2nd Peter 3 - What sort of people?

"But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up." (2 Peter 3:10)

A day is coming, and will come when we do not expect it, a day when all things of this creation will be over and destruction of all things complete. This should come as no surprise for God has not been silent on this account. Isaiah prophesied, "And all the host of heaven will wear away, and the sky will be rolled up like a scroll; all their hosts will also wither away as a leaf withers from the vine, or as one withers from the fig tree... Lift up your eyes to the sky, then look to the earth beneath; for the sky will vanish like smoke, and the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants will die in like manner; but My salvation will be forever, and My righteousness will not wane." (Isaiah 34:4, 51.6) John also prophesied saying, "Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them... Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea." (Revelation 20:11, 21:1) There will come a time when this present heaven and earth will be done a way with and there will be a new heaven and a new earth, one in which righteousness dwells.

"Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells." (2 Peter 3:11-13)

Here in lies the question at the heart of Peter's second letter: what sort of people aught we to be? We are not like those who live in ignorance, who say, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we may die." (Isaiah 22:13) We know the truth, we know the end of all things. Therefore, what kind of people aught we to be? How should we seek to live our lives? This question is of central importance to all believers who desire to live godly lives, lives pleasing to God. Fortunately, Peter goes on to give his advice to this question.

"Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." (2 Peter 3:14-18)

We aught to be people who live diligently, not in slothfulness, but with purpose and with aim. We should see our lives as progressing into the things of God, never content to "mark time", never seeking a "vacation" from the Kingdom of God, but always walking, always pressing on, always moving forward. We should live our lives like Jesus is coming back today and count His delay as our opportunity to grow in Him, to become more like Him, to experience more fully His salvation in our life. Finally, we should not become distracted from our focus on Jesus and His kingdom. Many will come, like the false prophets and false teachers that Peter spoke of, who will seek to distract us, to side tracked from the "Highway of Holiness" (Isaiah 35:8), to get us to spend our days pursuing them rather than the Kingdom of God. However, we must never surrender our diligence to them or to any that would divert us from the true and right way. We must continue on, in diligence, looking forward to and hastening that great and glorious day when Jesus will once again return. Keep up your diligence, it will be worth it in the end!

David Robison

2nd Peter 3 - The End is Coming

"This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles." (2 Peter 3:1-2)

Peter is not so concerned that, after his departure, the people will continue to remember him, rather he is concerned that they will remember the word God has spoken, especially those things spoken by the prophets of old and the apostles of new. Christianity is not a religion of opinions but a religion based on the revealed knowledge of God. Previously, God spoke through His prophets; reminding them of what God requires, telling them of things to come, and revealing to them the coming salvation in Jesus Christ. Now He has spoken through His Son and through His apostles. Jesus invested His messages to His apostles who became the teachers of those who would believe; teaching them about Jesus, what He asks of them, His power in their life, and His return to judge the living and the dead. We too would be well counseled to give attention to what they, the prophets and apostles, have said!

"Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, 4 and saying, 'Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.' For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, 6 through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men." (2 Peter 3:3-7)

We live in an age that has grown up believing in a philosophy of uniformitarianism, meaning that things have always existed as they are today and will continue to do so into the future. For example, much of our current theories of earth formation and the evolution is based upon these assumptions that the earth's processes have very much always been as they are today and will continue to be so long after we are gone. Even our theories of aging rocks and the earth are built upon the assumption that not much has changed since their creation. This philosophy is nothing new and existed in the day of Peter. However, Peter reminds is that such a belief is not consistent with history. He reminds us that there was a time when nothing existed and, in a moment, all was made. A process spanning days and not millions and billions of years. He also reminds is of the global flood where, for almost half a year, the entire world was submerged under water. The truth is that God has intervened in history in catastrophic ways in the past and will continue to do so in the future. Just because we have not see God move so in our life time does not mean that He will not do so in the future. There will come an end of time, there will be the destruction of the heavens and the earth, and we will inherit a new heaven and new earth where righteousness dwells. The end is coming!

"But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:8-9)

Peter is not saying that, when God says one day He really means one thousand years, nor when God says one thousand years He really means one day. What Peter is saying is that time is not the same for God as it is for us. God lives outside the bounds of time, we, however, are bound by it. We should not therefore consider God slow in bring forward His promises as we might count slowness. It may seem like it is taking a long time, because we march steadily through time, but to God, "It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away." (James 4:14 NKJV) Moreover, we should realize that, if there is a delay with God, it is not due to His inability to perform what He has spoken, but rather His desire that all might come to repentance and be saved. God is patient, waiting to bring forth His word that all might have the chance to receive salvation. Not all will choose salvation, but God is patient to give all the opportunity of salvation. After this, then the end will come, and it will come, this God has promised. Thanks be to God for His merciful patience towards us.

