The First Epistle of Peter

Chapter 1 

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.

           
Peter is here writing to the elect saints who were called by God the Father and were sanctified by the Holy Spirit unto obedience. Called to obey God and covered by the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. And this is referring to the blood of the covenant; the sacrifice of Christ.

           
The Mosaic Covenant was ratified by the sprinkling of blood on the people. And the New Covenant is ratified by the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ upon the people. Christ being our sacrifice.

           
And Peter goes on to say, Grace to you, and peace, be multiplied.

           
Grace meaning forgiveness. Peter is wishing that God would forgive them for all their iniquities and that they should have a peaceful relationship with God and with each other.

           
Verse 3: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in heaven for you.

           
You have a hope of resurrection and eternal life, and you have a proof of that hope by the reality that Jesus Christ was resurrected and given eternal life. It can be done. It has been done, and it shall be done to you, if you keep God's commandments and love him. And you will receive an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled  that does not fade away. It does not diminish with time. And it is reserved in God's heaven for you.

           
Verse 5: For you who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

           
Your salvation shall come in the latter day, at the last time, at the seventh trump, when you are resurrected. That is, your salvation comes when you are brought back to life and given the gift of eternal life and presented to the Father. And you are to be revealed, or this salvation is to be revealed, in the last time.

           
Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness through manifold temptations or afflictions. That the trial and testing of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried, your faith being tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

           
He is saying here that your faith is much more precious than gold that perishes because God is creating in you, through testing and trials your development and your faith. He is developing faith in you that is going to last for eternity.

           
Whom having not seen, you love; in whom, though now ye do not see him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

           
Faith means to believe. And because you believe God, you do what God says and that results in the salvation of your souls, your lives. You are saved by the grace of Christ’s sacrifice and by your willingness to turn from sin. And turn toward your God and keep his commandments.

           
Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you.

           
That is, they prophesied of the resurrection to life, the gift of God. The eternal life, which is a gift of God. And that is what was prophesied by the prophets concerning us.

           
Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ, which was in them did signify.

           
Now, the spirit of Christ was in all the prophets. And the Spirit of Christ is nothing less and nothing other than the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit of God. And Peter is saying here that the Holy Spirit was in all the prophets, signifying that God had called and put his spirit in many, many people since Abel; since the very beginning, and showing that God has called certain people throughout all of history to be his people, and to be a part of a new covenant.

           
However, these people [called before Christ came] were called in faith, looking forward to the sacrifice of Christ. And now we who are called in this latter day can look backward upon a reality which has taken place. Those people were called by the Father in faith, looking forward to the sacrifice that Christ would make on their behalf.

           
Verse 11: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Speaking here of all the prophecies concerning the first coming of Christ and the things that he should suffer.

           
Verse 12: Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost or the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

           
So, Peter is here referring to the Holy Ghost or the Holy Spirit again as the Spirit of Christ in these prophets. And these prophets preached and taught the gospel throughout history. And these prophecies and the gospel was for the end time. And it was about repentance and turning from sin and turning to God, and it was about salvation through the application of the sacrifice of Christ, and about receiving the gift of eternal life at the resurrection.

           
Verse 13: Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace which is brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; Like obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to your former lusts, which you did in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be you holy in all manner of conduct; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

           
Peter is here telling us, or telling the people he was writing to and through them, us; that we should be holy as God the Father is holy and as Christ is holy. The Father of course keeps his own commandments and the son, Jesus Christ said, "I have kept my Father's commandments." And we are also to keep their commandments through the power of their spirit in us.

           
And if you call on the Father, who without respect of persons, judges according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear.

           
That is, pass your life in consideration and in the knowledge that you will be judged by the Father, by God; and you will be judged based on his word. You will not be judged by what some man says about his word. There is a personal responsibility in everyone to put God first. And we are to test everything that every man says by the standard of God's word because it is God's word by which we will be judged.

           
And we should be in fear, knowing this and understanding this. And we should fear God and not men. There is a great deal of fear in the Church of God regarding the ministry and the authorities over them. People are afraid to question, afraid to speak out, afraid to test, and that is wrong.

           
They are to fear God and not men. For it is God who can destroy both body and spirit in the lake of fire. No man can do that. Do not be intimidated by men, no matter who they claim to be or how high and mighty they might think of themselves. They are nothing compared to God. And you will be judged by God and God's word, not by what any man says.

