King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Monday, December 25, 2023
Chapters: THE BOOKS OF 2 PETER & JUDE
Message: Grow in Grace
Hello My Brother/Sister/Friend,
Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday to You, Jesus! I noticed something this Christmas season, there are less decorations out. I mean decorations do not determine ones faith in Jesus, but they can show whether or not they are celebrating Christ or Santa. I do not know if it is inflation, our country’s countless idols, or less people are in the Christmas spirit this year, but the times are definitely changing. I suspect that much of it has to do with sin becoming more idolized while and also with the trouble going on in Israel I think that more prophecy is about to be fulfilled in regards to Israel finally recognizing Jesus as the Messiah, [Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.]
There will come a day when Israel will not only acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah, they will also accept Him as their Saviour. Today, we who know Christ as Saviour celebrate the day that He was born to die so that we might live, [Isaiah 9:6-7 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.]
The Book of 2 Peter is the twenty-second book of the New Testament, the sixty-first book of the Bible, and contains three chapters. The author of this letter is Peter and it was written to the Christian exiles. The purpose of the letter was to warn them of the dangers of the apostasy and false teaching from within the church. What we are to learn from the book is that judgment is coming to all these false teachers, [2 Peter 2:1,9 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. 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:]
The Word of God, the Holy Bible, the Scriptures, the Law, whatever you call it it is the only history book written that when you read it you feel like it is happening right now. Peter, begins his letter with the reminder to all believers that we must be united with the same faith, and it is through that faith that we become more knowledgeable in the Word of God and better prepared for what is to come before Christ returns.
[2 Peter 1:1,3-7 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: 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: 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. 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.]
[giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue;] [Virtue; Moral goodness; the practice of moral duties and the abstaining from vice, or a conformity of life and conversation to the moral law.] Virtue, is not something that we are seeing a lot of these days, even in the Church. Perversions of the Bible are being replaced with truth in order to justify ones sin. I do not care what it is that people long for, love, fame, fortune, food, acceptance, there is fine line between longing for something and lusting over it. And once one crosses it they are walking on dangerous territory, [James 1:14-15 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.]
The world discredits the Bible as true, and let me tell you, people have attempted to change it in order to make God into an image they want their followers, not His, to believe Him to be. What they fail to comprehend is that His Word is preserved, as we just read, the prophecies fulfilled prove to be true when Jesus came here in the flesh, through man. The world can deny His deity all they want, but cannot deny that He was born in the flesh through a woman, and that He walked the earth.
[2 Peter 1:9-10,12,16-17 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. 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. 17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.]
[I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance] Life gets the best of us sometimes, which is why we need these reminders that we belong to Jesus pretty much every day. God’s grace, it is an amazing thing, to be forgiven, and to receive eternal life through no efforts of our own is something that no true Christian will fully understand, but is grateful for it as they seek to know God’s will and follow it the best they can, [1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.]
Not all who say they are Christian think that way, false Christians deceive people into believing that what they are doing is in God’s will when what they are actually doing is their own. Let me tell you, we are definitely in the end times, and yes, that is said of every generation, but this world is truly becoming more corrupt by the second. Peter, warned of this even back then and what happened to all who tried it in the past.
[2 Peter 2:1-2,4,9-10 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. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 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; 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: 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.]
[And many shall follow their pernicious ways;] [Pernicious; Destructive; having the quality of killing, destroying or injuring; very injurious or mischievous.] Mark God’s words, every false prophet, preacher, teacher, servant and liar will be judge with the same judgment as the ones who trusted them, [Revelation 21:7-8 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.]
The false Christians despise and hate you because you are not one of them, and to prove that they attempt to make a public example out of you. The longer I walk with Christ the more I truly see the liars for who they are, and they will sell you out in a heartbeat for their own gain. Nevertheless, we who are faithful, do not have to worry what they do to us because Jesus is with us.
[2 Peter 2:12-14,17-18 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; 13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; 14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: 17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. 18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.]
[as natural brute beasts,] [Brute; Senseless; Irrational. Bestial. Rough. Uncivilized. Insensible. A beast. Any animal destitute of reason. A brutal person. A savage in heart or manners.] Any of this sound familiar? It is exactly what, we as a nation, many nations are seeing right now, brute beasts speaking evil of things they do not understand; rioting in the daytime; deceiving; cunning; unstable; cursed children; corrupt politicians, and this is within the churches also, in fact, proclaiming they know Christ. And I tell you what, God, does not have to lift a finger to judge these fools, they will kill themselves, and they are already starting to. Just like when the Israelites rebelled when God told them that they could not go into the promised land for forty years, [Numbers 32:13 And the LORD’S anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation, that had done evil in the sight of the LORD, was consumed.]
