn\u2019t refer to a casual acquaintance. It means an exact, complete, and thorough knowledge… It comes as we learn of him through his Word, through prayer, and through the community of God\u2019s people.\u00a0 It is true that we need God alone, but God does not meet us only in our \u201caloneness\u201d but also in the community of his people…. <sup>10<\/sup><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Once the Apostle Paul cried out that he might know the Lord better (Phil. 3:10).\u00a0 We can only say that if Paul needed to know the Lord better, then we certainly do.\u00a0 The great reformer John Calvin said: \u201cFor the more anyone advances in the knowledge of God, every kind of blessing increases also equally with the sense of divine love.\u201d <sup>11<\/sup> \u00a0\u00a0The great key to becoming a real Christian is to know God and have a personal relationship with him.\u00a0 In Matthew 7:23, we see some very busy supposed Christians appearing before the Lord, and we are surprised to hear him say, <em>\u201c…I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>BEING FULLY EQUIPPED IN CHRIST<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. <strong>\u00a02 Peter 1:3\u00a0 <\/strong><br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<p>We must not miss the fact that God has already given us <em>everything<\/em> we need to live highly successful spiritual lives. The Gnostics were looking down on these new Christians because they did not have their <em>gnosis<\/em> or \u201csuperior knowledge.\u201d \u00a0In the Charismatic Movement of last century it was quite common for Christians to look down on other Christians who were supposedly not \u201cbaptized in the Holy Spirit.\u201d This created a lot of problems at the time, because it was basically judgmental and it violated a clear biblical principle found in Philippians 2:3. \u00a0Now we know the truth, that we are complete in Jesus (Col. 2:9-10).\u00a0 He has, in fact, blessed us with <em>every <\/em>spiritual blessing in the heavens since we are now in Christ (Eph. 1:3). The Lord has performed all this by his great power and might (Gk. <em>dunamis<\/em>).\u00a0 It has all come in the salvation package.\u00a0 This is an incredibly important concept and we do not want to miss it.<\/p>\n<p>The understanding of this great biblical truth comes through our increasing knowledge of the Lord Jesus.\u00a0 American pastor, Bible teacher and writer, Warren Wiersbe, says here: \u201cThe false teachers claimed that they had a \u2018special doctrine\u2019 that would add something to the lives of Peter\u2019s readers, but Peter knew that nothing could be added.\u201d <sup>12 <\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0This does not mean that we should spurn things like the filling of the Holy Spirit.\u00a0 We need to relax and allow the Spirit to fill us up and take over in our lives (Eph. 5:18).\u00a0 This filling is part of the \u201ceverything\u201d we have received in Christ. It does not mean that we should fail to progress and develop the things God has given each of us.\u00a0 Peter will talk much about this in<br \/>\nverses 5-7.<\/p>\n<p>All this reminds us of downloading a very large and wonderful computer program.\u00a0 Although it is now in our computer, and we own it, we still may be very slow in appropriating and using this wonderful download. To put this in religious terms, we are truly and gloriously saved if we have accepted Jesus, but the benefits of this salvation are often slow in coming and in our utilizing.<\/p>\n<p>So, God has given us <em>everything<\/em> we need for life and godliness.\u00a0 This word godliness (<em>eusebeia<\/em>) is the nearest Greek word for \u201creligion.\u201d\u00a0 It not only describes someone who correctly worships God but someone who correctly serves his fellow human beings.\u00a0 Scottish professor and author William Barclay says, \u201cWhen a man becomes a Christian, he acknowledges a double duty, to God and to his fellow-men.\u201d <sup>13<\/sup>\u00a0 English Baptist Peter Pett says here, \u201cIn Christ we become partakers of the divine nature (Christ in you the hope of glory)…and this is in contrast with the false prophecy which introduces only degradation, corruption and decay (2 Peter 2:1-22).\u201d <sup>14<\/sup><\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cThrough these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires\u201d <strong>(1:4). \u00a0<\/strong><\/em>Wiersbe suggests that Peter may have really liked the word \u201cprecious.\u201d\u00a0 He speaks of precious faith (2 Pet. 1:1), precious promises (2 Pet. 1:4), precious blood (1 Pet. 1:19), precious stone (1 Pet 2:4, 6), and precious Savior (1 Pet. 2:7).<sup>15<\/sup><em>\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n<p>Let us note that we have \u201cprecious promises\u201d given to us.\u00a0 In a real sense, we believers are entering the Promised Land, and it is a land of promises.\u00a0 All we have to do is take these promises and make them a reality in our lives.\u00a0 We have to step out and find ourselves \u201cstanding on the promises of God,\u201d as the old hymn has it. Through these precious promises we will find ourselves partaking of the divine nature, or partaking of his holiness (Heb. 12:10).<\/p>\n<p>The church father Hilary of Arles (c. 403-449) has it: \u201cJust as God stepped out of his nature to become a partaker of our humanity, so we are called to step out of our nature to become partakers of his divinity.\u201d <sup>16<\/sup> \u00a0\u00a0This does not mean that we will become some kind of little gods as New Age and other Eastern teaching would declare.\u00a0 Adam and Eve listened to this lie and brought about the fall of the human race.\u00a0 Pett says here: \u201cThe point is not that we become divine, but that the seed of the divine word has been implanted within us, so that we have been made one with the divine Christ (cf. Jn. 15:1-6).\u201d <sup>17<\/sup> Schreiner adds, \u201cBelievers will \u2018participate\u2019 (<em>koinonoi<\/em>) in the divine nature, but they will not become<br \/>\ngods.\u201d <sup>18<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>To fulfill this heavenly pattern we must escape the corruption of this world.\u00a0 The Greek word here is <em>apopeugo<\/em>, and it means to escape by flight.<sup>19 <\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0The word \u201ccorruption\u201d (Gk. <em>phthora<\/em>) has reference to the present evil age, and that age or world order is perishing.<sup>20<\/sup> \u00a0We have only to look around us to verify this fact.\u00a0 Everything we see is decaying and perishing. The scripture verifies this in 1 John 2:17, where we read, <em>\u201c<\/em><em>The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The world and all its corruption is all around us and is constantly beckoning us to join with it.\u00a0 As Strachan says: \u201cMan becomes either regenerate or degenerate.\u201d <sup>21<\/sup> \u00a0We must run away or take flight from these lusts.<\/p>\n<p><strong>THE LADDER OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;<strong> 2 Peter 1:5 <\/strong><br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<p>This section is often referred to as a ladder.\u00a0 Actually it is probably a memory device to help early believers remember these important virtues. \u00a0Average people in Bible times did not have easy access to written materials as we do today and they had to commit much of the gospel teaching to memory.\u00a0 Although this section is called a ladder we should not think that it gives us a step-by-step approach to becoming a mature Christian.\u00a0 While faith comes first, and this is surely the beginning, love comes last.\u00a0 Obviously, we cannot leave Christian love for last.\u00a0 This list takes us to \u201cwhere the rubber meets the road\u201d as one old radio preacher used to say.\u00a0 Bunyan would add, \u201cThe soul of religion is the practical part.\u201d <sup>22 <\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0It is surely \u201cbad luck\u201d to walk under this ladder.\u00a0 We need to start climbing it!<\/p>\n<p>Peter tells us that we should make every effort to add these qualities to our lives.\u00a0 The Greek word he uses is <em>spoudazo<\/em>.\u00a0 It means \u201cto make haste, be eager, give diligence, to do one\u2019s best, to take care, to exert one\u2019s self.\u201d <sup>23 <\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0The picture is that we should give <em>all<\/em> diligence or in a sense \u201cbring in a full supply.\u201d\u00a0 There is a very descriptive Greek word used here for \u201call.\u201d\u00a0 It is <em>epichoregein<\/em>.\u00a0 In Greek times this word described a wealthy civic minded person who equipped the chorus in the plays.\u00a0 This word described a lavish pouring out of effort and supplies in order to bring forth a noble performance.\u00a0 In time the word grew to describe one who was responsible for all kinds of equipment.\u00a0 It could even describe equipping an army or equipping the soul with the virtues of life.<sup>24<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Peter\u2019s ladder begins with faith, of course. Faith is not just the first step on the ladder but it is like the engine on the train.<strong> \u00a0<\/strong>Schreiner says: \u201cFaith is the root of all the virtues, and love is the goal and climax of the Christian life.\u00a0 Otherwise, we should not press the order of the virtues listed, nor should we think Peter encouraged his readers to work first on one virtue before moving to the next one.\u201d <sup>25<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>To our faith we should add goodness or virtue (<em>arete<\/em>).<strong>\u00a0 <\/strong>It should be noted that this Greek word was very popular in the ancient world, although it is rare in the New Testament.\u00a0 The word means excellence.\u00a0 In New Testament times it described that thing which made a person a good friend and a good citizen.\u00a0 It described a person who had mastered the technique of living well.\u00a0 It even has a second meaning of courage.<sup>26 <\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0Someone may ask why Peter would include a word which was popular in the pagan world.\u00a0 Ashland professor David A. DeSilva adds here; \u201cThe apostolic faith is indeed in keeping with the highest and most enlightened ideals celebrated in the Greco-Roman world.\u201d <sup>27 <\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0By general revelation God revealed, even to pagan people, many good and wholesome concepts that would help preserve the human race.<\/p>\n<p>Next, we should add knowledge (<em>gn\u014dsis<\/em>).\u00a0 We note that this Greek word is somewhat different than the full-knowledge we mentioned earlier.\u00a0 This knowledge speaks of a faithful continuation in studies.<sup>28<\/sup> \u00a0\u00a0It is defined further as \u201cseeking to know, inquiring, investigating.\u201d <sup>29<\/sup> \u00a0\u00a0It is tragic today that many Christians seem to forsake this pursuit of knowledge.\u00a0 By doing so we fall prey to Satan\u2019s many deceptions.\u00a0 It is interesting that Peter ends this little epistle by saying, <em>\u201c<\/em><em>But grow in the grace<\/em><em> and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…\u201d <\/em>(2 Pet. 3:18).<\/p>\n<p>Peter continues up the ladder: <em>\u201c…and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;\u201d<strong> (1:6). <\/strong><\/em>Self-control (Gk. <em>egkrateia<\/em>) is listed with the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:23. It is also a virtue much lacking in our western world.\u00a0 We see this fact displayed everywhere, in grossly overweight people, in excesses of entertainment, in uncontrolled temperament, etc.\u00a0 Barclay describes this virtue in a man saying, \u201c…it envisages a situation in which his passions remain, but are under perfect control and so become his servants, not his tyrants.\u201d <sup>30<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Peter now mentions perseverance (Gk. <em>hupomone\u0304n<\/em>).\u00a0 This virtue displays the idea of steadfast endurance or patience. Barclay says: \u201cIt is the courageous acceptance of everything that life can do to us and the transmuting of even the worst event into another step on the upward way.\u201d <sup>31 <\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0We must endure to the end to be saved (Matt. 24:13). \u00a0However, we should not let this unnerve us.\u00a0 The theologian, Louis Berkhof, remarks: \u201cIt is, strictly speaking, not man but God who perseveres.\u00a0 Perseverance may be defined as that continuous operation of the Holy Spirit in the believer, by which the work of divine grace that is begun in the heart, is continued and brought to completion.\u00a0 It is because God never forsakes his work that believers continue to stand to the very end.\u201d <sup>32<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>The apostle then gives us the step of godliness or piety (<em>eusebeia<\/em>). \u00a0He has already mentioned this word in verse 3, and there we defined it as the nearest word in Greek for \u201creligion.\u201d\u00a0 It describes a person who serves God and man in a correct and proper manner.\u00a0 So <em>eusebeia<\/em> describes a very practical kind of religion.<\/p>\n<p>Last, Peter says, <em>\u201cand to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love\u201d<strong> (1:7).<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0 For the first word here he has a familiar Greek word, at least for those who live in the US.\u00a0 The word is <em>philadelphia <\/em>and it means brotherly love. We have a major US city by this name. There is something seriously wrong with a religion that drives people apart or puts them in some kind of isolation. This brotherly love must be unfeigned and sincere (1 Pet. 1:22). \u00a0We must feel kind affection to one another in the church (Rom. 12:10) and this brother love must continue (Heb. 13:1).<\/p>\n<p>Godby tells an early and interesting story that happened regarding William Penn and the Indians of America:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em>Meeting the Indian chiefs under the great elm trees, they were unutterably astonished, for the first time in their lives to see white men unarmed. Penn said, \u201cWe are all children of the same loving heavenly Father, who wants us to live together in peace.\u00a0 Now, where shall we found a settlement?\u201d The savages break and weep, saying, \u201cYou are the very people we want to live with and teach us how to worship the Great Spirit as we ought. So our land is before you. Settle where you will.\u201d Penn choose that very spot and called it Philadelphia, the very Greek word used by the Holy Ghost in this passage and translated \u201cbrotherly love.\u201d It means the mutual love of the white man and the Indian in case of the Pennsylvania metropolis…Amid the dark, bloody massacres of the pioneer ages, not a drop of Quaker blood was shed by an Indian. <sup>33<\/sup><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Last of all, Peter mentions that we should add love.\u00a0 This is the <em>agape<\/em> kind of love mentioned so much in the Bible.\u00a0 It is the kind of love that Jesus has for us all, the God kind of love mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13. It is a love that never stops, and never ends.<\/p>\n<p><strong>EFFECTIVE AND PRODUCTIVE WORKERS<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.\u201d<strong> \u00a02 Peter 1:8\u00a0 <\/strong><br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Obviously, we need to always increase in our Christian lives\u2014 to go forward, to make progress.\u00a0 It is a little like riding a bicycle.\u00a0 Either we go on or we go off.\u00a0 Wiersbe tells us that God\u2019s divine genetic structure is already in us. We only need to go on and be conformed to the image of the divine Son of God (Rom. 8:29).\u00a0 He says, \u201cSpiritual growth is not automatic.\u00a0 It requires cooperation with God and the application of spiritual diligence and discipline, \u2018<em>Work out your own salvation…For it is God which worketh in you <\/em>(Phil. 2:12-13).<em>\u2019\u201d<\/em> <sup>34<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>It seems that in this verse Peter is directing us to look around at the fruitfulness of nature.\u00a0 Most of the other translations picture \u201cunfruitful\u201d (Gk. <em>akarprous)<\/em> rather than \u201cunproductive\u201d here. When we look at nature we are amazed at the constant drive for fruitfulness seen everywhere.\u00a0 This is surely a pattern the Lord would like to impress upon us.\u00a0 The birds are building nests in order to bring forth young; the flowers are producing nectar to attract bees, in order that their seed can be brought forth.\u00a0 The same pattern is everywhere in nature. \u00a0Fruit-bearing must be the crowning achievement of living things.\u00a0 It seems that God desires \u201cfruit,\u201d \u201cmore fruit,\u201d and \u201cmuch fruit\u201d as we see in John 15: 1-5.<\/p>\n<p>The human race is expected to be fruitful and multiply in the natural sense (Gen. 1:28). However, the modern and postmodern worlds are failing big-time here. Lou Dobbs relates: \u201cThere are more households across America with dogs than with children.\u00a0 Pets outnumber children across America by four to one.\u201d <sup>35 <\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0When writing this section, I took my daily walk only to pass a young woman who was also walking, but she was pushing along 3 to 4 small dogs in what looked like an enclosed baby carriage.\u00a0 Hopefully, Christian people will not stop bringing forth children.\u00a0 The bright note is that today in America birth rates for religious people are running twice as high as birthrates among the secular.<sup>36<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>But there is more to this matter of reproduction.\u00a0 Redeemed humans are expected to bring forth an abundance of spiritual fruit as we see in Galatians 5:22-23 and in other places. These are things like love, joy, peace, longsuffering, and gentleness. We might pause to ask ourselves, \u201cWhat kind of fruit is growing on our trees or vines?\u201d\u00a0 Are we producing only crabapples and sour grapes?<\/p>\n<p>God wants us to abound or even super-abound with good spiritual fruit.\u00a0 In ancient Israel it was always a disgrace for married folks to be without children.\u00a0 We can imagine how much more of a disgrace it is for a Christian to be without spiritual fruit.\u00a0 In Israel it was almost a curse to be barren just as it was a curse for a field to be unproductive (Heb. 6:7-8).