The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Peter 3:1-9, “This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring
up your sincere mind by way of reminder,
2 that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles.
3 Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts,
4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.”
5 For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water,
6 through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water.
7 But by His Word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
8 But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.
9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you,
not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”

Moments prior to this writing, I was well-and-truly entertained at lunch by my two great-grandsons. At their young ages, everything –especially, time—is relative. Some adults have that same relativity toward time. My “greats” often playfully mock me. There is no danger connected with their mocking; but those who mock Jesus, tread on extremely dangerous ground.

Peter’s youthful denial of knowing Jesus was a form of mockery. Jesus had foretold that Peter would deny Him three times. Now, in this epistle, Peter forewarns others of that danger. Peter’s second epistle is “intended to warn (his readers) against false teachers and their corrupt and corrupting doctrines” (The Outlined Bible). Innumerable false teachers and preachers today are attempting to nullify much of Jesus’ teachings. Beware of the “name-it-and-claim-it” teachings!

Many mockers today are themselves steeped in moral corruption. Moral corruption (1:4) leads to
doctrinal corruption (2:1-2); and doctrinal corruption likewise leads to moral corruption. You can’t do wrong and get by! Peter urges his readers (ourselves included) to be steadfast both morally and doctrinally (3:17-18). Engage in regular self-checkups! Just as you would resist impure food for your body, resist those who would feed you impure doctrine! Stay in the Word! Hold fast in prayer! Jesus is Coming! “However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” (Lk. 18:8). To ask the question is to answer it. Yield yourself to Jesus today!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom