Will Earth “Be Burned Up” or “Abide Forever”? by Eric Lyons, M.Min.

http://apologeticspress.org/AllegedDiscrepancies.aspx?article=2466&b=Ecclesiastes

Will Earth “Be Burned Up” or “Abide Forever”?

by Eric Lyons, M.Min.

Q.

According to certain Bible critics, 2 Peter 3:10 contradicts Ecclesiastes 1:4. Whereas Peter wrote, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up” (emp. added), Solomon declared in the book of Ecclesiastes, “One generation passes away, and another generation comes; but the earth abides forever” (emp. added). Is one of these two declarations an “erroneous statement” as skeptic David Miles contends (2007), or is there a logical explanation regarding why the “burned up” Earth is said to “abide forever”?

A.

The answer to this question actually is very simple: the Bible frequently uses the term “forever” (Hebrew olam) in a more limited sense, to mean “a long duration,” and not necessarily a literal eternal existence (see Olam, 1999). Consider a few examples:

• Prior to the Israelites’ departure from Egypt, Moses instituted the Passover. He then added: “And you shall observe this thing as an ordinance for you and your sons forever” (Exodus 12:24, emp. added).
• Under the Law of Moses, when a servant pledged allegiance to his master, the master would “take an awl and thrust it through” the servant’s ear to the door (Deuteronomy 15:17). This was a sign that the servant would work for his master “forever” (15:17).
• After the Israelites visited King Rehoboam and petitioned him to lighten their burdens (2 Chronicles 10:3-4), the elders advised the king to be kind to the people and they would be his servants “forever” (10:7).

Like so many words throughout Scripture that have more than one meaning, the term “forever” must be understood in light of the context in which it is found. The above-mentioned passages clearly use “forever” in a limited sense, referring to a “long duration” and not literal unendingness. What’s more, considering how many words (e.g., “forever”) have more than one meaning, skeptics cannot justifiably label passages like Ecclesiastes 1:4 and 2 Peter 3:10 contradictory unless they can prove both passages are using the word in the exact same sense. The proper understanding of these passages is that though the Earth has outlasted countless generations (lasting “forever” in limited sense), one day the Earth “will be burned up.”

Finally, we frequently use the word “forever” in a limited sense in the 21^st century (e.g., “that lecture lasted forever”). One wonders why skeptics disallow the Bible writers the same freedom in their use of words such as “forever.”

REFERENCES

Miles, David (2007), “Letters,” Montgomery Advertiser, December 10, [On-line], URL:http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071113/ OPINION02/711130304/1014/OPINION.

Olam (1999), Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon (Logos Research Systems: Bellingham, WA).

From Roy Davison... They continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine

http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Davison/Roy/Allen/1940/apostles.html

They continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine

We read this about the first church of Christ: "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers" (Acts 2:42).

To really be Christians and churches of Christ, we too must continue steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine.

To continue steadfastly is to persevere, to remain constant, to carry on without wavering.

What is the apostles' doctrine? It is what the apostles taught by the authority of Christ through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, as recorded in the New Testament.

Jesus said to Peter: "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven" (Matthew 16:19).

To the twelve He said: "Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven" (Matthew 18:18). The apostles' doctrine is not something they invented themselves. It is in complete agreement with the determination of God.

Through divine guidance the apostles established doctrines and practices for the church, nothing other than what God had established in heaven.

Through divine inspiration the apostles also revoked certain things, such as the Old Covenant, things God had also revoked in heaven.

The apostles were ambassadors of Christ led by God's Spirit.

When Jesus gave the seventy-two prophetic power and sent them out to preach, He said: "He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me" (Luke 10:16).

One trick of some false teachers is to claim that we must listen to the words of Jesus in the Gospels, but that we do not have to obey the teaching of the apostles in the later books.

But in the Gospels Jesus says we must listen to His apostles and that we reject Him if we reject their words.

