II PETER

The following comments are from Navigator's and Quiet Time Diary journals. One verse will be entered, then the comment, then the date.

1:1    Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ;

    The author immediately proclaimed himself as a servant and apostle of Jesus. If people couldn't see his faith, he wanted all to know it. He wasn't afraid of the consequences of this, nor should I be! (DRM 9/29/02)

1:2    Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;

    This is part of Peter's introduction to the letter. As he wrote, and we should all feel, that all believers should grow in knowledge of the Lord in time.
    I thank the Lord Jesus for His granting of grace and forgiveness for sins, as I would have no possibility of seeing Heaven otherwise. (DRM 8/9/09)

1:3    seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.

    God opened my eyes and heart spiritually nearly 20 years ago. It was the best gift I ever received or ever will. He knows all of my needs and I know He will provide for me in the future. Praise the Lord! (DRM 12/18/05)

1:4    For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.

    Verse 3 shows that He has granted us knowledge of Himself. Here the verse shows He will fulfill His promises to us by the Holy Spirit that is working within us. How thankful we should be that God has separated us from the world of corruption!

1:5    Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge;

    This set of verses [verses 5-7] is a continuum. I think that God wants us to strive for perfection and thus more like His Son, Jesus. He knows that we will fail and will forgive us if we ask. PTL! (DRM 10/1/02)

1:6-7    . . . and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, ⁷and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.

    This is what I would call progressive Christian steps. This sentence began in verse five - which starts with "faith" and ends in verse seven with love.
    I think the point is that a true Christian believer will show all the qualities of moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love - as time progresses. (DRM 8/10/09)

1:8    For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

    This follows the progressive verses 5-7, where we are told to have: faith, moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love. These are the marks of a growing Christian. Sometimes it's hard for me to do all of them - that's why I know I can depend on the Holy Spirit to direct me back if I get off-track. (DRM 12/19/05)

1:9    For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.

    These "qualities" are from verses five through seven above. I'll list them here:

1.     Moral Excellence
2.     Knowledge
3.     Self-control
4.     Perseverance
5.     Godliness
6.     Brotherly kindness
7.     Love

    These are the qualities that we, as Christians, should strive for, and they should be part of our life style anyway! (DRM 10/17/11)

1:10    Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble. 

    This refers to verses 5-7 listing the traits of a Christian. While it may be difficult to have all of them, at least being diligent in trying has an impact on God and He will love and protect us. (DRM 10/2/02)

1:11    . . . for in this way the entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.

    This is the second half of a two-verse sentence where Peter writes that we should be certain about what He has called us to do; and has truly called us to be a part of His family. When I (we) follow His call, then I (we) will be confident that we will enter His Kingdom at the time He has chosen. (DRM 8/11/09)

1:12    Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present in you.

    Beginning in verse five, Peter lists qualities that a believer in Christ should have, one following another (v. 5-7).
    In this verse, Peter said he would remind the readers to uphold these qualities, even though they already knew them because of their trust in Christ.
    Peter is not on earth today. How will he "always be ready to remind" us? By the written words.
    The Bible is always READY to be read, if we pick it up and do it. There are so many things to learn in this book that it can't be done in a lifetime. (DRM 1/11/14)

1:13    I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder,

    Peter knew that this letter would be referred to after he left his earthly dwelling (body). He also wanted to stir up the readers to action in their faith.
    For those of us who write or record our thoughts via audio or video - we know that others will be able to read, hear or see us after we have left earth. This is a great way to spread your faith - and it could last a long time after your (my) departure from earth. (DRM 4/21/12)

1:14    Knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.     

    I don't know how old Peter was when he wrote this verse, but he knew that God controlled the length of our lives. He expected to leave at any moment. I should also be ready to go "at any moment." Meanwhile I must do His work here. (DRM 10/3/02)

    Peter expected to die and go to Heaven soon. One of my favorite words is in this verse - imminent - where none of us knows if we will live tomorrow. What should I be doing today, if I were to die or be raptured tomorrow? Would God be pleased with what I'm doing today? (DRM 12/20/05)

1:15    And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind.

