Rebellion and Redemption

Peter on the Great Controversy

Lesson #11 for March 12, 2016

Scriptures: [1 Peter 2:9-10; 4:1-7; Deuteronomy 14:2; 2 Peter 1:16-21; 3:3-14; Daniel 2:34-35][i].

1.    In this lesson we will discuss Peter’s thoughts about the great controversy as recorded in his two short letters. What did Peter know about the great controversy? He is the one who told us: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8, NKJV) Is that about the great controversy?

2.    In this series of lessons in the Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide, the emphasis has been on the struggle on this earth between good and evil. Seventh-day Adventists who take Ellen White seriously know that the great controversy is much larger than that. It involves the entire universe. Remember that the great controversy began in heaven, not on this earth. (Revelation 12:7-12ii) Did any of the angels who remained loyal to God have questions in their minds about the issues involved? First Corinthians 4:9iii reminds us that our little world is the theater of the universe. What does that imply? How has God responded to sin?

3.    One of the most important texts in Peter’s writings concerning the great controversy is 1 Peter 1:12.

1 Peter 1:12 (GNB): God revealed to these prophets that their work was not for their own benefit, but for yours, as they spoke about those things which you have now heard from the messengers who announced the Good News by the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. These are things which even the angels would like to understand. [Bold type is added.]

Are those the angels in heaven?

4.    How do you understand that last sentence in 1 Peter 1:12? Compare 1 Corinthians 4:9; Ephesians 1:8-10; 3:8-10iv; and Colossians 1:19-20. What can they learn from us?

5.    Christ died for sinless angels too.

That which alone can effectually restrain from sin in this world of darkness, will prevent sin in heaven. The significance of the death of Christ will be seen by saints and angels.... The angels ascribe honor and glory to Christ, for even they are not secure except by looking to the sufferings of the Son of God. It is through the efficacy of the cross that the angels of heaven are guarded from apostasy. Without the cross they would be no more secure against evil than were the angels before the fall of Satan. Angelic perfection failed in heaven.... The plan of salvation, making manifest the justice and love of God, provides an eternal safeguard against defection in unfallen worlds, as well as among those who shall be redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.—Ellen G. White, The Signs of the Times, December 30, 1889 par. 4; SDA Bible Commentary, vol.5, p. 1132.9, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7a, p. 252; Our High Calling 45.4; The Home Missionary May 1, 1897. [Bold type is added.]

6.    Did the angels need the message of the cross? Why?

For centuries God looked with patience and forbearance upon the cruel treatment given to his ambassadors, at his holy law prostrate, despised, trampled underfoot. He swept away the inhabitants of the Noachian world with a flood. But when the earth was again peopled, men drew away from God, and renewed their hostility to him, manifesting bold defiance. Those whom God rescued from Egyptian bondage followed in the footsteps of those who had preceded them. Cause was followed by effect; the earth was being corrupted.

A crisis had arrived in the government of God.... All heaven was prepared at the word of God to move to the help of his elect. One word from him, and the bolts of heaven would have fallen upon the earth, filling it with fire and flame. God had but to speak, and there would have been thunderings and lightnings and earthquakes and destruction.

The heavenly intelligences were prepared for a fearful manifestation of Almighty power. Every move was watched with intense anxiety. The exercise of justice was expected. The angels looked for God to punish the inhabitants of the earth....

The heavenly universe was amazed at God’s patience and love. To save fallen humanity the Son of God took humanity upon himself.—Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, July 17, 1900, par. 4-7.

7.    With intense interest the unfallen worlds had watched to see Jehovah arise, and sweep away the inhabitants of the earth. And if God should do this, Satan was ready to carry out his plan for securing to himself the allegiance of heavenly beings. He had declared that the principles of God’s government make forgiveness impossible. Had the world been destroyed, he would have claimed that his accusations were proved true. He was ready to cast blame upon God, and to spread his rebellion to the worlds above. But instead of destroying the world, God sent His Son to save it.—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages 37.2.