Only a portion of the doctrine of Christ was made known during His ministry on earth. After His ascension He revealed many additional teachings to the apostles through the Holy Spirit. Shortly before His death He said: "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come" (John 16:12,13). "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you" (John 14:26).

The Holy Spirit revealed all truth to the apostles, He taught them all things, also things Jesus had not yet made known during his life on earth.

When people claim that the words of Jesus in the Gospels are authoritative but the words of the apostles are not, they are rejecting the words of Jesus in the Gospels because He says that we must obey the apostles or we reject both Him and the Father.

The church is built on the teaching of the apostles, which is nothing other than the teaching of Christ, made known through them and subsequently recorded in the New Testament. Together with Christ, the apostles and prophets form the foundation of the church: "Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone" (Ephesians 2:19,20).

Also in the first century there were false teachers who rejected the authority of the apostles. Paul warned: "If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord" (1 Corinthians 14:37).

Among the various admonitions in his letter, Paul had just said: "Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak" (1 Corinthians 14:34). This is God's command through Paul. Someone who does not recognize such teachings of Paul, is not recognized.

We must avoid people who reject the authority of the apostles: "Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple" (Romans 16:17,18).

People who deviate from the doctrine of the apostles, cause division and apostasy. We must note them and avoid them, keep away fromthem. Even though they come with smooth words and flattering speech, they are not servants of Christ, they serve their own belly, their own base and ignoble desires. We are commanded to avoid them.

It is only through the apostles and their teaching that we can have fellowship with God and Christ. John wrote: "That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ" (1 John 1:3).

The names of the twelve apostles are on the foundations of the wall of Zion (Revelation 21:14). We will not gain entrance to the heavenly city unless we continue steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine.

Roy Davison

The Scripture quotations in this article are from
The New King James Version. ©1979,1980,1982,
Thomas Nelson Inc., Publishers unless indicated otherwise.
Permission for reference use has been granted.

Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)

From Louis Rushmore.... The Providence Of God

http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Rushmore/Louis/Everette/1954/providen.html

The Providence Of God

Like God himself (Genesis 1:1), providence is not precisely defined in the Bible. Neither does the word providence appear in the Bible with reference to God. However, God's providence is amply taught throughout the Bible.
There are two types of providence. There is general providence, under which all of humanity shares physical blessings irrespective of individual relationships with God. ". . . your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust" (Matthew 5:45).
There is also special providence, under which faithful children of God are the direct recipients of physical or spiritual blessings.

"And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt" (Gen. 45:4-8).

In the strictest sense, God's providence does not employ miracles today. During miraculous times God sometimes used miracles to aid his providence. Miracles, though, have ended, as every mature, faithful child of God will attest (1 Corinthians 13:8-13; Ephesians 4:11-14). Yet, God does use divine power (i.e., power that you and I do not have) to affect natural law to execute his providence.

