Peter Warns All Believers Against False Teachers Within and Exhorts Us to be Steadfast Volume 12

Peter was Intent to Put Every Believer in Recollection of God's Design for Us Part 2 2 Peter 1:14-15 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. KJV Note: NKJV=New King 👑James Version The Apostle Peter wrote all of this wonderful, wise, and warning truth to those early believers in our Lord Jesus Christ for their edifying, encouragement, and exhortation because they needed it and also because he wanted to leave with them a permanent record of spiritual truth for their good and God's Glory. Peter told them that he knew shortly that he must put off his tabernacle (2 Peter 1:14). The English word 'tabernacle' used by Peter here is translated by the Greek word skēnōma meaning the body (as a tenement for the soul): - tabernacle. Peter knew that the real him was encased or encamped or enclosed inside this outer structure we humans call the body. The Apostle did not see his body as something to be pampered or to take pride in or to promote as being wonderful, but instead Peter knew that it was his soul (the real him) that needed the nurture and nourishment of the Word of God daily and that Word being enable and energized by the Spirit of God also daily. This too is the entire idea the Apostle Paul was delivering to brother Timothy when he wrote him these words, "For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come." (1 Timothy 4:8)(NKJV). Peter (like Paul) saw this as the real design and desire of every true believer in our Lord Jesus Christ that should be exercised daily, for one glorious day our faith now will be sight as we gaze upon the One who died for us and gave us Himself just as the Apostle Paul wrote to the Colossians with these words, "And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross." (Colossians 2:13-14) (NKJV). Peter could not wait to take off the old dirty clothing of his tent, tabernacle, or body and then be clothed in his new indestructible glorified body given to him by our Lord Jesus Himself. It was our Lord Jesus Christ who told Peter how he would be murdered by people when he was old because of his walk with Christ and his standing in the truth, for we read these words written by the Apostle John, "'Most assuredly, I say to you (Peter), when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.' This He spoke, signifying by what death he (Peter) would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, 'Follow Me.' (John 21:18-19) (NKJV). Peter recalled these words as he was now much older (perhaps 30 plus years had gone by since Christ spoke these words to him) and the Spirit of God may have given some indication that the time was near at hand. Here is what Albert Barnes had to say of 2 Peter 1:14, "This is one of the few instances that have occurred in the world, where a man knew distinctly, long beforehand, what would be the manner of his own death, and where he could have it constantly in his eye. We cannot foresee this in regard to ourselves, but we may learn to feel that death is not far distant, and may accustom ourselves to think upon it in whatever manner it may come upon us, as Peter did, and endeavor to prepare for it. Peter would naturally seek to prepare himself for death in the particular form in which he knew it would occur to him; we should prepare for it in whatever way it may occur to us. The subject of crucifixion would be one of special interest to him; to us death itself should be the subject of unusual interest - the manner is to be left to God. Whatever may be the signs of its approach, whether sickness or grey hairs, we should meditate much upon an event so solemn to us; and as these indications thicken we should be more diligent, as Peter was, in doing the work that God has given us to do. Our days, like the fabled Sybil's leaves, become more valuable as they are diminished in number; and as the inevitable hour draws nearer to us, we should labor more diligently in our Master's cause, gird our loins more closely, and trim our lamps. Peter thought of the Cross, for it was such a death that he was led to anticipate. Let us think of the bed of languishing on which we may die, or of the blow that may strike us suddenly down in the midst of our way, calling us without a moment's warning into the presence of our Judge." However, first Peter before leaving the brethren and sisteren, he wanted to leave them with a record of the truth that they would be able to refer to it at anytime or place, so as to keep themselves from the false doctrines or teachings of false believers who had taken the truth and twisted it to their own destruction (2 Peter 3:16), just as also the Apostle Paul had warned brother Timothy with these words concerning such people, "But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." (2 Timothy 3:13 (NKJV). With this being at the forefront of Peter's mind he writes this to them, "Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance." (2 Peter 1:15) (KJV). It was Peter's earnest design and desire to leave this unshakable record of the truth with them that they may have it always. Peter uses the English word 'endeavour' which is translated by the Greek word spoudazō to use speed, that is, to make effort, be prompt or earnest: - give diligence, be diligent, labour, study. It is because Peter thought his time to be short that he wanted to labor in study diligently and work hard to get the truth that is written in his 1st epistle and now this 2nd epistle done so that those true believers then and we true believers now and of every era and generation would be able to know how our walk with the Lord Jesus must be when we are in times of suffering for His sake (1st letter ✉) and to be able to recognize fake, and fraudulent, and false believers (2nd letter ✉) so that we should not be moved away from our steadfastness 'in Christ' even as Paul the Apostle also wrote with these words warning brother Timothy of these same things, "But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 3:14-15) (NKJV). Peter uses the English word 'decease' to speak of his death and this word is translated by the Greek word exodos which simply means an exit, that is, (figuratively) death: - departing. This is the reality of every human beings death, they depart or exit out of their body to be with Christ Jesus (if they have been born again John 3:5) or to be apart or away from Christ Jesus (if they have not been born again Revelation 20:15 which is the second death). Here is what the Expositor's Bible Commentary had to say of 2 Peter 1:15, "'Yea, I will give diligence that at every time ye may be able after my decease to call these things to remembrance.' Jesus is related (Luke 9:31) to have conversed with Moses and Elias of His decease (εξοδος), which He should accomplish at Jerusalem. The word is rare in this sense, being commonly used, as in Hebrews 11:22, of the departing of the children of Israel from Egypt. But it is deeply printed in St. Peter's mind; and he, who looks forward to drinking of his Master's cup and dying somewhere as He died, employs the same word concerning his own end. And the word is another indication of the calm with which he can look forward to his death. As with Christ, there is no reluctance, no shrinking. The change will be but a departure, a passing from one stage to another, the putting off the worn garment of mortality to be clothed upon by the robe which is from heaven. His letters are the only means whereby he can speak after he has been taken from them. Hence his earnestness in writing. 'I will give diligence.' I have urged diligence on you; I will apply the lesson to myself, and make it possible that afterwards on every occasion you may have it before you. When dead, he will yet speak to them; so that in each new trial, in each time of need, they may strengthen their faith or be warned of their danger. "At every time,' he says; and thus his strengthening words of admonition are a legacy through the ages to the Church for evermore." If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...