Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
They [the scoffers] will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”
Summary: Logic is something we all use in some form. Even the scoffer uses a kind of logic. The question then becomes a question of fact; what do we know?
Continue reading “2 Peter 3:4 — Logic & Reason”
Above all, you must understand that in the last days …
Summary: How we divide up all of history depends on where we are standing when we do it.
Continue reading “2 Peter 3:3a — The Line Between”
… and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.
Summary: Today, we wrap up our discussion of the “command given by our Lord” with a look at our need to let go of what holds us back.
Continue reading “2 Peter 3:2b Part IV — Boiled Frog”
Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.”
Summary: Peter winds up his description of false teachers with this passage on animal behavior. The difference between humans and animals is an appropriate metaphor for his topic.
Continue reading “2 Peter 2:21b — Back to the Barnyard”
… than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.
Summary: Marriage is a metaphor that is used many times in the Bible. As we work to understand Peter’s words, it helps to turn to that metaphor once again.
Continue reading “2 Peter 2:21b — The Ring”
…and are again entangled in it and are overcome,
Summary: Peter shows us the heart of the false teacher and explains why they teach destructive heresies.
Continue reading “2 Peter 2:20c — Entangled”
If they have escaped the corruption of the world …
Summary: Until we find Jesus, there is only one thing that occupies our minds whether we know it or not. We are looking for some way to escape the corruption of the world.
Continue reading “2 Peter 2:20a — Escape”
For they [false teachers] mouth empty, boastful words …
Summary: People do not like to appear stupid. To avoid this, rather than admit that we do not know, we sometimes make up answers. Guesses that move us closer to the truth can be helpful. People who present their guesses as truth are not being helpful.
Continue reading “2 Peter 2:18a — Special Knowledge”
But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey—an animal without speech—who spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.
Summary: The story of Balaam’s donkey is an unusual reminder of things both seen and unseen.
Continue reading “2 Peter 2:16 — Donkey Talk”
They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done.
Summary: God’s nature is such that He is not capable of desiring revenge. Instead, we condemn ourselves if we reject His Son and His Word.
Continue reading “2 Peter 2:13a — Payback is Hell”