What, then, is the difference between miracles which have ceased and divine power which God uses to make providence work? Miracles, among other things, were always visible demonstrations of supernatural power. Divine power that God uses in his providence is not discernible to human beings (i.e., though the result of God's providence may be visible, how God causes it to occur cannot be known). Therefore, God's providence appears mysterious to us. God simply does not tell us some things about his providence (and other matters, Deuteronomy 29:29). "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!" (Romans 11:33).
The purpose of God's providence is the ultimate redemption of humanity. Therefore, suffering (e.g., Joseph, Job; Acts 8:1-4) or even death (e.g., "The blood of martyrs is the seed of the kingdom"; the death of Christ; Revelation 2:10) rather than earthly happiness may better serve the purpose of the providence of God.
How does God's providence affect humanity? (1) The created world is sustained by divine, providential power--the same power by which it was created (Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 1:1-3; John 1:1-3). (2) Prayers are effective through providence. "Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit" (James 5:17-18). (3) Christians are to be worry-free because of providence (Matthew 6:24-34). (4) God, through his providence, appoints rulers (e.g., Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel 4:17-34), raises up or pulls down nations (e.g., Jeremiah 18:7-10), arranges circumstantial events of people and Christians (i.e., brings parties together who will predictably or through foreknowledge react a certain way, e.g., Pharaoh's hardened heart). God, though, does not interfere with free moral agency.
How does humanity affect the providence of God? (1) God works through people who voluntarily conform to the purpose or will of God (e.g., taking the Gospel to the world, Mark 16:15-16). (2) God will use other persons to achieve his will if one through his own free moral agency does not do the will of God (e.g., Esther 4:15).
Providence as it pertains to Christians is circumstantial. Only faithful children of God directly benefit from the goal of God's providence (Romans 8:28); the Egyptians became the indirect beneficiaries of the unfolding of God's providence to save Joseph's family. Otherwise, though the ungodly may appear to prosper in this life, they will not persevere in eternity (e.g., Luke 16:19-31; however, not all rich people in this life are evil--Job, Abraham).
God uses imperfect humanity to further his providence. He uses imperfect people who are generally righteous (e.g., Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Peter, you and me). Additionally, God uses people to accomplish his providential goals who may be generally unrighteous (e.g., rulers, nations, etc.).
A key element of providence is that through it God provides. The truth-seeker will find the truth (John 7:17). Providence provides for the fulfillment of God's ultimate goal for humanity (Philippians 1:12). "But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel."
God, through providence, is attentive to the needs of his people. God does not slumber (Psalm 121:3). God sees and knows.

"And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows" (Matthew 10:28-31).

God hears the prayers of his faithful children; "For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil" (1 Peter 3:12). God will never leave us (Hebrews 13:5-6). God is our defender; "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us" (Romans 8:31).

The first verse about God's providence to which we usually turn is Romans 8:28. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." The "good" here corresponds to God's ultimate purpose for humanity. Summarized, the phrase "all things work" equals the law of operation; "all things work together" equals the law of cooperation. The phrase "all things work together for good" signifies the law of compensation; "all things work together for good to them that love the Lord" is the law of limitation.
The Bible clearly teaches the certainty of God's providence. However, there is some uncertainty exactly how it works. We can assuredly say, though, that God's providence works through elders, deacons, preachers, teachers, parents, Christians and the local church (1 Corinthians 3:5-10).

"Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon."

Finally, we can have confidence that the minimal benefit of providence is the ability to remain faithful (Revelation 2:10; 1 Corinthians 10:13). Through providence, nothing and no one can separate us from God unless we allow it (Romans 8:35-39).

Louis Rushmore
Copyright 1999

Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)

From Gary... To retain the very best of childhood!!!

Humm, I still do five of the thirteen; does that mean I am still a kid? How about you? Made a mudpie lately, or jump in puddles? Perhaps those things seem silly- well how about dreaming BIG or sleeping soundly? I would guess most of us would do at least a few of these things, so maybe we haven't completely grown up (and I DON'T WANT TO!!!)?

Nice picture, but one thing was omitted- see if you can guess what it is from the following passage....

1 Corinthians, Chapter 13 (WEB)

¹³ But now faith, hope, and love remain—these three. The greatest of these is love. 

Most of us have reached adulthood; but hopefully we can still love- and if we can still do this, we will never really grow old inside.

Consider this haunting song from old blue eyes...

Frank Sinatra- It was a very good year

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bhNz6saaE8

From Mark Copeland... "THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PETER" Chapter Three

                     "THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PETER"

                             Chapter Three

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To be reminded that there will be scoffers of the promise of the
   Lord's coming

2) To review the catastrophic events to occur when the Lord returns, and
   the promise of new heavens and a new earth

3) To note Peter's estimation of Paul as a brother and his epistles as
   Scripture

4) To carefully consider the twofold admonition at the end of the
   epistle

SUMMARY

In this final chapter Peter seeks to stir up his readers by reminding
them to give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles of the Lord.
Especially as it relates to promise of His coming, for in the last days
scoffers will come who conveniently forget that the Word which tells of
the judgment day by fire was also the same Word which brought about the
destruction of the world by the flood.  Any delay is not to be construed
as slackness on the Lord's part, for time means nothing to the Lord.
Rather, delay is an indication of the Lord's longsuffering, who does not
want any to perish but for all to repent (1-9).

