Reference: Peter, Second Epistle of
Easton
The question of the authenticity of this epistle has been much discussed, but the weight of evidence is wholly in favour of its claim to be the production of the apostle whose name it bears. It appears to have been written shortly before the apostle's death (1:14). This epistle contains eleven references to the Old Testament. It also contains (3:15, 16) a remarkable reference to Paul's epistles. Some think this reference is to 1Th 4:13-5:11. A few years ago, among other documents, a parchment fragment, called the "Gospel of Peter," was discovered in a Christian tomb at Akhmim in Upper Egypt. Origen (obiit A.D. 254), Eusebius (obiit 340), and Jerome (obiit 420) refer to such a work, and hence it has been concluded that it was probably written about the middle of the second century. It professes to give a history of our Lord's resurrection and ascension. While differing in not a few particulars from the canonical Gospels, the writer shows plainly that he was acquinted both with the synoptics and with the Gospel of John. Though apocryphal, it is of considerable value as showing that the main facts of the history of our Lord were then widely known.
Hastings
This Epistle cannot rank with 1Peter as a Christian classic; indeed, very many would agree with J
See Verses Found in Dictionary
All things have been entrusted to me by my Father, and no one but the Father perfectly knows the Son, and no one but the Son perfectly knows the Father, and the one to whom the Son chooses to make Him known.
Put on my yoke, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls,
But if I by the Spirit of God am driving the demons out, then the kingdom of God has come to you. Or, how can anyone get into a giant's house and carry off his goods, unless he first binds the giant? After that he can make a clean sweep of his house.
"Whenever the foul spirit goes out of a man, it wanders about in deserts in search of rest, but cannot find it. Then it says, 'I will go back to my house which I left,' and it finds it unoccupied, swept, and ready for use. read more. "Then it goes and gets seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and make their home there, and so the end of that man is worse than the beginning. This is the way it will be with the wicked leaders of this age."
Jesus said to them: "I solemnly say to you, in the new order of life, when the Son of Man shall take His seat on His glorious throne, you too, who have followed me, will sit on twelve thrones, and judge the twelve tribes of Israel.
"When the Son of Man comes in His splendor, and all the angels with Him, He will take His seat on His splendid throne,
"But in those days, after that misery, the sun will turn dark, the moon will not shed its light, the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers of the sky will be shaken. read more. And then they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds in overwhelming power and splendor.
Earth and sky will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
So He said, "You are granted the privilege of knowing the secrets of the kingdom of God, but to others they are told in stories, so that they may look and not see, may hear and not understand.
"Nobody lights a lamp and then covers it with a pot or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light.
men fainting with fear and apprehension of the things that are to come upon the world, for the powers of the sky will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud in overwhelming power and splendor. read more. When these things begin to take place, look up and lift your heads, for your deliverance is drawing near."
I most solemnly say to you, when you were young, you used to put on your own belt and go where you pleased, but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will put a belt on you and you will go where you do not please to go." He said this to point out the sort of death by which Peter was to glorify God. So after He had said this, He said to Peter, "Keep on following me!"
So now repent and turn to Him, to have your sins wiped out, that times of revival may come from the presence of the Lord, and He may send back Jesus, the Christ who long ago was appointed for you. read more. Yet heaven must retain Him till the time for the universal restoration of which God in the early ages spoke through the lips of His holy prophets.
Do you think so little of the riches of God's kindness, forbearance, and patience, not conscious that His kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
Ruin and wretchedness are on their paths,
There is no reverence for God before their eyes."
and you must stop offering to sin the parts of your bodies as instruments for wrongdoing, but you must once for all offer yourselves to God as persons raised from the dead to live on perpetually, and once for all offer the parts of your bodies to God as instruments for right-doing.
And what if God, though wishing to display His anger and make known His power, yet, has most patiently borne with the objects of His anger, already ripe for destruction,
For I know that if this earthly tent in which I live is taken down, I have a building in heaven which comes from God, a house not built by human hands but eternal.
so that He may strengthen your hearts to be faultless in purity in the sight of God, when our Lord Jesus comes back with all His consecrated ones.
May God Himself, who gave you peace, consecrate your whole being. May you be safely kept, spirit, soul, and body, so as to be blameless when our Lord Jesus Christ comes back.
