1 Peter 5:12-14; 2 Peter 1:1-3:18
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Today we start the book of Second Peter!  This is another great letter from Peter to the early Christian church written in approximately 65 to 68 A.D., just before Peter was martyred during the reign of the Roman emperor Nero.  1 Peter was more of a letter of encouragement to early Christians who were facing suffering, whereas 2 Peter is written to dispel false teachings within early Christianity.  Below is a fresco by Michelangelo of Peter being crucified, in the Sistine Chapel in Rome:

~ Second Peter ~
Author: Peter the apostle
Place: Uncertain, perhaps Rome
Date: A.D. 67
Content: This letter was written by Peter shortly before his death and deals with the problems that the church would face after his departure. He encourages the believers to continue in their spiritual growth, realizing the truth of the Christian gospel. It does not consist of fable but fact. He warns them of false teachers who would destroy the truth by exalting their own ideas over those of the church. Finally, he points out that Christ will return some day to destroy the old order of this world; as a result, we ought not to become too attached to it.
Theme: Second Peter is a call to steadfastness in the midst of numerous pressures to drift from the truth. The world is seeking to undo the work of God, but we must resist all such pressure by living godly lives, believing the truth, enduring persecution, trusting God, and looking for Christ’s return. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” p. 33) A great overview of Second Peter and the other “Non-Pauline Epistles” by J. Hampton Keathley is at this link. (Scroll down just below his commentary on First Peter to get to his commentary on Second Peter.)  Below is a painting of Peter by William Holman Hunt -

2 Peter 1 verse 3 brings up a couple of good questions we should ask ourselves - "As we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life."  Do you want to know Jesus better?  How will you do this?  (hint - reading the Bible daily is one great way...)  How else?  Do you want to live a godly life?  What does a godly life look like? Do you believe Jesus' divine power gives you everything you need to live a godly life?

Verse 19 makes a One Year Bible Blogger happy :) - "Because of that, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. Pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a light shining in a dark place--until the day Christ appears and his brilliant light shines in your hearts."  I think one of the beautiful things about the One Year Bible is going through both the Old Testament and New Testament each day.  We learn from the prophets and can play close attention to what they wrote - for as Peter says, their words are like a light shining in the dark!  Below is a stained glass image of the prophet Elijah (Elias is Greek for Elijah) -

Second Peter chapter 2 is a strong one that looks at the danger of false teachers - both in the Old Testament times through false prophets and also in the early church during the 1st century.  I have to confess that as I read this chapter I think of some current books and movies and teachers in our modern world that I am afraid apply to the warnings of this chapter.  Do you believe that there are false teachers also in our world today?  Teachers that distort the Gospel message?  Teachers that steer people away from Truth and into Darkness?  Teachers that are in it for the money?

Verses 2 & 3 warn us that: "Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of them, Christ and his true way will be slandered. In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money."  Commentaries suggest that at the time Peter wrote this letter the shameful immorality was primarily sexual sin.  The false teachers were allowing / encouraging people to basically do what they want sexually.  They taught that there is no theological or spiritual or personal damage that will come with sexual do-whatever-you-wantness...  (okay, that's not in the Bible - I made that up).  Do we see this type of teaching today?  Is this type of teaching true?  Is it false?  Is it shameful?  Do you believe that sex can be damaging to you outside of the proper context of marriage?  Verse 19 warns again: "They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves to sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you."  What controls you?  Is it purely love for God and his ways, which is great.  Or is it something else...?  Something that is dangerous and leads down a slippery slope... ?  Will you instead pursue God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and the True Freedom that only They can give you?  Please please be watchful of wolves in sheep's clothing.  The Enemy comes in sheep's clothing to lie, steal, and kill.  The lies may be attractive on the surface, but the core of the lie is deadly to you.  Please cling to Jesus and God's Word, the Holy Bible, above all else.

Today we finish the letter of Second Peter!  Again, I have been so blessed reading through this letter this year.  It's always a good thing to read a letter from a guy that Jesus said this about in Matthew 16:18 - "And I tell you that you are Peter [which means rock], and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades [or hell] will not overcome it."  Do you believe that the gates of hell will not overcome the church of Jesus Christ?  (church - that's us.  You and me and him and her. The body of Christ.  Not the buildings...)

Verse 3 is a reminder to us all: "First, I want to remind you that in the last days there will be scoffers who will laugh at the truth and do every evil thing they desire."  Keep in mind that we live in the last days - everything post-Jesus' resurrection and ascension into heaven is last days.  So, in the time of Peter and the early church there were scoffers who laughed at the truth and did every evil thing they desire.  Is this still happening today?  (I couldn't resist this Matrix picture below of a scoffer... :)

Verse 9 is helpful in knowing why Jesus has not yet returned: "The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise to return, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent."  He is giving more time for everyone to repent!  Will we repent? 

Verses 15 & 16 are very interesting.  They are basically Peter giving praise to Paul's writing: "This is just as our beloved brother Paul wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him-- Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters around to mean something quite different from what he meant, just as they do the other parts of Scripture."  Have you ever found Paul's writing hard to understand?  I know many of my friend's have.  And I have too on occasion.  But, there is so much going on in Paul's letters that need to be looked at contextually and in depth.  Overall, Paul's letter's have been such a blessing to me personally, and I look forward to reading them and studying them again next year with you!  :) Below is "The Apostle Paul" by Rembrandt, circa 1657:

Peter closes the letter today with the beautiful verse 18: "But grow in the special favor and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be all glory and honor, both now and forevermore. Amen."   I don't know that I can add any more to this than simply another "Amen." 

Worship Video: As it is almost Christmas, here is Casting Crown's "I Heard Bells on Christmas Day" live:

Do you know the peace of God's Silent Night?  Click here for heavenly peace!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "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—bringing swift destruction on themselves." 2 Peter 2:1 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that you are not deceived by a false teacher. Pray that you will never fall prey to destructive heresies. Pray that you will never deny the Lord.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

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