PETER

Peter has some important things to say to us regarding end time prophecy. Reviewing Peter's end time prophecy provides a good way to conclude this work. Only Peter tells us that, even within the church, at the time of the end, they all will be mocking "where is the promise of His coming." Most importantly, "It is not God's will that any should perish; but that all should come to repentance." Peter makes it quite clear that we are called to patient endurance of tribulation in true holiness. You will notice that there are no comments on the few verses selected from Peter's second epistle. These verses form an ideal conclusion to this work. May I encourage you to read these concluding verses several times allowing the Holy Spirit of Truth to quicken them for you. Memorizing some of these verses will help maintain Great Joy in Great Tribulation.

I Peter 1:2-4 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

We are called to obedience. We are set apart for the glory of God by having our sins covered by the blood of Jesus Christ. We are not called to be free of trials and tribulation, but to glorify God by the peace we have in the middle of tribulation.

I Peter 1:5-7 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

Our salvation is ready to be revealed in the last time. Nothing is said about this salvation being revealed 7 years before the last time. We are to find great joy in great tribulation. We glorify God by our faithfulness in tribulation. At the appearing of Jesus Christ our faith in tribulation will become great joy indeed. Even those on the side of Antichrist in the war on the saints will be joyful when things are going well for their side in the 7 years before the last time. We will be kept by the power of God through faith during great tribulation.

I Peter 1:8-13 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see [him] not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, [even] the salvation of [your] souls. Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace [that should come] unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

There is nothing in scripture describing a secret second coming of Jesus Christ. Everything that is said about the revelation of Jesus Christ is that His second coming will be with great power and glory. Every eye shall see Him. In the mean time, we should be getting prepared for the war with Antichrist. This is the meaning of "gird up the loins." We are to be strong in faith. God is with us now in the presence and power of His Holy Spirit.

I Peter 1:15-16 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

The secret of victory is holiness. The power of the Holy Spirit is unlimited in the life of the believer who is walking in holiness. We must become hypersensitive to the convicting work of the Holy Spirit. We need to take our sins to the cross immediately. There is no condemnation. God only wants us to be in agreement with Him to maintain that unbroken fellowship with Him through His Holy Spirit. If God is for us, who can be against us?

I Peter 1:18-21 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, [as] silver and gold, from your vain conversation [received] by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

Our hope is in God and His integrity. We place our hope and trust in the integrity of His Word. We are not trusting ourself our anyone else. Our trust and hope is solidly based on God's integrity.

I Peter 1:22-25 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, [see that ye] love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh [is] as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

Where the rubber meets the road in relation to holiness is the unfeigned love for the brethren in great tribulation. One of the reasons the God allows Antichrist to wage war on the saints is to disclose those who have feigned love for the brethren. Those who love one another with a pure heart fervently will shine in great tribulation.

I Peter 2:1-3 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord [is] gracious.

This is great preparation for great tribulation. Lay aside all malice. Lay aside all lies, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speaking. Desire to know more and more of God's absolute truth by reading and studying our bibles every day. This is the right response to the grace of God, that we may grow mighty in faith.

I Peter 2:5-12 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe [he is] precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, [even to them] which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past [were] not a people, but [are] now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Dearly beloved, I beseech [you] as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by [your] good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

It all comes to a great shakedown in the great tribulation. Everyone will make a firmly and finally committed choice of following Jesus Christ or Antichrist. Many today can have a token faith and feigned affection. Today it is possible to hold a cheap grace void of holiness, commitment, and free of trial and tribulation. It is the trying of our faith which produces steadfastness. It will not be possible tohave feigned faith or feigned affection in great tribulation. Everyone will either passionately love or hate Jesus Christ and His saints in great tribulation.

I Peter 2:19-25 For this [is] thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.

For what glory [is it], if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer [for it], ye take it patiently, this [is] acceptable with God.

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

Many will not want to hear such truth. This is Peter speaking with the same sort of Holy Spirit inspired hard hitting truth which brought 3000 souls to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ in his first sermon on Pentecost. Peter tells us that we are called to _______. Nobody wants to suffer and few will ever even hear this message. Most want to hear the no suffering, no trials, "no tribulation for me," "I have faith in my faith," message so popular in this time of strong delusion. It is easy to find the preacher who will scratch itching ears. Few teachers will have the courage to box those itching ears with the truth of the call to suffering with Christ. Christ is our example.

I Peter 3:8-12 Finally, [be ye] all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, [be] pitiful, [be] courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord [are] over the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord [is] against them that do evil.

