Lesson 7, 2 Peter 3:11-18, A Concluding Challenge

By Pastor Rich Paradis

2 Peter 3:11-18

 

Peter now brings the letter to a conclusion and an application, offering a motivation and a challenge to all of us.

 

I.                 Look Forward    2 Peter 3:11-13

a.      Continuing the thoughts from our previous verses about the coming Day of the Lord, Peter will offer a question that was not only contemporary with the 1^st century reader but the reader of our day as well. According to verse 10, this coming Day of the Lord will come like a “thief”, that is suddenly, unexpectedly, and catastrophically. Those things that we hold on so dearly to, our place and our works will be destroyed by intense, judgmental heat.

b.     Verse 11 continues that line of thinking with the word “since”. “In light of the facts just shared” is the idea here. So Peter asks an operative question for all readers going forward. That question is this, “In light of the coming Day of the Lord and its full realization, what sort of people ought God’s people be as that day approaches?”

c.      The question is somewhat detailed and specific in that the question even offers the areas of conduct that should be under examination while answering the question. Those areas are holy conduct and godliness.

                                                    i.     Holy Conduct – This is our sanctification, or set-apartness, from the world and its ways. Christians are to be different, not odd. To be different is to be distinct, which attracts. To be odd is to be strange, which repels.

                                                  ii.     Godliness – This is our dedication to God. The idea here is piety and worship. Christians are to worship God and God alone.

d.     Moving along to Verse 12, Peter continues his thoughts by considering the holy conduct and godliness being lived out as we “look for and hasten the coming of the day of God”. First of all, the Christian is to have a “looking forward to” attitude toward the Day of God. So what is the Day of God? And is it different from the Day of the Lord? While admittedly my End Time theology is still much under construction, I do think that there is a distinction here that helps to uncover some of the truth in this passage. Here are a couple of brief definitions that I hope will help us as we continue thinking through this paragraph of Scripture:

                                                    i.     The Day of the Lord – This is the time of judgment that will come at the time of the second coming of Christ. While everyone seems to have their thoughts on the timeline, etc. it would be more than the text offers us here to speculate on that timeline.

                                                  ii.     The Day of God – This is the commencement of eternity that will follow the Day of the Lord.

e.      So with those brief definitions in mind, the passage seems to be saying that somehow believers can “hasten” the coming day of God, again keeping in mind that the current heavens and earth will be destroyed by fire as a part of this entire process. So how can we as believers “hasten” this day?  There are two common errors in our thinking about our role in the unfolding world:

                                                    i.     We are locked into God’s plan in such a way that nothing we do makes any difference.

                                                  ii.     God cannot get anything done unless we do it.

f.       Both miss something of what’s being said here. The prayers of His people and their faithful witness and preaching of the gospel will bring others to repentance and salvation, thus hastening the plan of God to return, judge the ungodly, and usher in eternity. Verse 13 tells us that this “new heaven and new earth” was promised (Isaiah 65:17 and 66:22) and will be the dwelling place of righteousness personified in both the saints of the ages and the Righteous One Himself.

 

II.               Be Diligent    2 Peter 3:14-16

a.      Peter continues his discussion in Verses 14-15 with a word that is used 4 times in 2 Peter 3. That word is “beloved” or “dear friends”. Those places are Verses 1,8,14, and 17. Even as he unfolds this important information for them going forward, he never forgets to remind them that he loves them. He is not just telling them what to do. He is instructing them in the way that leads to godliness and joy. He cares for them, so he tells them the truth. This is different from the false teacher who only has his motivations in mind.

b.     Peter’s assumption here is that the one who desires to follow Christ with his or her life will be looking with anticipation toward His coming there is a challenge to consider. That challenge is the same challenge that was offered in 2 Peter 1:5 and 10. The call is to diligence in Christian living. We are not working for our salvation; we are being diligent because of our salvation. We are to be found by Him at His second coming:

                                                    i.     In Peace – This peace only comes in relationship with Him. Romans 5:1 tells us of the acquisition of this peace and encourages us to live in that acquired peace through sanctified living.