8.    For centuries God bore with the inhabitants of the old world. But at last guilt reached its limit.... He came out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth, and by a flood cleansed the earth of its iniquity.

Notwithstanding this terrible lesson, men had no sooner begun to multiply once more, than rebellion and vice became widespread. Satan seemed to have taken control of the world. The time came that a change must be made, or the image of God would be wholly obliterated from the hearts of the beings He had created. All heaven watched the movements of God with intense interest. Would He once more manifest His wrath? Would He destroy the world by fire? The angels thought that the time had come to strike the blow of justice, when, lo, to their wondering vision was unveiled the plan of salvation.—Ellen G. White, MS 22, January 10, 1890 (Diary Entries); The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials 569.2-570.0.

9.    After the fall of our first parents, Christ declared that in order to save man from the penalty of sin, He would come to the world to conquer Satan on the enemy’s own battlefield. The controversy that began in heaven was to be continued on the earth.

In this controversy much was to be involved. Vast interests were at stake. Before the inhabitants of the heavenly universe were to be answered the questions: “Is God’s law imperfect, in need of amendment or abrogation, or is it immutable? Is God’s government in need of change, or is it stable?”

Before Christ’s first advent, the sin of refusing to conform to God’s law had become widespread. Apparently Satan’s power was growing; his warfare against heaven was becoming more and more determined. A crisis had been reached. With an intense interest God’s movements were watched by the heavenly angels. Would He come forth from His place to punish the inhabitants of the world for their iniquity? Would He send fire or flood to destroy them? All heaven waited the bidding of their Commander to pour out the vials of wrath upon a rebellious world. One word from Him, one sign, and the world would have been destroyed. The worlds unfallen would have said, “Amen. Thou art righteous, O God, because Thou hast exterminated rebellion.”

But “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” God might have sent His Son to condemn, but He sent Him to save. Christ came as a Redeemer. No words can describe the effect of this movement on the heavenly angels. With wonder and admiration they could only exclaim, “Herein is love!”—Ellen G. White, Signs of the Times, August 27, 1902 par. 1-5; Reflecting Christ 58.1-5. [Bold type is added.]

10.    These several passages from her writings make it clear that the great controversy involves more than just human beings on this earth or even Satan and his angels on this earth. The angels in heaven had serious questions; there were serious issues that needed to be dealt with. Did the other beings in the universe also have questions?

11.    One of the most important considerations when thinking about the great controversy is the fact that it will come to an end just after the third coming of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 2:8-11[v]) However, apparently, Peter knew nothing of the millennium or the third coming. It is only through John’s writing in Revelation 20 that we learn about the millennium and the third coming. Meanwhile, Peter looked forward to Christ’s second coming. If Christ is not coming back, there was really no reason for Him to come the first time. So, Peter dealt with those who scoff and mock, actually turning them into one of the signs of the nearness of the second coming! (2 Peter 3:3-7vi)

12.    Obviously, Peter had some problems in his own life. We think especially of his denial of Jesus Christ at the critical moment of Christ’s trial in Jerusalem. When Jesus turned and looked straight at Peter, he suddenly realized how weak he was. Each of us faces moments like that one of Peter’s in our own lives. Satan’s temptations seem incredibly powerful at times.

13.    To understand something of the significance of the great controversy, we need to understand our own weaknesses, our own sinfulness, and our need of Jesus Christ.

It is thus that every sinner may come to Christ. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us.” Titus 3:5.

When Satan tells you that you are a sinner, and cannot hope to receive blessing from God, tell him that Christ came into the world to save sinners. We have nothing to recommend us to God; but the plea that we may urge now and ever is our utterly helpless condition that makes His redeeming power a necessity. Renouncing all self-dependence, we may look to the cross of Calvary and say,- “In my hand no price I bring; Simply to Thy cross I cling.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages 317.1.