           
Verse 18: Forasmuch as you know that you are were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conduct received by tradition from your fathers.

           
You are not redeemed from the vain traditions of your elders by corruptible things. Your redemption was not by gold or silver or the blood of lambs or goats or bullocks.

           
But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. Perfect and without any trace of sin.

           
Verse 20: Who truly was foreordained before the foundations of the world, but was made known in these last times for you.

           
Yes. Christ was the Lamb of God, who has slain from the very foundations of the world, as it's written in Revelation.

           
This was done as Peter said in Verse 20: Foreordained before the foundations of the world. That Jesus Christ would atone for the sins of his creation. It was all part of the plan from the very beginning.

           
Verse 21: Who by him, or we by Christ, do believe in God, that raised Christ up from the dead, and gave him glory, that our faith and hope might be in God.

           
That is, we are not to have faith and hope in any man or group of men. Our faith and hope is to be in Almighty God.

           
Seeing you have purified your souls or bodies or spirit in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren or honest and sincere love of the brethren, see that you love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and abides for us.

           
Meaning that we are to discard the old person and become a new person in Christ and in the Father. We are to discard our sins and our law breaking, and our hatreds, and envies, and animosities, and embrace God, and keep his commandments, and develop a love, and be filled with God's love for God and for each other.

           
Verse 24: For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of men as the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower thereof falls away: But the word of the Lord endures forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

           
Yes, Moses is dead and turned to dust. Yes, Herbert Armstrong is dead and turned to dust. It is Almighty God and his Christ, who live and who will judge us. And they will also judge Moses, and judge Herbert Armstrong. We are all going to be part of the same group. That is, we will all be judged by the same God.

           
And he is not a respecter of persons. He will judge all of us by the same standard. Seeing that all men will be judged by the standard of God, let us not cling to the standards of men or the teachings of men, but let us turn diligently and zealously study the Holy Scriptures to see what God wants for us, and to be approved by God because we put him and his word first.

           
The ministry and various leaders can be a tremendous influence for good. They can also make mistakes. And we must test every word that every person, every man and indeed every spirit and angel says against the standard of the word of God. For flesh is nothing, and Herbert Armstrong is nothing, Moses was nothing in comparison to God.

           
But the word of the Lord endures forever. And this is the word which, by the gospel, is preached unto you. That is, what is preached to you is the word of the Lord which endures forever.

           
Chapter 2: Wherefore lay aside malice and guile, hypocrisy, and envy, all evil speakings.

           
That is, rumor mongering and speaking evil of others, falsely by slandering and defaming others. Put all these things away. Get rid of them. Destroy them.

           
And as newborn babes desire the sincere milk of the word of God that you may grow by it: If so be ye have tasted that the Eternal is gracious. To whom coming, we come as unto a living stone, which has been disallowed and rejected indeed of men, but has been chosen of God and is precious, You also are lively stones, and are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

           
And the term spiritual sacrifices is in reference to burnt offerings. And in the burnt offering, the whole animal is consumed by the flames and rises up as a smoke up to the heavens. And this is symbolic of a sweet odor or a sweet savor to God. And it shows that we are all to be consumed with obeying our Father, with keeping his commandments, with loving him and putting him first, even as Jesus Christ was burning and consumed with obeying his Father, with love for his Father, with keeping his Father's commandments.

           
Even so, we must present ourselves as living sacrifices, spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through our dedication to loving him and to keeping all of his commandments.

           
Wherefore also it is contained in the Scriptures. Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect and precious: and he that believes on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient. That is, those who do not keep the commandments.

           
The stone, which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient. That is, not keeping God's commandments whereunto they were also appointed.

           
Those people who do not keep God's commandments stumble at the mystery of Jesus Christ. They don't understand that they are to follow the example of Jesus Christ and keep the Father's commandments as Christ did.

           
But you who believe are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people that you should show forth the praises of him which hath called you out of darkness of sin into his marvelous light: Which in time past were not a people.

           
You are not a people. You are scattered individuals. But you are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy in the past, but now you have obtained mercy.

           
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, as travelers, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul or against your life. Abstain from the lust of sin for this wars against your very life.

           
Having your conduct honest among the Gentiles that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

           
Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake. That is, submit to all the laws of man as long as they do not conflict with the commandments of God. Submit for the Lord’s sake.