                                                  ii.     Spotless and Blameless – Unlike the false teacher’s exposure as “stains and blemishes”, Christians are to be spotless and blameless. They are not able to be perfect, but they are to demonstrate the cleansing work of salvation on their lives.

                                                iii.     Regarding His Patience As Salvation – This is a reminder of Verse 9. God is not slack in His duties; He is patient and long-suffering desiring all to come to Him in repentance.

c.      And interesting connection is made in Verse 16 to the Apostle Paul. This is the same Apostle Paul that confronted Peter in Galatians 3:11. Paul is being brought out here as a “true teacher”. His teaching was not only true; it was according to wisdom given by God Himself. Even though some of the concepts of Paul’s writing were difficult for the human mind to comprehend and understand, it was authoritative being compared and included in the “Scriptures”.

d.     The “untaught and unstable”, on the other hand, distort and twist Scripture to their own advantage and motivations because of the teaching and leading of the false teachers of chapter 2. What will be the results of their activities? Their own destruction!

 

III.             Guard and Grow    2 Peter 3:17-18

a.      Peter concludes this letter with a warning and a challenge to his readers going forward. He first of all warns his beloved readers in Verse 17 to “be on guard”. Against what? Against the error of the false teacher and his devious agenda. This false teacher is “unprincipled” and “lawless”. He is rogue and is to be avoided so that those who are weak do not “fall from steadfastness”. This does not mean that they will lose their salvation; only their effectiveness and security in Him.

b.     Peter now offers again the challenge that has saturated this letter in Verse 18. That challenge is to grow. To grow in what? To grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ! The best defense against the false teacher is knowing and following the True Teacher!!

c.      And it is to that True Teacher that a final doxology is given. It is to Him that all glory, both now and forever, belongs. AMEN!!

 

IV.            An Application For All Of Us

a.      The Second Coming of Christ is a reality.

b.     The Second Coming of Christ should prompt anticipation and diligence in those that follow Him.

c.      The false teacher will continue his devious work until his ultimate day of judgment and destruction.

d.     The believer is to both guard his or her mind from this false teacher.

e.      The believer is to continue growing in Christ to fend off the attacks of this enemy.

 

 

 

Hi Friends:

                           

Well spring is around the corner and the Sunday School lessons are up to date on what Rich has taught so far in our class each Sunday.  Are you all enjoying 2 Peter.  How is it that such a tiny book can have such a large message with such ongoing applications that apply to our lives today.  Only the God of all gods, the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob, the God who sent His son down as a baby to live and walk as a human being, but yet still being God, He died on the cross to be a once and for all sacrifice for our sins. 

Some people say that God isn't God but the Bible Romans 1 talks about God and natural revelation so that even if someone hasn't heard about God, the one and only Trinitarian God, you can look around you and know there has to be a Creator.  So if we can't explain who made a molecule, air, DNA, dirt, the sun, the moon, the galaxies, etc., we can look around at the mountains, stars, sky, clouds, oceans, trees and know that they were created.  For them to be created, they had to have a Creator.  That Creator whom we call God has always been and will always be.  Genesis 1:1 says "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth".    Something cannot come from nothing.  Something has to come from something, so it makes sense that God has always been and will always be.  What makes him God is we are his creation.  He made us for Him.  This God, who always has been, wanted to make human beings with feelings, hearts, bodies, emotions, ability to reason and think.  Even if someone is skeptic about God, why would you want to take a chance that God is not true.  None of us pass on to the other side of death until we die.  I do not know personally what is beyond death, so I for one believe what the Bible says and it is full of hope.  Hope for heaven if you believe that Jesus is God's son and accept Him as Lord of your life. 

If you have never experienced Christ in your life, I urge you to do so.  The Gospel of John in the New Testament of the Bible tells about Jesus who always has been and yet came to earth, died for all, so all could have the hope of Jesus and heaven. Exodus 3:13-15 says  Then Moses said to God, "Behold, I am going to the sons of Israel, and I will say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you.' Now they may say to me, 'What is His name?' What shall I say to them?"  God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM"; and He said, "Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'"  God, furthermore, said to Moses, "Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.' This is My name forever, and this is My memorial-name to all generations.… Then again in John 8:28,  So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me."  Why anyone would not just try know Jesus and want eternal security after death in heaven with God is beyond me.  If it is true, we have made the right decision.  If it is not true, then after you die you will never know the difference.  It just takes faith and belief in something you cannot see.  But then again, if we could figure it out and know it all then God would not be God.

Any questions or comments?  Are the lessons on the Blog helpful to you whether you are in our Sunday School Study of not? 

Have a great week and God bless you,

Deb

2 Peter 1:16-21 by Pastor Rich Paradis

“A Faithful Testimony”

2 Peter 1:16-21

 

As Peter opens this paragraph of his letter to these persecuted saints, he will offer a testimony that they can lean into even as false teaching threatens to derail them from their faith. He will offer his own eyewitness account of the Transfiguration. He will follow that testimony with the testimony of the Old Testament prophet and scriptures. He will conclude his testimonials with the testimony of the entire Word of God. While there were and will always be imposters and false teachers, there will also be truth that can be depended on to fortify the faith of the believer. Let’s see what this portion of Scripture has for both the ancient and the current reader.

 

I.                 Peter’s Eyewitness Testimony    2 Peter 1:16-18

a.      Peter’s most recent teaching in this letter has been in relation to the 2^nd Coming of Christ. He has offered an eschatological insight into the reality of this event and the utilization of this truth in the continuing growth in the Christian virtues mentioned in Verses 5-7. He followed up that insight with a commitment on his part to teach the “precious and magnificent promise” of salvation until the time of his death, hoping that these truths would even come to the reader’s mind after his passing.

b.     If you were going to try to derail a witness’ testimony, you would begin by derailing the credibility of that witness. Verse 16 begins with a confirmation of the credibility of the witness, as well as the lack of credibility of the witness of the false teacher that will come into sharper focus in chapter 2.

c.      In comparing the witness of Peter himself and the false teachers in general, he begins by contrasting their information. Peter tells us that the false teacher of that day, as well as ours, will have “cleverly devised tales” as his ammunition in this battle. It is noteworthy to see that these tales are “clever”. They will trick some into a changed mind or at least an ineffective walk. The enemy is both clever and devious. He will not try to persuade the believer with silly things. He will use clever half-truths and devious methods to derail the faith of the believer. How will the believer fend off such attacks? With the aid of the Holy Spirit and growth in the virtues mentioned earlier.

d.     Peter, on the other hand, offers first hand evidence to the reality of the One that he will be teaching about. The event that is referred to here is the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ that is recorded in Matthew 17, Mark 9, and Luke 9. Peter was on hand as an eyewitness to this incredible display of power and coming of Jesus Christ. In fact, there is a connection being made here between Peter and the other two apostles that saw this event; James and John. In this incredible transfiguring of Jesus, there was a demonstration being offered of what His coming would be like when He returns to establish His eternal Kingdom.

e.      So how does Peter’s account give him any credibility when it comes to continued teaching and preaching? The answer is given in Verse 17 when Peter is demonstrated as not only “there”, but in agreement with the Father Himself! Peter was now preaching and teaching the second coming of Christ as a demonstration of both His honor and glory. In that moment, on what is traditionally noted as Mount Hermon, the Father Himself articulated both honor and glory for His Son. The Apostle Peter is in complete agreement with the Father Himself! The false teacher would have little to offer in discrediting Peter or his Savior based on this scene.

f.       There are a couple of things that are worth noting before going on. One is the interesting name noted for the Father in this verse. The “Majestic Glory” is a name that is only used in the New Testament in this passage, although a similar reference is made in Hebrews 1:3. The other is actually mentioned in Verse 18. It is the fact that Peter, James, and John actually heard the “utterance” made from heaven. While there was  much to see that day, it could never be described except in the most general of terms. But they heard something that day, even though they were denied the opportunity to share it until after the Resurrection of Christ, which Peter would not forget and would still be able to share with accuracy nearly three decades later.