Finally be of one mind. In looking at the power of God demonstrated in the book of acts, over and over we see that they were of "one accord." We must have unity in the Body of Christ. The unity must not compromise the truth. Look at Peter's sermon in Acts 2. The truth cannot be compromised for the sake of unity. Peter and Paul withstood each other, toe to toe, face to face until they came to one accord in the truth. Compassion, love, pity and even courtesy all require the foundation of truth. Love of the truth is paramount.

I Peter 3:14-17 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy [are ye]: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For [it is] better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

We are not to be afraid or troubled of the terror of Antichrist. We are to find great joy in great tribulation so that we may be giving answers to those who will be asking for the reason for the hope that is in us. The great tribulation will be the greatest opportunity for glory and evangelism ever in the history of the Church.

I Peter 4:1-4 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of [his] time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of [our] life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with [them] to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of [you]:

Peter encourages us to arm ourselves with the mind of Christ. Paul also said "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus." Philippians 2:3-7 gives us more detail about acquiring the mind of Christ. Let nothing be done through strife or vanity. In lowliness of mind esteem others better than yourself. Christ being in the form of God, did not allow His equality with God to prevent him from lowering Himself and was obedient in suffering that is beyond human understanding.

I Peter 4:7-10 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, [even so] minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Now we come to the practical outworking of this great preparation for great tribulation. We are told to be watching soberly as the end approaches and above all things to have fervent love for all those for whom Christ paid such a great price. We are to practice hospitality without murmuring and share whatever wehave with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

I Peter 4:12-19 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy [are ye]; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or [as] a thief, or [as] an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.

Yet if [any man suffer] as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

For the time [is come] that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if [it] first [begin] at us, what shall the end [be] of them that obey not the gospel of God?

And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls [to him] in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

Peter tells us that we are not to think it is strange that we are going to be tried by the fiery trial of Antichrist's war on the saints. We are to rejoice that we are partakers of Christ's sufferings so that we will be glad with exceeding joy when His glory is revealed. He returns to win the war for us in great power and glory. Judgment begins with the house of God. The house of God, the Church of Jesus Christ, stands against Antichrist in the great tribulation war on the saints. The Church of Jesus Christ needs to quit playing ostrich with the pre-tribulation rapture doctrine as we see the forces of Antichrist's New World Order coming to power. It seems that very few, in the name it and claim it Church in America, are prepared to take heed and to stand and endure to the end. Peter will not scratch the itching ears of those who refuse to consider the call to endure to the end.

I Peter 5:4-7 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all [of you] be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

We are called to endure to the end. When Jesus shall appear we will receive a crown of glory that will last forever. We must humble ourselves because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. He cares for us and we can trust Him to be with us in great power in great tribulation.

I Peter 5:8-11 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle [you].

To him [be] glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

The armor of God has no protection on the back side. We are not to retreat or run away from the threat of great tribulation. We are not to refuse to think about it. Satan has already been defeated. The roaring lion is the oldest toothless lion in the pride. This old toothless lion has a great roar and that is all. This old lion will roar from the opposite side of the herd of prey. If the lion's prey would run right at the sound of the roar they would trample the roaring lion. Unfortunately they become gripped with fear and run away from the roar to where the young lions are waiting in ambush. We may have to suffer for a while to make us perfect, firmly established, strengthened, and settled in our faith in Jesus Christ. We need to prepare for the war on the saints and quit thinking the war on the saints is of no concern to us. If we are saints and we know the war is fixing to become total war, let us put on the full armor of God. We have the greatest opportunity for evangelism and giving glory to God of any generation in history.

II Peter 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

II Peter 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:

II Peter 1:4 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.

II Peter 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

II Peter 1:6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

II Peter 1:7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

II Peter 1:16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

II Peter 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

II Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holymen of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost.

II Peter 2:1 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.

II Peter 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

II Peter 2:4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast [them] down to hell, and delivered [them] into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

II Peter 2:5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth [person], a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;

II Peter 2:6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned [them] with an overthrow, making [them] an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;

II Peter 2:7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:

II Peter 2:8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed [his] righteous soul from day to day with [their] unlawful deeds;)

II Peter 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

II Peter 2:10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous [are they], selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

II Peter 2:11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.

II Peter 2:12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;

II Peter 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

II Peter 2:21 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.

II Peter 2:22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog [is] turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

II Peter 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

II Peter 3:4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as [they were] from the beginning of the creation.

II Peter 3:5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

II Peter 3:6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

II Peter 3:7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

II Peter 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day [is] with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

II Peter 3:9 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.

II Peter 3:10 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.

II Peter 3:11 [Seeing] then [that] all these things shall be dissolved, what manner [of persons] ought ye to be in [all] holy conversation and godliness,

II Peter 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

II Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

II Peter 3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

II Peter 3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know [these things] before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

II Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and [in] the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him [be] glory both now and for ever. Amen.