David Robison

2nd Peter 2 - Springs without water

"These are springs without water and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved." (2 Peter 2:17)

Peter is concluding his diatribe against false prophets and false teachers. He calls them springs without water and a mist driven by the storm. They hold the promise of water but are themselves dry and empty. Those who look to them for a drink and for refreshing are disappointing because they are not what they seem; they say they have but fail to give. They are those who have no portion in the Kingdom of Light but are destined for the darkness of eternity.

"For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved." (2 Peter 2:18-19)

We must not judge people, nor their message, by the greatness of their words, either by the expanse or the eloquence of their speeches, for these things are not a determinant of the truth. There are many men and women of polish who say great and lofty things, but this does not of necessity make them true. Of greater purport is to what they are appealing. If their words appeal to the flesh or to self, then great care must be given. For some might promise freedom, such as freedom from law, but if it is a promise that leads to licentiousness, then the later outcome will be worse than the first. For example, those who preached the sexual revolution of the sixties promised freedom from "old fashion" cultural norms but, instead, they lead a generation into new levels of bondage to the flesh.

"For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them. It has happened to them according to the true proverb, 'A dog returns to its own vomit' and, 'A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire.' " (2 Peter 2:20-22)

Jesus put it this way, "Now when the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and does not find it. Then it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came'; and when it comes, it finds it unoccupied, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and takes along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. That is the way it will also be with this evil generation." (Matthew 12:43-45) Peter's warning to us is that, once being set free, that we would not return to bondage, especially bondage to the flesh. The key in all of this is to pursue Jesus. When we pursue men we become susceptible to their wiles and to their special brand of heresy. This is not to say that all are heretics, for most are not, but we are to pursue the Lord and His word not a man and his word. When our focus is on the Lord then the lies of the pretender will be more easily identified. However, when we loose focus on the Lord and follow a man, then we are may be easily fooled by their deceptive ways. 

David Robison

2nd Peter 2 - Unreasoning brutes

"Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties, whereas angels who are greater in might and power do not bring a reviling judgment against them before the Lord." (2 Peter 2:10-11)

We must remember the context of this verse, Peter is talking about false prophets and false teachers and it is likely that Peter had certain people in mind: there were the Simmonites, the Valentinians, the Marcionites, and others. In fact, Eusebius records that it was for this very purpose that Peter came to Rome. The same Simon that Peter had rebuked saying, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God." (Acts 8:20-21) had gone to Rome to preach his special brand of heresy. When Peter heard this, he followed to correct the heretic and to preserve unaltered the message of God in Rome. Eusebius writes, "immediately under the reign of Claudius, by the benign providence of God, Peter, that powerful and great apostle, why by his courage took the lead of all the rest, was conducted to Rome against this pest of mankind." (Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, Book 2 14:6)

Peter describes such men as daring and self serving, men who rushed into things they didn't understand and rebuked object of majesty they did not know, something even angles were better disposed not to do. They were men who had no regard for what they did not understand and who did not understand their place as men in the created order of God, both natural and spiritual. For even angles, understanding their place, show proper honor and respect for glories and majesties around them. For example, when the angle was standing to dispute with the devil over the life of Joshua the High Priest, he did not revile those majesties but simply said, "The Lord rebuke you, Satan!" (Zechariah 3:2) Even today, some think it "spiritual" to revile the devil, calling him toothless and other slanderous things. While it is true the devil is corrupt and evil and destined for judgment, we shouldn't presume to revile what we don't know and to slander beings of greater power and position than ourselves. One day we shall "judge angels" (1 Corinthians 6:3) but for now we have been "made a little lower than the angels." (Hebrews 2:9 NKJV) Therefore our rebukes should be simple and bear the Word of the Lord: "The Lord rebuke you!".

"But these, like unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed, reviling where they have no knowledge, will in the destruction of those creatures also be destroyed." (2 Peter 2:12)

What separates us from the brutes of the field is our ability to reason; we are rational beings that do not, or should not, live by our baser passions that wage war against the higher nature of our soul, that rational part of our soul. However, when we live by our passions and the lusts of our soul, then we are no different then they; we too are unreasoning animals to be caught and destroyed. God wants us to engage our minds, He has called us as rational beings, that our rational minds might rule over the lusts and desires of our flesh. Our flesh wants many things but we must rule over it; we must receive the Word of God by faith and apply it to the longings of the flesh that we might, as Paul said, "put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry." (Colossians 3:5 NKJV)