14.    It is absolutely essential that we recognize our need of Christ. Without Him we would be lost for more reasons that we can mention. We need to understand the questions that He answered in the great controversy and the accusations against God that He refuted. We need to look to His life and death every day to realize exactly what they should and can mean to each of us. (DA 83.4)

15.    Read 1 Peter 4:1-7vii. Peter recognized that the Christians to whom he was writing had come out of lives filled with “indecency, lust, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and the disgusting worship of idols.” (1 Peter 4:3, GNB) To come out of that environment and live a truly Christian, upright life in cooperation with Jesus Christ would certainly make one seem to be strange. But, we must learn to stand up against the crowd. If we cannot withstand peer pressure, we are essentially lost. (Matthew 24:24viii) In response, Peter reminded us that like us, those so-called “Gentiles” will appear before the judgment seat of God. (1 Peter 4:5ix)

16.    Peer pressure is especially important to teenagers. But, adults are not free from it at all. So, instead of thinking of ourselves as somehow strange, we need to remember 1 Peter 4:8-9[x]. If we treat even strangers with kindness and love, we will stand out from the crowd not in a way that makes us seem queer or strange but in a wonderful way that will attract others to us. (Matthew 5:13-16; John 13:34-35)xi

17.    How often do you do what you do because you want to be accepted by others in your community as opposed to being a faithful child of God?

18.    Think of all that God did to take the Israelites from Egypt to Canaan. Why was it that ancient Israel was so influenced by the pagan peoples and religions around them instead of influencing those people for the good? Could that same trend happen among Seventh-day Adventists? Read 2 Peter 1:16-21xii. How did William Miller get his ideas?

19.    Many questions have been raised about biblical authors. How did they get their messages? Can we be certain that their messages actually came from God? What did they see or hear that influenced their writings? Peter left no doubt about the fact that he saw Jesus Christ Himself. He saw Him receive glory from God, the Father, on the mount of transfiguration; so, he was even more certain about the prophecies from the prophets. As an example regarding biblical authorship, Peter himself proclaimed: “For no prophetic message ever came just from human will, but people were under the control of the Holy Spirit as they spoke the message that came from God.” (2 Peter 1:21)

20.    Peter was in the court of the home of Annas, the high priest, when Jesus was condemned. He denied Jesus three times. He experienced the great controversy in his own life. So, in 2 Peter 1:5-8xiii, he encouraged us by saying that there is a list of characteristics that are appropriate for Christians: faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. These are the fruit from the Holy Spirit. In a true Christian life, these are not independent characteristics; they are all woven together as a single unit. Christians are like that. What a contrast to the “Gentiles” he described earlier.

21.    Read 2 Peter 3:3-12xiv. There are always scoffers-people who will make fun of the Bible, the reality of Jesus, and certainly the idea that Jesus will come again-but, like us, they will have to stand before God’s judgment seat. The cosmic conflict is coming to an end.

22.    We believe that the great controversy, the cosmic conflict, is coming to an end. The Devil is scared to death; so, he goes about as a hungry, roaring lion, looking for its next meal. (1 Peter 5:8) Peter made it clear that the mockers, the scoffers, and even the Devil himself are doing what they are doing because they want things to continue as they have always been. They even present what they believe are unanswerable arguments in favor of their views. But, we know that is just one more sign that the second coming is drawing very near. Such people, of course, deny that God destroyed the world by a flood because they certainly do not want to believe that God might do something similar again.

23.    Throughout the Bible, beginning as early as Joel 2xv, we read that the Day of the Lord is coming soon. It is a recurrent theme in the New Testament. Read 2 Peter 3:8-14xvi and compare Daniel 2:34-35,44xvii. How does your understanding of these classic time prophecies impact your daily life? Do you really act as if Jesus is coming again soon? Do your neighbors and work associates recognize that you are different-in a good way?

