Beloved, I am glad to share with you today the above theme from 2 P 1.1 and following. Indeed, Peter begins this second epistle by reminding Christians of what they have received in sharing: a faith of such a price; “everything” that concerns life and piety; and the “very great and precious promises”. Our faith that takes hold of what God gives must not remain inactive. It must be accompanied by the energy that is called virtue, in order to reach knowledge (characteristic word of this epistle). At the same time, to keep the full disposition of our strengths, self-control is indispensable; then perseverance in the effort. Then in this “moral climate” our relations will develop: with the Lord through piety; with our brothers and sisters through fraternal affection; and with all by love. These seven complements of faith form a whole, like the links in a chain. Their absence leads to dramatic consequences in the life of a Christian: idleness, sterility, spiritual myopia. He does not see far; his faith can no longer distinguish on the horizon the celestial city, the goal of the Christian pilgrimage (Heb 11:13-16). Already the eternal portals have risen for Christ, the King of glory (Ps 24:7-10). May He Himself grant us a rich entry into His eternal kingdom.
It can be seen that the two epistles of Peter are addressed to the same people. The first describes God’s government to one’s own, the second the government of God to the world, two subjects of paramount interest to Christians. A third observation is necessary for us when reading the two epistles of Peter and, in general, all the epistles addressed to saints who have left Judaism, such as the epistle to the Hebrews (Chap. 13) and in part, at least, the epistle of James. It seems that the Spirit wants to emphasize that the moral principles of our conduct toward men, regardless of whether with or without the law, remain invariable and are not altered by the environment in which they are stated. There are family relationships, obligations towards constituted powers, duties towards all men, humble or high-ranking, which are in no way influenced by the various economies under which they are mentioned, and which remain invariable at all times, the character of the God with whom we are dealing is himself invariable. We will have more than once the opportunity, in the course of this study, to highlight this fact.
The Christians to whom Peter speaks had, he said, “received in sharing a faith of such a price with us” (Peter and the apostles) when they did not ask for it. This faith is the set of Christian blessings given to faith. For we have two examples here and we find others in these two epistles. Our greater familiarity with the epistles of the latter would rather lead us to see “things that are difficult to understand” (2 Pet 3. 16) in the epistles of Peter, than in those of the apostle Paul, so often meditated.
The morning star, in their hearts, was the revelation given to Paul for believers, also given to John in Revelation, given here to Peter, the great truth that makes the souls of all the saints throb with hope. It also belonged to those Christians who had nothing but the hope that attaches to Christ to be firmly supported and encouraged in their precious faith.
First of all, you yourself say that no prophecy in Scripture can be an object of particular interpretation, for it is not by a man’s will that a prophecy has ever been brought, but it is prompted by the Holy Spirit that men have spoken on behalf of God.
This prophetic subject that is crucial to Peter’s ministry: the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, a subject at the same time so important to the Christians to whom he writes, leads the apostle to say: “Knowing this, first, that no prophecy of Scripture interprets itself.” It should be noted that the apostle does not exclude any prophecy contained in the written Word. In this regard we note the clear and complete interpretation of this passage: “No prophecy of Scripture is of a particular interpretation, that is, is not explained by its own meaning, like a human sentence; it must be understood by and according to the Spirit who dictated it. “Prophecy” is the meaning of prophecy, the thing that prophecy had in mind. Now, this sense of prophecy (prophecy) is not found by a human interpretation of an isolated passage that has its own meaning, its own solution and its own meaning, as if a man were expressing it; for prophecy is a part of God’s thought expressed in word, according to whether holy men, impelled by the Holy Spirit, have spoken. The apostle, by the “prophecy of Scripture,” means the prophesied thing, without losing the idea of the passage that expresses it.”
It therefore had nothing to do with the will of man, indicating the consequences of a present event, in a more or less distant future, or, as we see every day in the newspapers, the future facts that the current facts allow the reason of the thinking man to diagnose. But it was the Holy Spirit who spoke through the mouths of the holy men of God.
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and compiled for your better understanding.
Try to confirm the call you received:
- Orderly spiritual growth
-By bearing fruit 2 Cor 9:10 He who provides seed to the sower, and bread for his food, will provide you with and multiply the seed, and he will increase the fruits of your righteousness.
In Christ Eph 4:15 but that, professing the truth in charity, we believe in all respects in the one who is the leader, Christ.
-In love 1 Thess 3:12 May the Lord increase more and more among you, and towards all, that charity that we ourselves have for you,
-Towards perfection Hb 6:1 Therefore, leaving the elements of the word of Christ, let us tend to what is perfect, without again laying the foundation for the renunciation of dead works,
-By means of the Word 1 Pet 2:2 desire, like newborn children, spiritual and pure milk, that through it you may grow for salvation,
-By adding 2 Pet 1:5-6 because of this very fact, make every effort to join virtue to your faith, to virtue to science, 6 to science temperance, to temperance patience, to patience piety,
-In grace and growth 2 Pet 3:18 But grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory, now and for eternity! Amen!