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the foreign-born Jews who are scattered over Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
yes, to an inheritance that is imperishable, unsullied, and unfading, which is kept in heaven for you
Even the prophets, who prophesied about the spiritual blessing meant for you, made careful investigations and persistent research about this salvation, earnestly trying to find out the time, and the nature of the times, which the Spirit of the Christ within them pointed to, in foretelling the sufferings of the Christ and the glory that should follow them. read more. It was made known to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in their searching for these things that have already been told to you by those who through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven brought you the good news. The angels long to take a peep into these things. Therefore, as a means of spiritual preparation, tighten up the belt about your minds, keep perfectly calm, keep your hope on the spiritual blessing to be conferred upon you at the unveiling of Jesus Christ.
but in accordance with the Holy Being who has called you, you must prove to be holy too, for the Scripture says: "You ought to be holy, because I am holy."
Since you have purified your souls by obeying the truth, in sincere love for the brotherhood you must love one another heartily and fervently, because you have been born anew, not from a germ that perishes but from one that does not perish, by the word of the living and everlasting God.
and: "A stone for them to stumble over and a rock to trip them up." They keep on stumbling over the message, because they are disobedient to it, and this is their appointed doom.
For it is God's will that by doing right you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.
but so far as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, keep on rejoicing, so that at the uncovering of His glory you may rejoice triumphantly.
So, as a joint-elder with them, a witness of the suffering borne by Christ, and a sharer of the glory that is to be uncovered, I beg the elders among you,
And God, the giver of every spiritual blessing, who through your union with Christ has called you to His eternal glory, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself make you perfect, firm, and strong,
Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who through the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ have obtained the same precious faith that we have:
Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who through the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ have obtained the same precious faith that we have:
Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who through the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ have obtained the same precious faith that we have:
Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who through the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ have obtained the same precious faith that we have:
Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who through the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ have obtained the same precious faith that we have: spiritual blessing and peace be to you in increasing abundance through a full knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;
spiritual blessing and peace be to you in increasing abundance through a full knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;
spiritual blessing and peace be to you in increasing abundance through a full knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;
spiritual blessing and peace be to you in increasing abundance through a full knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;
spiritual blessing and peace be to you in increasing abundance through a full knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;
spiritual blessing and peace be to you in increasing abundance through a full knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; because His divine power has given us everything that is needful for life and piety, through our full knowledge of Him who through His glory and excellence has called us to Him.
because His divine power has given us everything that is needful for life and piety, through our full knowledge of Him who through His glory and excellence has called us to Him.
because His divine power has given us everything that is needful for life and piety, through our full knowledge of Him who through His glory and excellence has called us to Him.
because His divine power has given us everything that is needful for life and piety, through our full knowledge of Him who through His glory and excellence has called us to Him.
because His divine power has given us everything that is needful for life and piety, through our full knowledge of Him who through His glory and excellence has called us to Him. It is through these that He has given us His precious and glorious promises, so that through them, after you have escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires, you may come to share in the divine nature.
It is through these that He has given us His precious and glorious promises, so that through them, after you have escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires, you may come to share in the divine nature.
It is through these that He has given us His precious and glorious promises, so that through them, after you have escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires, you may come to share in the divine nature.
It is through these that He has given us His precious and glorious promises, so that through them, after you have escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires, you may come to share in the divine nature.
It is through these that He has given us His precious and glorious promises, so that through them, after you have escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires, you may come to share in the divine nature. Now for this very reason you must do your level best to supplement your faith with moral character, moral character with knowledge,
Now for this very reason you must do your level best to supplement your faith with moral character, moral character with knowledge,
Now for this very reason you must do your level best to supplement your faith with moral character, moral character with knowledge,
Now for this very reason you must do your level best to supplement your faith with moral character, moral character with knowledge,
Now for this very reason you must do your level best to supplement your faith with moral character, moral character with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with patient endurance, patient endurance with piety,
knowledge with self-control, self-control with patient endurance, patient endurance with piety,
knowledge with self-control, self-control with patient endurance, patient endurance with piety,
knowledge with self-control, self-control with patient endurance, patient endurance with piety,
knowledge with self-control, self-control with patient endurance, patient endurance with piety,
knowledge with self-control, self-control with patient endurance, patient endurance with piety, piety with brotherly affection, brotherly affection with universal love.
piety with brotherly affection, brotherly affection with universal love.
piety with brotherly affection, brotherly affection with universal love.
piety with brotherly affection, brotherly affection with universal love.
piety with brotherly affection, brotherly affection with universal love.
piety with brotherly affection, brotherly affection with universal love. For if you have these qualities and they continue to increase in you, they will make you neither idle nor unproductive in attaining a full knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
For if you have these qualities and they continue to increase in you, they will make you neither idle nor unproductive in attaining a full knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
For if you have these qualities and they continue to increase in you, they will make you neither idle nor unproductive in attaining a full knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
For if you have these qualities and they continue to increase in you, they will make you neither idle nor unproductive in attaining a full knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
For if you have these qualities and they continue to increase in you, they will make you neither idle nor unproductive in attaining a full knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is blind -- or short-sighted-- and forgetful of the cleansing that he has received from his former sins.