           
Whether it be to the king as supreme, or unto governors as unto them that are sent by the king for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

           
For in doing this, you are setting an example of obedience to authority, which others will be expected to follow. And in the Kingdom of God, they will be expected to obey the authority of the king, the authority of God.

           
For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men; As free, and yet not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

           
You may have the right to do certain things, but if the government says no, then you obey the government. Why? To set an example of righteousness. All things that are lawful are not always expedient.

           
Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle master, but also to the forward or stubborn and unworthy. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endures grief, enduring and suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it if when ye are buffeted for your faults, you take it patiently? But if, when you do well, and suffer for it and you take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

           
And I tell you that God will provide his reward for those who have suffered because through this kind of suffering, we learn patience, we learn humility. And these virtues, God will not despise.

           
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow in his steps. We should be willing to suffer as he suffered.

           
Verse 22: He did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to the Father who judges righteously.

           
It is in the Father's power to pass judgment. It is not up to us to strike out and lash out and take revenge for revenge is mine, saith the Eternal. God will judge between his children and he will reward the righteous and he will correct the wicked.

           
Who his own self, Verse 24, bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

           
Now, does that mean none of them are sick? And that everyone should be healed? What was it referring to? It is referring to healing from sin. It is referring to being saved in the spiritual sense, being healed in the spiritual sense. Being turned away from sin and turned to righteousness. That we become dead to sins, and sin is the transgression of the law.

           
Being dead to sin means we are no longer subject to sin. We have turned away from it. And we should live under righteousness. That is, we should live by the commandments of God. For in the past, you were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto that Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

           
Chapter 3: Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your husbands that if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conduct of the wives.

           
You wives submit to your husband and be in subjection to them. Do your very best to please them, to be good, supportive, helpful, cooperative people. And by your good conduct, your husbands could possibly be won over.

           
At the very least, they will not think evil of you because of your faith. They will say, "Well, I don't agree with what you believe, I don't understand it, but you sure are a nice person."

           
And if they are vicious and brutal, and begin to abuse you and beat you because of your faith, then you should preserve your life and take steps to save yourself. But until that point, you should do everything possible to cooperate and be helpful in the hope that you might save your husband by your example.

           
While they behold your chaste conversation or conduct coupled with fear. That is, with respect. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on fine apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner, in the old time, the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves being in subjection unto their own husbands.

           
Is this saying that you shouldn't make up your hair really nice, or wear nice clothes, or try and look good? No, it's not. It's saying that in the overall picture of things, it is more important to be humble, and respectful, and cooperative, and loving, and caring than it is to look pretty and be a nasty, mean, spiteful, self-indulgent person. Humility and love is a more beautiful thing than all the cosmetic adornments that a person can put on.

           
Verse 6: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters you are, as long as you do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. Likewise now, you husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife as unto a weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life.

           
That is, recipients of the forgiveness of God and the promises of God, being heirs together of that same potential. So, that your prayers may not hindered.

           
Husbands, if you bully, and you dominate, and you abuse, and you use your wives and family in some sort of a selfish manner, your prayers will be hindered because God doesn't like that kind of behavior.

           
He wants wives to love their husbands, and he wants husbands to love their wives. Jesus Christ gave himself, gave his life, died for his wife, for Israel, and for spiritual Israel.

           
For all of us who are espoused to him at this time, he gave himself for us. He died for us. And it is up to us husbands, we husbands, to be willing to follow that example and give ourselves totally and completely for our wives and for their good and for the good of our families.

           
In the same manner, it is up to the wife to follow that example and give themselves for the good of their families. When we act selfishly, and we are always worried about our rights, and what we're going to get out of things, that is wrong. That is a carnal-minded person and that is sin.

           
God's way, God's commandments are about loving, giving, caring for, and respecting others. If we do what we think is right, we are right in our own eyes, and that is self-righteousness. If we do what God says is right, then we are doing godly righteousness. We are doing what God commands. That is true, godly righteousness indeed.

           
Now, Verse 12: For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous. He watches over the righteous. Those who are godly righteous, those who keep God's commandments.

           
And God's ears are open unto their prayers. He listens to them because they love him and keep his commandments. They have access to him.

           
But the face of the Lord is against those that do evil, that are self-centered and selfish, and go against God's commandments and break his law. God is against them.

