12: The Day of the Lord - Discussion starters

The Line of Authority. On what authority did Peter give his audience strict warnings about obeying God’s commands? Do you agree with Peter that he was an apostle of Jesus? Why? Did Peter consider the Old Testament to be valid even in Jesus’ time and later? Why do you think many religious groups and denominations today are so eager to put the Old Testament aside, claiming that only the New Testament carries the true word of Jesus? What should we say when this belief surfaces? Without the Old Testament, would the gospel of Jesus carry full meaning? Why or why not? Did a church committee vote that Peter should be considered a full apostle? If not, why not?
The Scoffers. The more dangerous the teaching he was proclaiming, the more earnest Peter was in citing the authority under which he wrote. Was that a wise choice of action? Couldn’t Peter’s words stand on their own? Considering that the early church members lived thousands of years before Jesus would come the second time, on what basis did they complain that Jesus hadn’t come yet the second time? Why do you think Enoch was troubled by the end of the righteous and the wicked at the same time? If we do what we want, when we feel like it, are we setting ourselves up for destruction? Do you ever ask yourself, Why doesn’t Jesus come now? How can we admit to being sorrowful over the long time lapse since Jesus said He was coming back to restore us to eternal life? Is it wrong to feel distressed and disappointed over the long time that has gone by.
So What? Do you ever hear a Seventh-day Adventist say that he (or she) knows when Jesus is coming? How do you respond if you ever hear such a statement? Which is more dangerous–to come up with a possible date for the Lord’s return or not to pay any attention to such talk and just go on living? Have you ever decided, in your own mind, the approximate time when Jesus is coming? What is even more dangerous than date setting for the Second Coming? What are some proven ways to support the soon coming of Jesus without giving in to scoffing and criticism concerning how long it has been since the event was promised by the Lord?
A Final Appeal. What is the overriding theme that runs throughout the final words of Peter’s epistle? Nowhere in the Bible can we find evidence that Peter was the first pope, but was he nevertheless a leading influence in the church? How did Paul rank with Peter in this regard? How did Peter regard Paul? What warning did he issue regarding the words of Paul? What was Paul’s reputation with the early church? Have you ever considered the number of pages of the New Testament written by Paul compared with other writers? Since Peter spent considerable time with Jesus and was, in fact, a dear friend of His, how did he rise to Paul’s defense when criticism was levied at him? What is the greatest danger in reading the works of Paul? or of Peter?
Last Thoughts. Although we long for Jesus’ soon return, how should we deal with our concern? Do you know of anyone who is very distressed by what he or she considers to be a delay in Jesus’ coming? Do you ever think (to yourself), “Lord, how much more evil and wickedness do we have to endure before You come and take it all away?”

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Seventh-day Adventist Bible Study Discussion

12: The Day of the Lord – Discussion starters

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