\u00a0 It is clear here that the more we know about the Lord the more fruitful will be our lives.<\/p>\n<p>In speaking of the Christian qualities enumerated earlier Peter says: <em>\u201cBut whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins\u201d <strong>(1:9). \u00a0<\/strong><\/em>Nearsightedness is called myopia in the medical field.\u00a0 Peter here seems to be talking about a spiritual myopia. The Greek words he uses are<em> tuphlos<\/em>, meaning blind, and <em>muopazon<\/em>, meaning short-sighted with one\u2019s eyes screwed up because of the light.<sup>37<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>How tragic that so many modern and postmodern Christians have spiritual myopia.\u00a0 They see only the present earthly things but do not see distant or heavenly things. \u00a0The twentieth century American commentator, James Burton Coffman, reminds us of two famous examples of spiritual myopia. Lot pitched his tent toward nearby Sodom and soon resided there (Gen. 13:10), while Demas became dazzled by the lure of the present age and forsook his service with Paul and the heavenly world (2 Tim. 4:10).<sup>38<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Some commentators when speaking of the cleansing in this verse think that this is speaking of baptism.\u00a0 Pett points out that baptism never signifies cleansing, but that cleansing in the Bible always comes with the blood of sacrifice (cf. Exo. 29:36; 30:10; Neh.12:45; Job 1:5).<sup>39<\/sup><strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>MAKING OUR CALLING AND ELECTION SURE<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, <strong>\u00a02 Peter 1:10\u00a0 <\/strong><br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<p>This verse clearly displays the tension that we see throughout the New Testament.\u00a0 Some have referred to it as \u201cthe already- and the not yet.\u201d\u00a0 We are already recipients of God\u2019s calling and election.\u00a0 Eternal life is ours.\u00a0 However, we have not yet received the fullness of God\u2019s kingdom.\u00a0 We must make our election sure by believing, receiving and continuing on in the Lord\u2019s program.\u00a0 We must never use \u201conce saved- always saved,\u201d as an excuse to sit down and take it easy in our Christian lives.\u00a0 To do so is to deny the precious promises God has given us.\u00a0 The children of Israel did this very thing by not entering the Promised Land, although they were just a short distance from it. As a result their bones fell and were parched in the wilderness (1 Cor. 10:5).<\/p>\n<p>Wiersbe says here of the true Christian: \u201cHe will not always be on the mountaintop, but he will always be climbing higher…\u201d <sup>40 \u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0We must with diligence (Gk. <em>spoudasate<\/em>) confirm our upward calling.<strong> \u00a0<\/strong>Today a lot of Christians are stumbling around in unbelief, doubting their salvation, and even falling into various sins. These are here commanded to make their salvation sure. When we are diligent to do the things Peter has mentioned we will neither stumble nor fall.<\/p>\n<p>The apostle makes a great promise here saying, <em>\u201c…and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ\u201d <strong>(1:11).<\/strong><\/em> We no doubt all want to go to Heaven, yet, we may want to ask ourselves just how will we enter that great and eternal kingdom?\u00a0 In 1 Corinthians 3:13-15, Paul speaks of Christians who have built with the wrong materials.\u00a0 He notes how their work will be tried by fire in the last days.\u00a0 He says some Christians will lose everything but still be saved.\u00a0 They will be like those escaping through the flames.\u00a0 Let me say that I don\u2019t want to enter Heaven after losing everything for which I have worked and having to arrive there with my shirttail on fire.<\/p>\n<p>Peter says if we do the things he has suggested we can have a rich welcome in the eternal kingdom.\u00a0 I think here of some of our great military heroes.\u00a0 They do not just return home but they get a hero\u2019s welcome.\u00a0 They are even honored personally by the President of the United States as they receive from him the coveted Medal of Honor.\u00a0 Harrison says: \u201cHere is an intimation that heaven\u2019s society will not be classless.\u201d <sup>41\u00a0 <\/sup>\u00a0For sure, there will be heroes in heaven and we all have an opportunity to become some of them.<strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>PETER\u2019S SOON DEPARTURE<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have.<strong> 2 Peter 1:12\u00a0 <\/strong><br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Some have called this the Holy Grail of instruction: \u201cTell them what you are going to tell them; tell them; and then tell them what you have told them.\u201d\u00a0 Peter seems to be applying this rule here.\u00a0 Actually, so much of our teaching is repetition and that was certainly the case in the days before an abundance of printed materials.\u00a0 We see this theme of \u201creminding\u201d several places in scripture (cf. 2 Pet. 3:1-2; Phil. 3:1; Jude 1: 5, 17).<\/p>\n<p>It seems that Peter is giving a word of encouragement here.\u00a0 He is reminding them that they already know these things and assuring them, despite their troubles, that they are firmly established in the truth.\u00a0 In most cases we can do a lot more with encouragement than we can do with criticism.<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cI think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 <strong>(1:13-14). \u00a0<\/strong><\/em>Peter refers to his body as a tent (Gk. <em>ske\u0304nos<\/em>) just as Paul once did in 2 Corinthians 5:4.<em> \u00a0<\/em>As long as he was in the tent of his body he was determined to teach.\u00a0 Long before, the Lord had commanded him: \u201c<em>feed my sheep<\/em>\u201d (Jn. 21:15-17).<\/p>\n<p>Peter\u2019s desire was to stir them up (Gk. <em>diegeiro<\/em>), to awaken them, to arouse their minds and render them active.<sup>42 <\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0Someone once said (and now it\u2019s a book title), that we in today\u2019s church are no longer \u201cstanding on the promises,\u201d as the old hymn goes, but rather we are \u201csitting on the premises.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The great apostle knew that he would not be around for much longer.\u00a0 The Lord had given him that word long before, as he was being reinstated after his terrible fall.\u00a0 Jesus said to him: <em>\u201cVery truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go\u201d<\/em> (Jn. 21:18). \u00a0Tradition says that he was led to the cross and crucified in the reign of Nero.\u00a0 Trapp says: \u201cWhat is this life, but a spot of time between two eternities? \u00a0Our tents shall he taken down.\u201d <sup>43<\/sup>\u00a0 Long ago the Venerable Bede (c. 672-735) said, \u201cGoing to be with the Lord is like coming home from a journey and exchanging the tent for the comforts of home.\u201d <sup>44<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Schreiner remarks that this statement about Peter\u2019s approaching death would have been an awkward statement coming from a pseudonymous writer.<sup>45 <\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0So it only adds weight that Peter was in fact the author of this little book.<\/p>\n<p>Peter promises, <em>\u201cAnd I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things\u201d<strong> (1:15). <\/strong><\/em><strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0Quite an impressive number of scholars and interpreters feel that Peter is here referring to the <em>Gospel of Mark<\/em>.\u00a0 Church history and tradition tell us that Peter was in Rome in his later years and was martyred there by Nero.\u00a0 Prior to that event Mark was with Peter and became his interpreter.<sup>46 <\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0He wrote his gospel with great care.\u00a0 Likely much of it came from Peter\u2019s notes and sermons.\u00a0 Some think this work was in progress and Peter was promising to speed it up.<sup>47<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>The apostle uses an interesting word for his departure or decease.\u00a0 It is the Greek word <em>exodon<\/em> meaning exodus.\u00a0 Albert Barnes, the nineteenth century American theologian says: \u201cThis is not the usual word to denote death, but is rather a word denoting that he was going on a journey out of this world.\u201d <sup>48<\/sup><strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>EYEWITNESSES OF HIS MAJESTY<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>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. \u00a0<strong>2 Peter 1:16<\/strong><\/em><strong><em><br \/>\n<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In the New Testament world there was no lack of clever and invented stories and myths relating to religion.\u00a0 In the first place, there were many false gods and goddesses, with names like Venus, Apollo and Diana, and they abounded everywhere.\u00a0 In addition, many false concepts of worship had been introduced from Babylon, as well as from the numerous mystery religions.\u00a0 These had their strange rites, initiations, and secret knowledge. <em>\u00a0<\/em>Of course, Gnosticism was beginning to bud in its early stages and it too contained many clever, invented stories.<\/p>\n<p>Peter is here remembering an event of which no false religion could ever boast.\u00a0 He had been one of the three human witnesses to the awesome Transfiguration of Jesus on that high mountain, which was probably Mt. Hermon.\u00a0 We remember how Jesus had promised the disciples that some of them would not die till they saw the kingdom of God come with power (Mk. 9:1-2; Lk. 9:27-28).\u00a0 The unbelievable experience of the Transfiguration is recorded in Matthew 17:1 ff., Mark 9:2-8, and in Luke 9:28-36.\u00a0 Peter, James and John were privileged to see Jesus take on some of the splendor he had before the world began (Jn. 17:5).\u00a0 His face and clothes became brilliantly white.\u00a0 They got to see Moses and Elijah there speaking with Jesus and they at last heard the very voice of God from the cloud declaring Jesus to be the beloved Son of God.\u00a0 It was unforgettable. Those cleverly invented stories could not remotely compare with eyewitness accounts.<\/p>\n<p>It appears that Peter was relating the report of the Transfiguration to counter the false teaching of the Gnostics regarding the Second Coming or <em>Parousia <\/em>of Jesus.\u00a0 Apparently the Gnostics had discounted the Lord\u2019s coming (1:16; 3:3-7).\u00a0 The distinguished New Testament professor, Fred B. Craddock, says \u201cThe Transfiguration is not only a prophecy of the second coming but a clear demonstration of it.\u201d <sup>49<\/sup>\u00a0 Baptist professor Bob Utley sees the second coming as being a central theme of the whole book.<sup>50<\/sup><\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cHe received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, \u2018This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased\u2019\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201d<strong> (1:17<\/strong><\/em><strong>).<\/strong> \u00a0DeSilva says here: \u201cThe Transfiguration…thus becomes an historical proof of the fact that Christ would return as ruler and judge…a solid basis for refuting the teachers\u2019 claims…the Transfiguration also becomes God\u2019s personal confirmation of the Old Testament oracles that the early Christian leaders said applied to Christ\u2019s Second Coming (1:19-21).\u201d <sup>51<\/sup> \u00a0Schreiner adds: \u201cIn all three of the Synoptic Gospels the Transfiguration immediately follows the declaration that God\u2019s kingdom will come with power, suggesting that the Transfiguration represents and anticipates Christ\u2019s powerful coming (Mat 16:28-17:13; Mk. 9:1-13; Lk. 9:27-36).\u201d <sup>52<\/sup><\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cWe ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain\u201d <strong>(1:18). <\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>Gregory the Great (c 540-604) says of this: \u201cThere used to be many people who thought that this letter was not written by Peter.\u00a0 But it is enough to read this verse, and you will soon see that it was Peter who stood with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration.\u201d <sup>53<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0 It was not just Peter who saw this glorious event.\u00a0 John was there too and he could never forget it.\u00a0 He says in John 1:14, <em>\u201cThe Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.<\/em><em>\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>THE PROPHET\u2019S WORDS MADE MORE CERTAIN<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>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. \u00a0<strong>2 Peter 1:19<\/strong> \u00a0<\/em><strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It is amazing what Peter does here.\u00a0 He has just told of his great and magnificent experience in actually seeing the transfigured Lord.\u00a0 Yet, he turns us back to the written word of the prophets, which his vision only confirms.\u00a0 He directs his hearers not to his astounding vision but to the solid and eternal word of the prophets.<strong> \u00a0<\/strong>Harrison states here: \u201cIt is an amazing assessment of the validity of Holy Scripture that Peter declares it to be more dependable than a voice from heaven heard with the natural ear.\u201d <sup>54<\/sup>\u00a0 Wiersbe tells us why this is true, for he says that experiences are merely subjective while the Word of God is objective.<sup>55<\/sup>\u00a0 We need to always remember not to trust in people\u2019s dreams and visions, or in our own spiritual experiences.\u00a0 On one occasion (Gal. 1:8), Paul said that even the word from a heavenly angel should not be allowed to distract us from the gospel.<\/p>\n<p>It seems that this is one of the main points Peter is making, that people should put their trust in the word of God that endures forever (1 Pet. 1:24-25).<\/p>\n<p>He says that the word of the prophets is like a lamp shining in a dark place. A single lamp may not give off much light but it is a wonderful thing in a totally dark room.\u00a0 Renowned Greek scholar, A. T. Robertson says of the Greek words \u201cdark place\u201d (<em>auchme\u0304ro\u0304i topo\u0304i<\/em>), that it has reference to a parched, squalid, dirty, dark, murky, place.<sup>56<\/sup>\u00a0 This certainly describes the situation found with the Gnostic teachers.<\/p>\n<p>The day star in ancient times was generally considered to be Venus.\u00a0 The Greek word is <em>pho\u0304sphoros<\/em> and it is from this Greek term that we get our English word \u201cphosphorus.\u201d <sup>57<\/sup> The morning star or daystar reminds us of these verses in Revelation 2:28 and 22:16 where Jesus claims to be the \u201cMorning Star.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>NATURE OF THE PROPHETIC WORD<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet\u2019s own interpretation of things. <strong>\u00a02 Peter 1:20\u00a0 <\/strong><br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The Holy Scripture is not a private thing (Gk. <em>idios<\/em>), or one\u2019s own.<sup>58<\/sup>\u00a0 No prophet can claim it as his own revelation, but in a similar sense, no believer can make his or her own interpretation, or put a private spin on the word.\u00a0 It is given by God and given to the people of God.\u00a0 We see an ideal situation in the church of Berea.\u00a0 After Paul had preached there it is said of them: <em>\u201cNow the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true\u201d<\/em> (Acts 17:11). \u00a0At Berea there was a whole church searching and interpreting the scripture for their common good.<\/p>\n<p>This must not be understood to mean that the individual cannot read the Bible and interpret it with the Holy Spirit\u2019s help.\u00a0 The Bible declares that there is a priesthood of believers and that each one is capable of interpreting scripture.\u00a0 But still, that should involve us comparing our interpretation with others and seeing what the saints of God have believed about the verse through history.<\/p>\n<p>I remember one pastor in my early years who was convinced that Jesus was born under an apple tree.\u00a0 So far as I can remember he never explained where he got such an idea but it certainly did not fit with all other interpretations.\u00a0 His name was Johnson, and he earned the nickname of Apple Tree Johnson.\u00a0 That is probably what Peter means by a private interpretation.\u00a0 We know today through the latest archaeological information that Jesus was probably born in a Bethlehem cave, a place where animals were often kept. One can see what was probably that cave displayed in the lower level of the Church of the Nativity at Bethlehem.<\/p>\n<p>Today we see a renewed interest in prophecy and there are some people in the church who claim gifts of prophecy. However, much trouble has been caused by some of these prophets.\u00a0 They are often like \u201cloose cannons\u201d on the ship.\u00a0 We must understand that the same principles Peter mentions apply to modern prophets.\u00a0 Guzik says here: \u201cThere must be sober confirmation of any prophetic word, and that not through another prophetic word, but through the scriptures. In the gift of prophecy, God never speaks to only one person, and always provides confirmation.\u201d <sup>59<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Craddock seems to describe our era well saying: \u201cIf the church in the time of 2 Peter had no pew Bibles, nor owned individual copies of sacred texts, and yet suffered from schisms crated by private interpretations, just think how much greater this problem became with the advent of the printing press.\u201d <sup>60<\/sup><\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cFor 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\u201d <strong>(1:21). <\/strong><\/em>This verse brings us to the highly disputed concept of the Bible\u2019s inspiration.\u00a0 Peter says prophetic inspiration does not originate in individuals but it comes from God.\u00a0 Generally it is said in the church that prophecy as well as the whole Bible is \u201cGod-breathed.\u201d\u00a0 Writers spoke as they were <em>\u201ccarried along by the Holy Spirit.\u201d\u00a0 <\/em>The Greek word for \u201ccarried along\u201d is <em>pheromenos<\/em>, and it means, \u201cborne along, moved, influenced.\u201d <sup>61<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Many Christians over the ages have believed in the verbal inspiration of scripture.