           
And who is he that will harm you if you be followers of that which is good? But and if you do suffer for righteousness' sake, for true godly righteousness, happy are you, and be not afraid of their terror, and neither be troubled; But sanctify the Eternal God in your hearts.

           
Don't compromise with God's word because of the persecution of wicked men, but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts and be always ready to give an answer to every man that asks you, and a reason of the hope that is in you; with meekness and respect.

           
Yes. Don't fear what people do to you when you are trying to please God and keep God's commandments. If you tell your minister, "I am not going out to restaurant with you on the Sabbath day because God said to sanctify and keep holy his Sabbath and we are not to pay others to serve us." And that minister says, "I will sanction you. I will punish you. I will reject you and drive you out of my church."

           
Then go on your knees to your Father and say, "Thank you for the opportunity to serve you. Help me to rejoice over this persecution by this ignorant man. Let me keep your commandments and sanctify me in your sight because I am doing my best to do your will and keep all of your commandments."

           
Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conduct in Christ.

           
In the judgment day, when God stands there and judges you by his word and then judges these other people by his word, they will be ashamed when you are justified and they are found wicked.

           
For it is better, if the will of God be so, that you suffer for well doing, than it is for you to suffer for your evil doing. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just suffering for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened or awakened by the Spirit: By which he went also and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved from the water.

           
The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

           
Christ, by being perfect and still willing to suffer for others, was found to be of good conscience, perfect before God and raised up in the resurrection. And he has ascended into heaven, and now sits in the right hand of the Father, and has been given authority over angels and authorities and powers, because of his righteousness and his willingness to suffer for the good of others.

           
And we should follow that example, allowing ourselves if necessary to suffer but always to be right with God and to do good with God and to keep God's commandments regardless of what men do to us.

           
That is what Jesus Christ did. He kept the Father's commandments, regardless of what men said or did. And that was his example that we need to follow.

           
Chapter 4: Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind, the same attitude as Christ, for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin.

           
You are suffering because you are keeping God's commandments and you have turned away from breaking those commandments. You turn away from sin.

           
That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to do the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness and lusts, excess of wine, revelings, gluttony, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that we no longer run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of us: Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead, who shall give account to God.

           
For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead. That is, it was preached to them while they were alive and they are now dead. The gospel was preached since Adam and Eve, since Abel and Cain. It was preached to all men, most of whom are now dead.

           
For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead or are now dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. Be sober, vigilant and prayerful.

           
And above all things have fervent charity or love among yourselves: for charity or love shall cover a multitude of sins.

           
How does it do that?  It is saying, because you have charity and love, you are willing to forgive others.

           
Use hospitality one toward another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracle of God. Let him speak inspired by God.

           
If any man minister or serve, let him do it as of the ability which God gives: that God in all things might be glorified through Jesus Christ to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

           
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ's sufferings that, when his glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy.

           
If you be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are you; for the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you: on their part, he is evil spoken of, but on your part, he is glorified. Let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody, or gossip in other men's matters.

           
Do not do these wicked things, and you won't have to suffer for having done these wicked things. You won't be punished for it.

           
Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, that is, suffer for Christ and suffer for keeping God's commandments, let him not be ashamed for his suffering; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

           
What is the end of those that don't keep God's commandments? If we suffer so that we can do even better, if we are tried and tested, and pruned, and molded by God to become the persons God wants us to be, and he is chipping off all the hard edges off of us. He will do the same to the wicked, and they will be corrected as we have been corrected.

           
And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their lives to God in well doing, continue in well doing as unto a faithful Creator.

           
The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed.

           
Peter is saying, I will have a part in the resurrection like you. And we'll partake of that glory like you.

           
Are you elders? Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, not being forced to, but do so willingly and not for filthy lucre, that is, for a reward. But do so of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.

           
You elders and ministers, did you get that? The apostle Peter here is speaking to the elders of the church and he says, Feed the flock of God. And in Verse 3: Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.

           
You are not to lord it over God's heritage. This is not your church. It is not your flock. They are not your sheep. They are God's flock, God's church, God's sheep. And you are entrusted with the responsibility of caring for them, of setting an example for them, and of keeping them for God, and pointing them to God, and protecting them, and serving them, and caring for them, and leading them to green pastures and fresh water, providing them with the meat of God's word.

