Today I am compelled to share one of my favorite recently discovered epistles with you for the comfort I derive from its words each time through, recently monthly, if not even weekly. It is not uncommon for me to listen to a book in two days, and I frequently am encouraged by friends and associates to explore books far beyond my comfort range. And of late, rather than moving on to the next book after any initial red flags, I force myself to listen attentively, even saving clips of meaningful spots for future reference, as often I am deeply challenged by their words and concepts. Though a new action point for me, I believe this openness is ultimately strengthening my faith and hopefully, meaningful dialogue at some point.
However, after such radical exposures, I find myself anticipating sliding into my recliner, turn on the lamp, and let the words of my favorite scriptures and hymns just wash over me, in, essence restoring my peace and spiritual equilibrium, perhaps even momentum, as I prepare for the next encounters.
Personally, I believe both scripture and science validate the recent exhibitions in our solar system and on and about planet earth of the eventual “end times,” however that may be defined; hence both I & II Peter provide me succinct wisdom for my focus in the swirling chaos and current clammering all about us; unless we have our heads in the sand, or are living in denial. Remember, these are Peter’s words; hot-headed, tempestuous, tumultuous, finicky Peter, but after the third rooster crow and Pentecost, he was a focused man except for that skirmish in Jerusalem when Paul had to call him out. An amazing follower of Christ. Oh, if only we could (would) hear our crowing roosters!
I do caution you upfront though, these are tough words from Peter, not feel good fluff. You may have never even heard these verses prior. That is why I read through the Bible each year in the One Year Bible. The gospel message though amazingly simple characterized by forgiveness, love, grace, mercy and restoration with joy is often in direct conflict with our culture’s lawlessness and open rebellion against God and His scriptural precepts. Sadly, too often today, many Christians do not even understand repentance.
I am using the NKJV. I also frequently read from James and I, II, & III John while in this neighborhood. Pray prior to reading that God will indeed open your heart and mind to his truths while you read. As always, I invite your emails.
Blessings as you go forth>>>> merlin
II Peter 1:16 to the end of this epistle
16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” 18 And when we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. 19 We also have the prophetic word made more sure, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
CH TWO 1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who brought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow in their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words, for a long time with their judgement has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. 4 For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgement; 5 and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; 6 and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those afterward would live ungodly; 7 and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed with the filthy conduct of the wicked 8 (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds) – 9 then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgement, 10 and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed; they are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries, 11 whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring reviling accusation against them before the Lord. 12 But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption, 13 and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you, 14 having eyes full of idolatry and that cannot cease from sin, beguiling unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children. 15 They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the the son Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man’s voice restrained the madness of the prophet. 17 These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, to whom the glory of darkness is reserved forever. 18 For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through licentiousness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves or corruption; for by whom a person is overcome by him also is he brought into bondage. 20 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are entangled in them and overcome, the later end is worse for them than the beginning. 21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog returns to his own vomit,” and “a sow having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.”
CHAPTER THREE 1 Beloved, I now write you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), 2 that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Savior, knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 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 they willfully forget: that by the word of the God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which now exist are kept in store by the same word, reserved for fire until the day of judgement and perdition of ungodly men. 8 But beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is 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.
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all this will be dissolved, what manner of persons 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 dissolved being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; 15 and account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation – as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which those who are untaught and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. 17 You therefore, beloved, since you know these things beforehand, beware lest you also fall away from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.