24.    But, God is still waiting for a group of people who will correctly represent Him before the world despite everything the Devil can throw at them. They need to be “blameless” as Job was. (Job 1:1xviii) Jesus promised that He will present them in that way before the Father. (1 Corinthians 1:8; Colossians 1:22; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 5:23)xix The ancient sacrifices in the temple were supposed to be faultless as well. What did the Bible writers mean by using expressions like “holy,” “blameless,” “faultless,” etc.? This is not talking about a “works” religion; it is talking about a growing relationship with Jesus Christ that is called faith. God’s goal for each one of us is to learn to be more like His Son.

25.    Read 2 Peter 3:4. As modern believers in evolution suggest and just as the ancient scoffers said before the flood, nothing is new-nothing will change.

As time passed on, with no apparent change in nature, men whose hearts had at times trembled with fear, began to be reassured. They reasoned, as many reason now, that nature is above the God of nature, and that her laws are so firmly established that God Himself could not change them. Reasoning that if the message of Noah were correct, nature would be turned out of her course, they made that message, in the minds of the world, a delusion-a grand deception. They manifested their contempt for the warning of God by doing just as they had done before the warning was given.... They asserted that if there were any truth in what Noah had said, the men of renown-the wise, the prudent, the great men-would understand the matter.—Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 97.1.

26.    The scholars and the “great men” in ancient times were wrong, and they will be wrong again.

27.    For a period of 3M> years, Peter had spent much of his time with Jesus. In light of all that, why did he quote prophecies from the Old Testament regarding such an important issue for us? Does the fact that so many of the prophecies have proved to be exactly correct give us greater hope for the second coming?

28.    By looking at the writings of Peter and the overall messages of the New Testament, does it look to you like the life of a Christian is going to become easier and easier as we approach the end? Or, will Satan’s final efforts to deceive and destroy reach a crescendo? How will you respond if you are imprisoned or tortured or threatened or questioned about your faith?

29.    In the book of Revelation, the saints follow the Lamb wherever He goes. (Revelation 14:4xx) Where did the Lamb go? The sacrificial lambs in ancient Israel were killed. Jesus our faithful Lamb went through that incredible torture all the way to crucifixion. Can we expect to cruise into the second coming?

30.    Which do you think will be more difficult for you to face: Physical torture? Slander? Ridicule? Or, disdain? How do you feel about being “different”? In your experience do you try to hide your distinctive beliefs? Or, do you feel comfortable speaking proudly about the truths of Scripture that make you unique?

31.    In what way, as Peter suggested, are we to demonstrate to the onlooking universe that we are a “holy nation, God’s own people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful acts of God”? (1 Peter 2:9xxi)

32.    Read 1 Peter 2:9xxii in the King James Version. Are you excited about being “peculiar”? The meaning of the word peculiar has changed over the years. Read [Deuteronomy 7:6; 14:2,21; and 26:18-19; and Exodus 19:6].xxiii Peter took these verses addressed to the ancient Israelites and applied them to Christians. None of us wants to be seen as peculiar, strange, unusual, or queer. What does it mean to suggest we are a kingdom of priests? A holy nation? A special treasure of God? A chosen people? What Peter was trying to emphasize, as Moses said in Deuteronomy, was that we are a “special, treasured possession” of God. Does that sound better than being peculiar? We belong to Him.

33.    Does keeping God’s commandments “identify” you? Do you hide the fact you are a Seventh-day Adventist when people ask you who you are and what you believe? Our religion is not just a set of beliefs; it is a way in which we identify ourselves. If we really acted like Jesus, would the world notice? Would they be attracted? Or, repulsed? (Matthew 5:13-16xxiv) As Christians, we avoid riotous living, lawlessness, idolatry, etc. (1 Peter 4:3xxv) because we want to be holy as God is holy. (1 Peter 1:16xxvi)

34.    Are you prepared to meet not only peer pressure but also whatever pressure the Devil can bring against you as we approach the end of this world’s history? That will be necessary if we want to live through the final days of this earth’s history.