           
And you are to do this by setting an example and by teaching and instruction; not by lording it over them. You are not better than them. You are a brother helping other brothers. And that is all you are.

           
Listen to what Peter said, not as being lords over God's heritage, but being example to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, that is, Jesus Christ, you shall receive a crown of glory that fades not away, if you don't lord it over the flock. If you lead by example.

           
And you younger, submit yourselves unto the older. Yea, all of you be subject one to another.

           
A minister should be willing to take advice from his parishioners. He may not always necessarily agree with it, or act on it, but he should always be willing to listen and to set an example of leadership by listening.

           
Now, yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble.

           
You who lord it over the flock, God will resist you. Oh yes, he will. There will be no good relationship with God if you want to lord it over other people because that is not God's way.

           
For God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble, that is, he forgives the humble. Therefore, humble yourselves unto the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you. And I might add, you should for care for each other.

           
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions which you are suffering are also accomplished in your brethren that are scattered in the world. But the God of all grace, that is, of all forgiveness, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that you have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish and strengthen and settle you. To him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

           
After we have suffered, after we have endured the trials of this world, when we have made it to the last moment of our lives, and we have finished the race, God will raise us up, establish, and strengthen, and make perfect. And we shall be given the gift of eternal life if we overcome and endure to the end. If we continually put God first, and love him, and keep his commandments, we shall have a part in the Kingdom of God.

           
Now, Peter goes on, by Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose him to be, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein you stand.

           
So, he's saying he's sending this letter by Silvanus. The church which is at Babylon, elected together with you, salutes you; and so does Marcus my son. Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

           
Now, he is saying the church which is at Babylon, elected together, salutes you. Whether Peter is at Babylon or whether he is at Jerusalem and he's figuratively speaking of Jerusalem as Babylon, I don't know. So, that's something for some thought maybe. Maybe there's somebody out there who knows this thing. But in any case, this particular epistle is completed.

Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them which have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, according 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: Whereby are given unto us exceedingly great and precious promises: that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature.

           
You may become holy and have something of the divine. How is this? By having God's spirit placed in you. God is not divided against himself. His spirit will not inspire you to break God's commandments.

           
God is united with himself and his spirit in you will inspire you to keep God's commandments and it will empower you to keep God's commandments. Thus; putting in you some of the very nature of God, the divine nature.

           
Having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue.

           
That is, faith means to believe and trust. And you must add to that virtue; and virtue is obedience. And you must add to virtue or obedience; knowledge. And knowledge is knowing what it is you should be doing, what to obey.

           
And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly love or brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity or love. For if these things be in you, and abound in you, they make you that you shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. You shall grow in grace and knowledge. You shall bear fruit.

           
Verse 9: But he that lacks these things, that is, lacks kindness and brotherly love and knowledge and temperance and patience and virtue, he lacks these things is blind, and cannot see in the distance or afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

           
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if you do these things, you shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

           
Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though you know them, and be established in the present truth. Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, this flesh, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle or flesh, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath showed me.

           
Moreover, I will endeavor that you may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. For 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. For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory on high, This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the Holy Mount.

           
We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto you do well that you take heed, as unto a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

           
What does that mean? Some have supposed that this means that everyone will know or understand these prophecies. And private means only one person exclusively knowing and that no prophecy is a private interpretation. That means one person will not know something others don't know. This explanation is simply not true. It is a fallacy.

           
When it says no prophecy is of any private interpretation and no scripture is of any private interpretation, he's saying that no scripture or prophecy stands alone.

           
The word of God is one consistent whole, made up of many parts. And every single part fits together with every other part to make a greater whole. It is like a great tapestry. And you cannot take one little corner of it and say, “oh, the word of God is all about this.”

           
No. You have to look at whole big picture and every part has to fit together with everything else. And if you take something and say for instance, the 70th week of the 70 Weeks Prophecy means there will be three and a half years of peace, during which sacrifices will take place and then after that three and a half years of tribulation. You are wrong because in another place the Scripture says; when they shall say peace and safety, sudden destruction will come, immediately at that point when they are saying, peace and safety.

           
There will not be three and a half years of peace and safety during which sacrifices will take place. You have to put all of the Scriptures together, to come up with a big picture, a broader picture. And if one Scripture does not fit together with the others, then there is a mistake and error involved. And it has to be reexamined and things have to be restudied and we have to go to God and seek inspiration and study his word and be patient until everything does fit together properly. We cannot build a doctrine or a prophecy or a belief on  one thing taken out of context.

