YOU HAVE BEEN FOREWARNED

PROCLAMATION

“Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position.  But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To Him be glory both now and forever!  Amen.”  2 Peter 3:17-18 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the apostle Peter, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the scattered believers after the crucifixion of Christ. (1 Peter 1:1-2)  This is the third and final chapter in his second letter to them.  He begins by stating that he is writing this letter to them to serve as a reminder of previously spoken words and to stimulate wholesome thinking among them. (2 Peter 3:1-2)  He tells them that non-believers will come to them and attempt to discourage them. (2 Peter 3:3-7)  Then he reminds that The Lord’s way of measuring time is much different than their way.  A day to Him is like a thousand years to man. (2 Peter 3:8)  He tells them that the Day of The Lord will come, earth will be destroyed by fire, and that there will be a new heaven and a new earth. (Isaiah 65:17, 2 Peter 3:10-13, and Revelation 21:1)  He ends by telling them that since they have been forewarned, they should be on their guard, and that they should grow in grace and in knowledge of The Lord.

 

APPLICATION

As believers, we know that we have already been guaranteed the victory through our Lord and Savior, Jesus, The Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57)  Therefore, we should hold on to our belief in Christ and do our best to follow His teachings.  We should learn as much as we can about The Lord God and His Holy Word, and we should do our best to live by it.  The Day of The Lord is coming and we have been forewarned.