For whoever lacks these qualities is blind -- or short-sighted-- and forgetful of the cleansing that he has received from his former sins.
For whoever lacks these qualities is blind -- or short-sighted-- and forgetful of the cleansing that he has received from his former sins.
For whoever lacks these qualities is blind -- or short-sighted-- and forgetful of the cleansing that he has received from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more in earnest to make certain to yourselves God's call and choice of you. For if you cultivate these qualities, you will never slip,
Therefore, brothers, be all the more in earnest to make certain to yourselves God's call and choice of you. For if you cultivate these qualities, you will never slip,
Therefore, brothers, be all the more in earnest to make certain to yourselves God's call and choice of you. For if you cultivate these qualities, you will never slip,
Therefore, brothers, be all the more in earnest to make certain to yourselves God's call and choice of you. For if you cultivate these qualities, you will never slip, for it is in this way that to you will be generously granted a triumphant admittance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
for it is in this way that to you will be generously granted a triumphant admittance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
for it is in this way that to you will be generously granted a triumphant admittance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
for it is in this way that to you will be generously granted a triumphant admittance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Therefore, I will always remind you of these things, although you know them and are firmly grounded in the truth that you already have.
Therefore, I will always remind you of these things, although you know them and are firmly grounded in the truth that you already have.
Therefore, I will always remind you of these things, although you know them and are firmly grounded in the truth that you already have.
Therefore, I will always remind you of these things, although you know them and are firmly grounded in the truth that you already have. Yet I think it right, as long as I live in this bodily tent, to arouse you by a reminder,
Yet I think it right, as long as I live in this bodily tent, to arouse you by a reminder,
Yet I think it right, as long as I live in this bodily tent, to arouse you by a reminder,
Yet I think it right, as long as I live in this bodily tent, to arouse you by a reminder,
Yet I think it right, as long as I live in this bodily tent, to arouse you by a reminder, because I know that the removal of my bodily tent is to be very soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ has shown me.
because I know that the removal of my bodily tent is to be very soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ has shown me.
because I know that the removal of my bodily tent is to be very soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ has shown me.
because I know that the removal of my bodily tent is to be very soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ has shown me. Yes, I will be in earnest, so that every time you have occasion, after I have gone away, you may call these things to mind.
Yes, I will be in earnest, so that every time you have occasion, after I have gone away, you may call these things to mind.
Yes, I will be in earnest, so that every time you have occasion, after I have gone away, you may call these things to mind.
Yes, I will be in earnest, so that every time you have occasion, after I have gone away, you may call these things to mind. For it was not mere stories of fancy that we followed when we told you of the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of His majesty.
For it was not mere stories of fancy that we followed when we told you of the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of His majesty.
For it was not mere stories of fancy that we followed when we told you of the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of His majesty.
For it was not mere stories of fancy that we followed when we told you of the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of His majesty.
For it was not mere stories of fancy that we followed when we told you of the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of His majesty. For when He received such honor and glory from God the Father, when from the majestic glory there was borne to Him a voice like this, "This is my Son, my Beloved, in whom I take delight,"
For when He received such honor and glory from God the Father, when from the majestic glory there was borne to Him a voice like this, "This is my Son, my Beloved, in whom I take delight,"
For when He received such honor and glory from God the Father, when from the majestic glory there was borne to Him a voice like this, "This is my Son, my Beloved, in whom I take delight,"
For when He received such honor and glory from God the Father, when from the majestic glory there was borne to Him a voice like this, "This is my Son, my Beloved, in whom I take delight,"
For when He received such honor and glory from God the Father, when from the majestic glory there was borne to Him a voice like this, "This is my Son, my Beloved, in whom I take delight," we heard this voice ourselves borne from heaven while we were with Him on that sacred mountain.
we heard this voice ourselves borne from heaven while we were with Him on that sacred mountain.
we heard this voice ourselves borne from heaven while we were with Him on that sacred mountain.
we heard this voice ourselves borne from heaven while we were with Him on that sacred mountain.