When the day of the Lord does come, it will be unexpected like a thief
in the night.  A mighty conflagration will dissolve the heavens and the
earth with all its works.  In anticipation of such things, Christians
are to focus on holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening
that day when God's promise will be fulfilled of new heavens and a new
earth in which righteousness dwells (10-13).

We should view the longsuffering of the Lord as opportunity for
salvation, even as Paul wrote in his epistles of such things (though
unlearned and unstable souls have twisted his words to their own
destruction, just as they do the rest of the Scriptures).  With
admonitions to beware lest they fall, and to grow in the grace and
knowledge of the Lord Jesus, Peter brings his second epistle to a close
with a doxology to Christ (14-18).

OUTLINE

I. THE SCOFFERS WILL COME (1-9)

   A. REMEMBER THE WORDS SPOKEN BEFORE (1-4)
      1. Peter writes this second epistle to stir up his readers by way
         of reminder
      2. To be mindful of the prophets' words and the apostles'
         commandments
      3. That scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to
         their own lusts
         a. Questioning the promise of the Lord's coming
         b. Declaring that all things continue as they were since
            creation

   B. REMEMBER THE WORLD WAS DESTROYED BEFORE (5-7)
      1. Which the scoffers willfully forget
      2. That the world once perished being flooded with water
      3. The same word that brought destruction by water now promises
         judgment by fire
         a. The heavens and the earth which now exists are reserved for
            fire
         b. When comes the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men

   C. REMEMBER THE LORD'S TIMELESSNESS AND LONGSUFFERING (8-9)
      1. Do not forget that time means nothing to the Lord
         a. One day is as a thousand years
         b. A thousand years is as one day
      2. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, but longsuffering
         a. Not willing that any perish
         b. But that all should repent

II. THE DAY OF THE LORD WILL COME (10-18)

   A. UNEXPECTED WITH CATACLYSMIC DESTRUCTION (10-12)
      1. The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night
      2. The heavens and the earth be dissolved
         a. The heavens will pass away with a great noise
         b. The elements will melt with fervent heat
         c. The earth and its works will be burned up
         d. The heavens will be dissolved being on fire
      3. Since all these things will be dissolved...
         a. What manner of persons ought we to be in holy conduct and
            godliness?
         b. Looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God?

   B. EXPECTED BY THOSE WHO ARE LOOKING (13-18)
      1. According to His promise, we look forward
         a. To new heavens and a new earth
         b. In which righteousness dwells
      2. Looking forward to these things, we should be diligent
         a. To be found by Him in peace
         b. To be without spot and blameless
      3. We thus consider the longsuffering of the Lord to be salvation
         a. Of which the beloved brother Paul has written, according to
            the wisdom given him
         b. In which are some things hard to understand, which the
            unstable and untaught twist to their own destruction
      4. Knowing such things beforehand, we should beware and grow
         a. Beware lest we fall from our own steadfastness, led away
            with the error of the wicked
         b. Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus
            Christ
      5. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - The scoffers will come (1-9)
   - The day of the Lord will come (10-18)

2) How did Peter seek to stir up his readers' minds? (1-2)
   - By reminding them of the words of the prophets and the commandments
     of the apostles

3) What would scoffers be saying in the last days? (3-4)
   - "Where is the promise of His coming?"
   - "For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they
     were from the beginning of creation."