"suffering wrong as the wages of doing wrong. They count it a pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are stains and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, as they carouse with you, having eyes full of adultery that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having a heart trained in greed, accursed children;" (2 Peter 2:13-14)

Peter tells us that such false prophets and false teachers they have trained the heart for evil. We are all born with a conscience, and our conscience either excuses or convicts us of wrong. Paul writing of those who were without the law wrote that, "they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them." (Romans 2:15) It is our conscience that guards us from evil and guides us to do good. However, when we ignore our conscience, when we blow past the warnings of our conscience in our rush to sin, then our conscience is offended and its impact in our life lessened. By repeatedly offending our conscience we can come to a place where its warnings are silenced and there remains no longer any barrier to sin. Our hearts have been fully trained in sin and we no longer hear the cautious warnings of our conscientiousness. We are like those of whom Paul wrote who were "seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron." (1 Timothy 4:2)

"forsaking the right way, they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; but he received a rebuke for his own transgression, for a mute donkey, speaking with a voice of a man, restrained the madness of the prophet." (2 Peter 2:15-16)

Sin has pleasure, If not, then we wouldn't sin. We sin, even as Christians, because we enjoy it, at least for the moment. Paul refers to it as "the passing pleasures of sin." (Hebrews 11:25) While sin is pleasurable for the moment, its long term effects are devastating. James write of the progress of sin, "But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death." (James 1:14-15 NKJV) The conceiving of lust is sin and the maturing of sin is death. We all have a choice to make, either to live for the momentary pleasures of sin or for the eternal rewards of righteousness. We are like Abraham as he returned from the battle of the kings. Two men came out to greet him, earch with gifts for him. One was of the world, the King of Sodom, and the other was the eternal priest of Salem, Melchizedek, who brought him "bread and wine. (Genesis 14:18) Abraham had a choice, the riches of the world or the eternal riches of the Kingdom of God. Abraham chose the bread and wine and rejected the King of Sodom saying, "I have sworn to the Lord God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth, that I will not take a thread or a sandal thong or anything that is yours, for fear you would say, 'I have made Abram rich.' " (Genesis 14:22-23) When faced with your choices today, how will you choose?

David Robison

2nd Peter 2 - The mills of God

"For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment; and did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; and if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly lives thereafter; and if He rescued righteous Lot" (2 Peter 2:4-7)

We often live so absorbed in the moment that we loose sight of the greater picture of life painted by history. We see our lives today and believe that life has always been as it is and always will be. We don't see the judgment and punishment of God and we assume that such judgment does not exist or is relegated to a time long ago. God doesn't move to establish justice so we think He never has or will. However, Peter reminds us by way of history that God's judgment is never idle. If God did not spare the angles, certainly He will not spare the wicked. If God destroyed the ancient world in a flood, certainly He will destroy this present world by fire. If God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah in judgment, certainly He will judge the present world for its violence and wickedness. We need only to look at history to realize that, though His judgment delays, it will not be restrained forever. Someone once said, "The mills of God turn slowly, but they grind exceedingly fine."

"Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds)" (2 Peter 2:7-8)

It's important to recognize Lot's response to the ungodliness in Sodom and Gomorrah, it wasn't anger or condemnation he felt for them, rather it was the oppression of his soul that he endured while living among them. What was the source of this oppression? Peter gives us a clue in the next verse when he says that God is able to rescue the godly from "temptation." Lot was oppressed, not because he disapproved of their behavior, nor because he was angry at their disregard for God's laws, but because of the lure of sin he felt as he endured in dwelling in their midst. My wife and I, along with our family, lived twelve years in Las Vegas. As you walked through those giant monuments to gambling you could feel the lure of sin, the lure of gambling, luxury, and licentiousness. It was that same lure of sin that oppressed Lot's soul, and his hatred was not for the people, but for the sin and its temptation that brings death to all who partake of it.

"then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment, and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority." (2 Peter 2:9-10)

Peter reminds us from history that God will not spare the wicked but will rescue the righteous. This is not to say that God does not desire the redemption of the wicked, for even as His judgement awaits them He continues to correct them that they might repent. Peter says that God keeps the unrighteous under "punishment" unto the day of judgment. The Greek word for "punishment" can also be translated as "to chastise". God continues to chastise the wicked that they may wake up and recognize their sin and repent while there still remains time. Even up to the very day of judgment, God will still be reaching out to the unrighteous that they may turn from the wickedness and receive the saving grace of God. On the other hand, for those who have received a righteousness that is found in Jesus alone, God has promised to rescue them from all temptation and to deliver them spotless before His throne on that last day. Though our souls may be vexed by the wickedness around us, we need not fear it, for, "greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world." (1 John 4:4) Our hope is in Christ and it is "the hope of righteousness." (Galatians 5:5) Therefore, let the mills of God turn for, though He will not spare in judgment, neither will He turn away in deliverance.