 

II.               The Testimony of the Old Testament Prophet and Scriptures    2 Peter 1:19

a.      In addition to the eyewitness of Peter at the Transfiguration, we now look to the testimony of the Old Testament prophet and even the entirety of the Old Testament scripture to give credibility to both the character and the message of Peter.

b.     With the testimony of the Transfiguration, Peter was in effect confirming the Old Testament prophets and scripture by confirming both the honor and glory of the Savior Jesus Christ. They had announced it in the ancient scriptures; and now he was in fact offering testimony to the precursor of that event to come.

c.      There is an interesting charge in Verse 19. That charge is that we would do well to pay  attention to the Old Testament and the Prophetic Record until the Day of Christ’s Second Coming (“until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your heart”). Since that day has not come yet, we are being charged to not only pay attention to the New Testament for our insights but to also consider the truths of the Old Testament as important to our understanding of Christ and His story.

d.     These insights are also referred to as “a lamp shining in a dark place”. What a descriptive picture of both the wonderful Scripture and the dark world that it is to be administered into!

                                                    i.     Do you see the Scriptures as a “lamp”? What attributes of a lamp make this an especially fitting picture? Can you see how the “day dawning” will only make what the lamp has been illuminating more clear?

                                                  ii.     Do you see the World as a “dark place”? What attributes of darkness are found in the world? Can you see how the “morning star” will offer a light to the darkness that will expose everything?

 

III.             The Testimony of all of Scripture    2 Peter 1:20-21

a.      For the third witness to the credibility of both Peter and his teaching, we are now offered the entirety of Scripture as this evidence. While there was no New Testament in the time of Peter’s writing of this letter, we will see in these next couple of verses one of the two most insightful verses in the entire Bible for the Doctrine of the Inspiration of Scripture. (2 Timothy 3:16 is the other)

b.     In Verse 20, we are given a flag to follow for the balance of this chapter. That flag is “first of all”; which means of primary importance. What is that “first thing” to know? It is this: No prophecy of Scripture is a matter on one’s own interpretation. In a world where we love to ask the question, “What does this verse mean to you?”, we are given a rule of true inspiration regarding the whole of Scripture. That rule is that none of the prophecies came from the personal interpretation of the prophet. What does this mean?

c.      We have to wait no longer than Verse 21 for an answer to that question. The answer is that there was no prophecy that was made by means of the human will. The prophetic record is a result of men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. That simple insight gives us our view of the Inspiration of Scripture and an insight into what we as believers refer to as Verbal-Plenary Inspiration. What are some of the highlights of this important doctrine?

                                                    i.     Scripture is verbally inspired – That is, the words of Scripture are inspired.

                                                  ii.     Scripture is completely inspired – That is, ALL of the words of Scripture are inspired.

                                                iii.     Scripture is divinely inspired – That is, God inspired all of the words of Scripture.

                                                iv.     Scripture is verbally, completely, and divinely inspired AND so are the authors of the Scripture – That is, while the words are truly human words, the words of Scriptures, inspired by God, are truly the words of the Divine Author. To sum it up, the Scripture is the Word of God written in the words of man.

d.     The idea of Verbal Plenary Inspiration goes as follows:

                                                    i.     The idea of verbal-plenary inspiration seeks to view inspiration as extending to all (thus, the word plenary) portions of Holy Scripture, even beyond the direction of thoughts to the selection of words (thus, the word verbal).

                                                  ii.     While there is a mystery in this line of thought, it most clearly offers an explanation to the role of humans in the writing of Scripture.

                                                iii.     A wonderful hint is offered in this verse for this line of thinking. It is the word “moved” or “carried” by the Holy Spirit. This word has the meaning of “being carried along like the wind carries a sailboat along”. So, in the production of Scripture, both God and man were active participants. God was the source of the content of Scripture, so that what it says is what God has said. But he human author also actively spoke; he was more than a recorder or one taking dictation. Yet what he said came from God. Although actively speaking, he was carried along by the Holy Spirit.

 

IV.            An Application For All Of Us: BEAT THAT, FALSE TEACHER!! PETER AND HIS MESSAGE CAN BE BELIEVED!!!