The Book of 2 Peter

 

The Second Epistle of Peter is a book of the New Testament of the Bible, traditionally ascribed to Saint Peter but in modern times widely regarded as pseudonymous. According to the epistle itself, it was written by the apostle Peter, an eyewitness to Jesus' ministry. He criticizes "false teachers" who distort the authentic, apostolic tradition, and predicts judgment for them. He explains that God has delayed the Second Coming so that more people will have the chance to reject evil and find salvation. He calls on Christians to wait patiently for the parousia (second coming), and to study scripture. The dating of this epistle has proved very difficult. Commentaries and reference books have placed 2 Peter in almost every decade from 60 to 160AD. However, most scholars agree that 2 Peter was written shortly after his first letter, just prior to his death in Rome at the hands of Emperor Nero.

2 Peter 1

 1Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This letter was written by the Apostle Peter to the elect just as the first book of Peter. Those who were chosen by God (His faithful servants), before the foundation of the world. According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love. (Ephesians 1:4).

 2Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord. You receive more grace and peace of mind as you get to know our Lord and Savior through the Word of God.

 3According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue. It is the divine power of God that has given us everything we need for living a Godly life. Called and chosen because they earned it in the first earth age.

 4Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Because of His great glory and excellence, He has given us precious promises to become partakers in His divine nature. We can spot Satan and his enticing tricks with this divine nature, and escape the world's corruption caused by human desires, (the lust of the world).

 5And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge. Adding to your faith strength, moral excellence and knowledge. All knowledge comes from God. (Proverbs 2:6).

 6And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness. From knowledge comes self-control, patience, endurance and righteousness. "Devine nature from God; The inheritance of divine qualities, which we strive to develop."

 7And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. Practice kindness and love towards others. Charity is only love when it is done out of the kindness of ones heart, and not just to impress others. When you do something nice for someone, you don't need to tell everybody. God knows what you have done and will reward you for it. If you have the need to tell everyone how good you were towards someone, that will be the only gratification you will get.

 8For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. If you study God's Word and partake in it, the more useful you will become in the knowledge of the Word. "You can't help others without the knowledge."

 9But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Those who fail to come to the knowledge of God's Word are blind to the truth, forgetting that they were cleansed from their old sin. "Without the knowledge of God you will be deceived by the knowledge of the world."

 10Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall. Work hard to prove that you really are among those God has "called and chosen" and you will not fail.

 11For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The gate is open for the grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The decision is yours to take the first step through the gate to the kingdom.

 12Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. I will remind you of these things from time to time, even though you already know them and stand firm in the truth. "We always need to refresh are minds at times to keep us on the right track."

 13Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance. Peter is telling the brethren that it is only proper that he reminds them of these things.

 14Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. The Heavenly Father told Peter that he would soon die and leave this earthly life. Peter was moving on to better things in the spirit.

 15Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. Work hard so that we won't forget.

 16For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. We are not making up cleaver stories Peter would say, for I was an eye witness to the divine nature of God, as were the other disciples of Christ.

 17For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Peter heard the voice from God when He said "This is my beloved Son," who brings me great joy.

 18And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. He was there to see it and hear it on the Holy Mountain. "God is real."

 19We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts. Because of that experience there was even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets of the "Morning Star" to rise in your hearts. "The Bright Morning Star." Remember that there are two. Lucifer was also called "son of the morning, or morning star." How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! (Isaiah 14:12). Make sure that you follow the right one. Note: They removed Lucifer in most translations of the bible in this verse of Isaiah. Beware of man changing the bible!

 20Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. No prophecy ever came from the prophet's own understanding, nor private interpretation by man.

 21For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. Prophecy came from "Holy men of God" that were moved by the "Holy Spirit." Again, all wisdom, knowledge, and prophecy comes from God.

II Peter 2

 1But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. There were false prophets in Israel in that day and there are false teachers among us today. They work their false teachings and traditions of men into their doctrine and lead many people astray. "Never let some idiot tell you that God did not write the bible, man did. That just gives them another excuse to sin and lead people astray with worldly ways and political correctness."

