Preparing For The Last Days and The Second Coming 2 Peter 3:13-18

2 Peter 3:13-18
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 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; 16 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, 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.

Commentary:
At the beginning of this passage of scripture is the reference to a new heaven and earth which refers to the millennium and the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior which creates the new heaven and earth for us to dwell on during the millennium.

We are told that while we wait for this grand and glorious occaasion that we  be diligent and be found living in peace, being clean or without spot and blameless which means we do no wrong or keep busy repenting every time we sin.

The chief Apostle Peter also refer to the difficulty in understanding some of the Epistles of Paul as “some things hard to be understood”.  This could from the stand point of good advice refer to other parts of the Bible. Peter goes on to refer to unlearned and unstable (spiritual or otherwise) people wrest the scriptures and they do this to their own destruction.

We don’t seek to justify ourselves by private interpretation of the scriptures but we learn the scriptures as to what they truly mean and adjust our life style to fit the scriptures. We need to study the Holy Bible to understand the scriptures as a whole. We need to understand the scriptures in full context so that important parts of the Christian doctrine are not taken out of context. A good example  is Grace and the Holy Trinity or Godhead.

There are several scriptures that on their own support salvation by grace alone but in full context of the Bible do not support that assertion. The same is true of the so-called Holy Trinity where the Godhead is one and the same person not individual and distinct personages. Out of context you can prove the holy trinity but in full context you can see full and numerous references that the Holy Godhead is truly three distinct glorified individuals.

We are told to grow in grace. Grace means divine power. So we are to grow in divine power only made possible by living a righteous life so that grace can be bestowed upon us by our Creator. We are to also grow “in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ”. How is that to be done? By studying the scriptures for ourselves. Not realying on once a week sermons at Church or Sunday School. We need to read the scriptures and then as James taught be “doers of the word, not hearer only.” That also will bring Gods divine grace down upon us and then when the Second coming arrives we will be prepared for the millennium.

The Godly Are Victorious Psalms 2:1-12

Psalms 2:1- 12
1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, 3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. 4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision. 5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. 6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. 7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. 8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. 9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. 10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. 11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

Commentary:
This is a Messianic Psalm speaking to the concept that the heathen or the wicked will fight against the Lord and His gospel but will not be victorious. God has begoten His son, Jesus christ to lead the righteous against the heathen and will be victorious in the end.

Put On The Whole Armour Of God Ephesians 6:11-18

Ephesians 6: 11-18
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

Wearing silver cross necklaces serve as a great reminder as the silver cross is a symbol for Christianity and wearing a silver cross necklace will help you remember the teachings of the Bible and it’s teachings like the one regarding the full body of armor.

Commentary:
I love this metaphor. It calls to mind the warrior in body amor ready for battle against the enemy. If we follow the directives of this passage of Christian scripture we will be just as well prepared to face the enemy in battle fighting for our souls, for truly that it the fight we are involved in. Us against Satan. He would destroy our souls but our beloved Father in Heaven has issued directions to helps us in the fight.

If we put on the whole armour of God which is: Truth, Righteousness, Gospel of Peace, Faith, Salvation, Word of God and Prayer we will be well prepared for the fight. These pieces of armor will help to protect us against the fiery darts of the wicked.

If we have a strong understanding of the truth then we know wickedness never was happiness. Truth means we know what is right and wrong. Righteousness is understanding righteous acts and unrighteous acts. The Wicked ones will tell you nine truths and one untruth to lead you astray.

It’s ironic that we’re using a metaphor of armor and battle and fighting and then say that part of our arour is the “Gospel of Peace”. Peace is the opposite of war. But Peace has many meanings.

If we are prepared for the battle against evil we can have peace in our hearts. If we have the whole armour of God properly placed on us will bring us peace and also in our fight against wickedness we need to practice peace. Pray for our enemies and those that despitefull use us.

If we have Faith in the Rock of our Salvation, The Messiah then we will have great strength. Strength that the wicked have never seen or known. The Armour of Salvation means we know Salvation is they way home. Knowledge of salvation also brings peace in our lives during the battle against the wicked. We also can try and educate the wicked to the means of salvation because there are good people who have been lead astry who are currently in the ranks of evil as lost souls that can be reclaimed.

The Word of God is the power of the whole armour of God in that it teaches us, reminds us of why we fight to come off the conquerer against the battle of the wicked and righteous. It also help us try to reclaim the lost souls who would hear the message and repent once they understand. Thus reduce the ranks of the wicked. Wouldn’t it be a great victory to reduce the ranks of the wicked to a grand total of zero. Bringing those lost souls to the depths of repentance and reconciliation to their Creator.

Prayer wasn’t mentioned as a piece of armor but still listed prominantly as a virtue needful in the fight against the wicked one. We can pray that we will have the strength to withstand the tempations of the evil one. We can pray for the lost souls of the wicked. Pray to soften their hearts.

Whether this metaphor speaks to you or some other passage of Christian scripture let us pray that we all will come off the victor in the fight for our souls.