2 Peter

Warnings may come in many forms: lights, signs, sights, sounds, smells, feelings, written words. With varied focus, their purpose is the same – to advise alertness and to give notice of imminent danger. Responses to these warnings will also vary 0 from disregard to neglect to evasive or corrective action. How a person reacts to a warning is usually determined by the situation and the source. One reacts differently to an impending storm than to an onrushing automobile, and the counsel of a trusted friend is heeded more than the advice of a stranger or fearful imaginings of a child.

Second Peter is a letter of warning – from an authority none other than the courageous, experienced and faithful apostle. And it is the communication from this great warrior of Christ. Soon thereafter, he would die, martyred for his faith.

Previously, Peter had written to comfort and encourage believers in the midst of suffering and persecution – an external onslaught. But three years later, in this letter containing his last words, he wrote to warn them of an internal attack – complacency and heresy. He spoke of holding fast to the nonnegotiable facts of the faith, of growing maturing in the faith, and of rejecting all who would distort the truth. To follow this advice would ensure Christ honouring individuals and Christ centered churches.

After a brief meeting (1:10, peter gives the antidote for stagnancy and short sightedness in the Christian life (1:2 – 11). Then he explains that his days are numbered (1:12-15) and that believers should listen to his messages and the words of Scripture (1:16-21).

Next, Peter gives a blunt warning about false teachers (2:1-22). They will become prevalent in the last days (2:1, 2); they will say or do anything for money (2:3); they will spurn the things of God (2:2, 10, 11); they will do whatever they feel like doing (2:12-17); they will be proud and boastful (2:18 -19); they will be judged and punished by God (2:3-10, 20-22).

Peter concludes his brief letter by explaining why he has written it (3:1-18): to remind them of the words of the prophets and apostles that predicted the coming of the false teachers, to give the reasons for the delay in Christ’s return (3:1-13), and to encourage them to beware of heresies and to grow in their faith (3:14 – 18).

Addressed to those who “have received a faith as precious as ours,” 2 Peter could have been written to us. Our world is filled with false prophets and teachers, who claim to have the truth and who clamor for attention and allegiance. Listen carefully to Peter’s message and heed his warning. Determine to grow your knowledge of Christ and to reject all who preach anything inconsistent with God’s Word.

VITAL STATISTICS:

Purpose: To warn Christians about false teachers and to exhort them to grow in their faith and in knowledge of Christ.

Author: Peter

To Whom Written: The church at large

Date Written: Approximately AD 67, three years after 1 Peter was written, possible from Rome

Setting: Peter knew his time on earth was limited (1:13, 14), so he wrote what was on his heart, warning believers of what would happen when he was gone – especially about the presence of false teachers.

Key Verse: “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (1:3)

Key People: Peter, Paul

Special Features: The date and destination are uncertain, and the authorship has been disputed. Because of this, 2 Peter was the last book admitted to the canon of the New Testament Scripture. Also there are similarities between 2 Peter and Jude.

MEGA THEMES:

Theme	Explanation	Importance
Diligence	If our faith is real, it will be evident on our godly behavior. If people are diligent in their Christian growth, they won’t backslide or be deceived by false teachers.	Growth is essential. It begins with faith and culminates with love for others. To keep growing we need to know God, keep on following him and remember what he taught us. We must remain diligent in faithful obedience and Christian growth.
False teachers	Peter warns the church to beware of false teachers. These teachers were proud of their position, promoted sexual sin and advised against keeping the Ten Commandments. Peter countered them by pointing to the Spirit-inspired Scriptures as our authority.	Christians need discernment to be able to resist false teachers. God can rescue us from their lies if we stay true to His Word, the Bible and reject those who distort the truth.
Christ’s return	One day, Christ will create a new heaven and earth where we will live forever. As Christians, our hope is in this promise. But with Christ’s return comes his judgment on all who refuse to believe.	The cure for complacency, lawlessness and heresy is found in the confident assurance that Christ will return. God is still giving unbelievers time to repent. To be ready, Christians must keep on trusting and resist the pressure to give up waiting for Christ’s return.