 2And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. Many will follow their evil teachings and destructive ways. Because of these teachers, the real truth will be slandered. (Give someone a truth and they scoff and make fun of it). It is because they have been so brainwashed by a bunch of nonsense and traditions.

 3And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. They think up clever lies and twist the truth of the Word to make it fit your way of thinking, so they can get a hold of your money. "They make you feel so secure, comfortable, and holy." When you put your trust in scammers like these, you just open up your pockets for them to thrive on. Worse than that; you destroy your spirit of truth.

 4For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment. We are speaking here of the fallen angels. Those who left their habitation and came to earth to seduce the daughters of Adam. (Genesis 6:1-2, Jude 1:6). These were some bad angels that followed Satan, but are now chained in the underworld by God until their judgment takes place.

 5And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly. Noah's family was the only pure (perfect family), in the area at the time that did not mix with the fallen angels. God then destroyed the unrighteous bringing in the flood upon them.

 6And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly. An example from God to see what will happen to the ungodly. These cities were full of every perversion; kind on like what you see in many of our cities today.

 7And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked. God did save lot out of Sodom because he was a righteous man that was sick of the immorality of the people around him. "Lot stood for what was good and holy."

 8For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds. Lot was tormented in his soul because of the wickedness he saw and heard day after day. Thrown right in his face everywhere he went. Sound familiar?

 9The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished. Our Heavenly Father can always rescue and comfort the Godly people from their trials and tribulations. However, He can also keep the wicked people under punishment until the day of judgment.

 10But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. God is especially hard on those who follow their own twisted and perverted sexual desires of the flesh, and those who despise authority. Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. for there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. (Romans 13:1). (We are to obey our government laws just as God's laws). Most people that don't, are arrogant and full of pride, even scoffing at supernatural beings and spiritual concerns. "God doesn't like it!"

 11Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. Not even the angels will bring charges of blasphemy against those supernatural beings, and they have far more power than us. We are talking about Satan and his band of evil spirits. Do not try to but heads with Satan or evil spirits. You can rebuke them, but don't try to outsmart them or meet them head on; chances are that you might lose. "Let God handle the supernatural."

 12But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption. These false teachers and unbelievers are like unthinking animals that are born to be caught and destroyed. They always scoff at things they do not understand, and like animals they will be destroyed.

 13And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you. Their destruction is their reward for all the harm they have done. They indulge in evil pleasures in broad daylight, and they are full of deception as they fellowship with you. "They don't care about you or your soul; they just want to bring you down with them."

 14Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children. Commit adultery with their own eyes and minds. Always lusting after the flesh and their desires are never satisfied. They prey on weaker people and lead them to sin and are full of greed. (Scammers and rip-offs who only think of worldly wealth).

 15Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness. Balaam was well educated in the Word, but his main concern was always trying to make a buck by doing wrong, using the Word to his advantage rather than God's advantage. Many preachers today do the same thing and will get deep into your pockets if you let them. Take the warning from Peter and beware of false prophets and scammers.

 16But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. Balaam was so centered on making money that God had his own ass rebuke him with a human voice. "This guy was one greedy dumb ass."

 17These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. People like this are useless as a dried up spring and are doomed to darkness.

 18For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. Always bragging and talking about themselves, they suck you in with their deception and ways of the world because of your weak flesh. A bunch of nothingness with their vanity. (Have you ever heard the saying: I tried to get out; but they just keep pulling me back in). Beware of false teachers, they might turn out to be a dumb ass like Balaam.

 19While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. They promise you freedom, but they are slaves to sin and corruption themselves. Never let anyone put you into spiritual bondage. The truth of God's Word will always set you free. Beware of the tricks of Satan that he uses through pulpits. If you can't find a church that teaches all truth without tradition, study Gods word on your own. You don't need them, God gave you a brain, use it. "Don't let some blowhard lead you astray."