    Peter wanted people (believers) to remember what the Lord told him to say. That's why he WROTE these words! If his words are only spoken, they probably wouldn't be remembered longer than a day - but writing our thoughts make them more permanent.
    Peter was also thinking of his "departure" to Heaven - which caused him to write, rather than just speak, these words.
    I take notes during Sunday sermons for two reasons. One reason is to be able to refer back to what the pastor said - which makes the same point. (DRM 6/29/14)

1:16    For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 

    The Bible is true. ALL of it! Peter emphasized his letter was true because he was an eyewitness to all that he wrote about. While others believe these examples - illustrations are tales. I agree with Peter that the Bible is all factual. (DRM 10/4/02)

1:17    For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, "This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased"

    Peter said he heard the Father's voice [v. 18] from Heaven. He called it the "Majestic Glory" here. This is another proof that Peter was an apostle, in that he was reporting the actual things that he saw and heard. The best way to tell anyone about Jesus Christ is to tell them what I experienced, like Peter did here. (DRM 12/21/05)

1:18    . . . and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

    Peter, James and John were eyewitnesses to the transfiguration of Jesus, (Matt. 17 and others) where He became Light and met with Moses and Elijah and heard from God.
    Peter knew his writing was true because he was standing right there and witnessed it.
    The same thing happens to each of us on a smaller scale. At times in my/our lives things happen that obviously were God directed. That develops our faith. We actually saw "that" happen. God loves those who love Him and will do things at times that will boost our faith. (DRM 12/29/16)

1:19    So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.

    The Word is the Bible. The prophetic word would logically be the parts of the Bible dealing with prophecy. As we grow in our faith and continue to study the Bible, we should also grow in our understanding of prophecy.
    The Bible is absolute truth. As we read it, a light dawns in our mind as to God's desires for us. Before we were Christians we were in darkness, thus we now have internal "light". This is given to us from the Holy Spirit.
    The morning star is Jesus (Rev. 22:16) and this looks forward to when Jesus dawns=arises in our hearts, and we will grow more and more like Him. (DRM 7/9/16)

1:20    But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, 

        Prophecy wasn't written (thought up) by man, but by God. He knows how everything will proceed and eventually end. We can't change His plans in anything, so why worry about what's next? We can't change it. (DRM 10/5/02)

1:21    . . . for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

    The Bible is God-inspired, not man-inspired. If it were man-inspired, all of the prophecies in the Bible wouldn't come true - but they all have!
    While the words that we read were written by men, I (we) must believe that God told them what to write, through the Holy Spirit. If I (we) have a problem with what's written in the Bible, it's a conflict with God Himself and not the person who was instructed what to write. (DRM 8/12/09)

2:1    But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. 

    My first thought is that this is a warning about cults, but it's really more of a warning about the false teachers that get into "main-line" denominations. That's why we need to know the Word and discern if a teacher is teaching correctly. (DRM 10/6/02)

    I wonder how many reading my comments like this have been subjected to these false teachers? It seems so easy to be deceived in both the business world and the spiritual world. Our decisions have a big future impact on our lives, so we [I] must be careful to make wise decisions and go to established ministries, as deception can be stealth. (DRM 12/22/05)

2:2, 3    Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; ³and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

    The false prophets that are written about here - are seemingly abundant today. I could name about six of them in my mind as I was reading this description. These deceivers are alive and working at their "art" today. I even talked to someone yesterday that is following one of these. When I think of their "greed" (v. 3), I think of their requests for more money.
    Their judgment will come either by their exposure here on earth, or when they arrive at "the gate." (DRM 3/9/14)

2:4    For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment;

    God created angels. God created humans. When angels sinned, they were cast into hell according to this verse. When humans sin, shouldn't they go to the same place? It's just logical deduction.
    Because God loved/loves humans so much, He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for our sins; but we have to accept His gift and have faith in Jesus' provision. {John 3:16} (DRM 8/13/09)
   
2:6    and if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly thereafter;

    For thousands of years, the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah have been known for the sin that they allowed to grow and the Lord's destruction of the cities because of their behavior. Only time has changed. People should still fear the Lord if they have unforgiven sin. (DRM 10/7/02)

2:7, 8    . . . and if He rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men ⁸(for by what he saw and heard that righteous man [Lot] while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds), . . .

    Today we have to remember that the Law is the Word of God and not something that a government makes up.
    In this section, Peter refers to the acts that occurred in Sodom and Gomorrah (v. 6) and how God rescued Lot from these men, defending Lot and how he was left there.
    The point is God's rescue in this passage. No matter what situation we find ourselves in, God will provide a way out for those who put their trust in Him (1 Corin. 10:13).
    Things will probably get worse than today in the world, but God=Jesus will have an escape plan ready on the day He chooses. (DRM 6/4/17)   

2:9    then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment,

    Temptation still has a hold on me occasionally. My faith usually helps me to overcome the temptation, but I also fail and sin. PTL Jesus rescues me from the temptation, but not the unbelievers - until they accept His gift. (DRM 10/8/02)

2:12    But these, like unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed, reviling where they have no knowledge, will in the destruction of those creatures also be destroyed,

    This passage refers to false prophets - those who intentionally mislead people away from saving grace. I don't remember other places in the Bible where people are compared to animals, and being as vivid as to their fate. The best way to avoid being deceived by one of these people is to know the Bible - and its contents - so when they speak you (I) will know (discern) if their words are the intent of the Author or not. (DRM 8/14/09)

2:15    forsaking the right way they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor who loved the wages of unrighteousness. 