\u00a0 By this it is felt that in the original Bible manuscripts were revealed by God\u2019s Holy Spirit,\u00a0 and that he has even chosen the correct wording from the writer\u2019s vocabulary.\u00a0 This is not to be seen as a mechanical thing where the writer is like a robot with no part in the matter.\u00a0 God does not override their individual personalities, but still he guides them in order to make an infallible record of his truth.<sup>62<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Guzik describes this process saying: \u201c\u2018Moved\u2019 has the sense of carried along, as a ship being carried along by the wind or the current…It is as if the writers of scripture \u2018raised their sails\u2019 in cooperation with God and the Holy Spirit carried them along in the direction he wished.\u201d <sup>63<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Schreiner also comments on this, saying: \u201cBoth human beings and God were fully involved in the process of inspiration.\u00a0 The personality and gifts of the human authors were not squelched or suppressed…Concursus means that both God and human beings contributed to the prophetic word.\u00a0 Ultimately, however, and most significantly, these human words are God\u2019s words… Evangelical theology rightly infers from this that the scriptures are authoritative, infallible, and inerrant, for God\u2019s word must be true.\u201d <sup>64<\/sup><strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>CHAPTER 2<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them\u2014 bringing swift destruction on themselves.<strong> 2 Peter 2:1 <\/strong>\u00a0<\/em><strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It was surely true that there were false prophets in Israel.\u00a0 They were almost like swarms of flies or locusts.\u00a0 Many Bible texts bear witness to their presence among the people (cf. Deut. 13:1-5; 1 Kgs. 22:5-28; Isa. 9:15; 28:7-8; Jer. 2:8, 26; 5:31; Ezek. 13:1-23; Mic. 3:5-12; Zeph. 3:4).\u00a0 On one occasion the few real prophets of God were in hiding, but there were some four hundred-fifty prophets of Baal and another four hundred prophets of Asherah, all strutting around (1 Ki. 18:19 ff.).<\/p>\n<p>Peter makes plain that just as there were false prophets in Israel there would be false teachers among the new Christian churches. While Peter uses the future tense here, he uses the present tense in 2:17 and 3:5, indicating that these evil teachers were already present in the churches.<sup>1<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>These teachers came with great stealth as they introduced dangerous teachings.\u00a0 Peter calls these \u201cheresies\u201d (<em>hairesis<\/em>).\u00a0 Here the Greek word may refer to false teaching, but most early usage referred to a sect or faction.\u00a0 By the end of the first century, the word had mostly taken on the meaning of \u201cheresy.\u201d <sup>2<\/sup>\u00a0 Today in the church we are usually very strict in avoiding known heresy, but we think nothing of dividing ourselves into opposing groups within the church, not realizing that such division is also heresy (Gal. 5:20).<\/p>\n<p>It is interesting how these teachers introduce their heresies.\u00a0 The word is <em>pareisago\u0304means<\/em> and it means \u201cto lead in by the side of others; to lead in along with others.\u201d <sup>3<\/sup>\u00a0 Greek scholar Kenneth Wuest says, \u201cThat is, these false teachers, teaching much true doctrine, would cleverly include false teaching with it…\u201d <sup>4<\/sup>\u00a0 We can all probably remember some Christian teacher who taught a lot of good things but who also gave us some strange ideas that troubled us.<\/p>\n<p>We note here the Greek word <em>agorazo\u0304<\/em> (bought) and we realize that the Lord has bought us or redeemed us from the hand of the enemy.\u00a0 The obvious question that arises is who and how many did the Lord purchase.\u00a0 Did the Lord arrange only a \u201climited atonement\u201d or did Jesus die to purchase all people?\u00a0 It is important that we examine the scriptures about this subject.\u00a0 In 1Timothy 2:6, we note that Jesus gave his life as a ransom for all.\u00a0 In 1 Timothy 4:10, we read that Jesus <em>\u201c…the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.\u201d<\/em> In 1 John 2:2 we read: <em>\u201c<\/em><em>He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.<\/em>\u201d \u00a0Pett says of this dilemma, \u201cHe is potentially there for all, but effective only for those who respond to him from the heart.\u201d <sup>5<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>These heretics will ultimately deny the Lord Jesus.\u00a0 Peter says that this will bring upon them a swift destruction.\u00a0 The Greek word for \u201cswift\u201d is <em>tachinen<\/em>, and from the root of this word we get \u201ctachometer.\u201d\u00a0 Their destruction will be both swift and sudden.<sup>6<\/sup> \u00a0\u00a0Barclay adds here, \u201cThere is no more certain way to ultimate condemnation than to teach another to sin.\u201d <sup>7<\/sup><\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cMany will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute\u201d <strong>(2:2).<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0 We see \u201cmany\u201d falling from the faith and this brings up the important question of whether or not a \u201csaved\u201d person can lose his or her salvation.\u00a0 It is obvious that these false teachers were preying on brand new believers who were not yet grounded in their faith.<\/p>\n<p>Some of these were no doubt like the seed sown on rocky or thorny ground in Jesus\u2019 famous parable (Matt. 13:20-22).\u00a0 Also, we know in nature that there is such a thing as a miscarriage where the fruit is cast off.\u00a0 In human life all around us we understand how everything that is born does not come to maturity.\u00a0 However, the word appears to be plain in verses like John 10:28-29, 1 Corinthians 1:8-9; Philippians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 and Romans 8:28-39, that the truly saved will continue to the end.\u00a0 It is clear here that the false teachers themselves were not among the redeemed because they are later called dogs and pigs, (2:22) and not sheep.<sup>8<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>It is generally felt that Peter was confronting an early form of Gnosticism in this letter.\u00a0 It is important to understand that there were two streams of development within this doctrine.\u00a0 The Greek ideas involved in this doctrine denigrated the natural in favor of the spiritual.\u00a0 One branch of Gnosticism was extremely aesthetic, while the other branch was antinomian.\u00a0 It seems this is the branch we are dealing with here.\u00a0 They apparently felt that since the spirit was important and the flesh was not important, one could do whatever that person wished with the body.\u00a0 It simply did not matter. They were sort of antinomian libertines.<\/p>\n<p>Peter mentions that these teachers had depraved or shameful ways.\u00a0 The Greek word is <em>aselgeia<\/em> and Barclay describes it as a person who \u201c…is lost to shame and cares for the judgment of neither man nor God.\u201d \u00a0It is a blatant immorality that repels people from the church of God.<sup>9<\/sup> \u00a0It is lasciviousness or uncleanness<strong>.<\/strong> This picture reminds us of the days of Isaiah and Jeremiah.\u00a0 Isaiah said: <em>\u201c…Priests and prophets stagger from beer and are befuddled with wine…\u201d<\/em> (Isa. 28:7).\u00a0 Jeremiah said: <em>\u201cAnd among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen something horrible: They commit adultery and live a lie. They strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns from his wickedness…\u201d<\/em> (Jer. 23:14).<\/p>\n<p>John reminds us that the world listens to such as these (1 Jn. 4:5).\u00a0 Craddock adds: \u201cIf anyone encouraged keeping the old lifestyle while embracing the new religion, no doubt many would find the combination to their liking.\u201d <sup>10<\/sup>\u00a0 Such teaching was designed to turn people from the way of truth, and Christianity was called the \u201cway\u201d in its early days as we see in Acts 9:2.<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cIn their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping\u201d<strong> (2:3). \u00a0<\/strong><\/em>These teachers are full of greed (Gk. <em>pleonexia<\/em>). \u00a0Barclay says of them that they are like the priests who teach for hire in Micah 3:11.\u00a0 They are like those who minister for dishonest gain or filthy lucre in Titus 1:11.\u00a0 They \u201cidentify godliness and gain, making their religion a money-making thing (1 Tim. 6:5).\u201d <sup>11<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Because of their greed they exploit (Gk. <em>emporeuomai<\/em>) the Lord\u2019s people.\u00a0 This word is often connected with engaging in business in Greek literature.\u00a0 In their greed they lure young believers with fabricated stories (Gk. <em>plastoislogois<\/em>).<sup>12<\/sup>\u00a0 \u00a0This root here is the basis for our word \u201cplastic.\u201d\u00a0 Obviously, none of us would wish for a plastic religion.<\/p>\n<p>No doubt most of us have felt at times that we were being exploited by pastors and other religious teachers, especially some of those who appear regularly on television.\u00a0 We have no doubt had the feeling that they were making merchandise of us at times.\u00a0 Godby asks, \u201cHow many preachers, if paid money enough, will let their own members slip through their fingers into hell.\u201d <sup>13<\/sup>\u00a0 Craddock scoffs at them saying: \u201cIn offering their \u2018religious services\u2019 for money, regardless of its source, they are inferior to Balaam\u2019s jackass…\u201d <sup>14 <\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0We wonder sometimes if these teachers know that they will be judged more severely than others as James 3:1 tells us.\u00a0 We must all be careful that we do not peddle God\u2019s word for profit (2 Cor. 2:17).<\/p>\n<p>Paul sighs in Philippians 3:18-19, <em>\u201cFor, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. \u00a0Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.<\/em><em>\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>This is not to deny that pastors have the biblical right to financial support.\u00a0 This is attested to many places in scripture (cf. 1 Cor. 9:1-14; Gal. 6:6; 1 Ti. 5:17-18).\u00a0 Still, the pastor or other religious worker must never become focused on the financial aspect.<\/p>\n<p><strong>LESSONS FROM THE ANCIENT WORLD<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment; \u00a0<strong>2 Peter 2:4 <\/strong><br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Here we get a brief look into the antiquity.\u00a0 We note in scripture that God gives little press to the devil and his hosts.\u00a0 Calvin remarks of the fallen angels in this passage, \u201c…since God in scripture has only sparingly touched on them, and as it were by the way, he thus reminds us that we ought to be satisfied with this small knowledge.\u201d <sup>15<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>We can determine from this account that sin did not begin with man in the garden.\u00a0 From other scriptures we know that sin began with Satan or Lucifer, as he in pride desired to be like God (Isa. 14:12-15; Ezek. 28:11-19).\u00a0 From Revelation 12:4, we know that numerous angels, likely a third of them, followed after Satan.\u00a0 It is no mystery that sin was already represented in the Garden of Eden with the serpent.\u00a0 Also, it was represented there by the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 2:9).<\/p>\n<p>So this scripture states the bare fact that some angels sinned.\u00a0 These angels were quickly placed into dungeons where they now await their final judgment.\u00a0 How did the angels sin?\u00a0 Ancient Jewish teaching has much information on this event.\u00a0 In the pseudepigraphal books, many written before the coming of Christ, this history is related.\u00a0 The book of 1 Enoch is the basis for much that is told us in 2 Peter and also in Jude. We cannot recommend that people study this book but obviously it has some grains of truth in it.\u00a0 We see the Spirit of truth both here and also in Jude, pick up some of the material that is truthful.<\/p>\n<p>Here is a short summary that should help us understand the background for this passage.\u00a0 In Genesis 6:1-4, the Sons of God (angels) lusted after the daughters of men and had sexual relations with them.\u00a0 The products of this unlawful union were the giants of old.\u00a0 Since the giants resulted from evil spiritual beings uniting with humanity, great evil resulted. \u00a0God was swift to judge these angels, but the world was so corrupted that God decreed a great flood to destroy the giants as well as evil humanity.<\/p>\n<p>The angels, as we see in this verse, were assigned to Tartarus (Gk. <em>tartaroun<\/em>).\u00a0 Here Peter is speaking of a well-known Greek conception.\u00a0 The Greeks felt that Tartarus was the very lowest hell.<sup>16<\/sup> \u00a0\u00a0Obviously, they were correct about this.\u00a0 Peter says that these rebellious angels were placed in gloomy dungeons as they awaited judgment.\u00a0 We cannot be totally sure that all the rebellious angels met this fate.\u00a0 Perhaps some did not unite with humanity, and perhaps these make up the demons who persecute humanity today.<sup>17<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Now we realize that this may sound like some fairy tale to many moderns and post moderns.\u00a0 However, we should remember that giants are well attested in biblical history.\u00a0 They are also well attested in human consciousness, and are thus still seen in many children\u2019s stories.\u00a0 Clarke says, \u201c…The tradition of their fall is in all countries and in all religions, but the accounts given are various and contradictory; and no wonder, for we have no direct revelation on the subject.\u201d <sup>18<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>This attempt of Satan and his hosts seems to be an attempt to preempt the incarnation.\u00a0 If this satanic invasion had been allowed to continue it probably would have made the redemption of Christ impossible.\u00a0 After all, how could Christ have redeemed humans if they were no longer humans, but some kind of mixture or mongrelization with fallen spiritual beings?<\/p>\n<p>We might ask why Peter brought up this difficult subject.\u00a0 It is likely that the false teachers opposing Peter were using this well-known story of the angels to justify their evil actions.\u00a0 \u201cMost probably what was happening was that the wicked men of Peter\u2019s time were citing the example of the angels as a justification for their own sin. They were saying, \u2018If angels came from heaven and took mortal women, why should not we?\u2019\u201d <sup>19<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Obviously, Peter in this very long sentence is pointing out to these rebels how God was quick to judge the angels.\u00a0 He goes on to show how God judged the evil world, and how he judged evil Sodom and Gomorrah. Yet in all this he delivered the righteous.<\/p>\n<p>Peter goes on saying, <em>\u201cif he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; <strong>(2:5).<\/strong><\/em> \u00a0Without pausing, Peter introduces the judgment of the great flood that destroyed evil giants as well as evil people.\u00a0 Apparently the deceitful teachers were not only denying God\u2019s judgment but were denying the return of Jesus.\u00a0 Schreiner says: \u201cThe universality of the judgment in Noah\u2019s day functions well as a preview of the universal judgment at the end of the age.\u201d <sup>20<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>The flood in the Greek language is called the <em>kataklusmos, <\/em>which would be known as cataclysm in our modern world.\u00a0 Peter tells us that Noah preached to the evil people in his day.\u00a0 We are never told this in the Old Testament but it certainly was true.\u00a0 It is almost unthinkable that he likely preached for 120 years without a single convert.\u00a0 This should serve as an encouragement to some ministers today who are laboring on difficult fields.<\/p>\n<p>In the Greek of this passage Noah is called \u201cthe eighth man\u201d (Gk. <em>ogdoon<\/em>). \u00a0Schreiner enlightens us saying: \u201cIn early church writings the number eight was considered the number of perfection since Jesus was raised on the eighth day \u2013 Sunday.\u00a0 Hence, it may be that Noah is portrayed here as the beginning of a new creation after the flood…\u201d <sup>21<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>No doubt much of the same argument was heard in Noah\u2019s day as was heard in Peter\u2019s day.\u00a0 The teachers were apparently saying that the Lord Jesus would not return (3:3-4), <sup>22<\/sup> and therefore they were living as they pleased.\u00a0\u00a0 Many commentators have noted that this section corresponds very closely with Jude, verses 5-7. \u00a0In both cases the sure wrath of God was about to fall upon the sinners, and they would not escape his judgment.<\/p>\n<p>Peter continues the sentence almost without taking a breath.\u00a0 He says, <em>\u201c…<\/em><em>if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly;\u201d<strong> (2:6). <\/strong><\/em>The story of the awful destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, along with some other cities of the plain, is a classic picture of God\u2019s judgment upon sinners (Gen. chs. 18-19).\u00a0 The cause of this destruction was primarily the sin of homosexuality.\u00a0 We realize that it is no longer \u201cpolitically correct\u201d to talk about this but we must, since it is biblically correct to speak about it.<\/p>\n<p>The citizens of these doomed cities were not just homosexuals but they were blatant and militant homosexuals, determined to force their sins upon others, even upon the angels of God.\u00a0 This gives us some idea why God is so opposed to this particular sin (cf. Lev. 18:22; Rom. 1:24-27; 1 Cor. 6:9). \u00a0It goes against his divine plan for the procreation of the race. We must understand today that the homosexual movement is not just a movement for freedom of some oppressed peoples, but it is a militant movement determined to force homosexuality upon us all and to put an end to normal sexual relations.<\/p>\n<p>Peter says, <em>\u201cand if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)\u2014\u201d <strong>(2:7-8). <\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>In this den of iniquity Lot resided. In this verse we learn that he was still a righteous man.