4) What do they willfully forget? (5-6)
   - That by the Word of God the world was once destroyed by water

5) What does the Word of God say concerning the heavens and the earth?
   (7)
   - They are kept in store and reserved for fire until the day of
     judgment and perdition of ungodly men

6) What should we be careful not to forget? (8)
   - That time is meaningless to the Lord
   - With the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years
     as one day

7) How will the day of the Lord come? (9)
   - As a thief in the night

8) What will happen when that day comes? (9)
   - The heavens will pass away with a great noise
   - The elements will melt with fervent heat
   - The earth and the works that are in it will be burned up

9) Since all these things will be dissolved, what should we do? (11-12)
   - Concern ourselves with holy conduct and godliness
   - Look for and hasten the coming of the day of God

10) Again, what will happen to the heavens and the elements? (12)
   - The heavens will be dissolved being on fire
   - The elements will melt with fervent heat

11) Despite such an end, what do we look for according to His promise?
    (13)
   - New heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells

12) Looking forward to such things, about what should we be diligent?
    (14)
   - To be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless

13) How should we view the longsuffering of the Lord? (15)
   - Salvation

14) Who else wrote about such things?  How? (15-16)
   - Our beloved brother Paul
   - According to the wisdom given him

15) How does Peter describe the epistles of Paul? (16)
   - As speaking of these things
   - In which are some things hard to understand

16) What do the untaught and unstable do with such writings of Paul?
    (16)
   - They twist them to their own destruction

17) In what category does Peter place the writings of Paul? (16)
   - As part of "the Scriptures"

18) Knowing such things beforehand, what warning does Peter give his
    readers? (17)
   - Beware lest you fall from your own steadfast, being led away with
     the error of the wicked

19) What final admonition does Peter give to his readers? (18)
   - Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2015

 

From Mark Copeland... "THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PETER" Chapter Two

                     "THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PETER"

                              Chapter Two

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To examine Peter's detailed description of false teachers

2) To be aware of their techniques in leading others astray, and their
   sad end

3) To ascertain whether or not these false teachers had ever been true
   Christians

SUMMARY

One of the themes of Peter's second epistle is "beware of false
teachers", and such is the focus of the second chapter.  Just as there
were false prophets in Old Testament times, so there would be false
teachers.

Peter first describes the destructiveness of false teachers.  Denying
the Lord who bought them, they will secretly introduce destructive
heresies.  Many will follow them, and the way of truth will be
blasphemed.  But they will bring swift destruction on themselves (1-3).

Illustrating the doom of false teachers, Peter reminds his readers of
what happen to the angels who sinned, the ancient world destroyed by the
flood, and the fiery end of Sodom and Gomorrah.  Surely God knows how to
reserve the wicked for the day of punishment, and the example of Lot
shows that He also knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations
(4-9).

Peter then discusses the depravity of false teachers.  In arrogance they
revile against authority, all the while reveling in pleasure and lusts
as they circulate among the Christians they seek to influence.  Like the
prophet Balaam, they are motivated by the wages of unrighteousness and
have forsaken the right way.  Empty of true substance, they are like
wells without water, clouds tossed by a tempest (10-17).

Finally, Peter describes the deceptions of false teachers.  In both
their methods and promises they seek to deceive those who like them had
once escaped the pollutions of the world.  But the false teachers are
once again enslaved by such pollutions and their last end is worse than
the beginning (18-22).

OUTLINE

I. THE DESTRUCTIVENESS OF FALSE TEACHERS (1-3)

   A. THEIR DESTRUCTIVE HERESIES (1-2)
      1. Just as there were false prophets, so there will be false
         teachers
      2. They will bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord
         who bought them
      3. Many will follow their destructive ways, and the truth will be
         blasphemed

   B. THEIR DESTRUCTIVE METHODS (1,3)
      1. They bring in their heresies secretly
      2. They will exploit through covetousness and deceptive words

   C. THEIR DESTRUCTIVE END (1,3)
      1. They will bring swift destruction on themselves
      2. Their judgment is not idle, their destruction does not slumber

II. THE DOOM OF FALSE TEACHERS (4-9)

   A. THE EXAMPLE OF ANGELS WHO SINNED (4)
      1. God did not spare the angels who sinned
      2. He cast them down to hell (Tartarus)
      3. Delivered them to chains of darkness, reserved for judgment