David Robison

2nd Peter 2 - Heresy

"But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep." (2 Peter 2:1-3)

Truth has always been under assault by those who desire to destroy it. We can read the recorded history of God's interaction with mankind and see how, over and over, false prophets and false teachers rose up to pervert the truth. Therefore we should not be surprised when we see false prophets and false teachers arising today. Sometimes we comfort ourselves by saying, "those things only happened back then" but Peter is warning us to be watchful knowing that, if it happened back then, it can and will happen today. There are several things worth noting in Peter's warning.

First, he warns us that false prophets and false teachers will arise from our own midst; from within the church itself. There will be those who grew up upon the truth but later stray away, wandering into error and unbelief. One of the Greek words that is translated as "deceived" is the same root word from which we get our word for "planets" and it means to wander. All the stars move in predictable patters except for the planets. To the early astronomers these celestial luminaries wandered from their true path, the true path the other stars took. They were wanders, erratic, and in error. Some people start in truth but end up wandering into error. We must be on the lookout for those who wish to lead us astray, away from the path of truth.

Secondly, their motives will not be immediately apparent for they will bring in their false teaching secretly or privately by stealth. What makes it even harder to discern their motives is that often the motive is not the outright destruction of the truth as it is the establishment of heresy. Heresy is a Greek word that simply means dissension or a sect. Its motives is to capture people through its teachings and to lead them away to be separate from the rest of the truth. The goal of heresy is to create a sect of followers that stand separate from and in opposition to the true body of believers. Irenaeus warns against all attempts to divide and split the Body of Christ, saying, "For no reformation of so great importance can be effected by them, as will compensate for the mischief arising from their schism." (Irenaeus, Against Heresy, Book 5, 33:7)

Thirdly, we must be wary about those who would seek to redefine for us who Jesus is; diminishing His deity or altering His relationship with the Father and the Spirit. Some speak of Jesus, but they have so reduced Him to the point where He is no longer Lord and Master. They like to talk about Him, but no longer feel the need to submit and obey Him. They are as those whom Jesus rebuked saying, "Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" (Luke 6:46) Some, moreover, while still asserting the lordship of Jesus, set themselves up as the head, demanding loyalty, fielty, and obedience from their followers. They speak of Jesus as Lord yet hold themselves as lord over their flock. They point to Jesus but expect people to follow them. The have denied Jesus as both their lord and the lord over the flock.

Fourthly, for some, their heresy is all about self indulgence. Their heresy is meant to make them feel good about themselves, to defend the sinful behavior, and to grant them permission to live in sensuality and licentiousness. Such heresy actually praises the passions that rage against our souls and places our own base desires above the desires of God. Jesus came that we might, "escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust." (2 Peter 1:4) and His grace comes to teach us to "deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age." (Titus 2:12) Jesus came to free us from our old sinful nature, from our sins and lusts, that we might live in newness of life, while such heresy seeks to enslave us once again to the baser nature of our soul. Such heresy may promise life, but it delivers bondage.

Finally, greed can breed heresy. It can be greed for money or for such things as power, position, recognition, and respect. What ever the object of greed, if we let it infect our teaching it can lead to heresy. Paul told us that, "the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." (1 Timothy 6:10) Much harm has been done to the body of Christ by those who have used their gifts of teaching and prophesy for their own selfish interests. The Greek word used here for "exploit" means a traveling peddler, a merchandiser, and one who buys and sells things. They are like those whom Jesus drove out of the temple saying, "Is it not written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it a robber's den." (Mark 11:17) or like those whom Paul says, "suppose that godliness is a means of gain." and are "men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth" (1 Timothy 6:5) Such men stand as spiritual ministers but are really businessmen, buying and selling what ever will make them a profit.

What ever the means, mode, or nature of the heresy, Peter is quite clear: its destruction awaits. While we should be on the alert for heresy, we need not fear it, for it cannot and will not stand. Heresy has come and gone over the centuries and, if Jesus tarries, will so come and go for the centuries to come, but the truth will remain!

David Robison

2nd Peter 1 - Eye Witnesses

"For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, "This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased" — and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain."  (2 Peter 1:16-18)

In those days, even as today, there were those who were carefully designing their religious and philosophical systems based on their own powers of understanding and imagination. The Greek word from "cleverly devised" does not carry any negative connotation for intents of the one devising the plan. It is the Greek word from which we get our word for Sophistry and the girls name Sophia and means wisdom. There were those who claimed great wisdom and knowledge of the universe and of God and developed elaborate intellectual models and their corresponding forms of religion worship, all conceived by their own imagination. Often those behind the differing systems would compete with each other, trying to show through their elaborate "systems" that they had the superior knowledge and wisdom and that they deserved to be followed over their peers. However, what made Christianity different was that it was not built upon the imagination of men but was delivered to men through direct revelation by God. Peter did not think these things up, he lived them. He did not devise sophistic teachings, he was taught directly by Jesus. Peter did not just suppose that Jesus was the Son of God, he was there on the mountain when Jesus was transfigured and he heard the voice of God declaring Jesus to be His Son. Peter did not just hope for a resurrection, he actually saw Jesus die and personally handled His resurrected body. Christianity is not based upon man's wisdom but upon God's divine revelation.

"So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts." (2 Peter 1:19)

This passage from Peter is a bit hard to translate and there are many ideas of exactly what he meant. Personally, I think the English Standard Version (ESV) gives the best translation, "And we have something more sure, the prophetic word." Not only do we have the personal testimonies of the apostles but they are just successors in a long history of divine revelation. God has not been silent. All through history God has been revealing Himself to mankind. God was there in the beginning of His creation, He continued to speak throughout history through His prophets, then He sent His own Son as His living Word, and now, as Peter recounts, was continuing that revelation through His apostles. This is what the writer of Hebrews wrote when he said, "God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world." (Hebrews 1:1-2) The roots of Christianity are ancient, they go all the way back through time. Christianity is not some new idea thought up by some of the wizards of smart, it is the natural progression of a divine revelation that started thousands of years ago.

"But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God." (2 Peter 1:20-21)

Peter writes of these prophetic scriptures as "a lamp shining in a dark place" and urges us to study and give heed to them. Why? Because they are not just the words of men but the words of God. When we read the scriptures, which in Peter's day were the old Hebrew writings of the Old Testament, we are not just reading the thoughts, ideas, and imaginations of men, we are reading the self-revelation of God. God wants us to know Him, He wants to reveal Himself to us, and He has left behind a written history of His revelation to Mankind for anyone who cares to enlighten themselves. They are not just good stories but divine realities and they are written on our behalf and for our benefit. Do not neglect them for they are God's message to you!

David Robison

2nd Peter 1 - Legacy

"Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you. I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder," (2 Peter 1:12-13)

As we go through our daily lives its easy to loose sight of the bigger picture. We become so consumed with the here and now that we loos sight of eternity, we focus on the temporal and forget the eternal. Sometimes we need to be reminded of where we have come from and where we are going. We need to be reminded of what is really important so we do not become consumed by minutia. Peter was writing of things that his readers already new, yet he wanted to make sure they remembered; remembered that they had been forgiven of their sins and were on a grand journey into the likeness of Christ.

We all need to be reminded from time to time of what life is really all about. Paul wrote to Timothy, "Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel" (2 Timothy 2:8) It seems odd that Timothy had to be reminded to remember Jesus, but we can all testify of times where in the hurriedness and busyness of life we have forgotten Jesus and His presence in our lives. Its good to be reminded to remembered often. Even our celebration of Communion is, in part, an act of remembrance. Jesus said, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." (Luke 22:19)  This need to be reminded is also why we need each other. The writer of Hebrews wrote, "and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near." (Heb 10:24-25) We need each other to help us to remember and to provoke and sir us on in our walk with Jesus.

"knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind." (2 Peter 1:14-15)

Peter knew that his life was to end in martyrdom. After His resurrection, Jesus told Peter, " 'Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go.' Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, 'Follow Me!' " (John 21:18-19) Each day he lived, Peter knew it was one more day closer to his departure from this earth. This knowledge motivated him in his diligence to teach and remind the believers of their life in God. Many people today speak of legacy; a desire to leave behind something to the next generation that follows. However, for many, this desire is not so much about the gift to be left behind as it is to be remembered for the gift. Peter was not so concerned with being remembered as he was for the people to remember Jesus. His life's work was to so ingrain in them the truth that, even after he was gone, they would still remember what he said; not because he said it but because it was the truth and the truth changed their lives.

What legacy are we leaving behind? Is it a legacy the seeks to perpetuate our own remembrance or one that seeks for something greater in those who follow after us? Let us apply all diligence so that, after we depart for heaven, the lessons Jesus taught us would remain in the hearts and minds of those we leave behind.