           
Verse 21: For prophecy came not in old times by the will of man, it was not the imaginations of men: but holy men of God spake as they were moved or inspired by the Holy Ghost.

           
It was produced through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God. It is of God and therefore, it is true. And in order to understand it properly, all the different parts have to be put together in the correct way to complete the puzzle.

           
But Chapter 2: 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 shall bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

           
Isn't that the truth? Isn't that exactly what has happened in this latter day? That the truth is evil spoken of by so many because of the excesses and abuses of a few false teachers.

           
The damnable heresies as it says in Chapter 2; Verse 1: Like the Primacy of Peter heresy. The idea that man is somehow, today in this dispensation, in this time, part of the Aaronic priesthood that comes between man and God. That somehow the ministry can stand between you and God and you have to do what they say and you're to look to them and not look to God. That is a damnable heresy.

           
Verse 3: And through covetousness, that is, that you greed and lust for their own advantage shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingers not, and their damnation does not slumber.

           
This wicked men and there is more than one out there. There are many, are damned if they don't repent.

           
Verse 4: For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into the chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; And spared not the old world, but saved Noah and eighth persons, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly, bring a flood on the wicked.

           
And he turned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an example unto those that after should live in wickedness; And he delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conduct of the wicked: For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds, with their commandment breaking.

           
And God knows, the Eternal knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise authorities. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

           
Whereas the angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. But 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; And 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.

           
I warn you shepherds. God's word has much to say about the shepherds who feed themselves and do not feed the flock. There is a great condemnation coming for you who lord it over in God's flock.

           
Having eyes full of adultery. And this is both physical and spiritual, seeking after other gods and wanting to know how other people serve their gods and what the various unconverted, ignorant people are saying even though they, know nothing about God and refuse to keep his commandments.

           
When we go to them and ask them what they think about prophecy and about this and that doctrine and we start using their teaching as support for our positions, we have sinned. We have committed spiritual adultery. And there are a great many people in the Church of God who do that today.

           
Having eyes full of adulteries and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices, they are cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity; the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.

           
These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. For 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. While 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.

           
People who follow such men are brought into bondage. They left the bondage of one group or one person only to come under the bondage of another.

           
For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled thereof, and overcome with the false teachings of false teachers their latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

           
For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, then, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But 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.

           
This second epistle, beloved, Chapter 3: I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance, in both epistles: That you may be mindful and remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Savior: Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 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.

           
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: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 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 or damnation of ungodly men.

           
But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years is as one day.

           
Many of the so-called groups in the Church of God say, oh the end is near, the end is near. But then they also say, in another 10 or 20 years. And it's been 10 or 20 years for the last 50 years. And really, they have an attitude that says;  my lord delays his coming. And they try and inspire some zeal in people by saying, it's near, it's near. But their own attitude is, my lord delays his coming.

           
And they don't realize that what is a very long period of time to man is a very short period of time with God. And God will fulfill his word. He will keep his promises. These things are coming.

           
On another point again, that all Scripture must fit together. There are many who say the Seven Day Feast of Tabernacles represents a thousand year millennium. And yet what does Peter say here? One day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years is as one day.

           
How could the Seven Day Feast of Tabernacles picture one thousand years? According to Scripture, it must picture 7,000 years or it must have nothing whatsoever to do with years. The Seven Day Feast of Tabernacles pictures 7,000 years. It does not picture the millennium. We know because God inspired Peter to say so.

           
In 2 Peter 3:9: The Eternal is not slack concerning his promises, he's not going to delay, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering or patient to us, not willing that any should perish, but that all of us should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens shall pass away and a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

           
Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in all holy conduct and godliness, 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? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness.

           
Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. 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; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things difficult to be understood, which they that are ignorant and unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also with other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

           
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 steadfastness. But grow in grace, that is, develop and grow in the knowledge of God and in the keeping of God's commandments and you will grow in God's forgiveness.

           
But grow in grace, in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.

           
For an explanation of the earth melting with fervent heat in the heavens, you should go to our site regarding The Festivals of God, and go through the various feast days ,and when you get to the last great day, you will see the subject of the earth melting and so forth, and the subject is thoroughly covered on that page.

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