\u00a0 He had offered hospitality to strangers and he had later protected them from the raging mob by even offering his own daughters in their place.\u00a0 He lived in continued distress because of the evil around him.\u00a0 We need to remember the words of Newman here.\u00a0 He says, \u201cOur great security against sin lies in being shocked at it.\u201d <sup>23<\/sup>\u00a0 \u00a0We need to ask ourselves if we are distressed and tormented at the increasingly wicked sight before our own eyes.<\/p>\n<p>We should not miss the message here.\u00a0 God will judge the wicked with awful judgment and he will deliver the righteous out of his judgment.\u00a0 Schreiner says about this, \u201cThe judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah is not merely a historical curiosity but functions as a type of what God will do in the future.\u201d <sup>24<\/sup>\u00a0 Wiersbe adds: \u201cOur present age is not only like \u201cthe days of Noah,\u201d but it is also like \u2018the days of Lot.\u2019\u201d <sup>25<\/sup><strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>GOD\u2019S RESCUE PROGRAM<\/strong><em><br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>…<\/em> <em>if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment. \u00a0<strong>2 Peter 2:9\u00a0 <\/strong><br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<p>We should not miss the fact in this passage that the righteous will be in the middle of God\u2019s judgment in the last days, but they will be delivered through it.\u00a0 This was true with Noah and the flood.\u00a0 God destroyed and remade the whole world with Noah and his family still in it (Gen. ch.\u00a0 7; Matt. 24:37).\u00a0 Lot was in an extremely wicked city to its very end, but God delivered him just as the fire fell.\u00a0 There are other examples of this principle not mentioned in this text.\u00a0 The children of Israel were in Goshen when God destroyed Egypt but they were untouched.<\/p>\n<p>There is a great deal of popular teaching today that says we Christians will not experience suffering, that we will be snatched out before any trouble comes.\u00a0 This was essentially the message of the false prophets throughout the ages.\u00a0 They cried \u201cpeace\u201d when there was no peace (Jer. 6:14). They prophesied ease, peace and plenty.<\/p>\n<p>So God is especially good at two things.\u00a0 He can deliver the righteous in the day of judgment and he can hold the wicked for that day, and insure that they will not escape.\u00a0 We note again that the righteous are delivered <em>in<\/em> the very Day of Judgment.<\/p>\n<p>Regarding the wicked, we should notice the Greek present participle <em>kolazomenous <\/em>(continuing their punishment)<em>.<\/em>\u00a0 Although it is not certain, it seems to indicate that the wicked are already receiving some of their punishment here (cf. Lk. 16:23-24).<sup>26<\/sup>\u00a0 \u00a0After all, the scripture does say that the way of the wicked is hard (Prov. 13:15).<\/p>\n<p>The righteous will be delivered, however, \u201cThe danger in a time of trial is apostasy (Lk. 8:13; 22:28)…some scholars detect a reference to the test of faith that will conclude history.\u201d <sup>27 <\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0In fact, several early church writers and fathers like Hermas, Hippolytus and Irenaeus warned Christians that times would get tough for them in the last days.<sup>28<\/sup><\/p>\n<p><strong>THE ARROGANT WICKED<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to heap abuse on celestial beings; \u00a0<strong>2 Peter<\/strong> <strong>2:10.\u00a0 <\/strong><br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<p>\u201cSin has taken such a strong hold on them that they are fully in its power, they cannot shake it off, they are its slaves.\u201d <sup>29 <\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0In their corruption and sin these men have also become bold and arrogant.\u00a0 The Greek for bold is <em>tolme\u0304tai<\/em> and for arrogant is <em>authadeis<\/em>.\u00a0 Together they could be translated \u201cboldly arrogant.\u201d <sup>30<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>These men despise dominion.\u00a0 No doubt this includes all authority from the local government, to the apostle Peter, to national governments and even to the celestial government.\u00a0 All these authorities would interfere with their selfish and sensual plans.\u00a0 Proverbs 21:24 describes such as these, <em>\u201cThe proud and arrogant person\u2014\u2018Mocker\u2019 is his name\u2014 behaves with insolent fury.<\/em><em>\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Not only do these teachers despise authority but they even slander celestial beings. They blaspheme \u201cglories\u201d (Gk. <em>doxas<\/em>), probably a reference to the good angels.<sup>31<\/sup>\u00a0 \u00a0They no doubt realize that if all authority could be overthrown they could live as they please.<\/p>\n<p>Now Peter gets into the specifics saying, <em>\u201cyet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not heap abuse on such beings when bringing judgment on them from the Lord\u201d<strong> (2:11). \u00a0<\/strong><\/em>At this point Peter begins to draw from Jude verse 4.<sup>32 <\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0Of course, this could have been vice versa with Jude drawing from Peter.<em> \u00a0<\/em>Including portions of one biblical book in another is not entirely strange.\u00a0 For instance, we see this sort of thing in Isaiah 2:3 and in Micah 4:2.<\/p>\n<p>What is likely meant here is that good angels and even archangels will not bring a charge against fallen angels but rather they refer the matter of judgment to God.\u00a0 They seemed to sense that \u201cto blaspheme angels was to shake the fist at heaven.\u201d <sup>33 <\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0These angels seem to echo Alexander Pope\u2019s words, \u201cFools rush in where angels fear to tread.\u201d <sup>34<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>We read in Jude v. 9 about a dispute between the angel Michael and the devil over the body of Moses.\u00a0 The devil claimed his body probably because Moses was once a murderer and had killed an Egyptian.\u00a0 Even the great angel Michael would not bring a charge against the devil but said, \u201c<em>the Lord rebuke you!\u201d<\/em> (Jude v.9).\u00a0 Once again, as in Jude, we see the Spirit of truth going to extract an account from the pseudepigraphal book called <em>The Assumption of Moses.<\/em><sup>35<\/sup>\u00a0 Again, we would not advise this book as a whole to be read for doctrine. However, we know a biblical idea is being taught here, since Jude uses it and since we see a very similar thing in in Zechariah 3:1-2.<\/p>\n<p>This passage reminds us a great deal about some of the things that have gone on in the Spirit Filled and Charismatic camps.\u00a0 Many times I have heard people rebuke the devil in no uncertain terms.\u00a0 Sometimes they seem to be talking more to the devil than to the Lord.\u00a0 We all need to walk softly in this area an exercise great caution.<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cBut these people blaspheme in matters they do not understand. \u00a0They are like unreasoning animals, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like animals they too will perish\u201d<strong> (2:12). <\/strong><\/em>These false teachers are called \u201cunreasoning animals.\u201d\u00a0 The Greek word for \u201cunreasoning\u201d is <em>aloga<\/em>, and it means that they are irrational.<sup>36 <\/sup><em>\u00a0<\/em>Pett remarks about them: \u201cAnd yet although being nothing better than animals they think that they can mess with heavenly powers. What folly.\u201d <sup>37<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>These teachers are like wild and dangerous beasts that are destined to be caught and exterminated. In the Greek, the word corruption (<em>phthoran<\/em>) in its various forms is used three times in this verse as the false teachers are described.\u00a0 This is not picked up in the NIV. The ASV says of these teachers that they <em>\u201c… shall in their destroying surely be destroyed.\u201d\u00a0 <\/em>The NKJV says they \u201c…<em>will utterly perish in their own corruption.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>We might ask if we have such teachers around today.\u00a0 The answer is obviously \u201cyes.\u201d\u00a0 Often, these vicious teachers strut in the fancy robes as doctors in the field of theology.\u00a0 Yet, in their hearts and in their writings they are opposed to Jesus and his simple gospel.\u00a0 Paine says of them: \u201cThe characteristic of modern, <em>liberal<\/em>, critical teachers which amazes one most is their absolute confidence in their own conclusions, based upon evidence however trivial, and involving tremendously important departures from tenets maintained for centuries by the historic church.\u201d <sup>38<\/sup><\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cThey will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you\u201d <strong>(2:13).<\/strong> \u00a0<\/em>I remember a pastor who once preached a sermon entitled \u201cPayday Someday.\u201d\u00a0 Although it often takes a great deal of time, God will settle his accounts.\u00a0 These false teachers obviously did not believe this.\u00a0 In their wild and unruly pleasure they caroused around in broad daylight.\u00a0 Adam Clarke, the British Methodist theologian, says: \u201cMost sinners, in order to practice their abominable pleasures, seek the secrecy of the night; but these, bidding defiance to all decorum, decency, and shame, take the open day, and thus proclaim their impurities to the sun.\u201d <sup>39<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Obviously, these false teachers were joining in with the regular love feasts, where the Lord\u2019s Supper was also celebrated. Peter calls them \u201cblots\u201d and \u201cblemishes\u201d in these holy festivals (cf. Eph. 5:27).\u00a0 DeSilva says: \u201cThese were obviously crass enemies of moderation, self-control, and the mastery of the passions that marked the virtuous person.\u201d <sup>40 <\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0Barclay adds of them that they were lacking, \u201cnot only religious truth but also sound common sense. The pleasures of the body are demonstrably subject to the law of diminishing returns. In themselves they lose their thrill, so that as time goes on it takes more and more of them to satisfy.\u201d <sup>41<\/sup><\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cWith eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed\u2014 an accursed brood!\u201d <strong>(2:14). \u00a0<\/strong><\/em>Their eyes are full of an adulteress as the Greek word implies.<sup>42\u00a0 <\/sup><strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\u201cThey looked at every woman at Christ\u2019s table as a sex object.\u201d <sup>43<\/sup> Unlike Job of old they had lost control of their eyes (Job 31:1).\u00a0 They were far from taking Jesus\u2019 advice about a lustful look in Matthew 5:28.<\/p>\n<p>These men were seducers who caught the unwary as with a bait (Gk. <em>deleazontes<\/em>), as one would do in fishing.\u00a0 They \u201chooked\u201d people into a lascivious lifestyle.<sup>44<\/sup> \u00a0\u00a0It is no wonder that prostitutes through time have been called \u201chookers.\u201d\u00a0 It is especially interesting that one of the newest crazes on US college campuses is called having a \u201chookup.\u201d\u00a0 This is supposedly an idealistic sexual union that is to be done totally without feeling or commitment. Unfortunately, 41 percent of students who hooked up have ended up feeling sadness or even despair about their experience.<sup>45<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>These false teachers were \u201cexperts in greed.\u201d\u00a0 Somehow, sex and covetousness have a way of going together.\u00a0 We remember in Luke 12:15, how Jesus warned against covetousness.\u00a0 It says here that these deceitful teachers were exercising (Gk. <em>gumnazo<\/em>) their hearts in covetousness just as athletes exercised in a gymnasium, <sup>46<\/sup> or as health enthusiasts faithfully exercise at the spa.\u00a0 It is interesting how people mix covetousness, sex and religion all together.\u00a0 Barnes explains this saying: \u201cFor the religious principle is the most powerful of all principles; and he who can control that, can control all that a man possesses.\u201d<sup> 47<\/sup><\/p>\n<p><strong>FOLLOWERS OF BALAAM<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Bezer, who loved the wages of wickedness.<strong> 2 Peter 2:15\u00a0 <\/strong><br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<p>In the Old Testament, the prophet Balaam was an excellent example of one who mixed religion with covetousness.\u00a0 The scripture hints that he also mixed illicit sex into the toxic brew as well.\u00a0 This man stands as a type of all false prophets. The story of Balaam is told to us in Numbers chapters 22, 23 and 24. In Revelation 2:14, we are told how Balaam helped lure the Israelites into forbidden sexual engagements with the Moabite women. This resulted in the disastrous national sin at Baal Peor.\u00a0 In the end, as they conquered their land, the Israelites slew Balaam with the sword (Num. 31:8; Josh. 13:22).<\/p>\n<p>The Jewish people see Balaam as the first Gentile prophet. In scripture he certainly gets the credit for his evil advice and actions (Num. 31:16).\u00a0 Balaam had a true prophetic gift and makes some of the clearest messianic prophecies in the Bible, but he was a mixture.\u00a0 He wanted to serve God but his tongue was a mile long with covetousness.\u00a0 He tried his best to get God to give him permission to participate in King Balak\u2019s evil plans of cursing Israel. \u201cAs the Numbers story unfolds, we can see his fingers itching to get at the gold of Balak. True, he did not take it; but the desire was there.\u201d <sup>48 <\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0All this reminds us of Judas who was anxious to receive the reward of iniquity (Acts 1:18).<\/p>\n<p>We have seen in modern and postmodern times how ministry or prophecy, covetousness and sex have a way of going together.\u00a0 Our hearts have been broken as popular and powerful ministers have succumbed to one or all of these temptations.\u00a0 They have followed the way of Balaam.\u00a0 They have sought money and pleasure from their prophetic gifts.<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cBut he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey\u2014 an animal without speech\u2014 who spoke with a human \u00a0voice and restrained the prophet\u2019s madness\u201d<strong> (2:16). <\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>The story of Balaam and his donkey is surely one of the strangest stories in scripture.\u00a0 Balaam somehow was not able to discern the Lord\u2019s instructions but the donkey did.\u00a0 Barnett says of this: \u201cA dumb ass possessed sounder prophetic vision than a religious official whose moral sense had been perverted by gain from wrongdoing.\u201d <sup>49<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>It is amazing that this befuddled prophet found himself actually carrying on a conversation with the donkey as if it were not the least bit unusual.<sup>50<\/sup>\u00a0 Apparently the Lord spoke through a donkey similar to how the devil once spoke through the serpent. The early churchman Hilary of Arles says of this: \u201cHe had become a madman because of his disobedience to the commandments of God, and dumb animals are wiser than that, since they observe the law of nature.\u201d <sup>51<\/sup><strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>SPRINGS WITHOUT WATER<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>These people are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them.<strong>\u00a0 2 Peter 2:17\u00a0 <\/strong><br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<p>There could be nothing more cruel and deceptive in the arid Middle East than to have the promise of water without producing any.\u00a0 How tragically deceptive is a dry well to a thirsty traveler.\u00a0 The Greek here speaks more of a spring than a well.<sup>52\u00a0 <\/sup>\u00a0How sad it would be for a sign to be put up directing the traveler to a spring, only to find out that the promised spring had dried up.\u00a0 Wells and springs are the source of life in desert lands.\u00a0 Many a thirsty caravan perished because a well or spring had dried up.\u00a0 These supposedly \u201cwise\u201d teachers and deceptive guides have forsaken the spring of living water (Jer. 2:13). These false teachers do not even have the status of clouds, but rather they are wind driven mists.\u00a0 They have no chance of dropping moisture.<\/p>\n<p>Blackest darkness is their lot.<strong> \u00a0<\/strong>The Greek word for blackness (<em>zophos<\/em>) has the meaning of muskiness, darkness or thickest gloom.\u00a0 Bengel describes it as \u201cthe chilling horror accompanying darkness.\u201d <sup>53 <\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0In speaking of these dangerous leaders, the Wesleyan evangelist of early days, William Godby, once cried out, \u201cGood Lord, deliver me from a preacher\u2019s hell!\u201d <sup>54<\/sup><\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cFor they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error\u201d <strong>(2:18).\u00a0 <\/strong><\/em>Bigg aptly explains what these false teachers are doing.\u00a0 He says, \u201cGrandiose sophistry is the hook, filthy lust is the bait…\u201d <sup>55<\/sup>\u00a0 Once more, with the Greek word <em>deleazousin<\/em> (entice), Peter is using a\u00a0 hunting and fishing symbol of laying baits for others as he did in verse 14.<\/p>\n<p>We cannot miss the ones upon whom these phony teachers are preying.\u00a0 They are very new Christians who have just escaped out of the fallen world\u2019s errors.\u00a0 They have not yet gained stability in their walk and are easily influenced.\u00a0 These have not yet learned that they cannot use their new faith as an occasion to appease the flesh (Gal. 5:13) or as a cloak for covetousness (1 Pet. 2:16).<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cThey promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity\u2014for \u2018people are slaves to whatever has mastered them\u2019\u201d<strong> (2:19). \u00a0<\/strong><\/em>Ah, how the promise of freedom has led many a soul into deep bondage and slavery!\u00a0 As Craddock has it, \u201cThe misled soon discover that the magnificent promise of freedom is fulfilled in a new kind of bondage.