David Robison

2nd Peter 1 - Fruitful vs. Barren

"For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 1:8)

Peter is back talking about the knowledge of God that is the knowing of God kind of knowledge. He also gives us this promise, that if we apply diligence to our faith and build, layer upon layer, upon our faith the virtues of life he previously mentioned, then we will be neither barren or unfruitful in our walk with Christ. The Christian walk is meant to be a walk forward; a walk of progress towards the image and likeness of God. Paul says of us, "For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren." (Romans 8:29)

This is the journey we are on, to become progressively more and more like Jesus, both in action (outwardly) and thought (inwardly). This growth occurs as we add those qualities of life that Peter mentioned and that, through faith and diligence, those things increase in our lives. For those who practice such a lifestyle find a life that is full and productive. The Greek word used here for "barren" means to be inactive, idle, or slow and the word for "unproductive" means to be without fruit. None of us wants this for our lives, but it takes diligence and faith; it takes an intentional walk forward into obedience to the things God has for us.

"For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins." (2 Peter 1:9)

The picture Peter is drawing is of one who is trying to see life through a window where all things are occluded by the filth of the window, or as one who has willing shut their eyes lest they should see reality as it really is. There are many reasons for this blindness, some choose it willingly others submit to it by remaining in their prisons where they can no longer see the sky. Some are just too focused on themselves to actually look out and see the Kingdom to which they have become members. What ever the reason, they no longer look forward and their salvation from sin no longer holds any importance to them. If we find ourselves one of these people then we need to wake up and remember that our salvation and the forgiveness of our sins was meant to be the start of a grand adventure with Christ, not just a moment of life that we experience and then move on from as if nothing has changed. We need to once again grasp the importance of that event and begin to live in its reality, journeying forward to God and to His likeness.

"Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble" (2 Peter 1:10)

What a promise! To live a life no more to stumble! Everyone is looking for something simple they can do to improve their lives and here it is: practice these things and you will never stumble again. Of course, its not as easy as that, it takes effort, work, discipline, and faith, but it is possible by the grace and mercy of God and, along the way, if we do stumble, there is always the mercy of God to forgive us and restore us to the path of life. When Peter says to "make certain" our calling and election, he uses a Greek word that means to make "stable, steadfast, and sure." It is not as if our election and calling are ever in question or are uncertain, but it is in regards to the steadiness and firmness of our lives: living some days as if we are called and others as if we are not. Some days walking in accordance with our calling and election and other days stumbling badly as if our calling and election were failing us. The goal of all discipline is to produce a walk that is stable, sure, and firm; a walk that is certain. We should never doubt our calling and election by God and our walk should express the same; certain in our confidence and certain in our walk.

"for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you." (2 Peter 1:11)

It's hard to think that there will be differing rewards in heaven. We like to think that we are just as "good" as everyone else and that, if any deficiencies are found in our life, that God will understand and overlook our deficiencies since, after all, we are made of flesh. It is true that, all those who place themselves into the Father's hand are secure. For Jesus said, "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand." (John 10:29) However, not all will arrive at heaven the same, some with rewards awaiting, and others arriving having suffered loss. "Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work. If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire." (1 Corinthians 3:12-15) The choice is ours. Either to take our salvation for granted and to be content with escaping hell, or to apply diligence to receive heavenly rewards when we finally arrive at our homes in heaven. So how will you live your life today? In slothful squandering of the opportunities that God has given you or by living in light of the precious gift you have received in the forgiveness of sins and in a determination to live forward to the honor and glory of God? Which will you choose today?

David Robison

2nd Peter 1 - Diligent faith

"Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love." (2 Peter 1:5-7)

The Christian walk is a life of growing up. Paul spoke of having, "put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him." (Colossians 3:10) Which begs the question, "why does the new man have to be renewed?" The "new man" can also be translated "infant man" and to "renew" to "cause to grow up." We are born as spiritual infants that are growing up to become full-grown men and women of God. However, this growth does not happen automatically, but takes diligence, effort, and time. Many people either never start on the journey of growth or give up too soon; like spiritual children of Never Land who never grow up. Peter is encouraging us to not be slothful in our Christian growth but to be diligent and apply all spiritual discipline and training, along with the power and promises of God, to become mature in our faith and our walk with God.

Our new life in Christ begins with faith. Speaking of faith, Paul says, "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand" (Romans 5:1-2) It is by faith that we are justified and are introduced to the grace of God that is able to save us and to help us to grow up. Faith is the starting point, but not the ending point. Peter encourages to add to our faith, like building layer upon layer, "until we all arrive at the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, at [the] full-grown man, at [the] measure of the stature of the fulness of the Christ." (Ephesians 4:13 Darby)

Virtue: The Greek word for "moral excellence" can also be translated "virtue" and means anything of excellence that brings us into high esteem by those around us. We can think of this as outward faith. This is what Paul is referring to when he wrote, "He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need." (Ephesians 4:28) Virtue is the outward expression of the faith we have inside. This is what Jesus was speaking of when He said, "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)

Knowledge: The Greek word used here for "knowledge" is different from the word Peter uses for the "knowledge of God" and it simply means knowledge or science. Having come to know God, we still need to grow in our knowledge of God. Paul, writing to the Hebrews, said, "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food." (Hebrews 5:12) These, while coming to know Christ, had failed to grow in their knowledge of Christ and needed to be taught again the beginnings of their faith. We should never stop learning, especially from the Word of God.