[speak evil of the things that they understand not;] Yep, when a man dressed as a demon looking woman reads stories to kids about boys wanting to be girls and girls wanting to be boys and it is accepted, then we have a serious problem. To them this is normal, but to those who speak of Christ we are the evil ones. These brute beasts know of Jesus, and maybe even say they got saved, and lived as though He was their Saviour for a little while, and then the truth came out. While we are not the judge, we must understand that the world, and quite frankly, half of the Christian world, is entangled in some kind of sin, and they know it is against God.
[2 Peter 2:20-21 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. 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.]
[For it had been better for them not to have known the way] This is why salvation is only made possible if we have truly received Christ and keep our faith until our last breath. Jesus Himself said, [Matthew 12:43-45 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.]
These brute beasts know of Jesus, and maybe even say they got saved, and lived as though He was their Saviour for a little while, and then the truth came out. While we are not the judge, we must understand that the world, and quite frankly, half the saved world, is entangled in some kind of sin, they know it is against God’s Word, but continue in their sin, justifying their actions by their salvation. They think that going back into the world and living a sinful life has no consequences? Think again. If God will not spare the angles that have turned on Him and reserved them for judgment, He will not spare anyone who falsely believes in His Son.
[2 Peter 3:3-7 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 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. 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: 6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 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.]
[reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.] We do not know the hour in which Christ will return, but we do know that we better be prepared. We are saved by grace through our faith and acceptance of the Lord, Jesus Christ as our Saviour, but we are not saved from the consequences that result from living an immoral or wicked life if we do not repent of them.
[2 Peter 3:8-10,13-14 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. 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. 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. 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 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.]
[according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth,] You see, that is the best news, we who are saved will not only be saved from the destruction of this earth, we get to look forward to the new earth that will literally come down from heaven, [Revelation 21:1-2 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.]
We might be saved by grace through our faith and acceptance of Christ as our Saviour, but we are not saved from the consequences that result from living an immoral or wicked life if we do not repent of them. This is why we need to grow in grace, [2 Peter 3:17-18 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. 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.]
The Book of Jude was written by Jude in 66AD also, to those of the common salvation. The purpose of the letter was to remind them also of the judgment coming and false teachers. What we are to learn from it is that we must always be on alert on those who divert believers from the truth of God’s Word, [Jude 1:17-18 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.]
Jude, is the brother of James and an earthly brother of Jesus as pertaining to the flesh by Mary and Joseph. Jude, warns us the apostasy within the church and how it creeps into the Church.
[Jude 1:1-5 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: 2 Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied. 3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. 5 I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.]
[afterward destroyed them that believed not.] As merciful and gracious as God is He is well aware of those who take advantage of His good graces, when people start changing His Word to suit their flesh, that is when He draws the line. The apostle here exhibits a charge against deceivers who were now seducing the disciples of Christ from the profession and practice of his holy religion. He calls them filthy dreamers.
[Jude 1:8-10,14-15 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. 9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. 10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. 14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, 15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.]
[And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these,] This is not recorded in the Bible, but there are a couple of things recorded that prove that Enoch was a Godly man during a time when people were like barbarians. In fact, he was one of only two men that did not have to die to see heaven, God, carried Enoch before he saw the earth destroyed the first time with the flood, [Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.]
False teachers, preachers, and servants are the actual dreamers, they greatly defile and grievously wound the soul. These false Christians are of a disturbed mind and pernicious spirit, forgetting that the powers that be, are ordained of God and subject to their faithfulness to God. Jude, describes events similar to Peter here.
[Jude 1:17-21,24-25 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. 19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. 20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.]
[Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling,] God, is a patient God, so patient that He is willing to wait until the very last believer receives His Son before sending Him back to earth. God, is not easily provoked by anyone, except by those who deliberately twist His Word and convince others that it is truth. And while some people can be won to Christ through compassion, most people will not get saved until they are faced with fear, [2 Corinthians 7:10-11 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.]
Today’s Prayer: Jesus, Happy Birthday to You! You did not have to do it, but you became one of us, You took on human form, and all the pain, suffering, and death that comes with it. Thank You for the great sacrifice You made in becoming like one of us so that You could give Your life to save us. You could have jumped off that cross, You could have changed Your mind and made us fend for ourselves, but you gave Your life to save us, all because You love us too much to see us end up in hell with the devil, fallen angels, false prophets, and all unbelievers. Lord, I know I am saved through my faith in You alone, but I do not want to just get by here with my salvation, I want all the fruit that comes from my faithfulness to You. Lord, walk with me, give me faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity. Through Your power, I know I can do all things. And I ask these things in Your name Jesus, Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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