- Christian virtues are an example of Spiritual Fruit
Rom 5:3-4 Moreover, we even boast of afflictions, knowing that affliction produces perseverance, 4 perseverance victories in trial, and this victory brings hope. 2 Cor 6:6 by purity, by knowledge, by long-suffering, by goodness, by a holy spirit, by sincere charity, 2 Cor 8:7 Just as you excel in all things, in faith, in word, in knowledge, in zeal in all respects, and in your love for us, make sure that you also excel in this work of charity. 2 Pet 1:5-7 because of this very fact, make every effort to join virtue to your faith, to virtue to science, 6 to science temperance, to temperance patience, to patience piety, 7 to piety fraternal love, to fraternal love charity.
- Abundant greeting for the faithful
-They shine like the stars Dn 12:3 Those who have been intelligent will shine like the splendor of heaven, and those who have taught righteousness, to the multitude, will shine like the stars, forever and in perpetuity.
-They receive a royal welcome in heaven Mt 25:34 Then the king will say to those who will be at his right hand: Come, you who are blessed with my Father; take possession of the kingdom that has been prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
-Afflictions increase the final glory 2 Cor 4:17 For our slight afflictions of the present moment produce for us, beyond measure,
-They are entitled to a triumphal entry into heaven 2 Pet 1:11 In this way, in fact, the entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be fully granted to you.
They are placed near the throne Rev 7:14-15 I say to him: My lord, you know it. And he said to me: These are those who come from the great tribulation; they washed their robes, and they bleached them in the blood of the lamb. 15 That is why they are before the throne of God, and serve it day and night in his temple. He who sits on the throne will set up his tent over them;
- Divine inspiration
2 Kings 3:11-12 But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there no prophet of the Lord here through whom we can consult the Lord? One of the servants of the king of Israel replied: Here there is Elisha, son of Schaphath, who poured water on elijah’s hands. 12 And Jehoshaphat said: The word of jehovah is with him. The king of Israel, Jehoshaphat, and the king of Edom descended upon him. 2 Kings 17:13 Jehovah had Israel and Judah warned by all his prophets, by all the seers, and said to them, “Return from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and ordinances, following entirely the law that I prescribed to your fathers and sent to you through my servants the prophets. Ne 9:30 You endured them for many years, gave them warnings by your spirit, by your prophets; and they did not listen. Then you delivered them into the hands of foreign peoples. Jb 32:8 But in reality, in man, it is the spirit, the breath of the Almighty, that gives intelligence; Hb 1:1 After having once, on many occasions and in many ways, spoken to our fathers through the prophets, 1 Pet 1:11 wanting to probe the time and circumstances marked by the Spirit of Christ who was in them, and who testified in advance to the sufferings of Christ and the glory with which they would be followed. 2 Pet 1:20, first of all knowing yourselves that no prophecy in Scripture can be a particular object of interpretation,
From all the above, we note that the truths developed in the 1st epistle recalled the revelations of Matthew 16: the sufferings of Christ, the edification of the Assembly, a spiritual house built on the Rock. And the 2nd epistle which is based on Mat 17 of the announcing the glories that follow. For the sake of transfiguration, Peter, James, and John contemplated Jesus in “magnificent glory.” But they were ordered not to tell anyone about it until his resurrection. Now the time for this revelation has come. And Peter, who was then burdened with sleep (Luke 9:28-36), awakens the Saints by recalling this scene (2 Pet 3:1-4). He who had recklessly proposed to make three tents is now preparing to “lay down his earthly tent” in the hope of enjoying forever, this time, the presence of Christ, in a glorious body. The Lord had shown him when and with what death He would glorify God (John 21:15-19). Soon, brothers and sisters, we will in turn be “eyewitnesses to his majesty”. Throughout the Scriptures the prophetic lamp directs its beam at the coming glory. But the child of God possesses an even brighter light. The object of his hope lives in him: Christ is the Morning Star already raised in his heart (Col 1:24-29). Our prayers are with you all.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite every person who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I admit to having sinned against you and ask your forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as Lord and personal Savior. I recognize that you died on the cross of Calvary and rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me every day to the eternal life that you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal yourself to me and strengthen my heart and faith, so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me into your divine family, so that I may also contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All adoration, power and glory are yours, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be happy to respond to any questions and comments you may have, before sharing with you tomorrow " there will be false teachers: there have been false prophets among the people."
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.