    This continues to describe the unrighteous (verse 9). This verse shows that they knew what was right, then went astray. I still believe, with Christ's love, that He would welcome them back if they would accept His gift of salvation. (DRM 10/9/02)

    These false prophets seemingly know they have followed the wrong path. Like all of us, they made a decision at one point, and their goal is to lead others down the same wrong path. I must pray for discernment when listening to unknown speakers, pastors and teachers, so as not to follow a path that doesn't lead me to a closer walk with Jesus Christ. (DRM 12/29/05)

2:18    For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape, from the ones who live in error, 

    The unrighteous often are driven by carnal things and abuse their bodies. They are vain and want to have sex often. It is hard to escape this lifestyle - but it can be done through the forgiveness of Jesus Christ. (DRM 10/10/02)

2:19    promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome; by this he is enslaved. 

    The unrighteous are slaves of corruption. They can have freedom in Jesus Christ if they confess and repent of their sin. They don't have to be slaves to their sin. Lord, keep me in Your way, don't let me fall back into the world of sin. (DRM 10/11/02)

2:20    For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.

    While this is still under the description of false prophets, how different is this from us? After accepting Jesus as Lord, we all can slide right back into our old ways if we don't keep our eyes on the Savior. I pray that I (we) remember that He is always with me (us) and directing me on a path that truly honors Him. (DRM 8/15/09)

    These individuals tasted salvation, and were attracted to the teachings of Christ ("the Lord" not their Lord); but before they made a true commitment, they were led away by their sinful flesh. Their current behavior proves that they never possessed saving faith. Their condition is now worse because they will be less likely to consider the claims of Christ a second time. — from Word of Life Diary

2:21, 22    For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them. ²²It has happened to them according to the true proverb, "A DOG RETURNS TO ITS OWN VOMIT," and, "A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire." 

    In this chapter, Peter was  referring to the false prophets of his time, but it could be any time, including our own.
    These people learned the way of righteousness but did not follow it in their heart. They knew the Truth and turned away. The illustrations in verse 22 depict people who returned to their previous sins.
    There are plenty of temptations in this world that want us to return to the life we had before trusting in Jesus. We have to stay on the narrow path - knowing it will lead to a wonderful life in the future — in Heaven. (DRM 1/21/18)

    [Re: 2:21]    Some of the unrighteous have had a full presentation of the gospel, and understood it, and refused to accept God's free gift. They will be responsible for their actions. It would have been better for them if they never knew, as the punishment will be great! (DRM 10/12/02)

    [Re: 2:21]    I think this speaks both to the false prophet and the listener. If a person has already trusted in Jesus Christ [v.20] and gets entangled with a false prophet, they could be worse off in the end. It almost sounds like I could lose my salvation - but more likely I'd lose any eternal rewards. Again, I need the Holy Spirit's discernment to avoid false teachings. (DRM 12/29/05)

3:2    that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles.

    Reflection comes to mind. The prophets of the Old Testament foretold that Christ would come, and He did. The Lord gave us some directions of what to do next, but are we (I) doing them? (DRM 10/13/02)

3:3,4    Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts ⁴and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming?"

    The world is slowly becoming more and more anti-Christian. Everyone thinks they know the Truth, but there is only One truth. Certainly they express their opinions, so why shouldn't I? My confidence is building that He will let me speak for Him someday. (DRM 10/14/02)

    [re: 3:3]    The mockers did what they wanted to do with no thought of eternal implications. I think we all do that sometimes, but Christians know that God is watching their actions - and reactions to mockers. I know that I must ignore the mockers and trust totally in the words in the Bible. (DRM 12/30/05)

3:5    For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water,

    In the previous verse, "they" are mockers of our faith, who say that nothing has changed from the beginning of creation.
    Here we are told that God created the heavens long ago - but the age of the earth is still in question. As a Christian, I personally believe in a young earth, but that has nothing to do with salvation. (DRM 8/16/09)

3:6    . . . through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water.

    This is a continuation from verse five and shows consistency in the Bible in that the flood is first mentioned in Genesis and also is referred to here toward the end of the Bible.
    To me, the greatest proof of "the flood" is the Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA - which, if seen from the air, is clearly large scale erosion from a flooded river. Why God did this here and not elsewhere is not for us to judge - but rather to just see His power and admit to this evidence of His creation. (DRM 12/15/12)

3:7    But the present heavens and earth by His word are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 

    While the Bible isn't specific, most people think the fire to come will be a nuclear bomb. No one knows for sure. Our fate is dependent on God. The ungodly will all see fire - at the end of the age when they go into the lake of fire as described in Revelation. (DRM 10/15/02)

3:8    But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.