35.    We need to be honest about some challenges that have been presented about the material in this lesson.

36.    Martin Luther thought that some of the books in the New Testament were not as important or do not as clearly represent the “Christomonistic Principle” or Christ-alone principle as do others. On that basis, he placed five books of our New Testament at the end of his New Testament in a kind of lesser category than the others. Those books included Hebrews, James, 2 Peter, Jude, and Revelation. Many modern “scholars” are inclined to agree, at least partially, with Luther. Very few of them accept 2 Peter as having been written by Peter. They consider much of the material in that book as being of questionable inspiration. Why do you think that is? By contrast, 1 Peter is considered to be one of the best books. Is it related to 2 Peter’s prophecies about the end of the world? Many of those same “scholars” do not believe that even God can predict the future.

37.    How do you think Peter would describe your lifestyle? Compare [2 Peter 1:5-8 with 1 Peter 4:8-9 and 4:3]xxvii.

38.    Does what you believe impact how you live on a day-by-day basis? Could you give some examples of how your beliefs have impacted your life? Are you proud of the way in which you represent God? We do not need to be proud of our own behavior; but, we certainly can be proud of God. (Jeremiah 9:23-24xxviii)

© 2016, Kenneth Hart, MD, MA, MPH. Permission is hereby granted for any noncommercial use of these materials. Free distribution of all or of a portion of this material such as to a Bible study class is encouraged.    Info@theox.org

i-1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

4:Living for God

4 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.

Deuteronomy 14:2 for you are a people holy to the LORD your God. Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth, the LORD has chosen you to be his treasured possession.

2 Peter 1:16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”[a] 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.

19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

3:3 Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.[a]

11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.[b] That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.

Daniel 2:34 While you were watching, a rock was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and smashed them. 35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were all broken to pieces and became like chaff on a threshing floor in the summer. The wind swept them away without leaving a trace. But the rock that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth.

ii-Revelation 12:7 Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. 8 But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. 9 The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:

“Now have come the salvation and the power

and the kingdom of our God,

and the authority of his Messiah.

For the accuser of our brothers and sisters,

who accuses them before our God day and night,

has been hurled down.

11 They triumphed over him

by the blood of the Lamb

and by the word of their testimony;

they did not love their lives so much

as to shrink from death.

12 Therefore rejoice, you heavens

and you who dwell in them!

But woe to the earth and the sea,

because the devil has gone down to you!

He is filled with fury,

because he knows that his time is short.”

iii-1 Corinthians 4:9 For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings.

New International Version (NIV)

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iv-Ephesians 1:8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he[a] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

3:8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,

v-Philippians 2:(GNT)

8 He was humble and walked the path of obedience all the way to death—

his death on the cross.

9 For this reason God raised him to the highest place above

and gave him the name that is greater than any other name.

10 And so, in honor of the name of Jesus

all beings in heaven, on earth, and in the world below[a]

will fall on their knees,

11 and all will openly proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

vi-2 Peter 3:3 First of all, you must understand that in the last days some people will appear whose lives are controlled by their own lusts. They will make fun of you 4 and will ask, “He promised to come, didn't he? Where is he? Our ancestors have already died, but everything is still the same as it was since the creation of the world!” 5 They purposely ignore the fact that long ago God gave a command, and the heavens and earth were created. The earth was formed out of water and by water, 6 and it was also by water, the water of the flood, that the old world was destroyed. 7 But the heavens and the earth that now exist are being preserved by the same command of God, in order to be destroyed by fire. They are being kept for the day when godless people will be judged and destroyed.

vii-1 Peter 4:Changed Lives

4 Since Christ suffered physically, you too must strengthen yourselves with the same way of thinking that he had; because whoever suffers physically is no longer involved with sin. 2 From now on, then, you must live the rest of your earthly lives controlled by God's will and not by human desires. 3 You have spent enough time in the past doing what the heathen like to do. Your lives were spent in indecency, lust, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and the disgusting worship of idols. 4 And now the heathen are surprised when you do not join them in the same wild and reckless living, and so they insult you. 5 But they will have to give an account of themselves to God, who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 That is why the Good News was preached also to the dead, to those who had been judged in their physical existence as everyone is judged; it was preached to them so that in their spiritual existence they may live as God lives.

