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.1
¶ This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which
I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
2 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: |
1 -
Beloved The term also appears in verses 8,
14,
17
and in 1jo0302.
2 - Words We would refer to this as the Bible. It was the OT Scriptures considered holy and the writings of those who knew Jesus for the NT (Paul met Him on the road to Damascus). 2 - So that you may keep in mind the words of the holy prophets in the past, and the law of the Lord and Saviour which was given to you by his Apostles. (BBE) |
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¶ Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers,
walking after their own lusts,
.4 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. 5 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: .6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: .7 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. 4 - Continue The idea that the future can be judged by the past is wrong in matters of God's promises. Many or most theologians of our day, however, do just that. 5 - Willingly ignorant A choice to doubt mt2439. 5 - Out of the water and in The earth was not covered with water; then it was. Also notice the concept of a firmament. 7 - Reserved unto fire is6615. Literally, "The now heavens and the earth." Contrast with the flood of verse 5. |
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.8
¶ 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.
.9 ¶ 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. |
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Day ... thousand years Some have taken this to be a mathematical
equation, but it goes both ways. v9 explains.
Also see below.
9 - Not willing that any should perish Only those who refuse grace will be destroyed. By grace we mean more than nice words. Accepting it means putting it to work in transformation of character. |
.10
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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Thief
It comes by surprise mt2450
but then is noisy. See the table
relating to the "thief" re1615.
Elements The meaning of this term was different in Peter's time. Greek stoicheia; literally "Things arranged in rows." So we may understand it to be the component parts of our world, am0905. Melt Greek luo. "to loosen" or "to break up." Compare is2419. The picture is of anarchy and chaos. |
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Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons
ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking 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? ..13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. |
12
- Hasting We may help shorten the time for Christ's coming when
He both punishes the wicked and saves the righteous.
13 - New Discussed at v10. The atmosphere of righteousness will be a blessing to those who are there and will be reason why the wicked will not be there. |
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Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that
ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
.15 And 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; |
14
- Found Some people believe that He makes us good when He
comes. No, it is now that we have the opportunity to be ready by His grace.
He finds us ready.
14 - Without spot Pure behavior, walking in the light we have been given — sanctified/cleansed. And blameless — justified/forgiven. |
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As 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 [twist], as they do also the other scriptures, unto their
own destruction.
.17 Ye 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. .18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. |
16
- Hard to be undressed Paul could have said that about Peter, too.
16 - Other scriptures Peter recognizes Paul's writing as [holy] "scripture." 18 - Grow in grace This saving power from Christ leads ever closer to His character. We are considered ready as we continue to grow, putting away every evil trait as the Lord helps us see it. 18 - Knowledge We may take this to be both learning about Christ as revealed in the whole Bible and learning to know Him personally jn1703. |
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