\u201d <sup>56<\/sup>\u00a0 To the Jews who thought they were free Jesus said: <em>\u201c…I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin\u201d<\/em> (Jn. 8:34).\u00a0 As long as we live in this world we will either remain slaves of sin or else we will willingly become slaves of the Lord Jesus, just as Peter himself was.\u00a0 There is no in-between.\u00a0 Pure freedom is pure illusion.<\/p>\n<p><strong>SIN\u2019S ENTANGLEMENT<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning.<strong> \u00a02 Peter 2:20 <\/strong><br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<p>There has been a long debate concerning these verses, as to whether Peter is speaking about the false teachers or about their followers.\u00a0 Pett suggests that it about the followers as seems to be made clear in 2:18. <sup>57 <\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0If it is about the followers, those newly converted from paganism, it brings us face to face with the problem we dealt with earlier. Can one who is a new Christian fall from the grace of Christ?\u00a0 Pett says, \u201cIt would seem that these people had not yet come to saving faith in Christ. They were still learning the rudiments on which their faith would be built.\u201d <sup>58 <\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0They may have been the seed on rocky soil or the seed sown among thorns that Jesus once spoke about.<\/p>\n<p>The church has had a centuries-long struggle with the matter of people seriously backsliding and then returning in repentance.\u00a0 Many in the early church who had, under pressure, sacrificed to the Emperor were not easily readmitted to the church.\u00a0 Also, in the New Testament there are several passages that deal with the frightening subject of falling away (cf. Mk. 9:42-43; 14:21; Heb. 6:4-6). It is said, \u201cThe New Testament makes a distinction between those who are in the churches and those who are regenerate (cf. 2 Co. 13:5; 2 Ti. 2:18-19; 1 Jn. 3:7-8; 2:19).\u201d <sup>59<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>For those who know the Lord and then turn back or fall away, the scripture has some alarming things to say.\u00a0 No doubt Peter has in mind here the warning of Jesus in Matthew 12:45.\u00a0 He spoke of one who had been cleansed of an evil spirit but who left his house clean but unoccupied: <em>\u201c<\/em><em>Then it [the expelled spirit] goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>So far as these wicked teachers are concerned, they do not seem to possess a modicum of God\u2019s saving grace.\u00a0 They truly are pigs and dogs as Peter will say.\u00a0 If these men are connected in any way with those Jude describes, he says of them: <em>\u201cThese are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit\u201d<\/em> (Jude 19). \u00a0Wiersbe also says of them: \u201cThere is no indication that the false teachers had ever experienced the new birth.\u201d <sup>60<\/sup><\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0\u201cIt would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them\u201d <strong>(2:21). <\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>Evangelical pastor and author, Ray Stedman, says, \u201cKnowledge (especially \u2018full knowledge\u2019) without obedience is exceedingly dangerous! Jesus said of Judas that it would have been better for him not to have been born, than to have turned from the truth he had known (Matt. 26:24).\u201d <sup>61<\/sup> \u00a0\u00a0There is a simple solution to this whole matter of falling away.\u00a0 It is found in the great commandment of Matthew 22:37, <em>\u201c…Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind….\u201d<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0 When we do this there is absolutely no room in our hearts or minds for strange teachings or other loves.<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cOf them the proverbs are true: \u2018A dog returns to its vomit,\u2019 and, \u2018A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud\u2019\u201d <strong>(2:22).<\/strong><\/em> \u00a0Peter gives us a thoroughly disgusting description of the false teachers.\u00a0 This verse seems to be based on Proverbs 26:11 which says, <em>\u201c<\/em><em>As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 We should note that both the pig and the dog are considered unclean animals by the Jews.\u00a0 Wiersbe sums it up saying \u201cThe pig looked better and the dog felt better, but neither one had been changed.\u201d <sup>62<\/sup><\/p>\n<p> <\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>CHAPTER 3<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p> <\/p>\n<p><em>Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking.<strong> 2 Peter 3:1 <\/strong><br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Peter calls his recipients \u201cdear friends.\u201d\u00a0 This Greek word (<em>agapetoi<\/em>) would best be rendered by our word \u201cbeloved.\u201d <sup>1<\/sup>\u00a0 \u00a0This statement makes us think that Peter knew some of these people personally from his ministry in their midst.\u00a0 The apostle immediately links this letter with his first one, erasing reasonable doubt that the two letters are connected.\u00a0 Pett remarks about this saying, \u201cThere are no good grounds for not seeing this as referring to 1 Peter.\u201d <sup>2\u00a0 <\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0In such case, he would be writing to the same people as in 1 Peter.<\/p>\n<p>The apostle\u2019s purpose is to remind the people and to stimulate their minds to wholesome thinking.\u00a0 We all need reminding from time to time and we certainly need our lazy minds stimulated in the direction of God\u2019s truth.\u00a0 The Greek word he uses for \u201cwholesome thinking\u201d is the word <em>eilikrine\u0304s. <\/em>\u00a0The word not only means right, pure and good, but it means \u201csun-judged.\u201d <sup>3 <\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0Our thoughts must be brought into the light.\u00a0 This is especially true in these days of the Internet when at least one-quarter of western Christians are prowling the dark pages of readily-available porn.<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cI want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles\u201d <strong>(3:2). <\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>The words spoken in the past by the prophets are no doubt a reference to the Old Testament prophets.<sup>4\u00a0 <\/sup>\u00a0Peter will soon be speaking about the Day of the Lord, and that was the persistent theme of most all the prophets.\u00a0 There were also numerous prophecies about the suffering of the Messiah.\u00a0 These were found especially in the Servant Songs of Isaiah (Isa. 50:4\u2014 53:12).\u00a0 Yet, somehow Israel missed this extremely important picture of a suffering Savior.<\/p>\n<p>We see something particularly interesting here.\u00a0 By this word, Peter is placing the apostolic traditions of the New Testament on par with the Old Testament prophets.<sup>5 <\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0He will elaborate on this in verse 16 of this chapter, comparing the teachings of Paul with the rest of the scriptures.<\/p>\n<p><strong>LAST DAY SCOFFERS<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. \u00a0<strong>2 Peter 3:3 <\/strong><br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Peter wanted to make two things clear, that scoffers would come in the last days and that scoffers were now present.\u00a0 This was a very good indication that the last days had arrived. The Greek word Peter uses for \u201clast\u201d is <em>eschaton<\/em>, from which we get our word eschatology, or the study of last things.<\/p>\n<p>It is important for us to understand the biblical concept of the last days.\u00a0 It is clear that the last days began with the ministry of Jesus and became especially evident at Pentecost (Heb. 1:2; Acts 2:17).\u00a0 It is also apparent that the last days have a bitter-sweet quality.\u00a0 There will be terrible times for the wicked (2 Tim. 3:1; Jas. 5:3), but there will be wonderful times for the righteous.\u00a0 The mountain of the Lord\u2019s house will be established and acknowledged world-wide (Isa. 2:2).\u00a0 The Israelites will return to the Lord with trembling (Hos. 3:5).\u00a0 Obviously the physical return of Israel to the biblical land, which began to happen in the 1880s and continues until this day, is a clear sign of the lasts days.<\/p>\n<p>So, if the last days began with the ministry of Jesus, it is a biblical certainty that we are still living in the last days.\u00a0 The presence of scoffers all around us surely verifies that we are indeed living in these days.\u00a0 The arch infidel Richard Dawkins scoffs in his recent book <em>The God Delusion.\u00a0 <\/em>He says, \u201cThe God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomanical, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully.\u201d <sup>6<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>In his book <em>Where The Conflict Really Lies, Science, Religion, and Naturalism, <\/em>Alvin Plantinga lists Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Christopher Hitchens, and Sam Harris as the \u201cFour Horsemen\u201d of atheism, and claims that they are attempting to \u201c…run roughshod over religion.\u201d <sup>7 <\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0It is thus clear as Paul says, we are the people, <em>\u201c…on whom the culmination of the ages has come\u201d <\/em>(1 Cor.10:11).<\/p>\n<p>Why are human beings so intent on scoffing.\u00a0 Guzik says, \u201cThey also have a clear moral problem, wanting to reject the Lordship of Jesus Christ over their lives.\u201d <sup>8 <\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0Years ago evolutionist leader, Julian Huxley, was interviewed by Merv Griffin.\u00a0 He boldly admitted: \u201cThe reason we accepted Darwinism even without proof, is because we didn\u2019t want God to interfere with our sexual mores.\u201d <sup>9<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Let us see what else these last day scoffers are talking about.\u00a0 <em>\u201cThey will say, \u2018Where is this coming he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation\u2019\u201d<strong> (3:4). \u00a0<\/strong><\/em>These scoffers were likely reflecting a typical Greek understanding of the universe, that it was static or eternal.\u00a0 Interestingly, many modern astronomers and cosmologists held this view of the heavens until the 1960s.\u00a0 At that time the work of Edwin Hubble and others forced them to adopt the idea that the universe had a beginning and is expanding.<sup>10<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>They questioned the coming or <em>parousia<\/em> of Jesus.\u00a0 Such questioning of God\u2019s word was no new thing.\u00a0 Jeremiah\u2019s critics had cried out, <em>\u201cWhere is the word of the LORD? Let it now be fulfilled!\u201d <\/em>(Jer. 17:15).\u00a0 Malachi\u2019s detractors had said, <em>\u201c…All who do evil are good in the eyes of the LORD, and he is pleased with them,\u201d <\/em>and<em> \u201c…Where is the God of justice?\u201d<\/em> (Mal. 2:17).<\/p>\n<p>Peter\u2019s critics no doubt cried out for several reasons.\u00a0\u00a0 The coming of Christ in swift judgment would have seriously upset their lustful plans.\u00a0 His coming would also show them up for the liars and deceivers they really were.\u00a0 The same thing is true for the wicked boasters, deceivers and scoffers today.<\/p>\n<p>We should note here that the \u201cfathers\u201d (Gk. <em>pateres<\/em>), mentioned by Peter, most likely referred to the Old Testament fathers of the faith.\u00a0 Schreiner says, \u201cThe plural \u2018fathers\u2019 never refers to the first generations of Christians in the New Testament, but it always refers to the patriarchs of the Old Testament…Furthermore, there are hundreds of verses in the Old Testament where \u2018fathers\u2019 refers to the patriarchs.\u201d <sup>11<\/sup><\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cBut they deliberately forget that long ago by God\u2019s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed\u201d<strong> (3:5-6). <\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>It has been only in recent years that some scientists have begun to shed light on the power of the word of God.\u00a0 Most have done it unintentionally as they have explored the vast reaches of astronomy, cosmology and quantum physics.<\/p>\n<p>Einstein proved to us by his formula E=mc<sup>2 <\/sup>that there is an incredible and unbelievable supply of energy in all of matter\u2014 that matter and energy are really one and the same thing. <sup>12 <\/sup>. Now, the big question is \u201cWhere did all that energy in the creation come from?\u201d\u00a0 There really seems to be no natural explanation.\u00a0 It is truly interesting what some physicists are saying today.\u00a0 J. A. Wheeler says the essence of the universe is information.\u00a0 James Jeans says it is more like a thought, while Werner Heisenberg thinks it is like an idea and George Wald sees it more as mind.<sup>13<\/sup>\u00a0 All these ideas are extremely close to \u201cword.\u201d\u00a0 We read in John 1:1-3 <em>\u201cIn the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.\u00a0 He was with God in the beginning.\u00a0 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>We see something else in this verse which scientists have yet not been able to corroborate.\u00a0 The earth was formed out of water and by water (Gen. 1:6).\u00a0 We may have to wait a while until science catches up with this statement.\u00a0 Peter makes the point that just as the world was made through water, when God decided to destroy the world in Noah\u2019s day he simply did so as he rearranged or juxtapositioned the water.<sup>14<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>These scoffing teachers did not believe in a personal God who could intervene in the earth\u2019s matters.\u00a0 Peter showed them where they were greatly in error.\u00a0 God <em>had<\/em> intervened in creating the world and he had also intervened in destroying it in the days of Noah.<\/p>\n<p>The Bible is clear that Jesus created the world by his word.\u00a0 It also tells us that he sustains the present world by his word (Heb. 1:3). Just imagine, the sun came up this morning because of the word of God!\u00a0 The winds blow and the waves come in and out because of the word.\u00a0 Even our hearts beat because of the word of God.<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cBy the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly\u201d<strong> (3:7). \u00a0<\/strong><\/em>Just as the antediluvian world and its heavens were reserved for destruction by water the present world and its heavens are reserved for destruction by fire.\u00a0 Wiersbe sums it up well: \u201c…The same word that created and sustains the world is now holding it together, stored with fire, being preserved and reserved for that future day of judgment…\u201d <sup>15<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>The Greek word used in this verse for \u201creserved\u201d or \u201cstored up\u201d is <em>thesaurizo<\/em>.\u00a0 It has the meaning \u201cto gather up and lay up, store up.\u201d <sup>16<\/sup>\u00a0 \u00a0It is as if the fire for the last day was already arranged and kept in storage for the earth\u2019s destruction.\u00a0 We see in another place how the earth will be laid bare by the raging fires of the end time.\u00a0 Amazingly, there is good news with all this judgment.\u00a0 There will emerge a new heaven and a new earth immediately after the fire, as Peter will say in verse 13.<\/p>\n<p>Schreiner feels that this is the only place in scripture where we are clearly told that the earth will be destroyed by fire.<sup>17 <\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0However, the Bible often speaks of a fiery judgment upon the earth (Isa. 30:30; 66:15; Amos 7:4; Zeph. 1:18; 3:8; Mal. 4:1).\u00a0 Why would God have to go to such an extent to purge the earth?\u00a0 Seventeenth century Bible commentator, John Trapp, answers this saying: \u201cThis latter age of the world is so filthy…that it cannot be washed with water, and shall therefore be wasted with fire.\u201d <sup>18<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>When we ponder earth\u2019s makeup we can understand how easy it would be for the earth to be purged by fire.\u00a0 Actually, some of the vast wildfires in the western US almost illustrate this fact.\u00a0 We are told by scientists that one of the anthropic constants is that oxygen comprises 21 percent of atmosphere.\u00a0 If it were 25 percent, fires would erupt spontaneously. <sup>19<\/sup>\u00a0 Also, today we are threatened with atomic weapons from rogue nations.\u00a0 One Hebrew believer reminded us of Joel 2:30, where we read in Hebrew of <em>Tameri Ashan<\/em> (palm trees of smoke).\u00a0 We noticed in Israel that untended palm trees look very much like the image of an atomic bomb.<\/p>\n<p>Well, just as God made Noah waterproof, he wants to make us fireproof.\u00a0 We noticed in 2:9, that God knows how to rescue the godly person from the horrors of the last day.\u00a0 He is skilled in doing this.\u00a0 We however need to do our part and cooperate.\u00a0 In 1 Corinthians 3:14-15 we read of a last day believer: <em>\u201cIf what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. \u00a0If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved\u2014 even though only as one escaping through the flames.<\/em><em>\u201d<\/em> Here we have a picture of a Christian who escapes the final judgment losing all his works and with his shirt-tail on fire so to speak.\u00a0 This is a warning to all of us that we need to allow the Lord to burn out the dross in our lives and make us able to come through the fires of the last days just as the three Hebrew children did in the days of Daniel (Dan. 3:1-30).\u00a0 They were totally unharmed even without the smell of smoke upon them.<strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>HOW GOD KEEPS TIME<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.<strong> 2 Peter 3:8\u00a0 <\/strong><br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<p>We get an inkling of God\u2019s timing with Psalm 90:4, <em>\u201c<\/em><em>For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.\u201d <\/em>\u00a0Although God may work in time, he is not bound by time or limited by it.\u00a0 Actually, today our scientists are beginning to understand more of the mystery of time.\u00a0 Since Einstein proposed his theory of relativity, scientists have realized that we live in a space-time continuum. \u00a0The physicist F. David Peat says of this: \u201cEinstein\u2019s special theory of relativity implied that space and time were to be unified into a new four-dimensional background called space-time.