   B. THE EXAMPLE OF THE FLOOD (5)
      1. God did not spare the ancient world, bringing the flood on the
         ungodly
      2. He saved Noah and his family of eight, a preacher of
         righteousness

   C. THE EXAMPLE OF SODOM AND GOMORRAH (6-8)
      1. God turned the cities into ashes, condemning them to
         destruction
      2. He made them an example to those who would live ungodly
      3. He delivered righteous Lot
         a. Who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked
         b. Who was tormented daily by seeing and hearing their lawless
            deeds

   D. GOD WILL DELIVER THE GODLY, PUNISH THE UNJUST (9)
      1. The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations
      2. He will reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of
         judgment

III. THE DEPRAVITY OF FALSE TEACHERS (10-17)

   A. REVILING AGAINST AUTHORITY (10-13a)
      1. They walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness
      2. They despise authority, are presumptuous, self-willed
      3. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries, unlike angels
         a. Who are greater in power and might
         b. Who do not bring reviling accusations before the Lord
      4. They are like natural brute beasts made to be caught and
         destroyed
         a. Speaking evil of things they do not understand
         b. Who will utterly perish in their own corruption
         c. Who will receive the wages of unrighteousness

   B. REVELING WITH GREAT PLEASURE (13b-14)
      1. They count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime
      2. Spots and blemishes, they carouse in their own deceptions while
         feasting with Christians
      3. They have eyes full of adultery that cannot cease from sin,
         beguiling unstable souls
      4. They have hearts trained in covetous practices, and are
         accursed children

   C. REVOLTING AGAINST THE RIGHT WAY (15-17)
      1. They have forsaken the right way and gone astray
      2. Like Balaam, who loved the wages of unrighteousness
         a. Who was rebuked for his iniquity
         b. His madness restrained by donkey speaking with a man's voice
      3. They are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest
      4. For who the gloom of darkness is reserved forever

IV. THE DECEPTIONS OF FALSE TEACHERS (18-22)

   A. DECEPTIVE IN THEIR METHODS (18)
      1. They speak great swelling words of emptiness
      2. They allure those who have escaped through the lusts of the
         flesh, through licentiousness

   B. DECEPTIVE IN THEIR PROMISES (19)
      1. They promise liberty, while they themselves are slaves of
         corruption
      2. For by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought
         into bondage

   C. WHOSE LATTER END IS WORSE THAN THE BEGINNING (20-22)
      1. Having become entangled and overcome by the pollutions of the
         world which they had escaped through the knowledge of the Lord
         and Savior Jesus Christ
      2. It would have been better not to have known the way of
         righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy
         commandment delivered to them
      3. It has happened to them according to the proverb
         a. "A dog returns to his own vomit"
         b. "A sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire"

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - The destructiveness of false teachers (1-3)
   - The doom of false teachers (4-9)
   - The depravity of false teachers (10-17)
   - The deceptions of false teachers (18-22)

2) What does Peter warn that false teachers will do? (1)
   - Secretly bring in destructive heresies
   - Even denying the Lord who bought them

3) What impact will such false teachers have? (2)
   - Many will follow their destructive ways
   - The way of truth will be blasphemed

4) How will such teachers exploit people? (3)
   - By covetousness, with deceptive words

5) What three examples does Peter use to illustrate the doom of false
   teachers? (4-6)
   - The angels who sinned and were cast down to hell
   - The ancient world destroyed by the flood
   - The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah turned into ashes

6) How was Lot oppressed by living in Sodom? (7-8)
   - Every day seeing and hearing the filthy conduct of wicked

7) What two things does the Lord know to do? (9)
   - How to deliver the godly out of temptations
   - How to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment

8) Who in particular will receive such punishment? (10)
   - Those who walk in uncleanness and despise authority
   - Those who are presumptuous and self-willed; not afraid to speak
     evil of dignitaries

9) What are angels unwilling to do? (11)
   - Bring reviling accusations against dignitaries before the Lord

