“The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority.
“Bold and willful, they do not tremble as they blaspheme… They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.”
“This is the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the predictions of the prophets and commandment of the Lord.., knowing… that scoffers will come in the last days, following their own sinful desires. They will say, ‘Where is the promise of his coming?..’ For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed… by the word of God… But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are… being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
“But do not overlook.., beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. The day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
“Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God… According to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
“Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. Count the patience of our Lord as salvation… You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ..” 2 Peter 2:9-10,19; 3:1-4a,5,7-15a,17-18
“Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you… And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.” 1 John 2:24a,28
Both Peter and John address fellow believers with tenderness and love, gently but clearly stirring them to live wisely, hopefully, boldly, and righteously, looking to Christ’s return. Amidst persecution and uncertainty, these reminders kept them mentally grounded and spiritually steady. Judgment would surely come, Christ would return in perfect time, and they were to live presently with vitality and confidence in light of these promises.
And so are we. Yes, in the world we have tribulation, but the Lord has overcome and gives grace and victory to compel us forward in peace. His assurances are our hope. (John 16:33)
What are we doing to stir up one another to take hold of God’s promises, to persist in doing good? How regularly do avail ourselves of His instructive, powerful word? When and how do we participate in mutual edification? (Hebrews 10:23-25)
Lord, help me hold fast to and remind others of Your truths, and so increase hope, and bless Your name.
As the rain and snow 