\u201d <sup>20<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Since Einstein, we can no longer look at the limitations of time as we once did.\u00a0 We may have to try and look at time as God looks at it.\u00a0 Marcus Chown says: \u201cThe faster you go the slower you age\u2026Space and time are both relative, lengths and time intervals become significantly warped at speeds approaching the speed of light.\u00a0 One person\u2019s interval of space is not the same as another person\u2019s interval of space.\u00a0 One person\u2019s interval of time is not the same as another person\u2019s interval of time\u2026\u201d <sup>21 <\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0Einstein once remarked; \u201cFor us physicists, the distinction between past, present, and future is only an illusion.\u201d <sup>22<\/sup> \u00a0\u00a0All this should help us to take time in a relative sense.<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201c<\/em><em>The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance\u201d<strong> (3:9). <\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>Sometimes it seems that the Lord is painfully slow in doing things, even in answering our prayers.\u00a0 If we could see things from his perspective we would understand his apparent slowness.\u00a0 God lingers so that more people can repent and receive his salvation (Rom. 2:4).\u00a0 His will is that all people could be saved (2 Tim. 2:4).\u00a0 Guzik asks, \u201c… How many of us are glad that Jesus didn\u2019t return ten years, or five years, or two years, or one year, or two months ago? There is a compassionate purpose in God\u2019s timing.\u201d <sup>23<\/sup>\u00a0 \u00a0God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Eze. 33:11) but he is patient and long suffering toward us all.<\/p>\n<p>There are many mysteries to the Lord\u2019s coming.\u00a0 There are several scriptures that speak of a surprise and sudden coming (Matt. 24:43; 1 Thess. 5:2; Rev. 3:3; 16:15). Yet, other scriptures speak of a delay or time interval until specific things happen (cf. Matt. 24:15, 21, 24; Mk. 13:10, 2 Thess. 2:3; Rev.ch. 13). We seem to be left in a certain tension concerning his coming and perhaps that is intentional to keep us on our toes.<\/p>\n<p><strong>THE GREAT DAY OF THE LORD<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.<strong> 2 Peter 3:10\u00a0 <\/strong><br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Prophetic fulfillment is often a strange and puzzling thing.\u00a0 The Word of God can be partially fulfilled on more than one occasion leading up to the final fulfillment.\u00a0 Sometimes we see prophecy related to the partial and final fulfillments woven tightly together as in Matthew 24.\u00a0 In this chapter it is almost impossible to separate events relating to the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70, with events concerning the end of the age.\u00a0 Both are in fact \u201cDays of the Lord.\u201d <sup>24 <\/sup>\u00a0Thus we can see that the Day of the Lord was coming in Isaiah\u2019s day and also in Jesus\u2019 day.\u00a0 It was partially fulfilled at least two times, in the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BC and the Romans in AD 70.<\/p>\n<p>God\u2019s day is still coming.\u00a0 Man\u2019s day, on the other hand, is just about finished.\u00a0 He has done what he pleased, mocked God; defied his laws and polluted God\u2019s creation.\u00a0 Satan\u2019s day is also coming to an end. He knows that he has but a short time left (Rev. 12:12).\u00a0 For several thousand years he has claimed to be the \u201cprince of this world,\u201d but his authority is about finished (Jn. 12:31). At various times in history God has broken in on man\u2019s day and Satan\u2019s day with events reminiscent of the coming Day of the Lord.\u00a0 Yet, the final day remains in the future.\u00a0 Dear friends, the final Day of the Lord is surely coming!<\/p>\n<p>There seems to be no good reason for us to separate the concepts of \u201cthe Day of the Lord,\u201d \u201cthe Day of Christ,\u201d \u201cthe Day,\u201d and \u201cthat Day\u201d as they are used in scripture.<sup>25 <\/sup>\u00a0All these speak of the same event.\u00a0 The entire book of Revelation likewise speaks in detail of this day.\u00a0 It is sometimes confusing because we are attempting to peek into a time frame that is partially hidden from us.\u00a0 In other words: <em>\u201cFor now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face….\u201d<\/em> (1 Cor. 13:12).\u00a0 It is much like a prehistoric man trying to glimpse the wonders of the electronic age in which we now live.\u00a0 It simply was not revealed to him.\u00a0 Electronic wonders for him were limited to occasional flashes of lightning.<\/p>\n<p>There are two clear aspects to the day of the Lord.<sup>26\u00a0 <\/sup>\u00a0The first one, which is most obvious in the Old Testament, is the aspect of judgment upon the wicked.\u00a0 Apparently in Old Testament times some wicked folks desired the Day of the Lord in order that they might escape from all their problems.\u00a0 The prophet reminded them of this judgment aspect, saying: \u201c<em>Woe to you who long for the day of the LORD!\u00a0 Why do you long for the day of the LORD?\u00a0 That day will be darkness, not ligh<\/em><em>t<\/em>\u201d (Amos 5:18).<\/p>\n<p>The prophets see that the Day of the Lord will bring down the proud and lofty.\u00a0 Isaiah says <em>\u201cThe eyes of the arrogant will be humbled and human pride brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day\u201d <\/em>(Isa. 2:11).\u00a0 It is a day of disaster and destruction upon the ungodly (Isa. 13:6).\u00a0 We see this also pictured in Revelation 6:17: <em>\u201cFor the great day of their wrath has come, and who can withstand it?\u201d\u00a0 <\/em>God will shake the earth terribly (Isa. 2:19).\u00a0 As is said in Job 38:13, God\u2019s plan is to shake the wicked out of the earth.\u00a0 Then the people will cast their idols of gold and silver to the moles and bats (Isa. 2:20). \u00a0Earth\u2019s great and mighty ones will cry for the rocks and mountains to fall on them and hide them from the face of the Lamb (Rev. 6:15). The cry of that day will be bitter (Zep. 1:14). Wicked hearts will faint as they are seized with terror (Isa. 13:7-8).\u00a0 The heavenly bodies will no longer give their light (Isa. 13:10-13).\u00a0 A devouring fire will break out on the earth as the Lord comes (2 Thess. 1:7). \u00a0In Malachi 4:1, the prophet says: <em>\u201c\u2018Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire,\u2019 says the LORD Almighty. \u2018Not a root or a branch will be left to them.\u2019\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n<p>While the day of the Lord will be an unmitigated disaster for the ungodly, we see that it will be a day of blessing for the righteous. The prophet Malachi also says that the righteous will go forth leaping like calves released from a stall.\u00a0 In Malachi 4:3 he says: <em>\u201cThen you will trample down the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I act\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>We who love and serve the Lord will actually be able to lift up our heads as the Day of the Lord approaches (Lk. 21:28). We will have great confidence and boldness in that day (2 Tim. 1:12; 1 Jn. 4:17).\u00a0 After all, when Jesus appears we will appear with him in glory (Col. 3:4), and be like him (1 Jn. 3:2-3).\u00a0 In 2 Thessalonians 1:10, we see that he will come <em>\u201c\u2026to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed\u2026\u201d\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n<p>On that blessed day, Jesus will come with all his saints (1 Thess. 3:13).\u00a0 Even those who sleep in Jesus will be brought in that great triumphal procession.\u00a0 For the saints of the Lord, the Day of the Lord has nothing for us to fear.\u00a0 It is a day of blessing and glory.<\/p>\n<p>Thus we see God\u2019s people will be involved in the final Day of the Lord as they have also been involved in every preceding Day of the Lord. After the disasters of that day, God\u2019s people will stand.\u00a0 In Proverbs 10:25 we read: <em>\u201cWhen the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.\u201d <\/em>\u00a0In verse 29 we also read: <em>\u201cThe way of the LORD is a refuge for the blameless, but it is the ruin of those who do evil.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It would help us to look into some of the mechanics of the coming day.\u00a0 It will come like a thief (Gk. <em>kleptes<\/em>) or in other words, it will come with a suddenness that will surprise many people.\u00a0 Peter says, \u201c<em>The heavens will disappear with a roar…\u201d<\/em> \u00a0Barclay describes the word \u201croar\u201d (Gk. <em>roizedon<\/em>) as a crackling or whirring sound.<sup>27 <\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0It is interesting that when the atomic bomb was first tested in Nevada, several reporters described the explosion as a \u201ccrackling\u201d or \u201cwhirring\u201d sound.<sup>28<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Peter tells us that <em>\u201cthe elements will be destroyed by fire.\u201d <\/em>\u00a0The Greek word for elements is <em>stoicheia<\/em> and it refers to the basic stuff or building blocks from which our world is made. <sup>29<\/sup> \u00a0No doubt in New Testament times the general understanding of \u201celements\u201d reflected the Greek ideas of air, earth, fire and water.<sup>30 <\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0The word for \u201cdestroyed\u201d is the Greek <em>kausoumena<\/em>, and it has reference to \u201ca violent consuming heat.\u201d <sup>31 <\/sup><\/p>\n<p>The apostle adds, <em>\u201cthe earth and everything in it will be laid bare.\u201d\u00a0 <\/em>For \u201claid bare\u201d he uses the Greek word <em>heurisko<\/em> and it may be seen as depicting people\u2019s relationship before God.\u00a0 That relationship will be made public and all the secrets of the human race will be disclosed.<sup>32 <\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0What a day it will be when all the hidden things will be revealed and when the earth will disclose all its evil secrets and its vast bloodshed.<\/p>\n<p><strong>PREPRAING FOR THE DAY OF THE LORD<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives…<strong>2 Peter 3:11\u00a0 <\/strong><br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<p>How can we prepare for the Day of the Lord that we ourselves might stand?\u00a0 We need to make sure our faith is not misplaced and that it is very strong.\u00a0 In Philippians 1:6, the apostle says: <em>\u201c\u2026he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.\u201d\u00a0 <\/em>In 2 Timothy 1:12, the Apostle Paul states with confidence: <em>\u201c\u2026I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>We need not despair at trials and difficulties that may come upon us in the meantime.\u00a0 In 1 Peter 1:7, the apostle tells us: <em>\u201cThese have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith\u2014 of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire\u2014 may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n<p>We must be very careful about deception regarding the Day of the Lord and the period leading up to it.\u00a0 Jesus sternly warns us on several occasions about being deceived.\u00a0 We are promised that the period leading up to this day will abound with false prophets (Matt. 24:4-5, 11).\u00a0 They will gently lead God\u2019s people astray with fanciful tales and fables of the end days.\u00a0 They will cause them to relax and be unprepared for the day.\u00a0 In 2 Thessalonians 2:10-11, we are told that those who refuse to believe the truth will be sent a powerful delusion that they should believe a lie.\u00a0 Later in 2 Peter 3:17, Peter will warn: <em>\u201cTherefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n<p>One error that has gained great status in the western church during the last fifty years is the error or myth of the secret rapture of the church.\u00a0 This myth essentially declares that there will be three comings of Jesus, his incarnation, the secret rapture and the final coming in earth\u2019s judgment.\u00a0 It should be sufficient to point out here that the very early church knew nothing about this.\u00a0 Justin Martyr said around AD 160: \u201cThe prophets have announced two advents of Christ.\u00a0 In the first one, which has already past, he came as a dishonored and suffering man.\u00a0 However, in the second advent, according to prophecy, he will come from heaven with glory, accompanied by his angelic host.\u00a0 At that time he will raise the bodies of all men who have lived.\u201d <sup>33<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Just one more quote from earliest times should assure us on this subject.\u00a0 Around AD 180, Irenaeus said: \u201cAll the prophets announced his two advents…In the second one, he will come on the clouds, bringing on the day which burns as a furnace.\u201d <sup>34 <\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0Other church fathers also spoke of just two advents.<\/p>\n<p>Obviously, those who do not love the truth will not be saved.\u00a0 The \u201cbelt of truth\u201d is the first item we must put on in the last-day armor.\u00a0 If it is weak, the sword will fall off and perhaps the trousers with it, leaving us undone in the day of battle.\u00a0 The Bible tells us to buy the truth and to not sell it (Prov. 23:23).\u00a0 We will have many opportunities to sell out cheaply.\u00a0 As we see, truth in the end day will become a very precious commodity.<\/p>\n<p>The fervent desire of the early Christians was that they would be kept strong to the end and be found blameless in the Day of the Lord (1 Cor. 1:8).\u00a0 This reflects the Lord\u2019s teaching that only <em>\u201c\u2026the one who stands firm to the end will be saved\u201d <\/em>(Matt. 24:13).\u00a0 To this purpose, it is God\u2019s plan to seal his servants in their foreheads (Rev. 7:3).\u00a0 This is likely a picture of a mind totally protected by the Spirit against all influences of the final evil age.\u00a0 We know in the end-days that there will be a great falling away or rebellion before God and at last, the Lawless One will himself appear.\u00a0 We read in 2 Thessalonians 2:3: <em>\u201c\u2026that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>In spite of all the evil influences of the last day, Daniel saw a people there who would be strong and do mighty works for God (Dan. 11:32).\u00a0 In Ephesians 6:13-18, Paul gives some very urgent and practical advice to the Lord\u2019s soldiers who will face the last day.\u00a0 Paul speaks not about \u201csome day,\u201d but specifically about \u201cTHE DAY\u201d (in Greek). \u00a0He says:<em><br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.\u00a0 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord\u2019s people.<em><br \/>\n<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>In preparation for the great day, the Lord\u2019s people must live holy and godly lives.\u00a0 The Greek words used here are <em>hagiais<\/em> and <em>eusebeiais<\/em>.\u00a0 The first of these important words means \u201cset apart for the service of God.\u201d <sup>35<\/sup>\u00a0 We cannot serve the Baals of this age and the true God at the same time.\u00a0 We cannot have one foot in the world and one in the kingdom of God.\u00a0 The other important word, <em>eusebeiais<\/em> can be summed up with the words piety, reverence, and godliness.<sup>36<\/sup>\u00a0 These important words will help to describe the last day overcomers that we see so often in the Book of Revelation.<\/p>\n<p>Pett says of these overcomers that they will survive the coming holocaust.\u00a0 They will do it with, \u201c…constant prayer (1 Pet. 3:12; 4:7; 5:7; Lk.18:7-8; Eph.6:18; 1 Thess. 5:17) and feeding on the word (1 Pet. 2:2; Eph. 5:26; Heb.5:12-14)\u201d…and by their \u201cfaithful testimony to Christ (1 Pet. 3:15).\u201d <sup>37<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Peter continues his sentence saying, <em>\u201c…<\/em><em>as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat\u201d<strong> (3:12). <\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>We see one thing here that characterizes the early Christians in New Testament times.\u00a0 They were actually looking forward to the Day of the Lord.\u00a0 This amazes us.\u00a0 In spite of all the suffering that was in store leading up to the time, the early Christians were truly excited, even ecstatic about the day.\u00a0 Plainly, we have lost much of this excitement.\u00a0 We have lost it because we have become confused about the Day of the Lord.<\/p>\n<p>It is made clear in this verse that believers can speed the coming of this day and the appearing of Jesus.\u00a0 Obviously, part of this is possible as we live holy and godly lives like Peter has just said.\u00a0 We can speed his coming no doubt by praying the Lord\u2019s Prayer, <em>\u201c…your kingdom come, your will be done…\u201d<\/em> (Matt. 6:10).\u00a0 We see in Revelation 8:3-4, that the prayers of believers actually help bring on the Great Tribulation, which ends the world.\u00a0 Also, in Matthew 24:14, we read, <em>\u201cAnd this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Somehow, the preaching of the gospel to the nations helps bring on the end of the age.<\/p>\n<p>There is another way we can speed the coming of this day.\u00a0 We can be diligent to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psa. 122:6).\u00a0 There continues to be a prayer group in Denver Colorado that has existed for almost half a century.\u00a0 Long ago in this group they became stumped by this verse, as to how they could hasten the coming of the Lord.\u00a0 They all agreed to seek only the Lord and to pray about it for the next week.\u00a0 When the group reassembled they had all been given the same verse, \u201c<em>Pray for the peace of Jerusalem<\/em>\u201d (Psa. 122:6).\u00a0 As we pray for Jerusalem and Israel, we assist in bringing the end of the faltering Gentile age (Lk. 21:24).\u00a0 We beg God for the Age to Come.\u00a0 We can even pray, <em>\u201c…Come Lord Jesus\u201d<\/em> (Rev. 22:20).\u00a0 I find myself praying this prayer a lot these days, \u201cLord Jesus, this is your world and you made it.\u00a0 Please come and rule it!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The \u201ccoming\u201d mentioned in this verse is the Greek word <em>parousia<\/em>. \u00a0It means the \u201cpersonal presence\u201d of our Lord and Savior.<sup>38<\/sup>\u00a0 We cannot forget that at the end of this age we will see him as he is and then we will suddenly be made like him (1 Jn. 3:2).