10) How does Peter further describe the false teachers? (12-14)
   - They speak evil of things they do not understand
   - They count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime
   - They have eyes full of adultery, beguiling unstable souls
   - They have hearts trained in covetousness, and are accursed children

11) In whose way have such false teachers followed? (15-16)
   - Balaam, who loved the wages of unrighteousness and was rebuked by a
     donkey

12) How else does Peter describe these false teachers? (17)
   - As wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest
   - For whom the gloom of darkness is reserved

13) How are the false teachers able to allure others? (18)
   - By speaking great swelling words of emptiness
   - Through the lusts of the flesh and licentiousness

14) Who will they seek to allure? (18)
   - The ones who have escaped from those living in error

15) In promising others liberty, what are they themselves?  Why? (19)
   - Slaves of corruption
   - For by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into
     bondage

16) What had these false teachers once escaped?  How? (20)
   - The pollutions of the world
   - Through the knowledge of Jesus Christ

17) What had then happened to them? (20)
   - They were again entangled in the pollutions of the world and
     overcome

18) How had their latter end become worse for them than the beginning?
    (20-21)
   - It would have better for them not to have known the way of
     righteousness
   - Than knowing  it, to then turn from the holy commandment

19) What twofold proverb does Peter use to describe their sorry
    condition? (22)
   - A dog returns to his own vomit
   - A sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire

20) What in this chapter reveals that these false teachers had once
    been saved? (1,15,20,21, 22)
   - The Lord had bought them
   - They have forsaken the right way
   - They had escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge
     of Jesus
   - They had known the way of righteousness
 - Like a sow, they had been washed

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2015

 

From Mark Copeland... "THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PETER" Chapter One

                     "THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PETER"

                              Chapter One

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To note the value of growing in the knowledge of Jesus Christ

2) To understand what is involved in growing in the knowledge of Jesus

3) To appreciate the importance of being reminded of things we already
   know

4) To see that our faith relies on both eyewitness testimony and
   prophetic fulfillment

SUMMARY

Peter addresses his second epistle to those with like precious faith,
evidently the same recipients to whom he wrote his first epistle (3:1;
cf. 1Pe 1:1). His benediction of grace and peace is bestowed in
connection with the knowledge of God and Jesus, hinting at one of the
main themes of this epistle. Reference is then made to God's divine
power as the source of all things that pertain to life and godliness,
including precious promises by which those who have escaped worldly
lusts may now be partakers of the divine nature (1-4).

In view of such blessings, Peter exhorts his readers to diligently
abound in graces that will render them fruitful in the knowledge of
Christ. Failure to do so would be indicative of grave spiritual malady,
while diligence in doing so will ensure their calling and election,
resulting in an abundant entrance into the heavenly kingdom of Jesus
Christ (5-11).

Peter then explains why he would write such things when he knows they
are well established in them. In light of his impending death, he wants
to stir them up and make sure they will always be mindful of these
things after he is gone (12-15).

He also reminds them of the nature of his testimony concerning power and
coming of the Lord. He was an eyewitness, not a deceiver with cunningly
devised fables. As an example, reference is made to the events he
witnessed on the Mount of Transfiguration (16-18; cf. Mt 17:1-9).

Peter then exhorts them to give careful heed to the prophetic word made
sure, for it will serve as a light in a dark place until the day dawns
and the morning star rises in their heart. Such prophecies are to be
heeded because they come from men who were moved by the Holy Spirit
(19-21).