Good Managers of God's Gifts

7 The end of all things is near. You must be self-controlled and alert, to be able to pray.

viii-Matthew 24:24 For false Messiahs and false prophets will appear; they will perform great miracles and wonders in order to deceive even God's chosen people, if possible.

ix-1 Peter 4:5 But they will have to give an account of themselves to God, who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

x-1 Peter 4:8 Above everything, love one another earnestly, because love covers over many sins. 9 Open your homes to each other without complaining.

xi-Matthew 5:Salt and Light

13 “You are like salt for the whole human race. But if salt loses its saltiness, there is no way to make it salty again. It has become worthless, so it is thrown out and people trample on it.

14 “You are like light for the whole world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl; instead it is put on the lampstand, where it gives light for everyone in the house. 16 In the same way your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.

John 13:34 And now I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 If you have love for one another, then everyone will know that you are my disciples.”

xii-2 Peter 1:Eyewitnesses of Christ's Glory

16 We have not depended on made-up stories in making known to you the mighty coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. With our own eyes we saw his greatness. 17 We were there when he was given honor and glory by God the Father, when the voice came to him from the Supreme Glory, saying, “This is my own dear Son, with whom I am pleased!” 18 We ourselves heard this voice coming from heaven, when we were with him on the holy mountain.

19 So we are even more confident of the message proclaimed by the prophets. You will do well to pay attention to it, because it is like a lamp shining in a dark place until the Day dawns and the light of the morning star shines in your hearts. 20 Above all else, however, remember that none of us can explain by ourselves a prophecy in the Scriptures. 21 For no prophetic message ever came just from the human will, but people were under the control of the Holy Spirit as they spoke the message that came from God.

xiii-2 Peter 1:5 For this very reason do your best to add goodness to your faith; to your goodness add knowledge; 6 to your knowledge add self-control; to your self-control add endurance; to your endurance add godliness; 7 to your godliness add Christian affection; and to your Christian affection add love. 8 These are the qualities you need, and if you have them in abundance, they will make you active and effective in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

xiv-2 Peter 3:3 First of all, you must understand that in the last days some people will appear whose lives are controlled by their own lusts. They will make fun of you 4 and will ask, “He promised to come, didn't he? Where is he? Our ancestors have already died, but everything is still the same as it was since the creation of the world!” 5 They purposely ignore the fact that long ago God gave a command, and the heavens and earth were created. The earth was formed out of water and by water, 6 and it was also by water, the water of the flood, that the old world was destroyed. 7 But the heavens and the earth that now exist are being preserved by the same command of God, in order to be destroyed by fire. They are being kept for the day when godless people will be judged and destroyed.

8 But do not forget one thing, my dear friends! There is no difference in the Lord's sight between one day and a thousand years; to him the two are the same. 9 The Lord is not slow to do what he has promised, as some think. Instead, he is patient with you, because he does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants all to turn away from their sins.

10 But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. On that Day the heavens will disappear with a shrill noise, the heavenly bodies will burn up and be destroyed, and the earth with everything in it will vanish.[a] 11 Since all these things will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people should you be? Your lives should be holy and dedicated to God, 12 as you wait for the Day of God and do your best to make it come soon—the Day when the heavens will burn up and be destroyed, and the heavenly bodies will be melted by the heat.

xv-Joel 2The Locusts as a Warning of the Day of the Lord

2 Blow the trumpet; sound the alarm

on Zion, God's sacred hill.[a]

Tremble, people of Judah!

The day of the LORD is coming soon.

2 It will be a dark and gloomy day,

a black and cloudy day.

The great army of locusts advances

like darkness spreading over the mountains.

There has never been anything like it,

and there never will be again.

3 Like fire they eat up the plants.

In front of them the land is like the Garden of Eden,

but behind them it is a barren desert.

Nothing escapes them.

4 They look like horses;

they run like war-horses.

