2 Peter 3:1-18
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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: Today's readings remind me of MercyMe's song, "Beautiful:"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vh7-RSPuAA
Do you know our Beautiful God who made you beautiful? Click here for true Beauty!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:8-9 (NIV)
Prayer Point: Pray in thanksgiving that the Lord is patient with us, not wanting anyone to perish, but wanting all to come to repentance. Pray for all to come to repentance.
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. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
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