OUTLINE

I. INTRODUCTION (1-2)

   A. THE AUTHOR (1a)
      1. Peter
      2. A bondservant and apostles of Jesus Christ

   B. THE RECIPIENTS (1b)
      1. Those who have obtained like precious faith
      2. By the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ

   C. GREETINGS (2)
      1. Grace and peace be multiplied
      2. In the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord

II. GROW IN GRACE AND KNOWLEDGE (3-21)

   A. WITH PRECIOUS GIFTS FROM GOD (3-4)
      1. His divine power has given us all things that pertain to life
         and godliness
         a. Through the knowledge of Him
         b. Who called us by glory and virtue
      2. His glory and virtue has given us exceedingly great and
         precious promises
         a. Through which we may be partakers of the divine nature
         b. Having escaped the corruption that is in the world through
            lust

   B. ABOUNDING IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST (5-11)
      1. Diligent to add to our faith:
         a. Virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance
         b. Godliness, brotherly kindness, love
      2. Diligent to make our call and election sure
         a. Abounding in these graces, neither barren nor unfruitful in
            the knowledge of Christ
         b. Not lacking in these graces, neither shortsighted nor
            forgetful of our cleansing
         c. Ensuring that we do not stumble, but have an abundant
            entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord Jesus
            Christ

   C. STIRRED UP BY CAREFUL REMINDER (12-21)
      1. By one who knows his death is imminent
         a. Who desires not to be negligent in reminding them
         b. Even though they know and are established in the present
            truth
         c. Who thinks it right to stir them up by way of reminder
         d. Knowing he will shortly put off his tent, as Jesus showed
            him
         e. To ensure they will always have a reminder of these things
            after his death
      2. Whose eyewitness testimony along with the prophetic Word we
         should heed
         a. He did not offer cunningly devised fables
            1) When proclaiming the power and coming of the Lord
            2) But was an eyewitness of His majesty
            3) Such as when Christ received honor and glory from God the
               Father on the Mount of Transfiguration
         b. We also have the prophetic word confirmed
            1) Which we do well to heed
               a) As a light in a dark place
               b) Until the day dawns and the morning star rises in our
                  hearts
            2) Knowing the prophetic nature of Scripture
               a) It was not of private interpretation (origin), or by
                  the will of man
               b) But holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the
                  Holy Spirit

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Introduction (1-2)
   - Grow In Grace And Knowledge (3-21)

2) To whom does Peter address this epistle (1)
   - To those who have obtained like precious faith

3) In what way are grace and peace multiplied for the Christian? (2)
   - In the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord

4) What has God's divine power given to us?  How? (3)
   - All things that pertain to life and godliness
   - Through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue

5) What else has been given to us?  Why? (4)
   - Exceedingly great and precious promises
   - That we might be partakers of the divine nature
   - Having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust

6) What spiritual graces are we to diligently add to our faith? (5-7)
   - Virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly
     kindness, love

7) What will be our condition if we abound in these graces? (8)
   - Neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus
     Christ

8) What will be our condition if we lack these graces? (9)
   - Shortsighted, even to blindness
   - Forgetful of being purged from our old sins

9) What benefit will there be in doing these things? (10-11)
   - We will make our calling and election sure
   - We will never stumble
   - We will have an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom of
     our Lord Jesus Christ

10) What was Peter careful to ensure concerning these things? (12,15)
   - To remind them always, even though they know them and are well
     established
   - To leave them a reminder of these things after his decease

11) What did Peter hope to accomplish?  What did he know would soon
    happen? (13-14)
   - To stir them by reminding them
   - He would put off his tent (i.e., die), just as Jesus showed him

12) In making known the power and coming of the Lord Jesus, what did
    Peter claim? (16)
   - He did not follow cunningly devised fables
   - He was an eyewitness of the Lord's majesty

13) What experience in Jesus' life does Peter refer to as an example of
    witnessing the Lord's honor and glory? (17-18)
   - The transfiguration on the mount (cf. Mt 17:1-9; Mk 9:2-9; Lk 9:
     28-36)

14) In addition to apostolic testimony, what else do we have to which we
    should give careful heed? (19)
   - The prophetic word made more sure

15) How does this word serve us? (19)
   - As a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the
     morning star arises in our hearts

16) What should be remembered regarding the prophetic word? (20-21)
   - No prophecy of Scripture is of private interpretation (i.e.,
     origin)
   - Prophecy did not come by the will of men, by holy men of God spoke
     as they were moved by the Holy Spirit

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2015