<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cBut in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells\u201d<strong> (3:13). <\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>Here it is again!\u00a0 The earliest Christians were really \u201c<em>looking forward<\/em>\u201d to the Day of the Lord and the return of Christ.\u00a0 Here Peter speaks of the promises of scripture.\u00a0 Isaiah the prophet had given some of these promises.\u00a0 In Isaiah 65:17 he wrote: <em>\u201cSee, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 In Isaiah 66:22, the saints are promised, <em>\u201c\u2018As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me,\u2019 declares the LORD, \u2018so will your name and descendants endure.\u2019\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>In Revelation 21:1 we are given a picture of the new heavens and earth.\u00a0 John says, <em>\u201c<\/em><em>Then I saw \u2018a new heaven and a new earth,\u2019 for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Once more the Greek word <em>kainos <\/em>is used for \u201cnew.\u201d\u00a0 Wuest reminds us that \u201cthe new is seen from the aspect of quality; the new, as set over against that which has seen service, the outworn, the effete or marred through age.\u201d <sup>39<\/sup>\u00a0 The Lord is <em>not<\/em> speaking of something that is brand new but something that is just renewed.\u00a0 This new heaven and new earth will be the home of eternal righteousness (cf. Rev. 21:27; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; Heb. 12:14).<\/p>\n<p>Because of the massive Greek influence in our western world and even in early Christianity, we have almost lost the concept of the new earth.\u00a0 We remember that the Greeks considered the spiritual realm as important while they considered the earth and all earthly things as unimportant.\u00a0 One recent writer, Randy Alcorn, has sought to bring the new earth back into focus. Alcorn says, \u201cAs human beings, whom God made to be both physical and spiritual, we are not designed to live in a non-physical realm \u2013 indeed, we are incapable of even imagining such a place (or, rather non-place).\u201d <sup>40<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Alcorn compares modern Christianity to eastern religions like Buddhism and Hinduism, which look at the afterlife in vague and intangible terms.\u00a0 He says that Christianity refutes these notions and that it does not give up on either humanity or the earth.<sup>41 <\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0Instead of seeing saints flying off to heaven, he sees heaven coming down to earth.\u00a0 He says, \u201cThe great redemptive promises of God will find their ultimate fulfillment on the New Earth, not in the present Heaven.\u201d <sup>42<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Alcorn adds, \u201cIf we serve faithfully on the present Earth, God will give us permanent management positions on the New Earth.\u201d <sup>43<\/sup>\u00a0 \u00a0Somehow we faintly remember the verse of scripture which says, <em>\u201cYou have made them [the saints] to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth\u201d<\/em> (Rev. 5:10). \u00a0If we try, we can remember other passages like the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:5, <em>\u201c<\/em><em>Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Then there are the wonderful verses in Psalm 37.\u00a0 <em>\u201cFor those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. <\/em>(v. 9<em>)…But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity<\/em> (v. 11)<em>…the righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever <\/em>(v. 29)… <em>Hope in the LORD and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it<\/em> (v. 34).\u201d\u00a0 God even promises in Proverbs 10:30: <em>\u201c<\/em><em>The righteous will never be uprooted, but the wicked will not remain in the land.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>When Alcorn looks at our present view of heaven and our disdain for earth he says, \u201cIf God were to end history and reign forever in a distant Heaven, Earth would be remembered as a graveyard of sin and failure.\u201d <sup>44<\/sup><strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>MAKING EVERY EFFORT<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.<strong> 2 Peter 3:14\u00a0 <\/strong><br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Peter reminds the beloved of all ages that we should \u201cmake every effort\u201d or be diligent (Gk. <em>spoudazo<\/em>) regarding our hope.\u00a0 This word can mean, \u201cdo you best, make haste, take care, hurry on.\u201d\u00a0 It speaks of \u201cintense effort.\u201d <sup>45 <\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0All this effort and concern should be focused toward our being <em>\u201cfound spotless, blameless and at peace\u201d<\/em> with the Lord Jesus.\u00a0 The matter of being spotless or blameless is a regularly recurring theme of scripture, yet, we seem to hear so little about it today.\u00a0 Sometimes we even get it confused with moral perfection, which obviously cannot be attained in this earthly life.<strong> \u00a0<\/strong>John says, <em>\u201c<\/em><em>If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us\u201d<\/em> (1 Jn. 1:8).<\/p>\n<p>We know that Christ, through his great acts of justification and positional sanctification, no longer looks upon us as sinners.\u00a0 However, what the Lord is asking of us concerns not our positional sanctification or imputed righteousness, but our progressive sanctification.\u00a0 God has declared us to be saints, now he wants us to live like saints. This is only possible through the power of the Holy Spirit working in us.\u00a0 He is \u201choly\u201d after all, and he desires that we be holy, blameless, and spotless. Calvin says, \u201cHe, then, who waits for new heavens, must begin with renewal as to himself, and diligently aspire after it.\u201d <sup>46<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>We cannot help but note how the matter of being spotless and without blemish contrasts with the false teachers whom Peter has called \u201cspots\u201d and \u201cblemishes\u201d in their love feasts (2:13).<sup>47 <\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0How closely our Christian lives need to be patterned after the one who was himself without spot, blemish or sin (1 Pet. 2:21-22). \u00a0When we get the garbage out of our lives it is much easier to live at peace with Jesus (Rom. 5:1).<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cBear in mind that our Lord\u2019s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him\u201d<strong> (3:15). <\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>Peter has already mentioned how the Lord\u2019s patience or delay enables many to be saved.\u00a0 It is surely interesting that Peter turns to Paul for confirmation of his statement.\u00a0 We cannot help but be reminded of the terribly embarrassing public \u00a0rebuke Paul once gave to Peter (Gal. 2:11-21). \u00a0This verse illustrates the total forgiveness Peter must have felt toward Paul.\u00a0 He actually refers to him as a \u201cdear brother.\u201d\u00a0 Peter even lauds Paul for having a special wisdom of God. The scholar John A.T. Robinson concludes that Paul still must have been alive when Peter wrote this.<sup>48\u00a0 <\/sup>\u00a0If so, this would argue an early date for this epistle.<\/p>\n<p>In commenting on this warm passage Gregory the Great (c. 540-604) remarked: \u201cThus the friend of truth was able to praise even the fact that he had been criticized, and he was happy to do so because he realized that he had been wrong.\u201d <sup>49<\/sup><\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cHe writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction\u201d<strong> (3:16). \u00a0<\/strong><\/em>Concordia professor Paul Kretzmann comments: \u201cTwo points are here evident, the inspiration of the letters of Paul and the agreement between the doctrine as taught by the various apostles.\u201d <sup>50<\/sup> Some scholars claim that the whole corpus of Pauline letters must have been published at this point, that Paul was long dead and that this epistle of Peter must have been of a late date.\u00a0 Schreiner assures us that there is no firm evidence that such is the case.<sup>51<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Peter acknowledges that some things in Paul\u2019s letters are difficult to understand.\u00a0 After all, Paul had visited in heaven on at least one occasion (2 Cor. 12:2-4) and had come away with some things that were simply unspeakable. \u00a0Throughout his letters Paul displays a profound understanding of the gospel.<\/p>\n<p>No doubt, the false teachers were using some of Paul\u2019s teachings to justify their lawless living.\u00a0 Pett feels that they were using Paul\u2019s doctrine of justification by faith alone in support of their loose living.<sup>52 <\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0We note from Paul\u2019s epistles that there were many folks who misused his teachings.\u00a0 The Greek word here for \u201cdistorting\u201d Paul\u2019s doctrine is <em>strebloo<\/em>, and it means to twist, wrest, even to torture as in putting on the rack.<sup>53<\/sup>\u00a0 These false teachers were literally torturing the teaching of the great apostle.\u00a0 They were doing so to try to justify their own false teaching and libertine lifestyle.\u00a0 G. K. Chesterton once said that orthodoxy was like walking along a narrow ridge; one step to either side was a step to disaster.<sup>54<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Peter\u2019s warm reference to Paul here helps us in our understanding of the relationship between the apostles.\u00a0 They were certainly not in any competition with one another.\u00a0 This passage also helps us to understand how highly the apostolic writing was acclaimed in the first century.\u00a0 Utley says, \u201c…This is one of the very few places where New Testament writings are equated with Old Testament Scriptures.\u201d <sup>55<\/sup><\/p>\n<p><strong>PETER\u2019S PARTING WORDS<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position.<strong>\u00a0 2 Peter 3:17 <\/strong><br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The pastor-teacher Warren Wiersbe, who is well-known for his \u201cBe\u201d series of Bible studies, reminds us of them in this chapter\u2014 \u201cBe mindful (3:1-2)…Be not ignorant (3:8)…Be diligent (3:14)…Beware (3:17).\u201d <sup>56<\/sup>\u00a0 \u00a0Peter phrases it here in another way, <em>\u201cbe on your guard.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 We are told in 1 Corinthians 10:12, <em>\u201c<\/em><em>So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don\u2019t fall!\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 There is always a danger that the believer can be \u201ccarried away\u201d with the temptations of this present evil age or by the twisting of scripture.<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cBut grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.\u201d <strong>(3:18).<\/strong><\/em> \u00a0The whole gospel really comes down to the free grace of God. Without God\u2019s grace there literally would be no hope and no salvation.\u00a0 Peter prays for that grace in his benediction.<\/p>\n<p>Often over the years we have prayed this very prayer over our grandchildren, that they grow both in grace and in their knowledge of Jesus.\u00a0 It seems that we never have to pray about their growing in size.<\/p>\n<p> <\/p>\n<p> <\/p>\n<p>___________<\/p>\n<p> <\/p>\n<p> <\/p>\n<p><strong><em>ENDNOTES 2 PETER<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p> <\/p>\n<p><em>Several sources I have cited here are from the electronic media, either from websites or from electronic research libraries.\u00a0 Thus in some of these sources it is not possible to cite page numbers.\u00a0 Instead I have cited the verse or verses in each chapter of 2 Peter (e.g. verse v. 2:1 or vs. verses 3:1-2) about which the commentators speak.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n<p> <\/p>\n<p>INTRODUCTION<\/p>\n<p> <\/p>\n<p>1\u00a0 Thomas R. Schreiner, <em>The New American Commentary<\/em>, Vol. 37 (Nashville: B&H Publishing, 2003), p. 253.<\/p>\n<p>2\u00a0 Ibid., p. 259.<\/p>\n<p>3\u00a0 Fred B. Craddock, <em>First and Second Peter and Jude<\/em> (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1995), p. 85.<\/p>\n<p>4\u00a0 Charles F. Pfeiffer & Everett F. Harrison, eds., <em>The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, The Second Epistle of Peter<\/em> (Chicago: Moody Press, 1962), p. 1454.<\/p>\n<p>5\u00a0 Schreiner, <em>The New American Commentary<\/em>, p. 267.<\/p>\n<p>6\u00a0 Dr. Bob Utley, <em>Free Bible Commentary<\/em>, Introduction. http:\/\/www.freebiblecommentary.org\/new_testament_studies\/VOL02\/VOL02B_06.html.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is interesting that other supposed writings of Peter (i.e., the Acts of Peter, the Acts of Andrew and Peter, the Acts of Peter and Paul, Passion of Peter and Paul, the Acts of Peter and the Twelve Apostles, the Apocalypse of Peter, and the Preaching of Peter) were all rejected by the early churches as spurious (i.e., non-inspired).\u201d<\/p>\n<p>7\u00a0 Ibid.<\/p>\n<p>8\u00a0 Schreiner, <em>The New American Commentary<\/em>, p. 255.<\/p>\n<p><strong>CHAPTER 1<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>1\u00a0 Schreiner, <em>The New American Commentary<\/em>, p. 284.<\/p>\n<p>2\u00a0 Utley, <em>Free Bible Commentary<\/em>, Intro.<\/p>\n<p>3\u00a0 William Barclay, <em>Commentary on 2 Peter<\/em>, <em>William Barclay\u2019s Daily Study Bible.<\/em> 1956-1959, v. 1:1. “http:\/\/www.studylight.org\/commentaries\/dsb\/view.cgi?bk=60&ch=1”.<\/p>\n<p>4\u00a0 Schreiner, <em>The New American Commentary<\/em>, p. 286.<\/p>\n<p>5\u00a0 Pfeiffer & Harrison, <em>The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, <\/em>p. 1457.<\/p>\n<p>6\u00a0 Utley, <em>Free Bible Commentary<\/em>, v. 1:1.<\/p>\n<p>7\u00a0 John Trapp, <em>John Trapp\u2019s Complete Commentary<\/em>, <em>2 Peter<\/em>, d. 1669, v. 1:1. http:\/\/www.studylight.org\/commentaries\/jtc\/view.cgi?bk=60<\/p>\n<p>8\u00a0 Gerald Bray, ed., <em>Ancient Christian Commentary On Scripture, NT, v. XI<\/em>, James, 1-2 Peter, 1-3 John, & Jude (Downers Grove: Inter Varsity Press, 2000), p. 130.<\/p>\n<p>9\u00a0 Kenneth S. Wuest, <em>In These Last Days, II Peter, I, II, III John, and Jude in the Greek New Testament <\/em>(Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1963), p. 18.<\/p>\n<p>10\u00a0 David Guzik, <em>Commentary on 2 Peter, David Guzik Commentaries on the Bible<\/em>. 1997-2003, vs. 1:2-4. https:\/\/enduringword.com\/bible-commentary\/2-peter-1\/<\/p>\n<p>11\u00a0 John Calvin, <em>Commentary on 2 Peter, Calvin\u2019s Commentary on the Bible<\/em>. 1840-57, p. 145. http:\/\/www.studylight.org\/commentaries\/cal\/view.cgi?bk=60&ch=1.<\/p>\n<p>12\u00a0 Warren W. Wiersbe, <em>The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT<\/em> (Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 2007), p. 930.<\/p>\n<p>13\u00a0 Barclay, <em>Commentary on 2 Peter,<\/em> vs. 1:3-7.<\/p>\n<p>14\u00a0 Pett, Peter. <em>Commentary on 2 Peter, Peter Pett\u2019s Commentary on the Bible<\/em>. 2013, v. 1:3.\u00a0 http:\/\/www.studylight.org\/commentaries\/pet\/view.cgi?bk=60&ch=1.<\/p>\n<p>15\u00a0 Wiersbe, <em>The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, <\/em>p. 931.<\/p>\n<p>16\u00a0 Bray, <em>Ancient Christian Commentary On Scripture<\/em>, p. 133.<\/p>\n<p>17\u00a0 Pett, <em>Commentary on 2 Peter, Peter Pett\u2019s Commentary on the Bible. <\/em>v. 1:4.<\/p>\n<p>18\u00a0 Schreiner, <em>The New American Commentary<\/em>, p. 294.<\/p>\n<p>19\u00a0 Wuest, <em>In These Last Days, <\/em>p. 22.<\/p>\n<p>20\u00a0 Schreiner, <em>The New American Commentary<\/em>, p. 296.<\/p>\n<p>21\u00a0 Quoted in A. T. Robertson, <em>Commentary on 2 Peter, Robertson\u2019s Word Pictures of the New Testament.<\/em> 1932, 33, Renewal 1960, Broadman Press, v. 1:4. http:\/\/www.studylight.org\/commentaries\/rwp\/view.cgi?bk=60&ch=1.<\/p>\n<p>22\u00a0 Quoted in Wuest, <em>In These Last Days, <\/em>p. 22.<\/p>\n<p>23\u00a0 Ibid.<\/p>\n<p>24\u00a0 Barclay, <em>Commentary on 2 Peter<\/em>, vs. 1:3-7.<\/p>\n<p>25\u00a0 Schreiner, <em>The New American Commentary<\/em>, p. 298.<\/p>\n<p>26\u00a0 Barclay, <em>Commentary on 2 Peter<\/em>, vs. 1:3-7.<\/p>\n<p>27\u00a0 David A. DeSilva, <em>2 Peter, The Bible Knowledge Commentary<\/em> (Colorado Springs: Cook Communications Ministries, 2005), pp. 318-319.<\/p>\n<p>28\u00a0 Cited in James Burton Coffman, <em>Commentary on\u00a0<\/em><em>2 Peter,<\/em><em> Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, <\/em>(Abilene, TX: Abilene Christian University Press, Abilene, Texas, 1983-1999), v. 1:5. http:\/\/www.studylight.org\/commentaries\/bcc\/view.cgi?bk=60&ch=1.<\/p>\n<p>29\u00a0 G. Abbott-Smith, <em>A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament<\/em> (Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1960), p. 94.<\/p>\n<p>30 Barclay, <em>Commentary on 2 Peter<\/em>, vs. 1:3-7.<\/p>\n<p>31\u00a0 Ibid.<\/p>\n<p>32\u00a0 Quoted in Herbert W. Bateman IV, gen. ed., <em>Four Views on the Warning Passages of Hebrews<\/em> (Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 2007), \u00a0pp. 172-173.<\/p>\n<p>33\u00a0 William Godbey, <em>Commentary on\u00a0<\/em><em>2 Peter<\/em><a href=\"http:\/\/www.studylight.org\/desk\/index.cgi?q1=2%20Peter+1:1&t1=en_nas\"><em>,<\/em><\/a><em>William Godbey\u2019s Commentary on the New Testament, <\/em>1896-1900, v. 1:7. http:\/\/www.studylight.org\/commentaries\/ges\/view.cgi?bk=60&ch=1.<\/p>\n<p>34\u00a0 Wiersbe, <em>The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, <\/em>pp. 932 , 931.<\/p>\n<p>35\u00a0 Lou Dobbs, <em>Upheaval <\/em>(New York: Threshold Editions, 2014), p. 162.<\/p>\n<p>36\u00a0 Dinesh D\u2019Souza,<em> What\u2019s So Great About Christianity<\/em> (Washington: Regenery Publishing Inc., 2007), p. 17.<\/p>\n<p>37\u00a0 Wuest, <em>In These Last Days, <\/em>p. 26.<\/p>\n<p>Barclay adds here: \u201cWe grow what Peter calls <em>muopazon<\/em>…This word can have either of two meanings. It can mean short-sighted…It can also mean blinking, shutting the eyes.\u201d (Barclay, vs. 8-11).<\/p>\n<ol start=\"38\">\n<li>Coffman, <em>Commentary on\u00a0<\/em><em>2 Peter,<\/em> v. 1:9.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>39 Pett, <em>Commentary on 2 Peter, <\/em>v. 1:9.<\/p>\n<p>He says, \u201cThe only water that cleanses in the Old Testament is the water of purification which is mixed with the ashes of a heifer. That represents the blood of sacrifice in convenient form.