5 As they leap on the tops of the mountains,

they rattle like chariots;

they crackle like dry grass on fire.

They are lined up like a great army ready for battle.

6 As they approach, everyone is terrified;

every face turns pale.

7 They attack like warriors;

they climb the walls like soldiers.

They all keep marching straight ahead

and do not change direction

8     or get in each other's way.

They swarm through defenses,

and nothing can stop them.

9 They rush against the city;

they run over the walls;

they climb up the houses

and go in through the windows like thieves.

10 The earth shakes as they advance;

the sky trembles.

The sun and the moon grow dark,

and the stars no longer shine.

11 The LORD thunders commands to his army.

The troops that obey him

are many and mighty.

How terrible is the day of the LORD!

Who will survive it?

A Call to Repentance

12 “But even now,” says the LORD,

“repent sincerely and return to me

with fasting and weeping and mourning.

13 Let your broken heart show your sorrow;

tearing your clothes is not enough.”

Come back to the LORD your God.

He is kind and full of mercy;

he is patient and keeps his promise;

he is always ready to forgive and not punish.

14 Perhaps the LORD your God will change his mind

and bless you with abundant crops.

Then you can offer him grain and wine.

15 Blow the trumpet on Mount Zion;

give orders for a fast and call an assembly!

16 Gather the people together;

prepare them for a sacred meeting;

bring the old people;

gather the children

and the babies too.

Even newly married couples

must leave their homes and come.

17 The priests, serving the LORD

between the altar and the entrance of the Temple,

must weep and pray:

“Have pity on your people, LORD.

Do not let other nations despise us and mock us

by saying, ‘Where is your God?’”

God Restores Fertility to the Land

18 Then the LORD showed concern for his land;

he had mercy on his people.

19 He answered them:

“Now I am going to give you

grain and wine and olive oil,

and you will be satisfied.

Other nations will no longer despise you.

20 I will remove the locust army that came from the north

and will drive some of them into the desert.

Their front ranks will be driven into the Dead Sea,

their rear ranks into the Mediterranean.

Their dead bodies will stink.

I will destroy them because of all they have done to you.

21 “Fields, don't be afraid,

but be joyful and glad

because of all the LORD has done for you.

22 Animals, don't be afraid.

The pastures are green;

the trees bear their fruit,

and there are plenty of figs and grapes.

23 “Be glad, people of Zion,

rejoice at what the LORD your God has done for you.

He has given you the right amount of autumn rain;[b]

he has poured down the winter rain for you

and the spring rain as before.

24 The threshing places will be full of grain;

the pits beside the presses will overflow with wine and olive oil.

25 I will give you back what you lost

in the years when swarms of locusts ate your crops.

It was I who sent this army against you.

26 Now you will have plenty to eat, and be satisfied.

You will praise the LORD your God,

who has done wonderful things for you.

My people will never be despised again.

27 Then, Israel, you will know that I am among you

and that I, the LORD, am your God

and there is no other.

My people will never be despised again.

The Day of the LORD

28 “Afterward I will pour out my Spirit on everyone:

your sons and daughters will proclaim my message;

your old people will have dreams,

and your young people will see visions.

29 At that time I will pour out my Spirit

even on servants, both men and women.

30 “I will give warnings of that day

in the sky and on the earth;

there will be bloodshed, fire, and clouds of smoke.

31 The sun will be darkened,

and the moon will turn red as blood

before the great and terrible day of the LORD comes.

32 But all who ask the LORD for help will be saved.

As the LORD has said,

‘Some in Jerusalem will escape;

those whom I choose will survive.’”

xvi-2 Peter 3:8 But do not forget one thing, my dear friends! There is no difference in the Lord's sight between one day and a thousand years; to him the two are the same. 9 The Lord is not slow to do what he has promised, as some think. Instead, he is patient with you, because he does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants all to turn away from their sins.

