Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved What Manner of Persons Ought Ye To Be in all holy conversation and godliness… 1

The Apostle Peter’s world 2

To whom was he writing? 3

What was the ecclesial environment? 4

What does Peter say in the second epistle? 5

The question Peter asks. 6

The answer to the question and US 7

TIME LINE OF EVENTS IN THE ROMAN EMPIRE ↓ Jews rebel against Roman rule ↓ Tito destroys Nero persecutes Christians Jerusalem ↓ ↓ ↓ ________l___________l____l____l____l________l______ AD Claudius poisoned Fire in Death Nero becomes emperor Rome of Nero 1 Peter   2 Peter 8

Probably written wider audience than first letter. 1) no geography mentioned 2) much attention to prophecy involving the Jews 9

Matthew 24: 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 10

A letter of warning and encouragement. CHAPTER 1: 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 11

10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall. 15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. 21 …holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 12

1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: 13

21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 14

9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 15

“the day of the Lord” - suddenly, unexpectedly “the heavens” - Jewish rulers “shall pass away” - complete disappearance “with a great noise” – Diaglott “with a rushing sound” “the elements shall melt with fervent heat” – fundamentals of Jewish law removed and consumed “the earth also” – common people “the works that are therein shall be burned up” – Jewish political system detroyed 16

11 What Manner of Persons Ought Ye To Be? in all holy conversation and godliness 12 “looking for” – awaiting “Hasting unto the coming of the day of God” -AD 70 or God’s kingdom? “wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved and the elements shall melt with fervent heat” – on account of the day of God this must first occur. 17

1) loosening morals in 1) societies immorality Roman Empire 2) threat of false teaching 2) contend for the faith from within 3) impending judgments 3) subdue the nations upon Israel by God upon Christ’s return 18

5And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 19

1) “give all diligence” - give constant attention and effort 2) building blocks 3) not sequential 4) the number 7 20

Virtue – moral excellence Knowledge – what is known from study Temperance – self restraint, control Patience – to wait calmly Godliness – obeying God’s law Brotherly Kindness – agreeable Charity – kind, tolerant, love of fellow man 21

What Manner of Persons Ought Ye To Be? 22 TO WARN and ENCOURAGE

According to his promise, may we look for a new and a new where in dwelleth righteousness. … let us be diligent that we may be found of him in peace, without spot and blameless. 23