Temperance: The Greek word for "self-control" can also be translated as "temperance". The early church considered luxury one of the great sins of their day and taught their people to live moderately, simply, and with temperance. Clement of Alexandria said that uninterrupted pleasures was one of the greatest dangers to the soul. Paul taught us that now is the time that, "those who buy, [should live] as though they did not possess; and those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it; for the form of this world is passing away." (1 Corinthians 7:30-31) The treasures of this world can add nothing to our life for we are spiritual people, born of heaven, and destined for the same. We must learn to curb our appetite for the things of this world and to grow in hunger for the things of heaven.

Patience: The Greek word for "perseverance" can also mean "patience" and means "a patient waiting for" or "a patient endurance." Sometimes the things we desire do not come immediately. God is not some great vending machine in the sky that gives everything we want when we want it. Sometimes we have to wait for the things promised. The truth is that sometimes faith alone is not enough to gain the promises of God. The writer of Hebrews says we should be, "imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises." (Hebrews 6:12) Sometimes faith is not enough, sometimes we need to mix it with patience. The write of Hebrews says to, "make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed." (Hebrews 12:13) Some people sit around waiting for their healing and wonder why it never comes while Jesus tells us to press on in doing what is right while we wait for the promise of His healing, that when it comes, we will be prepared for it. We must be committed to patiently doing what is right while we wait for the promises of God to become manifest in our lives.

Godliness: While virtue can be thought of as "outward faith," godliness is an inward faith. It is the conformance of the inward man to the image of Christ. It is more than just obtaining to an outward appearance of righteousness, but it is an inward reality of righteousness. This is what Jesus was talking about when he said, "You have heard that the ancients were told, 'You shall not commit murder' and 'Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.' But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court... You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery';  but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28) It's not enough to be clean on the outside, but we must also be clean on the inside; pride, hatred, lust, envy, covetousness, and the like must all be eradicated from our sole. This is true godliness.

Brotherly love: Christianity would be a whole lot easier if it wasn't for other Christians. However, our love for our brethren is often a barometer of how much we love God. John wrote, "If someone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also." (1 John 4:20-21) We cannot separate the love of God from the love of the people of God. Having received the love of God we need to share that love one for another. If the God who is love lives in us, how can we but not love others? Those who remain isolated in their faith are stunted in their growth. We need each other, we need to love others and be loved by others. Brotherly love is the beginning of community and the beginning of the next virtue: charity.

Charity: The Greeks had several words for love, with the greatest love being "agape" which the King James Version of the Bible translates as charity. This is the kind of love that Paul says, "Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." (Romans 13:10) Our Christian walk begins with faith and ends with love. In fact, this is the true definition of righteousness. In Ephesians 6:14, Paul refers to the "breastplate of righteousness" and in 1 Thessalonians 5:8, the "breastplate of faith and love" thus linking righteousness with faith and love. True righteousness can be defined as, "faith working through love" (Galatians 5:6) The goal of all the other virtues listed by Peter is love. Paul says, "But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." (1 Timothy 1:5) Let us be found diligent in our faith to add all things necessary that we might arrive at true love for God and for mankind.

David Robison

2nd Peter1 - Escaping corruption

"seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence." (2 Peter 1:3)

Peter's writing style can be a bit difficult to follow at times, but I'll give it my best "college try." Everything we have of any value begins with the knowledge of God. In Peter's day, many people claimed knowledge; scientists, philosophers, and some religious leaders, but for many, it was only knowledge of "stuff". Some of the heresies that sprung up in Peter's day also claimed to be birthed out of knowledge, a knowledge of spiritual things and spiritual hierarchies. Some even claiming knowledge and revelation that was greater than what Christ or even His Father knew, but it was only a knowledge of (supposed) facts. However, such knowledge benefits us little, in fact Paul said, "Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies." (1 Cor 8:1 NKJV) It's not enough to know about God, we must know God, and it is this knowing that releases God's power in our lives. It is through this power that we gain access to all heavenly and divine power to make provision for everything we need for living a godly life. We can try to be good on our own, but its only when we come to know God that we gain access to the power to be good, the power to live right.