 20For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. When you escape the ways of the world by coming to know Jesus Christ, and then become tangled up and enslaved by sin again, you are worse off than before.

 21For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. You are better off to never have known the way of righteousness, than to know it then reject it. If God gives you the truth and sets you free from the bondage of mans religion, "keep it forever." "Don't fall back into bondage and the ways of the world."

 22But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. Those who do this prove the truth of this proverb. "The dog returns to it's vomit; and a washed pig returns to the mud." (Proverbs 26:11).

II Peter 3

 1This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance. This was Peters second letter to the same people to refresh their memory. "At times we all need a reminder."

 2That 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. Be mindful and familiar with the Word that was spoken by the Holy Prophets. Have ye not read? "You don't need to be a scripture lawyer or preacher, but be familiar with the word so you can discern truth."

 3Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts. In the later days there will be many scoffers of the Word. You have heard it before from someone who would say: They have been saying that Christ and the end is coming soon for years, but were still all here and no appearance of Christ. Many will tell you its a myth. "You do don't need to see Christ to have Him in your heart." However, He will return soon and those scoffers who are not prepared will miss the boat.

 4And 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. Where is the promise of His return, all things are the same since the beginning. They are just willingly ignorant. They cannot see that everything happening today is all leading up to the end. "All prophecy is being fulfilled day by day."

 5For 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. The Heavens and earth were old. They were not created into corruption, but were created perfect. (Isaiah 45:18-19).

 6Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished. We are speaking of the first earth age when God shook the earth and it became void. Not Noah's flood! (Jeremiah 4:22-28, Ephesians 1:4). References: (Read our study topic titled: Three Earth Ages, or appendix 146 The Foundation of The World). "You will find that there was an earth age before this one we live in, and there is still one to come."

 7But 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. By the same Word, the present Heavens and Earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for judgment day, when the ungodly people will be destroyed. "This earth age must be destroyed before we enter into the final earth age of eternity."

 8But, 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. A day to the Lord is like a thousand years to man. "The millennium is the Lord's Day."

 9The 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. The Lord is not being slow about His return and promise of eternal life, He is just being patient for our sake. His will is that everyone come to repentance and no one should perish. He wants everyone to believe in Him, "He just wants our love." (Hosea 6:6).

 10But 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. Be on guard and know the season for His return, when all evil (all the wicked & evil rudiments), will be burned up. Judgment Day!

 11Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness. What should you do to be prepared?

 12Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Looking forward to the day of the Lord when He will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt in the flames. Remember that God is a consuming fire and He will destroy this Heaven and Earth age, for there is a "new" heaven and "new" earth age to come.

 13Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. We look forward to the new heaven and earth as He promised, with a world filled with God's righteousness.

 14Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. While we are waiting for these things to happen, we should make every effort to live peaceful lives that are pure and blameless. We are to love God and His Word and not follow Satan, the world, or traditions of men.

 15And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you. The Lord being patient for His return gives people time to be saved. Remember that He wants us all to come to repentance and salvation. Peter is giving Paul credentials here as an apostle and beloved brother of Christianity. Many may tell you that Paul was not an apostle or servant of God. Paul's wisdom in the Word came form God, and he was very intelligent when it came to scripture. He walked with Jesus when he was struck down by Him on the road to Damascus. So, if you don't believe that Paul was an apostle of God, you might as well say that Peter wasn't either. "Don't listen to man and false teachers." Remember, you will never get the whole truth from a denominational church or ministry; they are controlled by man.

 16As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Many that are ignorant and do not understand the Word have twisted many of the letters of the prophets to mean something quite different. Chasing after new religions and traditions of men. Stick with God's Word as it is written, it will never let you down.

 17Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. Let Christ be your rock and truth and forget man, church doctrine, and traditions of men. Man will lead you astray, "Christ will lead you to truth and salvation."

 18But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. Grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Keep The Faith,
Barton