we heard this voice ourselves borne from heaven while we were with Him on that sacred mountain. So we have the message of the prophets more certainly guaranteed. Please pay attention to this message as to a lamp that is shining in a dismal place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;
So we have the message of the prophets more certainly guaranteed. Please pay attention to this message as to a lamp that is shining in a dismal place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;
So we have the message of the prophets more certainly guaranteed. Please pay attention to this message as to a lamp that is shining in a dismal place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;
So we have the message of the prophets more certainly guaranteed. Please pay attention to this message as to a lamp that is shining in a dismal place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;
So we have the message of the prophets more certainly guaranteed. Please pay attention to this message as to a lamp that is shining in a dismal place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;
So we have the message of the prophets more certainly guaranteed. Please pay attention to this message as to a lamp that is shining in a dismal place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; because you recognize this truth above all else, that no prophecy in Scripture is to be interpreted by one's own mind,
because you recognize this truth above all else, that no prophecy in Scripture is to be interpreted by one's own mind,
because you recognize this truth above all else, that no prophecy in Scripture is to be interpreted by one's own mind,
because you recognize this truth above all else, that no prophecy in Scripture is to be interpreted by one's own mind,
because you recognize this truth above all else, that no prophecy in Scripture is to be interpreted by one's own mind,
because you recognize this truth above all else, that no prophecy in Scripture is to be interpreted by one's own mind, for no prophecy has ever yet originated in man's will, but men who were led by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
for no prophecy has ever yet originated in man's will, but men who were led by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
for no prophecy has ever yet originated in man's will, but men who were led by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
for no prophecy has ever yet originated in man's will, but men who were led by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
for no prophecy has ever yet originated in man's will, but men who were led by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
for no prophecy has ever yet originated in man's will, but men who were led by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
Many people will follow their immoral ways, and because of them the true Way will be abused,
For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but hurled them down to Tartarus and committed them to dark dungeons to await their doom,
For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but hurled them down to Tartarus and committed them to dark dungeons to await their doom,
for as long as that upright man was living among them, his upright soul, day and night, was always being tortured by what he saw and heard in their lawless actions --
for as long as that upright man was living among them, his upright soul, day and night, was always being tortured by what he saw and heard in their lawless actions --
whereas angels who are far superior in strength and power to these beings bring no abusive accusation against them before the Lord.
They think their daily luxurious living real pleasure; they are spots and blots, deceitfully living in luxurious pleasure while they continue their religious feasting with you. They have eyes full of adultery and insatiable by sin. They practice enticing unsteady souls. They have trained their hearts in greed. They are doomed to a curse! read more. They have left the straight road and gone astray. They have followed the road that Balaam, the son of Beor, trod, who fell in love with the profits of wrongdoing but was reproved for his offense; a dumb animal spoke with a human voice and stopped the prophet's madness. Such men are dried-up springs, clouds driven by the storm, and they are doomed to densest darkness.
Such men are dried-up springs, clouds driven by the storm, and they are doomed to densest darkness. For by uttering arrogant nonsense, through base desires of the lower nature, they entice into immorality men who are just escaping from those who live in error,
For by uttering arrogant nonsense, through base desires of the lower nature, they entice into immorality men who are just escaping from those who live in error, promising them freedom, though they are slaves of destruction themselves; for a man is the slave of anything that conquers him.
promising them freedom, though they are slaves of destruction themselves; for a man is the slave of anything that conquers him. For if, after men have escaped the corrupting ways of the world through a full knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they again become entangled in them and are conquered by them, then their last condition is worse than their former one. read more. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of uprightness than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command committed to their trust.
For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of uprightness than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command committed to their trust.
For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of uprightness than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command committed to their trust. In them is verified the truth of the proverb, "A dog turns back to what he has vomited"; and of that other proverb, "A sow that has washed herself goes back to wallow in the mire."
This is the second letter, dearly beloved, that I have already written to you, in both of which I am trying by reminders to stir up your unsullied minds
This is the second letter, dearly beloved, that I have already written to you, in both of which I am trying by reminders to stir up your unsullied minds to remember the things foretold by the holy prophets, and the command of the Lord and Saviour through your apostles. read more. First of all, you must understand this, that in the last days mockers will come with their mockeries, living in accordance with their evil passions,
For they willfully ignore the fact that long ago the heavens existed and the earth that had been formed by God's command out of water and through water, by which also the world, through being deluged with water, was destroyed. read more. But by the same command the present heavens and earth are stored up for fire and are kept for the day when godless men are to be doomed and destroyed.