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>40\u00a0 Wiersbe, <em>The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, <\/em>p. 933.<\/p>\n<p>41\u00a0 Pfeiffer & Harrison, eds., <em>The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, <\/em>p. 1458.<\/p>\n<p>42\u00a0 Wuest, <em>In These Last Days, <\/em>p. 29.<\/p>\n<p>43\u00a0 Trapp, <em>John Trapp\u2019s Complete Commentary<\/em>, v. 1:14.<\/p>\n<p>44\u00a0 Bray, <em>Ancient Christian Commentary On Scripture<\/em>, p. 138.<\/p>\n<p>45\u00a0 Schreiner, <em>The New American Commentary<\/em>, p. 261.<\/p>\n<p>46\u00a0 Eusebius Pamphilus, <em>Ecclesiastical History, Popular Edition<\/em> (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1976), p. 127.<\/p>\n<p>47\u00a0 Pett, <em>Commentary on 2 Peter, <\/em>v. 1:15.<\/p>\n<p>48\u00a0 Albert Barnes, <em>Commentary on 2 Peter, Barnes\u2019 Notes on the New Testament<\/em>, 1870, v. 1:15, http:\/\/www.studylight.org\/commentaries\/bnb\/view.cgi?bk=60&ch=1.<\/p>\n<p>49\u00a0 Craddock, <em>First and Second Peter and Jude, <\/em>p. 106.<\/p>\n<p>50\u00a0 Utley, <em>Free Bible Commentary<\/em>, v. 1:16.<\/p>\n<p>51\u00a0 DeSilva, <em>2 Peter, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, <\/em>p. 319.<\/p>\n<p>52\u00a0 Schreiner, <em>The New American Commentary<\/em>, p. 316.<\/p>\n<p>53\u00a0 Bray, <em>Ancient Christian Commentary On Scripture<\/em>, p. 140.<\/p>\n<p>54\u00a0 Pfeiffer & Harrison, eds., <em>The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, <\/em>p.1459.<\/p>\n<p>Wuest adds here: \u201cThe idea in the Greek text is, \u2018We have the prophetic word as a surer foundation\u2019 than even the signs and wonders which we have seen.\u201d (Wuest, p. 34).<\/p>\n<p>55\u00a0 Wiersbe, <em>The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, <\/em>p. 935.<\/p>\n<p>Schreiner also comments: \u201cPeter\u2019s call to pay heed to the word is the main point of the text, for the entire letter up to this point has been pointing to this command.\u201d (Schreiner, p. 321).<\/p>\n<p>56\u00a0 Robertson, <em>Commentary on 2 Peter, Robertson\u2019s Word Pictures of the New Testament,<\/em> v. 1:19.<\/p>\n<p>57\u00a0 Utley, <em>Free Bible Commentary<\/em>, v. 1:19.<\/p>\n<p>58\u00a0 Wuest, <em>In These Last Days, <\/em>p. 35.<\/p>\n<p>59\u00a0 Guzik, <em>Commentary on 2 Peter, David Guzik Commentaries on the Bible<\/em>, vs. 1:20-21.<\/p>\n<p>60\u00a0 Craddock, <em>First and Second Peter and Jude,<\/em> p. 108.<\/p>\n<p>61\u00a0 Barnes, <em>Commentary on 2 Peter, <\/em>v. 1:21.<\/p>\n<p>62\u00a0 Wuest, <em>In These Last Days, <\/em>pp. 40-42.<\/p>\n<p>63\u00a0 Guzik, <em>Commentary on 2 Peter<\/em>, vs. 1:20-22.<\/p>\n<p>64\u00a0 Schreiner, <em>The New American Commentary<\/em>, p. 324.<\/p>\n<p><strong>CHAPTER 2<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>1\u00a0 Schreiner, <em>The New American Commentary<\/em>, p. 327.<\/p>\n<p>2 \u00a0Ibid., p. 328.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMany scholars think Peter did not refer to false teaching here but the introduction of factions into the church. The word <em>hairesis<\/em> clearly refers to false teaching by the beginning of the second century.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>3\u00a0 Barnes, <em>Commentary on 2 Peter, <\/em>v. 2:1.<\/p>\n<p>4\u00a0 Wuest, <em>In These Last Days, <\/em>p. 46.<\/p>\n<p>5\u00a0 Pett, <em>Commentary on 2 Peter, <\/em>v. 2:1.<\/p>\n<p>6\u00a0 Schreiner, <em>The New American Commentary<\/em>, pp. 319-320.<\/p>\n<p>7\u00a0 Barclay, <em>Commentary on 2 Peter<\/em>, v. 2:1.<\/p>\n<p>8\u00a0 Wiersbe, <em>The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, <\/em>p. 939.<\/p>\n<p>9\u00a0 Barclay, <em>Commentary on 2 Peter<\/em>, vs. 2:1-3.<\/p>\n<p>10\u00a0 Craddock, <em>First and Second Peter and Jude,<\/em> p. 116.<\/p>\n<p>11\u00a0 Barclay, <em>Commentary on 2 Peter<\/em>, v. 2:3.<\/p>\n<p>Bray adds that the <em>Didache<\/em> notes here: \u201cNot everyone who speaks in the spirit is a prophet, but only if he follows…in the path of the Lord.\u00a0 Accordingly, from their conduct the false prophet and the true prophet will be known.\u201d (Bray, p. 145).<\/p>\n<p>12\u00a0 Schreiner, <em>The New American Commentary<\/em>, p. 333.<\/p>\n<p>13\u00a0 Godbey, <em>Commentary on\u00a0<\/em><em>2 Peter,<\/em><em>William Godbey\u2019s Commentary on the New Testament, <\/em>v. 2:3.<\/p>\n<p>14\u00a0 Craddock, <em>First and Second Peter and Jude,<\/em> p. 115.<\/p>\n<p>15\u00a0 Calvin, <em>Commentary on 2 Peter, Calvin\u2019s Commentary on the Bible<\/em>, p.167.<\/p>\n<p>16\u00a0 Barclay, <em>Commentary on 2 Peter<\/em>, vs. 2:4-11.<\/p>\n<p>17 \u00a0Guzik, <em>Commentary on 2 Peter, David Guzik Commentaries on the Bible<\/em>, vs. 2:4-6.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cApparently some fallen angels are in bondage while others are unbound and active in the earth as demons….\u201d<\/p>\n<p>18\u00a0 Adam Clarke<em>,\u00a0 Commentary on 2 Peter, The Adam Clarke Commentary,<\/em> 1832, v. 2:4. http:\/\/www.studylight.org\/commentaries\/acc\/view.cgi?bk=60&ch=2.<\/p>\n<p>19\u00a0 Barclay, <em>Commentary on 2 Peter<\/em>, vs. 2:4-11.<\/p>\n<p>20\u00a0 Schreiner, <em>The New American Commentary<\/em>, p. 338.<\/p>\n<p>21\u00a0 Ibid.<\/p>\n<p>22\u00a0 Wiersbe, <em>The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, <\/em>p. 940.<\/p>\n<p>23\u00a0 Quoted in\u00a0 Barclay, <em>Commentary on 2 Peter<\/em>, vs. 2:4-11.<\/p>\n<p>24\u00a0 Schreiner, <em>The New American Commentary<\/em>, p. 340.<\/p>\n<p>25\u00a0 Wiersbe, <em>The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, <\/em>p. 942.<\/p>\n<p>26\u00a0 Schreiner, <em>The New American Commentary<\/em>, p. 344.<\/p>\n<p>27\u00a0 Ibid., p. 343.<\/p>\n<p>28\u00a0 Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson, editors,\u00a0<em>The Ante-Nicene Fathers <\/em>(Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1956),<em>\u00a0 <\/em>Vol. 1, p. 558; Vol. 2, p. 11 and Vol. 5. p. 217.<\/p>\n<p>Editor: Several of the earliest church fathers comment upon the awful time of tribulation coming upon the church at the end of the age.\u00a0 Hermas (c. AD 150) says: \u201cHappy are you who endure the great tribulation that is coming.\u00a0 And happy are they who will not deny their own life.\u201d\u00a0 Hippolytus (c. AD 200) speaks of the tyrant who will \u201c\u2026reign and persecute the church, which flees from city to city, and seeks concealment in the wilderness among the mountains.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Irenaeus (c. AD 180) says: \u201cFor this is the last contest of the righteous, in which they are crowned with incorruption \u2013 when they overcome.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>29\u00a0 Paul Kretzmann, <em>Commentary on\u00a0<\/em><em>2 Peter 2:1<\/em><em>, Kretzmann\u2019s Popular Commentary, <\/em>1921-23, vs. 2:10-14. http:\/\/www.studylight.org\/commentaries\/kpc\/view.cgi?bk=60&ch=2.<\/p>\n<p>30\u00a0 Schreiner, <em>The New American Commentary<\/em>, p. 347.<\/p>\n<p>31\u00a0 Ibid.<\/p>\n<p>32\u00a0 DeSilva, <em>2 Peter, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, <\/em>p. 320.<\/p>\n<p>33\u00a0 Schreiner, <em>The New American Commentary<\/em>, p. 347.<\/p>\n<p>34\u00a0 Alexander Pope\u2019s\u00a0<em>An essay on criticism<\/em>, 1709.<\/p>\n<p>35\u00a0 Craddock, <em>First and Second Peter and Jude,<\/em> p.115.<\/p>\n<p>36\u00a0 Wuest, <em>In These Last Days, <\/em>p. 55.<\/p>\n<p>37\u00a0 Pett, <em>Commentary on 2 Peter, <\/em>v. 2:12.<\/p>\n<p>38\u00a0 Quoted in Coffman, <em>Commentary on\u00a0<\/em><em>2 Peter,<\/em> v. 2:12.<\/p>\n<p>39\u00a0 Clarke<em>,\u00a0 Commentary on 2 Peter, The Adam Clarke Commentary,<\/em> v. 2:12.<\/p>\n<p>40\u00a0 DeSilva, <em>2 Peter, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, <\/em>p. 323.<\/p>\n<p>41\u00a0 Barclay, <em>Commentary on 2 Peter<\/em>, vs. 2: 12-14.<\/p>\n<p>42\u00a0 Wuest, <em>In These Last Days, <\/em>p. 57.<\/p>\n<p>43\u00a0 Utley, <em>Free Bible Commentary<\/em>, v. 2:14.<\/p>\n<p>44\u00a0 Stedman, <em>The Ray C. Stedman Library, Commentary on 2 Peter<\/em>, v. 2:14. http:\/\/www.raystedman.org\/2peter\/2peter1.html.<\/p>\n<p>45\u00a0 Donna Freitas, <em>The End of Sex<\/em>: <em>How Hookup Culture Is Leaving a Generation Unhappy, Sexually Unfulfilled, and Confused About Intimacy<\/em> (New York: Basic Books, 22013), p. 12.<\/p>\n<p>46 \u00a0Wuest, <em>In These Last Days, <\/em>p. 57.<\/p>\n<p>47\u00a0 Barnes, <em>Commentary on 2 Peter, <\/em>v. 2:14.<\/p>\n<p>48\u00a0 Barclay, <em>Commentary on 2 Peter<\/em>, v. 2:14.<\/p>\n<p>49\u00a0 Quoted in Stedman, <em>The Ray C. Stedman Library, Commentary on 2 Peter<\/em>, vs. 2:15-16.<\/p>\n<p>50\u00a0 DeSilva, <em>2 Peter, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, <\/em>p. 323.<\/p>\n<p>51\u00a0 Bray, <em>Ancient Christian Commentary On Scripture<\/em>, p. 151.<\/p>\n<p>52\u00a0 Wiersbe, <em>The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, <\/em>p. 947.<\/p>\n<p>53\u00a0 Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, & David Brown, <em>Commentary on 2 Peter, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible \u2013 Unabridged<\/em>, 1871-78, v. 2:17. http:\/\/www.studylight.org\/commentaries\/jfu\/view.cgi?bk=60&ch=2.<\/p>\n<p>54\u00a0 Godbey, <em>Commentary on\u00a0<\/em><em>2 Peter,<\/em><em>William Godbey\u2019s Commentary on the New Testament, <\/em>v. 2:17.<\/p>\n<p>55\u00a0 Quoted in Schreiner, <em>The New American Commentary<\/em>, p. 258.<\/p>\n<p>56\u00a0 Craddock, <em>First and Second Peter and Jude,<\/em> p. 115.<\/p>\n<p>57\u00a0 Pett, <em>Commentary on 2 Peter, <\/em>vs. 20-22.<\/p>\n<p>58 \u00a0Ibid., v. 20.<\/p>\n<p>59\u00a0 Kenneth L. Barker & John R. Kohlenberger III, eds., <em>Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary, Vol. 2: New Testament<\/em> (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1994), p.1073.<\/p>\n<p>60\u00a0 Wiersbe, <em>The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, <\/em>p. 949.<\/p>\n<p>61\u00a0 Stedman, <em>The Ray C. Stedman Library, Commentary on 2 Peter<\/em>, v. 2:21.<\/p>\n<p>62\u00a0 Wiersbe, <em>The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, <\/em>p. 949.<\/p>\n<p><strong>CHAPTER 3<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>1\u00a0 Schreiner, <em>The New American Commentary<\/em>, p. 367.<\/p>\n<p>2\u00a0 Pett, <em>Commentary on 2 Peter, <\/em>vs. 3:1-2.<\/p>\n<p>3\u00a0 Pfeiffer & Harrison, <em>The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, <\/em>p. 1461.<\/p>\n<p>4\u00a0 Schreiner, <em>The New American Commentary<\/em>, p. 370.<\/p>\n<p>5\u00a0 Bo Reicke, <em>The Epistles of James, Peter, and Jude<\/em> (NY: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1964), p. 173.<\/p>\n<p>6\u00a0 Quoted in David Kupelian, <em>How Evil Works: Understanding and Overcoming the Destructive Forces That Are Transforming America <\/em>(New York: Threshold Editions, 2010), p. 146.<\/p>\n<p>7\u00a0 Alvin Plantinga, <em>Where The Conflict Really Lies, Science, Religion, and Naturalism<\/em> (New York: Oxford University Press, 2011), p. x.<\/p>\n<p>8\u00a0\u00a0 Guzik, <em>Commentary on 2 Peter<\/em>, vs. 3:3-4.<\/p>\n<p>9\u00a0 Quoted in\u00a0 Norman L. Geisler & Frank Turek, <em>I Don\u2019t Have Enough Faith To Be An Atheist<\/em> (Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2004), p.163.<\/p>\n<p>10\u00a0 Gerald Schroeder, <em>The Science of God: The Convergence of Scientific and Biblical Wisdom, <\/em>(NY: The Free Press, 1997), p. 22.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThrough the early 1960s in the face of mounting evidence to the contrary, two thirds of leading U.S. scientists surveyed believed it [the universe had no beginning].\u00a0 For 3,300 years, since the revelation on Sinai, the Bible denied it, steadfastly claiming there was a beginning to our universe.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>See also, Marcus Chown, <em>The Quantum Zoo, A Tourist\u2019s Guide to the Neverending Universe<\/em>, p. 144. He also notes Hubble\u2019s view, that the universe is expanding.<\/p>\n<p>11\u00a0 Schreiner, <em>The New American Commentary<\/em>, p. 373.<\/p>\n<p>12\u00a0 Marcus Chown, <em>The Quantum Zoo, A Tourist\u2019s Guide to the Neverending Universe<\/em>, pp. 114-115.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe equation E=mc<sup>2<\/sup> encapsulates this fact.\u00a0 The physicists\u2019 symbol for the speed of light, c, is a big number \u2013 300 million meters per second.\u00a0 Squaring it- multiplying it by itself- creates an even bigger number.\u00a0 Applying the formula to 1 kilogram of matter shows that it contains 9×10<sup>16 <\/sup>joules of energy- enough to lift the entire population of the world into space!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>13\u00a0 Gerald L. Schroeder, <em>God According to God, A Physicist Proves We\u2019ve Been Wrong About God All Along<\/em>, (NY: Harper Collins, 2009), p. 202.<\/p>\n<p>14\u00a0 Wuest, <em>In These Last Days, <\/em>p. 67.<\/p>\n<p>15\u00a0 Wiersbe, <em>The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, <\/em>p. 952.<\/p>\n<p>Origen in <em>The Ante-Nicene Fathers<\/em> adds: \u201cAll the rest of the race will be completely burned up, and the [Christians] alone will remain.\u201d (Roberts & Donaldson, eds.,\u00a0<em>The Ante-Nicene Fathers, IV,<\/em> p. 550).<\/p>\n<p>16\u00a0 Wuest, <em>In These Last Days, <\/em>p. 68.<\/p>\n<p>17\u00a0 Schreiner, <em>The New American Commentary<\/em>, p. 378.<\/p>\n<p>18\u00a0 Trapp, <em>John Trapp\u2019s Complete Commentary<\/em>, v. 3:7.<\/p>\n<p>19\u00a0\u00a0 Geisler & Turek, <em>I Don\u2019t Have Enough Faith To Be An Atheist<\/em> (Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2004), p. 98.<\/p>\n<p>20\u00a0 David Peat, <em>From Certainty to Uncertainty: The Story of Science and Ideas in the Twentieth Century<\/em> (Washington: Joseph Henry Press, 2002), p. 4.<\/p>\n<p>21\u00a0 Chown, <em>The Quantum Zoo, A Tourist\u2019s Guide to the Neverending Universe<\/em>, p. 93.<\/p>\n<p>22\u00a0 Quoted in Chown <em>The Quantum Zoo, A Tourist\u2019s Guide to the Neverending Universe<\/em>, p. 104.<\/p>\n<p>23\u00a0 Guzik, <em>Commentary on 2 Peter<\/em>, vs. 3:8-10.<\/p>\n<p>24\u00a0 Renald Showers, <em>\u201cThe Biblical Concept of the Day of The Lord,\u201d <\/em>(Showers is a faculty member at the Institute of Biblical Studies). http:\/\/www.zoominfo.com\/p\/Renald-Showers\/63204244.<\/p>\n<p>25\u00a0 Schreiner, <em>The New American Commentary<\/em>, p. 383.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn the New Testament the day of the Lord also is the day of Christ (1 Cor. 1:8; 2 Cor. 1:14; Phil. 1:6, 10; 2:16).\u201d<\/p>\n<p>26\u00a0 Showers, <em>\u201cThe Biblical Concept of the Day of The Lord.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n<p>27\u00a0 Barclay, <em>Commentary on 2 Peter<\/em>, v. 3:10.<\/p>\n<p>28\u00a0 Wiersbe, <em>The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, <\/em>p. 953.<\/p>\n<p>29\u00a0 Schreiner, <em>The New American Commentary<\/em>, p. 384.<\/p>\n<p>30\u00a0 Barker & Kohlenberger, <em>Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary, Vol. 2: New Testament, <\/em>p. 1075.<\/p>\n<p>31\u00a0 Wuest, <em>In These Last Days, <\/em>p. 72.<\/p>\n<p>32\u00a0 Schreiner, <em>The New American Commentary<\/em>, p. 387.<\/p>\n<p>33\u00a0 Roberts & Donaldson, eds.,\u00a0<em>The Ante-Nicene Fathers, V1,<\/em> p. 180.<\/p>\n<p>34\u00a0 Ibid, p. 506.<\/p>\n<p>35\u00a0 Wuest, <em>In These Last Days, <\/em>p. 73.<\/p>\n<p>36\u00a0 Abbott-Smith, <em>A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament, <\/em>p. 189.<\/p>\n<p>37\u00a0 Pett, <em>Commentary on 2 Peter, <\/em>v. 3:11.<\/p>\n<p>38\u00a0 Jamieson, Fausset, & Brown, <em>Commentary on 2 Peter, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible,<\/em> v. 3:12.<\/p>\n<p>39\u00a0 Wuest, <em>In These Last Days, <\/em>p. 74.<\/p>\n<p>Wiersbe adds here: \u201cOf course, this great explosion and conflagration will not touch the \u2018heaven of heavens:\u2019 where God dwells.\u201d\u00a0 (Wiersbe,\u00a0 p. 954).<\/p>\n<p>40\u00a0 Randy Alcorn, <em>Heaven<\/em> (Tyndale House Publishers, 2004), p. 16.<\/p>\n<p>41\u00a0 Ibid., p. 77.<\/p>\n<p>42\u00a0 Ibid., p. 44.<\/p>\n<p>43\u00a0 Ibid., p. 200.<\/p>\n<p>Methodius in the <em>Ante-Nicene Fathers<\/em> adds: \u201cMoreover, man was appointed by the original order of things to inhabit the world and to rule over all that is in it. (Roberts & Donaldson, eds.,\u00a0<em>The Ante-Nicene Fathers, V6,<\/em> p. 366).<\/p>\n<p>44\u00a0 Randy Alcorn, <em>Heaven<\/em>, p.145.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cJerome often said that Heaven and Earth would not be annihilated but would be transformed into something better. \u00a0Augustine wrote similarly, as did Gregory the Great, Thomas Aquinas, and many medieval theologians.\u201d p. 155.<\/p>\n<p>45\u00a0 Wuest, <em>In These Last Days, <\/em>p. 74.<\/p>\n<p>46\u00a0 Calvin, <em>Commentary on 2 Peter, Calvin\u2019s Commentary on the Bible<\/em>, p. 182.<\/p>\n<p>47\u00a0 Jamieson, Fausset, & Brown, <em>Commentary on 2 Peter, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible,<\/em> v. 3:14.<\/p>\n<p>48\u00a0 John A. T. Robinson, <em>Redating the New Testament<\/em> (Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1976), \u00a0p. 183.<\/p>\n<p>49\u00a0 Bray, <em>Ancient Christian Commentary On Scripture<\/em>, p. 161.<\/p>\n<p>50\u00a0 Kretzmann, <em>Commentary on\u00a0<\/em><em>2 Peter 2:1<\/em><em>, Kretzmann\u2019s Popular Commentary, <\/em>vs. 3:14-18.<\/p>\n<p>51\u00a0 Schreiner, <em>The New American Commentary<\/em>, p. 396.<\/p>\n<p>52\u00a0 Pett, <em>Commentary on 2 Peter, <\/em>v. 3:16.<\/p>\n<p>53\u00a0 Wuest, <em>In These Last Days, <\/em>p. 75.<\/p>\n<p>54\u00a0 Barclay, <em>Commentary on 2 Peter<\/em>, vs. 3:15-16.<\/p>\n<p>55\u00a0 Utley, <em>Free Bible Commentary<\/em>, v. 3:16.<\/p>\n<p>56\u00a0 Wiersbe, <em>The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, <\/em>p. 956.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u00a0 SECOND PETER: RESISTING FALSE TEACHERS \u00a0 By \u00a0 Jim Gerrish A St. Peter in Prison 1631 by Rembrandt (Picture credit Wikimedia Commons) A Light of Israel Bible Commentaries\u00a0 A All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from: The Holy … <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wordofgodtoday.com\/second-peter\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">→<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-4297","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Second Peter - Word of God Today<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Free Bible study on Second Peter, resisting false teachers. 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