"For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust." (2 Peter 1:4)

For by what? By His divine powers released through the knowledge of Him. His promises are backed by His power and made available to use through the knowledge of Him. God's promises are not only great, they are also precious. The Greek word for "precious" can also be translated "costly." God's precious promises can only be purchased by something of equal or greater preciousness, such as, "with the precious blood of Christ:" (1 Peter 1:19 NIV) The goal of the promises is to make us partakers, or companions with Christ, in the divine nature. However, its not the promises alone that produces the divine nature within is, but obtaining those promises. Its not enough to merely believe the promises but we must also inherit those promises. This requires faith, and a bit more. "so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises." (Hebrews 6:12)

Our journey towards life, godliness, and possessing the divine nature all begins when we are born again, when we die to this world and come alive to the Kingdom of God, when we escape the kingdom of this age and arrive in the Kingdom of God's Son, "For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son."(Colossians 1:13) Peter refers to the corruption that is in the world due to lust. The Greek word for "corruption" represents a body decaying in the ground. This world, and the world system, is fading away, it is already dead and decaying. "for the form of this world is passing away." (1 Corinthians 7:31) We were once part of this corruption; already "dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh." ("Colossians 2:13) and our human nature decaying even as we lived. However, when we came to Christ, our old nature died and our new nature came to life, a nature divine in promise. This is our hope which we seek to obtain through the great and precious promises of God. To live a life that is growing and maturing towards life, not one that is decaying into death. The old life we have escaped, the new life we are reaching forward to obtain in all its fullness.

David Robison

2nd Peter 1 - A bond-servant

"Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ," (2 Peter 1:1)

Many of the Apostles, in sending their greetings in the opening of their letters, refer to themselves as "bond-servants" of God. I have heard some bristle at this term, claiming to be more and a servant and greater than a slave, and rightly so, for Jesus told us, "No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you." (John 15:15) and Paul reminds us that, "you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God." (Galatians 4:7) However, even armed with this information, the apostles and many of the disciples still saw themselves as servants of God.

To understand this, we must hearken back to a time when Jews owned Hebrew slaves. Jews who found themselves in profound poverty and unable to provide for themselves or their family, would sell themselves as slaves to their fellow Jews. They would serve their Jewish masters for six years and then, on the seventh year, they were to be let go free. However, if their love for their benefactor was greater than their love for freedom, they could choose to stay with their master. "But if the slave plainly says, 'I love my master, my wife and my children; I will not go out as a free man,' then his master shall bring him to God, then he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him permanently." (Exodus 21:5-6) These early believers understood this and their love for God compelled them to bind themselves permanently to God as his bond-servants; to accept the same piercing that also pierced Jesus, who was Himself  "door of the sheep." (John 10:7) Some people are simply happy to follow Jesus but others, out of their deep and abounding love for God, also desire to be His servant.

"To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:1)

The Greek term translated here as "same kind" can also mean "of like preciousness" or "of equal value or honor." Peter was not writing to those who merely knew the truth, but to those who loved the truth. He was writing to those for whom the truth head the same value and place of honor in their hearts as it did for Peter. Those who know the truth often fail to understand the truth because they have no love of the truth within themselves. Paul warns us of the coming Antichrist, the man of lawlessness, and the destruction that will come upon many, "because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved." (2 Thessalonians 2:10) Our challenge, as we read the rest of Peter's letter, is to ask ourselves, "is our faith of the same preciousness as it to Peter?" and if not, why?

Peter also reminds us that, this faith we have received, we received not by our own righteousness or strength, but it was a free gift given to us through the righteousness of Christ. Our faith becomes all the more precious when we realize that we did not earn it but rather that it was given to us as a free gift, a gift we didn't deserve, a gift we couldn't purchase on our own, a gift freely given to us by a loving God. Jesus paid a tremendous price that we might posses such a precious faith, and this price He freely paid because of His great love for us.

"Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord" (2 Peter 1:2)

It is the knowledge of God through which grace and peace are multiplied in our lives. However, such knowledge is not the knowledge of the things of God, or the knowing of certain facts about God, it is a knowledge that actually knows God. I have knowledge of our president and I know many things about him, but I do not know him. The same can be said of God. Many people have a knowledge of God and know many thing about God, but few actually know God. Jesus chided the Pharisees for their much studying and learning that never lead them to a true knowledge of God. "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life." (John 5:39-40) Jesus came to reveal the Father, so why should we be content with mere information and facts about God when we have been invited into a relationship with God that we might truly know Him. It is only in such a relationship that we will come to know Him and find the peace and grace that flows from His heart into our lives.

David Robison