Nazareth is known as “the Arab capital of Israel”. The population is made up predominantly of Israeli Arabs, almost all of whom are either Muslim (69%) or Christian (30.9%).
In the New Testament, the city is described as the childhood home of Jesus, and as such is a center of Christian pilgrimage, with many shrines commemorating biblical events.
If you were dying but had the opportunity of writing a final letter to friends, what would you say? That’s a heavy question, but it helps us understand 2 Peter.
Knowing his remaining time was short, Peter wrote this letter, probably from Rome, as he neared the time of his martyrdom.
Had you been Peter, what would you have written? Perhaps you’d want to give a reminder of your core beliefs, then you might leave instructions about a critical issue, finally you’d focus on the joy of Christ’s return.
That’s exactly what Peter did in the three chapters of his letter.
- In chapter 1, he affirmed that God has given us all things pertaining to life and godliness, and we must diligently grow in these virtues.
- In chapter 2, he warned us against false teachers who speak with great swelling words of emptiness.
- He concluded with chapter 3 devoted to the Lord’s return, when heavens will pass away with a great noise and the elements will melt with fervent heat.
In light of this what sort of people ought to be? We should be people who are known, Peter said, by our holy conduct and godliness, as we look for and hasten the coming of our Lord.
Key Thought:
While awaiting our Lord’s return, we must stand on His great and precious promises, which provide all we need for life and godliness.
Key Verse:
“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall” (2 Pet 1:10).
Key Action:
“Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless” (2 Pet 3:14).