    Sometimes I have no patience when I ask for something and it never comes. When reading this well known verse, I realize that everything will be done to God's perfect timing. Our timing and God's timing don't always agree, but if what we ask for is in His will, it shall indeed happen. (DRM 11/28/86)

3:9    The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

    Wait, wait, wait. When is Jesus coming back? With the world the way it is - why hasn't He come back? This verse seems to answer the people who want Him to return TODAY (like me). There are still more people in the world that will come to know Jesus as Lord today, so He wanted them included. Only God knows the day that this will all "begin." (DRM 8/17/09)

3:10    But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.

    Another theory (10/15/02) about the end is that a large meteorite will burn up as it hits the earth. I don't know if it would produce a roar, but the people fleeing would! With so little time left, shouldn't more people know about God's gift of salvation? (DRM 10/17/02)

    Now that I live in a big city with lots of tall and beautiful buildings, it's hard to imagine that God will burn them all up. I think the point is not to trust in the things of this world, but rather to trust only in the Lord Jesus - and that He will make all things new - and better. (DRM 12/30/05)

3:11, 12    Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, ¹²looking for and hastening the coming day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!

    The previous verse (v. 10) makes it clear that on the day of the Lord, all of man's works will be burned up.
    With that being the case, and the attitude that the Day is imminent, why would I want to build or accumulate more "stuff" on earth?
    From my little collectibles to the biggest, tallest buildings on earth, all will be destroyed. My heart and soul should be directed on proclaiming His Kingdom - it makes me regret that I ever bought the "stuff" and spend so much time trying to sell it all now. (DRM 7/5/14)

3:13    But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

    The previous verses indicated that the Day of the Lord will come as a thief and the heavens will be destroyed with intense heat. (v. 10)
    After the destruction of the earth and heavens - probably by bombs from Heaven or earth (meteors or atomic bombs) - Jesus will be able to start the new earth with believers in charge. This is what I think today's verse refers to.
    How great that day will be! (DRM 9/20/11)

3:14    Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless,

    This is the beginning of the final paragraph in this "book." I would call it a summary of what we, as Christians, should be doing as we wait His return.
    As I (we) want to show the love of Christ, and win others to His Kingdom - it makes sense to me that we (I) should be at peace with others and not causing dissention - thus spotless and blameless in diverting others away from the faith. Every soul has infinite value. (DRM 8/18/09)

    What are we "looking for" in this verse? The new heavens and a new earth in verse 13.
    While we are (patiently?) waiting this day, Jesus wants us to be in peace with all people and "spotless and blameless" - which is a sign of purity; Godliness.
    While we can't give people the attitude that we are 'Holier than thou', we want to show them the way to the Savior in a easy, comfortable way. They have to desire a relationship with Jesus. (DRM 8/12/13)

3:15    and regard the patience of our Lord to be salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you,

    I am a sinner. I praise the Lord that the Holy Spirit convicts me immediately when I do wrong. PTL that He still has patience with me and understands all of my faults. With confession I have not lost my salvation and can begin anew. (DRM 10/18/02)

3:16    . . . as also in all his [Paul's] letters, speaking in them of these things in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.

    Peter knew of Paul's letters - and thus probably read them. I don't remember knowing that before!
    We need discernment when we read the Bible and listen to pastors/ministers/priests teach the Bible. If we hear false interpretation, neither the teacher or the student (us) benefits. The Holy Spirit should tell us if the teaching is true or not. When studying on our own, reading the Bible is better than commentaries - others' thoughts - so read the Bible first and see if the comments go along with the Source.
    Don't be deceived by false teachers. (DRM 5/8/15)

3:17    You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard lest, being carried away by the error of unprincipled men, you fall from you own steadfastness, . . .

    Don't "be carried away by the error of unprincipled men," sounds to me like false teachers of Christianity. They seem to be everywhere in this area. Praise God that He has shown me the True way as written in the Bible. Jesus sets the real-true standard, not men. (DRM 10/19/02)

    Others will always be mocking, criticizing and trying to deceive Christians away from our faith. In this verse we are being warned that this will happen. I must continue in my faith, no matter what people may say - and totally trust in Jesus for my eternal security. (DRM 12/30/05)

3:18    . . . but grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

    This is the last verse in 2 Peter. It's the end of a sentence that is a good summary of what we are to do while we wait for Jesus' return.
    We are reminded (v. 17) not to be taught by "unprincipled men." Check what they are telling us - be sure it's truly from the Bible. Study the Bible every day on your/our own - don't depend on others to do all the studying.
    Look forward to Jesus' imminent return . . . then we can spend eternity with Him! (DRM 7/3/16)