10 But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. On that Day the heavens will disappear with a shrill noise, the heavenly bodies will burn up and be destroyed, and the earth with everything in it will vanish.[a] 11 Since all these things will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people should you be? Your lives should be holy and dedicated to God, 12 as you wait for the Day of God and do your best to make it come soon—the Day when the heavens will burn up and be destroyed, and the heavenly bodies will be melted by the heat. 13 But we wait for what God has promised: new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness will be at home.

14 And so, my friends, as you wait for that Day, do your best to be pure and faultless in God's sight and to be at peace with him.

xvii-Daniel 2:34 While you were looking at it, a great stone broke loose from a cliff without anyone touching it, struck the iron and clay feet of the statue, and shattered them. 35 At once the iron, clay, bronze, silver, and gold crumbled and became like the dust on a threshing place in summer. The wind carried it all away, leaving not a trace. But the stone grew to be a mountain that covered the whole earth.

44 At the time of those rulers the God of heaven will establish a kingdom that will never end. It will never be conquered, but will completely destroy all those empires and then last forever.

xviii-Job 1:Satan Tests Job

1 There was a man named Job, living in the land of Uz,[a] who worshiped God and was faithful to him. He was a good man, careful not to do anything evil.

xix-1 Corinthians 1:8 He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be faultless on the Day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Colossians 1:22 But now, by means of the physical death of his Son, God has made you his friends, in order to bring you, holy, pure, and faultless, into his presence.

1 Thessalonians 3:13 In this way he will strengthen you, and you will be perfect and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all who belong to him.[a]

5:23 May the God who gives us peace make you holy in every way and keep your whole being—spirit, soul, and body—free from every fault at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

xx-Revelation 14:4 They are the men who have kept themselves pure by not having sexual relations with women; they are virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They have been redeemed from the rest of the human race and are the first ones to be offered to God and to the Lamb.

xxi-1 Peter 2:9 But you are the chosen race, the King's priests, the holy nation, God's own people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful acts of God, who called you out of darkness into his own marvelous light.

xxii-1 Peter 2:(ASV)

9 But ye are a elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

xxiii-Deuteronomy 7:6 For thou art a holy people unto Jehovah thy God: Jehovah thy God hath chosen thee to be a people for his own possession, above all peoples that are upon the face of the earth.

14:2 For thou art a holy people unto Jehovah thy God, and Jehovah hath chosen thee to be a people for his own possession, above all peoples that are upon the face of the earth. 21 Ye shall not eat of anything that dieth of itself: thou mayest give it unto the sojourner that is within thy gates, that he may eat it; or thou mayest sell it unto a foreigner: for thou art a holy people unto Jehovah thy God. Thou shalt not boil a kid in its mother's milk.

26:18 and Jehovah hath avouched thee this day to be a people for his own possession, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments;

19 and to make thee high above all nations that he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honor; and that thou mayest be a holy people unto Jehovah thy God, as he hath spoken.

Exodus 19:6 and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

xxiv-Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men.

14 Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shineth unto all that are in the house.

16 Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

xxv-1 Peter 4:3 For the time past may suffice to have wrought the desire of the Gentiles, and to have walked in lasciviousness, lusts, winebibbings, revellings, carousings, and abominable idolatries:

xxvi-1 Peter 1:16 because it is written, Ye shall be holy; for I am holy.

xxvii-2 Peter 1:5 Yea, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply virtue; and in your virtue knowledge;

6 and in your knowledge self-control; and in your self-control patience; and in your patience godliness;

7 and in your godliness brotherly kindness; and in your brotherly kindness love.

8 For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to be not idle nor unfruitful unto the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 4:8 above all things being fervent in your love among yourselves; for love covereth a multitude of sins:

9 using hospitality one to another without murmuring:

4:3 For the time past may suffice to have wrought the desire of the Gentiles, and to have walked in lasciviousness, lusts, winebibbings, revellings, carousings, and abominable idolatries:

xxviii-Jeremiah 9:23 Thus saith Jehovah, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches;

24 but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he hath understanding, and knoweth me, that I am Jehovah who exerciseth lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith Jehovah.

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