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Home The More Sure WordStudies in 2 Peter by Rev. Stan InghamThe keyword is 'REMEMBER'Entrance into the Eternal Kingdom AssuredWhat did Jesus mean by this?Revelation of the Eternal KingReasons for Writing the Epistle SummarisedThe aged apostle, Simon Peter, is writing his last word - 'to those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours'. The keyword is 'REMEMBER' and this is one of the purposes of the letter, to place on indelible record some basic facts of the Christian faith so that those who had come to know the Lord Jesus Christ through apostolic witness and teaching would never forget the truths upon which their eternal destiny stood. Peter reminds them that 'God's divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to to life and godliness through the true knowledge of Him who called us by (or to) His Own glory and excellence'. None of us has an excuse for defeat in the Christian life, nor to fear we cannot be faithful through the rest of our lives. His divine power is more than sufficient for any trial or temptation. He continues by further reminding them that through this special enablement to every saint, the powerful Lord God can certainly fulfil every promise He has made and supply every need. 'He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that, by them, you might become partakers of the DIVINE NATURE - having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust' (verses 2,3). Entrance into the Eternal Kingdom AssuredAfter encouraging his readers to faith and perseverance in the sure promises of God, he reminds them of his message of assurance, stating, 'for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you - THEREFORE, I shall 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' (verses 11,12). Peter claims that it is his rightful duty, 'as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, TO STIR YOU UP BY WAY OF REMINDER, knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me'. His mind was focused on the solemn occasion when, after the Lord had risen from the dead, He appeared to them by the shore of the lake. The Master called his frustrated, failing servant aside to counsel him, testing the depth of his love for the things of God and calling him to his future responsibility - 'FOLLOW ME - FEED MY SHEEP John 20). Jesus at that time prophesied that Peter would be changed from the head-strong young man he was, to be submissive completely to God's will - 'but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you and bring you to where you do not wish to go. What did Jesus mean by this?He was prophesying that Peter would be a martyr in his old age - 'Now this He said signifying by what kind of death he (Peter) would glorify God' (John 20:1-19). As the years were added to Peter's age, he must have wondered when that fatal prophecy would be fulfilled! Yet he was not afraid. Why? Because Peter had complete faith in the power of God to provide special grace and sufficient strength to be 'faithful unto death' - to a death which would be a most painful and horrible experience. What was it that enabled the aged apostle to live joyfully with this daunting prospect hanging over him continually? In verse 16 he speaks of 'the POWER AND COMING OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST'. Continuously, at the forefront of his mind was the assurance of the 'MAJESTIC GLORY' of Christ. Revelation of the Eternal KingPeter's mind was centred upon another episode of his experience with Jesus which was a further confirmation of his unquenchable faith. Peter, James and John had been led by the Master up a high mountain. As they viewed the glorious 'panorama from their lofty elevation, a sight infinitely more glorious appeared before them. The flesh and raiment of the Saviour began to glow, increasing in brightness until 'His face shone like the sun and His garments became as white as the light - as Luke describes it, "His clothing became white and gleaming (flashing like lightning)".' We can imagine them, over awed and overwhelmed by the sheer brilliance of the divine manifestation of the prestine glory of Christ, the Son of God. Then, as they witnessed the visitation and the discussion of Moses, Elijah and Jesus, they were feeling 'out of this world'! The climax came as the 'bright cloud', symbol of the presence of God, 'overshadowed them', and God Himself spoke with unmistakable clarity, saying, 'THIS IS MY BELOVED SON, WITH WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED - HEAR HIM!' Now, thinking back after many years, this breathtaking illumination and revelation direct from Jehovah was still firmly in his mind, motivating and encouraging him, so he is able to declare, '... we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you, THE POWER AND COMING OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, BUT WERE EYE WITNESSES OF HIS MAJESTY, for when He received honour and glory from God the Father, such an utterance (or voice) 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 (verses 17,18). The import of this written testimony from the pen of the dear old saint of God was to enforce, the veracity of the prophecy and reinforce it on their minds. Reasons for Writing the Epistle Summarised1. In verse 15 Peter states he is diligent in his witness to them, so that 'at any time after my departure you may be able to call these thing to mind'. How we should thank God for His servants who give their lives to minister to us the sure words of prophecy faithfully and diligently. Let us ever remember the precious truths declared from God's Holy prophetic word, and let us heed the message by taking the warnings and exhortations they bring to our hearts. 2. In verse 19 - so that the prophetic Scripture may be reinforced - 'and so we have THE PROPHETIC WORD MADE MORE SURE'. Human beings are so apt to be caught up with the problems and perplexities, the troubles and traumas, the disbelief and doubts, so abundant in this 'present evil world' around them, that the sure Word of Prophecy and the certainty of the divine promises, may be dimmed and forgotten. But the apostles were granted the assurance by visible glory and vocal pronouncement from the God of Glory Himself, to reveal to us the immutability of God's sure word of prophecy. 3. In verse 19 he warns us to take this word of prophecy most seriously - 'to which you do well TO PAY ATTENTION AS TO A LAMP SHINING IN A DARK PLACE'. The Word of God is indeed a lamp and light to our pathway as we journey through the darkened shadows of this sinful world on our pilgrimage towards the land of eternal light. We must pay attention to it, practise and obey it It is given to instruct, encourage and guide us so that we will never lose our way or lose hope. 4. In verse 19 we are reminded of the glorious crisis to come and the limit in time to our earthly pilgrimage - 'UNTIL THE DAY DAWNS and THE MORNING STAR ARISES IN OUR HEARTS'. Jesus, the Light of the World, appeared, veiled in human flesh, to bring salvation and renew man's relationship with the Living God. But He is coming again and His true glory will be revealed, not to a small, privileged group, but 'to all those who love His appearing'. The SURE WORD OF PROPHECY WAS MADE MORE SURE WHEN GOD SPOKE FROM HEAVEN, Jesus Himself is THE WORD - THE REVELATION OF GOD. 'In Him was life; and the life was the light of men' John 1:4). The glorious day is quickly approaching when the full splendour of that light will be witnessed by all those born of the Holy Spirit. There is no need of the sun in heaven we are told in the Revelation, for the Lamb Jesus) is The Light - 'And the City has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine upon it for the glory of God has illumined it' and its lamp is The Lamb. And the nations shall walk by its light .." (Revelation 21:23,24). At the moment the MORE SURE WORD OF PROPHECY is like a light shining in a dark place. God's children are to reflect that light of the gospel and sound it forth to warn sinners of their danger and to win them to the Lord through the preaching of the WORD MADE SURE. The chapter concludes by relaying the origin and infallibility of the sure word of prophecy - it comes from God Himself through men moved along and inspired by the Holy Spirit- 'But know this first of all (of primary importance), 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' (verses 20,21). YT 4/97
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