Tuesday: Hope in the Second Coming
Read the following texts, and note what is said about future events:
1 Pet. 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
1 Pet. 1:17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
1 Pet. 4:5-6 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
1 Pet. 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
2 Pet. 3:1-10 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: That ye 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 Saviour: Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after 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 the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
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One of the crucial issues facing those who first read and heard 1 Peter was persecution. Peter comforts his readers with the thought that, even though their lives may be hampered by persecution, there is a future reward waiting for them in heaven, a reward that cannot be taken away. Very early in 1 Peter, he mentions that Christians have an imperishable inheritance kept in heaven for them (1 Pet. 1:4).
Peter highlights two things that will take place in the future: the last judgment and the fiery destruction of evil. In other words, he shows that although there is persecution now, justice and judgment will be done, and believers will receive their eternal reward.
Peter mentions judgment on three separate occasions (1 Pet. 1:17; 1 Pet. 4:5-6, 1 Pet. 4:17). He says that God the Father judges all humans impartially according to their deeds (1 Pet. 1:17). He notes that Jesus Himself stands ready to judge the living and the dead (1 Pet. 4:5). He also makes the intriguing observation that judgment starts with the household of God (1 Pet. 4:17).
Peter also emphasizes that “the godless” will be destroyed in a worldwide firestorm (2 Pet. 3:7).
Peter spends some time dealing with problems that arose about whether or not Jesus is indeed coming back (2 Pet. 3:1-10). He points out that the “delay” of Jesus’ second coming is to allow more people to repent and be saved. He also points out that the certainty of a future reckoning should convince everyone to live a holy and blameless life.
Thus, however focused Peter is on the here and now and on practical Christian living, he still keeps before his readers the future hope that awaits them. In short, whatever the circumstances at the moment, they need to press on ahead in faith and obedience.
| Why, too, must you press on ahead in faith and obedience, regardless of your circumstances? What other option is there? |
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This Bible study guide on 1 and 2 Peter stands out like the one on the 1 and 2 Thessalonians (2012). The author has done an interesting academic work presentation. This work shows that everything in the letters of Peter is from Peter's cleverness: Peter assures his readers...; Peter highlights...; Peter was giving his readers a warning...; Peter responds to the issue...; Peter has provided some specifics....
Aren't these letters the Lord's message for humanity?
It is sad to see that the study guide makes them look like another article from the sea of papers. One about God, not from Him.
It is hard to avoid the fact the Peter is the author of these books and in writing about the contents of these letters, it needs to be said that Peter wrote ... etc. In some cases the writings of Paul and Jude are also compared with what Peter wrote in this series of lessons and their names were used to identify who wrote what. Now we believe that all these truths come from God, but as you can see each author has their own individual emphasis. Comparison, contrast and discussion has the potential to lead to a greater truth if we let the Holy Spirit guide us.
Finally, while I recognize that academic studies are not everything, it needs to be acknowledged that academics put a serious effort into their study. We are encouraged to do our own study and not rely on the study of others. Personally I find that the lesson studies on the epistles of Peter have been a challenge to me to do more study myself.
Sometimes circumstance can remind me of my days of ignorance, hardships and difficulties caused by my own waywardness or human weaknesses. Still pressing on in faith and obedience despite my humanity is the only way as a Christian.
Sometimes my conscience bothers me that I can't claim perfection all the way thru my life and experience. The Holy Spirit reminds me that though I have sinned there is redemption thru faith in Jesus (Romans 3:23,24).
I can rest in the promise of 1 John 3:20.
Even if my own heart condemns me God is greater than my heart, He knows all things. I must commit myself to Him Who knows all things. I must believe that In returning to the Lord, and resting in His promises I will be saved. I must trust that in quietness and confidence in God will come strength to succeed in the battle for my soul, Isaiah 30:15.
How do all these ideas affect my daily life? How can I apply them to my present situation? When I fail to do just that, the subject becomes distant, difficult to understand, and may just pass by... May the Lord fullfill what I missed, and may the message sprout in my heart and mind!
What were the works of the repentant thief on the cross that God impartially judged him by?
Answer: the works of Jesus, his Substitute.
Amen! God judged the repentant thief on the cross by Jesus' robe of righteousness that the thief put on when he expressed his faith on Jesus' kingship, priesthood, sacrifice, and all Jesus stood for regarding salvation and eternal life for himself and for the entire world.
I made a little study in the four Gospels about the repentant thief on the cross and I found out some very interesting things: Two Gospel writers say that both thieves were railing at Jesus and neither mentions either of the thieves repenting at all, One Gospel writer mentions two that were also crucified with Jesus but says nothing about their being theives nor about their railing on Jesus, Only One Gospel writer mentions one Thief, not only repenting, but also rebuking the other thief for railing on Jesus and mentions nothing about the repentant one ever railing at Jesus at all. So two Gospel writers agree with each other, another Gospel writer simply indicates that there were two others crucified at the same time with Jesus, and only one mentions the repentant thief. Three of the Gospel writers witnessed Jesus' crucifixion and say nothing about a repentant thief, and the one that mentions the repentant thief was Luke who was not one of the original Apostles nor witnessed Jesus' crucifixion. Maybe that is why the repentant thief is not mentioned in any of Paul's, Peter's, John's nor any of the other Epistles.
Interesting perspective..
However, I do not think that in any way reduces the significance of the Jesus-repentant thief encounter..
The repentant thief "satisfied" the elements of faith and work.. just like Abraham did..
1. He believed truly that Jesus is the son of God (Luke 23:42)
2. He, by implication, obeyed the commandment in Ecclesiastes 12 vs 13) (see Luke 23:40)
3. He rebuked his partner in crime (To me, that's some work, given the little time he had left to spend).
So, in conclusion.. His belief in God is simply wat saved him. That's all dats needed (John 3:16).. buh as God is not mocked, this belief of his was not only publicly declared; it was put into action.
Thank you for pointing this out. Often being in meetings, it is very easy to understand that many people in the same room may hear and see different parts of the same report. This is how I often approach the accounts of the Epistles. I will make this a study and ask the Holy Spirit to guide me through. I am a recent convert and am questioning everything, "unlearning" and "relearning", as E.W. tells suggest us to do. I have to die daily in the word of Jesus Christ and pay close attention to these truths which my past belief had dwelling within me. The repentant thief's words are often used to assure believers the their loved ones, whom have passed away, are in heaven immediately after death. Often the scripture is read with the truth of the Day of Judgment, then the words of Jesus to the repentant thief. I will be asking questions: If Luke were not present, how did he know what was spoken? Even in my state of belief at the time, I did not quiet grab the idea that if we are in Heaven already, why do Jesus Christ have to come back and get us? The answer I received gave way to other beliefs which go deeper and farther from the truth. These are being answered as I look through and past teachings which I have had since birth, and the present teachings which the Holy Spirit has lead me through. So, believe me, in witnessing, this is a Big question to be able to understand and talk about with other faiths. But, I must add, where I was critical of others before for lack of faith when the professed Jesus Christ in their lives, yet the were spouting all forms of profanity and blaspheming, I see that each may NOT know any better, this is what they have been preached is alright. My anger is replace with pity and sadness, and the hope and prayer they will learn the truth...because, that was me not so long ago. So, please, believers, continue to discuss and continue to share, for we are out there, we who don't know any better. And we are searching for the light, no matter how dark our souls look to believers, we are looking for the truth and the light. I was blessed to find it, others are coming who are even more mislead than I was. Continue to prepare yourselves, your service is very needed. Please forgive me if I got off the point, I felt inspired for a moment, and I am new to SDA, it just pours out of me now.