“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” 2 Peter 1:3-4 (NIV)
The context of this church letter reminds and assures us there is more to come and that the gift of salvation and the expression of obedience through the water of baptism is not the conclusion of faith and faithfulness but only the beginning.
With respect to the “very great and precious promises” (4) which God has, both, authored and offered, there is at least one that should consume our attention. The anticipated fulfillment of this same promise should also cause us to invest, both, our attention and energy in preparation for the time of its arrival. When Jesus told the first church to “watch” (Matthew 24:42; 25:13), both times the focus was upon the time of His return: “… since you don’t know what day your Lord is coming” (24:42, HCSB); “… because you don’t know either they day of the hour.” (Matt. 25:13, HCSB). Both times the word “watch” is a command and, as such, obedience to the command is expected and should not be considered optional. Since Jesus commanded the first church to “watch” or be watching, and, since, the command applies to the Lord’s churches today as He has not yet returned, then, we should be watching for the day of His appearing.
There are a plethora of events, affecting the Lord’s churches and the nation of Israel, taking place at an ever increasing frequency. There are signs which Jesus said would identify “the beginning of birth pains” (Matthew 24:8, HCSB). At the same time, Jesus taught these signs would not be evidence of the arrival of the end: “but the end is not yet” (Matthew 24:6, HCSB). Although there is no way to know, with absolute certainty, if “the beginning of birth pains (sorrows)” has begun, and, if it has already begun how long, for what length of time, its events have been occurring. Ultimately, the signs that clearly identify “the beginning of birth pains” will last right up until delivery – delivery of the great time of trouble known as the tribulation.
This quickly approaching time of trouble is the fulfillment of the word of God through the prophet Daniel and is identified as Daniel’s 70th Week:
Daniel 9:24-27 (HCSB)
“Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city – to bring the rebellion to an end, to put a stop to sin, to wipe away iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy place. 25 Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince will be seven weeks and 62 weeks. It will be rebuilt with a plaza and a moat, but in difficult times. 26 After those 62 weeks the Messiah will be cut off and will have nothing. The people of the coming prince will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come with a flood, and until the end there will be war; desolations are decreed. 27He will make a firm covenant with many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and offering. And the abomination of desolation will be on a wing of the temple until the decreed destruction is poured out on the desolator.”
Although there are numerous interpretations of this passage, the reality is that “seven weeks and 62 weeks”, or 69 weeks of 7 years each, have been fulfilled. Regardless of your preferred interpretation concerning the remaining 1 week of 7 years, the point is that we need to be watching and preparing for the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Matthew 24:42-44 (HCSB)
Therefore be alert, since you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this: If the homeowner had known what time the thief was coming, he would have stayed alert and not let his house be broken into. 44 This is why you also must be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Back to the “very great and precious promises” to which Peter referred, here is what is at stake if we fail to watch and prepare:
2 Peter 1:10-11 (HCSB)
Therefore, brothers, make every effort to confirm your calling and election, because if you do these things you will never stumble. 11 For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly supplied to you.