But by the same command the present heavens and earth are stored up for fire and are kept for the day when godless men are to be doomed and destroyed. But you must avoid forgetting this one fact, dearly beloved, that with the Lord a single day is like a thousand years and a thousand years are like a single day. read more. The Lord is not slow about His promise, in the sense in which some think of slowness, but He is really dealing patiently with you, because He is not willing for any to perish but for all to have an opportunity to repent? The day of the Lord will come like a thief; on that day the heavens will pass away with a roar, the heavenly bodies will be destroyed by being burned up, and the earth with all its works will melt away.
The day of the Lord will come like a thief; on that day the heavens will pass away with a roar, the heavenly bodies will be destroyed by being burned up, and the earth with all its works will melt away.
The day of the Lord will come like a thief; on that day the heavens will pass away with a roar, the heavenly bodies will be destroyed by being burned up, and the earth with all its works will melt away. If all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what men you ought to be! What holy and pious lives you ought to lead,
If all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what men you ought to be! What holy and pious lives you ought to lead,
If all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what men you ought to be! What holy and pious lives you ought to lead,
If all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what men you ought to be! What holy and pious lives you ought to lead, since you are awaiting and hastening the coming of the day of God, which will cause the heavens to blaze and dissolve and the heavenly bodies to burn up and melt away!
since you are awaiting and hastening the coming of the day of God, which will cause the heavens to blaze and dissolve and the heavenly bodies to burn up and melt away!
since you are awaiting and hastening the coming of the day of God, which will cause the heavens to blaze and dissolve and the heavenly bodies to burn up and melt away!
since you are awaiting and hastening the coming of the day of God, which will cause the heavens to blaze and dissolve and the heavenly bodies to burn up and melt away!
since you are awaiting and hastening the coming of the day of God, which will cause the heavens to blaze and dissolve and the heavenly bodies to burn up and melt away! In accordance with His promise we are expecting new heavens and a new earth, in which uprightness will have its permanent home.
In accordance with His promise we are expecting new heavens and a new earth, in which uprightness will have its permanent home. Therefore, dearly beloved, since you are expecting this, be in earnest to be found by Him without a blot, without reproach, and at peace.
Therefore, dearly beloved, since you are expecting this, be in earnest to be found by Him without a blot, without reproach, and at peace. Always think of our Lord's patience as salvation, just as our dearly beloved brother Paul, with the wisdom granted him, wrote you to do, read more. speaking of it as he does in all his letters. In them are some things hard to understand, which the ignorant and unsteady twist to their ruin, as they do the rest of the Scriptures.
speaking of it as he does in all his letters. In them are some things hard to understand, which the ignorant and unsteady twist to their ruin, as they do the rest of the Scriptures.
speaking of it as he does in all his letters. In them are some things hard to understand, which the ignorant and unsteady twist to their ruin, as they do the rest of the Scriptures.
but instead, you must continue to grow in the spiritual strength and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory now and forever!
but instead, you must continue to grow in the spiritual strength and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory now and forever!
"I know where you live, where Satan has his throne. Yet you are clinging to my name and have never renounced your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful martyred witness, who was put to death among you, right where Satan lives, Yet I hold it somewhat against you that you have among you some who are clinging to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to set a trap for the children of Israel, to entice them to eat the meat that had been sacrificed to idols and to commit immoral practices. read more. And you also have among you some who are clinging to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. So repent, or else I will quickly come and make war upon them with the sword that comes from my mouth. Let everyone who has ears listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. I will give to him who conquers some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone with a new name written on it which no one knows except the man who receives it."'" "To the messenger of the church in Thyatira write: 'The Son of God, whose eyes are like coals of fire, and whose feet are like bronze refined to white heat, speaks as follows: "I know what you are doing, I know your love and faithfulness, your service and patient endurance, and I know that you are now working harder than you did at first. But I hold it against you that you are tolerating that Jezebel of a woman who claims to be a prophetess, and by her teaching is misleading my slaves to practice immorality and to eat meat that has been sacrificed to idols. I have given her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her immorality. See! I am going to lay her on a bed of sickness, and bring down to great and pressing sorrow those who practice immorality with her, unless they repent of their practices; and I will surely strike her children dead. So all the churches will know that I am He who searches men's inmost hearts, and that I will repay each of you for exactly what you have done. But to the rest of you at Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching and have not learned the 'deep things' of Satan -- as they speak of them -- to you I say, I have no extra burden to lay on you,
Morish
The object of this epistle appears to be primarily the confirmation of the minds of Jewish believers in the certainty of the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. We have in it the only record by an eye-witness of what took place on the Mount of Transfiguration. This vision made more sure the word of prophecy to which saints did well in taking heed, as to a light shining in a dark place, till the day dawned, and the day-star arose in their hearts.
