November 27, 2023
“And it is only right that I should keep on reminding you as long as I live. For our Lord Jesus Christ has shown me that I must soon leave this earthly life” (2 Peter 1:13-14 NLT). Peter knew his time was short. For the Lord Jesus had told so. In the meantime, he was
November 27, 2022
DID GOD REALLY SAY? The apostle Peter viewed holy Scripture as God’s very Word. He described its authorship simply as God spoke and men wrote. He said that their pens were not moved by their own wisdom nor initiative, but by the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul agreed with Peter’s high view of Scripture writing,
November 27, 2021
UNTIL WE LAY ASIDE THIS BODILY TENT Peter referred to his mortal body as a “tent,” recognizing its temporal nature and the promised hope of exchanging it for an eternal one at the Lord’s return. In the meantime, he was determined to continue stirring up the faith of those the Lord had entrusted to him.
November 27, 2017
Peter referred to his mortal body as a “tent,” recognizing its temporal nature and the promised hope of exchanging it for an eternal one at the Lord’s return. In the meantime, he was determined to continue “stirring up” the faith of those the Lord had entrusted to him. Peter knew the manner of his death from the Lord Jesus Himself, who “showed” him of it after His resurrection (John 21:18-22). Peter had declared his willingness to die for Jesus on the night of the last supper, but had instead denied Him three times. When Jesus reinstated Peter, asking him three times whether he loved Him, He essentially let Peter know that he was going to get his chance to give his life for Jesus after all. According to the early church fathers, Peter was crucified in Rome under Nero. He was crucified upside down at his own request, since he saw himself unworthy of being crucified as Jesus was. Peter may have stumbled early in his faith, but he finished well. He has “put off” his tent, awaiting the Day when all the saints shall “put on” new ones, fit for eternity.
November 27, 2015
I’m thankful that the apostle Peter was “careful to ensure” that we have “reminders” from him to “stir” us up for the Lord. He surely had assurance from God that his writings would endure as they had been inspired by the Holy Spirit and were given for our encouragement and edification. Peter knew that he would not always be present, but his letters would live on. He wrote with an awareness of his soon “decease” (Greek: ἔξοδον, “exodus” – death, departure), knowing as the Lord Jesus had told him, that he would shortly “put off his tent.” Peter and the other apostles left us the spiritual legacy of the New Testament Scriptures. I’m thankful to God that He gave them not only the inspiration, but also the commission to write, so that we might “always have a reminder of these things.”
November 27, 2013
Peter wrote that the gospel message that he and the other apostles preached was not man made myth, but eyewitness testimony. He knew that he would not live long in the flesh, so he was determined to make this clear before his passing. He saw the unveiled Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration, he witnessed the empty tomb and the risen Savior, he joined him walking on the water. Peter knew the message he shared was true because he was there to see it. We can know that it is true by believing his testimony.