The Amazing Aspects of the Bible (Part 15)
1-2 Peter, Jude
One of the emphases of these three letters is holiness. God’s people are described as "a holy nation" (1 Peter 2:9), and shortly thereafter the apostle pleads: "Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul" (v. 11). Of course, God stands as the epitome of the example of One Who is without corruption. Jesus is the One "Who committed no sin, nor was guile found in His mouth" (v. 22). We are admonished to be like Him:
As obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy" (1 Peter 1:14-16).
As the apostle begins his second epistle, he describes Christians as those who are "partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust" (1:4). The entire second chapter of the second letter is devoted to decrying false teachers who have "turned the grace of God into licentiousness," as Jude calls it when addressing the same problem (4). Many today have the same character as those whom Peter and Jude describe. Those who teach that adultery, fornication, and homosexuality are acceptable to God are the same kind of men we read about in 2 Peter 2 and Jude. There is no shortage of such men, whose "destruction does not slumber" (2 Peter 1:3); they are "ungodly men," "marked out for this condemnation" (Jude 4). God will show no mercy to such "Christians" because their doctrine denies "the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ" (Jude 4), and because of them "the way of truth will be blasphemed" (2 Peter 2:2). What has proven more damaging to the cause of Christ than 1) disunity and 2) the corrupt actions of those professing to be Christians? Is not the Christian to be spiritual rather than worldly?
Motives
Both 2 Peter and Jude discuss the base motives of the men who promote evil; both writers assure us that, as God has always punished wickedness, so will He those who teach that God approves of licentious behavior, along with those who practice those errors. How can those who are born of the pure Word of God act so corruptly (1 Peter 1:23)? Such is not logical.
Relationships
1 Peter also explores numerous relationships—those that we have with civil government (2:13-17), servants (2:18-25), wives (3:1-6), husbands (3:7), brethren (3:8-12; 4:7-11), toward hostility (3:13-4:6, 12-19), elders toward the flock (5:1-4), younger people (5:5), God, and Satan (5:6-9).
Peter’s second letter begins, after the greeting, with two critical verses:
As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust (2 Peter 1:3-4).
The latter verse sets the tenor for all that will be said concerning holiness later on, but verse 3 contains a crucial text on another subject—the completeness of the Scriptures. God revealed to the apostles all things pertaining to life and godliness in the first century. If He revealed all, then nothing that we need was held back from us. Charles Taze Russell and the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society have nothing to add. Joseph Smith’s and Brigham Young’s flip-flops on polygamy are irrelevant. Ellen G. White’s "vision" of the fourth commandment was just a dream. Mary Baker Eddy’s hard-to-digest ramblings about pain and death being an illusion cannot be put on a par with the Holy Scriptures. Muhammad’s message of Allah and making converts via conquering and intimidation were not inspired of God. Jesus promised the apostles that the Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth, and Peter confirms that He did (cf. 2 Peter 1:20-21). The Bible does not need to harmonize with the writings of any men or women through the ages; it only needs to agree with itself, which it does.
Our salvation can be made secure by building the Christian’s character that this second epistle describes (1:5-11). This succinct letter closes with the assurance that God does punish sin (as the Flood recalls to us) but that He wants all men to repent so that they do not have to perish (3:1-9). A day is coming in which the world—yes, even the heavens—will be destroyed. The elements will melt with fervent heat, and God will establish new heavens and a new earth, in which dwells righteousness (3:10-13). This is what God always had in mind for those who trust in Him. Skeptics cannot participate in this glorious new world because its inhabitants will have been convinced of the truth and have lived according to it.
One final comment concerning Jude is the importance of verse 7. In saying that the people of Sodom and Gomorrah gave themselves over to sexual immorality, Jude demonstrates clearly that homosexual behavior is included in the Greek word porneia (and its cognates). When, therefore, Jesus condemned sexual immorality (Matt. 5:32; 19:9), He was including homosexual practices. The condemnation of fornicators in Hebrews 13:4 also includes homosexuality.
1 John
John’s gospel had been written to convince those who did not yet believe in Jesus of the truth concerning His Deity so that they might be saved (John 20:30-31), but the apostle also had to write of various problems that had arisen in the church. Many believe that the false idea had developed that Jesus only appeared to have a human body, to which John replies that they had seen Him, heard Him, and touched that body (1:1).
The writer deals with various themes, such as fellowship, sin, hate, and love. What a privilege it is to have fellowship with God. Walking in the light keeps that privilege operable, along with confessing our sins to the Father (1:7-10; cf. 3:1-3). Although the Christian errs, he cannot practice sin (3:8-9). Jesus Christ is our advocate when we do fall short and repent of those things. He died for the sins of the whole world (2:1-2). John records the three basic types of sin—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (2:16)—temptations which Eve gave into (Gen. 3:6) but which Jesus overcame (Matt. 4:1-11). Contrary to the claims of the skeptic, the Bible is consistent throughout.
Hatred may often be indulged in by those who are not Christians, but such is not the way of Jesus. No child of God is allowed to hate his brother. If he should do so, he is in darkness and is blinded (2:9-11), and he does not practice righteousness (3:10-12). He who loves his brother is of God and knows God (4:7-11); he who hates his brother does not love God, either (4:20-21). Some religions preach hatred, but Christianity teaches love—not just for brethren but towards all.
Certainty
John possessed absolute certainty as to the identity of Jesus, and he wanted to impart that same message to others. For that reason he recorded many of the claims and teachings of Jesus; he also listed several miracles that gave evidence to back up these claims. John’s letters remain firm on this point. Consider the thoroughness of his affirmation:
Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him (2:3-4).
Can we know God—and know that we know Him? Yes, we can—if we keep His commandments. Those who read the Scriptures superficially—especially if they are only looking for things to criticize—do not know God. Those who claim to be "Christians" but do not follow the teachings of the Bible do not know God, either; they have deluded themselves into thinking that they do. John repeats toward the close of this letter that he had written to those who truly believe that they might "know" that they have eternal life (5:13). God wants no one to live in doubt but to be confident regarding his salvation.
2 John
This brief letter continues this theme. John rejoices that brethren are "walking in truth" (4). Fellowship is based upon truth.
Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds (9-11).
Contrary to the claims of some, "the doctrine of Christ" consists of all New Testament teaching.
3 John
Again, the apostle rejoices to hear that his children in the faith "walk in truth" (4). A "Christian" named Diotrephes apparently thought the church was his instead of the Lord’s. He refused to receive brethren and presumed to speak against even John (9-10). Too many congregations have had to deal with men like these.
Revelation
The only book of the New Testament that is devoted to prophecy of the future is the Revelation given to John the apostle. This fact creates a fascination on the part of many, and they attempt to delve into the book for themselves, or perhaps they take other people’s word for what it says. It is dangerous to leave on a journey before finding out if the vehicle has any fuel in it. The fuel in this instance is first determining John’s reason for writing the book. Was it just to provide future generations with something to speculate about?
The purpose for this book of prophecy was to comfort Christians who were being persecuted and put to death, which is a theme that is constantly found in the New Testament, as the following passages show.
"Blessed are you when they revile you and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake" (Matt. 5:11).
"Remember the word that I said to you. ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will also keep yours" (John 15:20).
Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution (2 Tim. 3:12).
But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. "And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled" (1 Peter 3:14).
In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you (1 Peter 4:4).
Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter (1 Peter 4:16).
As Revelation begins, John says that the "time is near" for the things written in it to be fulfilled (1:3). He had already said that those things would "shortly take place" (1:1). In the first chapter, Jesus is described in an awesome manner (eyes like a flame of fire, feet like fine brass). In fact, "out of His mouth went a sharp, two-edged sword" (1:13-16). He delivers messages to the seven churches in Asia; the second one (Smyrna) is going to have tribulation. Some were going to be thrown into prison, and others would be put to death. Jesus promised that those who remained faithful until death would not be hurt by the second death and would be given the crown of life (2:8-11). In the letter to the church at Philadelphia, Jesus disclosed that an hour of trial was coming upon the whole world but that, because of their faithfulness, they would be spared (3:10). After the scenes in Heaven (4-5), the seven seals are opened; the fifth one provides a vision of the souls under the altar "who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held" (6:9). They are told that their fellow servants and their brethren would also be killed (6:11). Revelation is a book written to comfort Christians.
It was not, then, despite the claims of Tim LaHaye and others (the Left Behind fictional novels), written about the twenty-first century and what’s happening in Europe and the Middle East. Revelation is written primarily to comfort Christians from about A.D. 95 to 313, when the Edict of Toleration was issued by Constantine. During this time many persecutions would occur—some of them very intense. Brethren needed to know two things: 1) Christians would be vindicated as being right to believe in the one true religion with the only Savior mankind has; and 2) Rome, the persecutor of God’s people, would be punished. All brethren living in succeeding centuries thereby have assurance of these same facts.
Before the book closes, it provides a glimpse of what occurs at the end of time. The rewards of Christians are described in many ways. The city is described as one of great splendor. God dwells there among His people, and each person is amply provided for. There are no more tears, no more pain, and no more death. The sorrows of this life will be over. No one will suffer depression or need any medications. Everyone else who is there will count it a privilege; we shall all glorify God for what He gives us. Forever will we be thankful for Jesus Who died on the cross so that our sins could be removed through His blood, thus giving us eternal life (21).
Revelation also speaks of another eternal abode—one where Satan dwells. It is described as the Lake of Fire, and it is a place where torment occurs day and night eternally (20:10-15). Some say the description is too pagan-like, and some skeptics cite it as a reason for not believing in God. What they overlook is that God has offered every reward imaginable to get us to aim for Heaven and issued every deterrent possible to warn us against Hell. But He will not make up our minds for us. The two kingdoms must be forever separated. No one knows better than God the worth of a soul, but if men do not appreciate what God has given them, they will only receive what He would have spared them.
Conclusion
The Bible is amazing because it tells the truth consistently from beginning to end. It champions holiness rather than corruption, and when reflected upon, it cannot be any other way than the way described in its holy pages. Should God save everyone—even the wicked? Few would so affirm. Faith, righteousness, and obedience make the difference.
Along the way God provides wondrous evidence that this Book is from Him. Miracles accompany messages, and prophecies no mere human being could make are fulfilled. A Book of greater wisdom, truth, and salvation has never been produced. Neither will man ever write anything to match it. People denied access to it have clamored for it! Ironically, those to whom it is available have often neglected it. Let us boldly hold fast "the word of life" (Phil. 2:16) and treat the Sacred Book as it deserves to be treated—for what it is in truth—"the word of God" (1 Thess. 2:13).