May 19, 2013
Evening Service

We will conclude the teaching of Peter on the second coming of Christ tonight.  Here is what we have looked at so far:

1Pe 1:7 so that the trial of your faith (being much more precious than that of gold that perishes, but being proven through fire) might be found to praise and honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

 

1Pe 4:13  but rejoice according as you are partakers of Christ's suffering, so that when His glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy.

 

1Pe 5:4 And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, you shall receive a never-fading crown of glory.

 

2Pe 1:16  For not having followed fables having been cunningly devised, but becoming eyewitnesses of the majesty of Jesus Christ, we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord.

·         We have seen where we are to share in Christ’s sufferings, work to attain His divine nature and we will share in His glory at His second coming.

·         Peter reminds us of the promises God has given us as we strive to be overcomers.

·         Peter begins chapter three with another reminder for us then shifts gears and begins to prophecy on what that Day of His second coming will look like.

 

2Pe 3:1-2  Beloved, I now write this second letter to you, in which I stir up your pure mind by reminder  (2)  to remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of the Lord and Savior by us, the apostles.

·         Peter reminds us to give attention to the scriptures (OT) and the commandments of our Lord given through the apostles.

 

1Co 14:37 If anyone thinks to be a prophet, or a spiritual one, let him recognize the things I write to you, that they are a commandment of the Lord.

·         We must read and study our Bible as a roadmap of truth that leads us to the perfect will of God.  The words written there are not guidelines to a happy life, but the actual Words of God.  It is how God has chosen to communicate with us.

·         Our Bibles should be one, if not our only, prized possession.

 

2Pe 3:3-7  First, knowing this, that there will come in the last days scoffers walking according to their own lusts  (4)  and saying, Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.  (5)  For this is hidden from them by their willing it, that the heavens were of old, and the earth out of the water, and through water, being held together by the Word of God,  (6)  through which the world that then was, being flooded by water, perished.  (7)  But the present heavens and the earth being kept in store by the same Word, are being kept for fire until the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

 

 

Isa 66:15-16  For, behold, Jehovah will come with fire, and with His chariots like a tempest, to refresh His anger with fury, and His rebuke with flames of fire.  (16)  For by fire and by His sword Jehovah will execute judgment with all flesh; and the slain of Jehovah will be many.

·         The second coming will not be a day of “exceeding joy” for everyone. For those who willfully forget it will be a day of judgment by fire. They continue to scoff thinking that since He hasn’t come, He isn’t coming.

 

2Pe 3:8-9  But, beloved, let not this one thing be hidden from you, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.  (9)  The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

·         Unlike our patience, God’s is perfect.  He is long suffering with us giving all an opportunity to accept His gift of salvation.  His plan is right on track.

 

2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a rushing noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat. And the earth and the works in it will be burned up.

·         The entire world as we know it will be dissolved in one great explosion and melted with fervent heat.  Everything gone in an instant.

·         Peter then asks us a very relevant question.

 

2Pe 3:11-12  Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,  (12)  looking for and hastening the coming of the Day of God, on account of which the heavens, being on fire, will melt away, and the elements will melt, burning with heat?

·         Should the second coming of Christ affect how we live our daily lives?  Absolutely!

 

2Pe 3:13 Nevertheless according to His promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

·         We are not part of that judgment of fire, but it simply makes way for the new heavens and earth spoke of in Revelation 21.

2Pe 3:14-15  Therefore, beloved, looking for these things, be diligent, spotless, and without blemish, to be found by Him in peace.  (15)  And think of the long-suffering of our Lord as salvation

·         Peter again reminds us to be diligent in our pursuit of perfection.  It is an unattainable goal, but one we are encouraged to strive for.

·         God has given us the fivefold ministry of the church to guide us along the way.

 

Eph 4:11-13  And truly He gave some to be apostles, and some to be prophets, and some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,  (12)  for the equipping of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.  (13)  And this until we all come into the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

·         We now know how this all ends.  What changes should we be making?

Help us to remember your wonderful, longsuffering love for us, and to strive for perfection hastening your soon return.