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C. R. Oliver
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ZADOK PUBLICATIONS MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
March, 2024

"Simon Says" Part 14


You may watch this Newsletter in a video HERE.


"Simon Says" Part 14


Introduction:

     This is the final epistle of Apostle Simon Peter. Because this is so, every word carries special weight. Soon, this work will circulate among the encampments of saints across the globe and will stand for truth for more than two thousand years.

2 Peter 3:1-2:
This is my second letter to you, dear friends, and in both of them I have tried to stimulate your wholesome thinking and refresh your memory. 2 I want you to remember what the holy prophets said long ago and what our Lord and Savior commanded through your apostles.

Spiritual continuity is important to the church. What has been taught must stand the test of time. Simon set out in these two epistles to "stimulate wholesome thinking and to refresh your memory." This also is the goal of word of faith congregations. (Paul listed a thought hierarchy for the believer. After prayer, supplications and thanksgiving, he urged the congregation to think on the following:

Philippians 4:8:
Whatsoever is truth, whatsoever is noble, whatsoever is just (righteous) whatsoever is pure, whatsoever is lovely and whatsoever is of good report. Think on these things.

Peter wanted them to know how important the reading and the retention of the Old Testament prophets was. (This is a worthy enterprise today). The prophets were quoted multiple times by Jesus. They revealed who the Messiah was and spoke of future events even up to today. Those who find fault in using the Old Testament had best read this opening.

What is the reason Simon wanted to "refresh their memories?" Could it be that testimonies of past victories need rehearsing? Reminder of what Jesus did while ministering and an accounting of the faithfulness of God builds faith.

When the Apostle says, "Most importantly," I listen intently.

2 Peter 3:3-4:
3 Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. 4 They will say, "What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created." NLT

Since these are the last days, perhaps we should ask the question, "are there any scoffers today?" Our answer would be a long list. There has been a breakout in government, institutions and media scoffing at Christianity and moral righteousness. Constant harassing and aggressive behavior against God's people is increasing daily.

Bubbling out of these scoffers' mouths is mockery of truth and a display of narcissism.

Their doubt and unbelief cause them to question the second coming of Christ.

2 Peter 3:5-7:
They deliberately forget that God made the heavens by the word of his command, and he brought the earth out from the water and surrounded it with water. 6 Then he used the water to destroy the ancient world with a mighty flood. 7 And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed. NLT

These unbelievers are acting out "deliberately," as they question the veracity of God's word Peter reviews creation's response to the command of God. In other words, "If He says He is coming back," count on it.

2 Peter 3:11-14:
11 Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, 12 looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. 13 But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God's righteousness.
14 And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.

Believers should interest themselves in the "day of the Lord." Their lives should be holy and godly as well as pure and blameless. They might "hurry it along" with their obedience, however.

Let me stop here and say Simon pictures this as one day. These passages are the foundation of "A" millennial doctrine (Christ appears and all the heavens and earth change at His appearance). He will set the heavens on fire and bring in His kingdom. Since a thousand years is but a day to God…on the Day of God, all is accomplished in His appearing. He went up in a cloud in one day and shall return in a cloud of glory in one day.

The Scofield Bible (1825 ) introduced pre-millennial doctrine.

2 Peter 3:15-16:
And remember, the Lord's patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him—16 speaking of these things in all of his letters. Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture. And this will result in their destruction.

Indeed, it is the patience of God that leaves the door to salvation open. He is unwilling that any should perish.

At this juncture, Peter introduces Brother Paul and advocates his teaching. Paul's message affirmed Simon's testimony on the second coming. It is always good to have fellowship with those who are bearing the same gospel message. Peter called Paul "beloved." It shows acceptance among the saints. Then, Peter critiqued Paul's message. "In all his letters," indicating there were more than one (chronologically, all Paul's letters were written before Peter's writings save 2 Timothy and Titus). So, Peter must have read every one of them.

"Some of his comments are hard to understand." This admission allows Peter to make an observation:

2 Peter 3:16:
…and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture. And this will result in their destruction.

Peter cautions about the way Paul's writings have been interpreted and promoted. Twisted scriptures are tossed about today! Spiritual discernment is needed now more than ever, Peter goes a step forward and adds, "…just as they do with other parts of Scripture."

If these thorns were a concern in the early church, think what must be among us today? They have had two thousand years to hone their skills and refine their craft. (Peter's epistles were written in 64AD.)

2 Peter 3:17-18:
I am warning you ahead of time, dear friends. Be on guard so that you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing. 18 Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.

During these perilous days, Peter encourages the saints to "grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus." (In the book Double Grace, you will discover grace is an ever-increasing facet in your redemption,)

This concludes our year long study of Simon Peter's only writings and he hastens to give God the credit.

All glory to Him, both now and forever! Amen

Until, the next issue.

Dr. Cosby R. Oliver, PhD.








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Zadok Publications
P. O. Box 132874
The Woodlands, Texas 77393
Phone: (936)230-3543

zadokbookstore@zadokpublications.com