Gotta Get Ready... Series

“Gotta Get Ready…”

2 Peter 1:12-21

Pastor John Bright

2 Peter 1 “12 For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth. 13 Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, 14 knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. 15 Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease.

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 we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, 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.”

Hope is interesting because it depends on a person's circumstances. Around the world, there are literally millions of persecuted Christians. They often to the end of the Bible for hope: Revelation 22:20 “20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” They have a great hope, an intense longing for the return of Jesus. They say and sing the Aramaic word “maranatha,” which appears in 1 Corinthians 16:22 and means “O Lord, come!” They have that hope because they have nothing to lose.

What about us? We are all living comfortably, middle-class, mostly retired. The difference between them and us is that we have lots to lose. I remember the handwringing during the Great Recession, when the 401 (k) became a 201 (k). Never forget that, as middle-class Americans, we are among the richest, most prosperous people in the world. About 18% of people worldwide own a car. https://www.motorbiscuit.com/number-car-owners-world-less-think/

2 Peter: WHERE & WHEN?

Exact dating of when Biblical books were written is almost impossible. If you look at all the estimates out there, you get a range of 60-68 AD. I tend to put the date earlier in that range because there are traditions in the Church that Peter was martyred during the reign of Emperor Nero around 64-65 AD. That would make him one of the thousands of Christian martyrs after Rome burned in 64 AD.

I’ll remind you, so you will remember v. 12-15

“12 For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth. 13 Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, 14 knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. 15 Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease.”

Peter is using these 4 verses to make a transition. He is moving from the divine nature being given to you and that list of characteristics that show you are not coasting - faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. This is a good reminder for those who are spiritually mature and a little nudge for the rest of the church. He is reminding them that this is not a new teaching or a new truth. The “present truth” is the same one Peter shared with them before. It was consistent with the teaching of Christ and the other Apostles.

I try to do the same thing from this pulpit. So many times, I say, “let me remind you again” or “remember what I told you before.” There are some basic truths we need to get right because they are foundational and we build upon them. I know some of you disagree with me on these basic truths. That’s ok with me. It’s not a problem for me because you are not disagreeing with me – your disagreement is with God.

Peter also lets them know that he wants this teaching to remain after his death. How does he know that it will be soon? I always look for the simplest answer. If, as I shared earlier, Peter is in Rome when the persecution by Nero arose, what would be his prayer? “Lord, do I stay or leave?” Around the world today, millions of Jesus Followers decide to stay in places where they could be imprisoned, tortured, and killed. What would you do? I believe God told Peter to stay, so he knew what would happen.