But before the kingdom could be displayed, it was necessary that the corruption of Christianity, which had already set in, should be complete and the course and climax of this corruption are vividly portrayed in 2 Peter 2. It originated in false teachers privily bringing in destructive heresies, denying the Lord that bought them. The development of this evil is viewed in the light of wickedness (rather than of apostasy, as in the Epistle of Jude), as that which is specially obnoxious to the government of God. While in Jude the gainsaying of Core is shown to be the culminating point of apostasy, here the incitement to abominable wickedness by Balaam is before the mind of the Spirit, indicating how corrupting the influence of those who held the place of 'prophet' would become.
In the concluding part of the epistle (2 Peter 3) we have also the closing phase of unbelief (perhaps Jewish), namely, scepticism, built up on the assumed unchangeability of the creation, as to the coming of the day of the Lord. And this becomes the occasion of the apostle's leading the minds of the saints beyond the thoughts of the kingdom to that which, resting on perfect moral foundations, is eternal and unchangeable. The day of the Lord was a means to an and, and would make way for the day of God, and the fulfilment of His promise of new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness would reside, and in view of which the existing heavens and earth would pass away. Saints, knowing these things before, were not to fall from their stedfastness, but to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Smith
Peter, Second Epistle of.
The following is a brief outline of the contents of this epistle: The customary opening salutation is followed by an enumeration of Christian blessings and exhortation to Christian duties.
Referring then to his approaching death, the apostle assigns as grounds of assurance for believers his own personal testimony as eye-witness of the transfiguration and the sure word of prophecy--that is the testimony of the Holy Ghost. vs.
The danger of being misled by false prophets is dwelt upon with great earnestness throughout the second chapter, which is almost identical in language and subject with the Epistle of Jude. The overthrow of all opponents of Christian truth is predicted in connection with prophecies touching the second advent of Christ, the destruction of the world by fire, and the promise of new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness. ch. 3. This epistle of Peter presents questions of difficulty. Doubts as to its genuineness were entertained by the early Church; in the time of Eusebius it was reckoned among the disputed books, and was not formally admitted into the canon until the year 393, at the Council of Hippo. These difficulties, however, are insufficient to justify more than hesitation in admitting its ,genuineness. A majority of names may be quoted in support of the genuineness and authenticity of this epistle. (It is very uncertain as to the time when it was written. It was written near the close of Peter's life--perhaps about A.D. 68--from Rome or somewhere on the journey thither from the East --Alford.)
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Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who through the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ have obtained the same precious faith that we have: spiritual blessing and peace be to you in increasing abundance through a full knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; read more. because His divine power has given us everything that is needful for life and piety, through our full knowledge of Him who through His glory and excellence has called us to Him. It is through these that He has given us His precious and glorious promises, so that through them, after you have escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires, you may come to share in the divine nature. Now for this very reason you must do your level best to supplement your faith with moral character, moral character with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with patient endurance, patient endurance with piety, piety with brotherly affection, brotherly affection with universal love. For if you have these qualities and they continue to increase in you, they will make you neither idle nor unproductive in attaining a full knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is blind -- or short-sighted-- and forgetful of the cleansing that he has received from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more in earnest to make certain to yourselves God's call and choice of you. For if you cultivate these qualities, you will never slip, for it is in this way that to you will be generously granted a triumphant admittance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Therefore, I will always remind you of these things, although you know them and are firmly grounded in the truth that you already have. Yet I think it right, as long as I live in this bodily tent, to arouse you by a reminder, because I know that the removal of my bodily tent is to be very soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ has shown me. Yes, I will be in earnest, so that every time you have occasion, after I have gone away, you may call these things to mind. For it was not mere stories of fancy that we followed when we told you of the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of His majesty. For when He received such honor and glory from God the Father, when from the majestic glory there was borne to Him a voice like this, "This is my Son, my Beloved, in whom I take delight," we heard this voice ourselves borne from heaven while we were with Him on that sacred mountain. So we have the message of the prophets more certainly guaranteed. Please pay attention to this message as to a lamp that is shining in a dismal place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; because you recognize this truth above all else, that no prophecy in Scripture is to be interpreted by one's own mind, for no prophecy has ever yet originated in man's will, but men who were led by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.