In this study both Peter and Paul have a lot to say. Paul, years before his death had spoken of his death and resurrection in Philippians chapters 1 and 3. But interestingly, he had not spoken of his potential for Rapture. That fact should be given consideration and have meaning to us.

Yesterday we saw that when speaking of end time events, Peter had this to say about Paul’s letters:

As also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. 2 Peter 3:16 NASB

The thing that we must first ask ourselves is why would this verse not be uppermost in our thoughts when examining Paul’s teaching?

The attending question must be: “Am I twisting in any way what Paul is stating in his teachings?” This problem, if it exists, places any who misunderstand in danger according to Peter? Yet, as with most professors of doctrines that are not completely true to Scripture, their teachings can dominate within the Church. The “truth” of the many can be effected. Just what does Peter have to say about that?

2 Peter 3:17 Therefore, [let me warn you] beloved, knowing these things beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men [who distort doctrine] and fall from your own steadfastness [of mind, knowledge, truth, and faith], (AMP)

Peter says that the things in this text that we must be looking into, he has already forewarned us about. In other words — we either will hear this warning or we won’t. His obvious concern is that we might be led astray and fall in some fashion.

Christian teachings are unfortunately different depending on what the teachers have been themselves taught. The truth can be very far removed by the bias of the teacher. So, just because there are different truths on one subject being pushed; this must mean that error is obviously being propagated as warned here by the Holy Spirit through Peter.

There, then, is the need to identify just who these teachers are today.

What might help to expose these particular theologians is their own ignoring of the many warnings: such as this one from Peter, thinking themselves and even others, even those with a different doctrine to be incapable of falling away if born again; just because of their own biased understanding of Scripture. They in fact know better than this Apostle Peter, and even better than Jesus Himself. They teach that you as a “true” believer can never fall as Peter here warns: that not only can but that it will happen to those who twist Scripture.

But, still they in our day are the prevalent “truth” teachers on both what constitutes salvation and even concerning the events of the end times. All of their teachings concerning both are seemingly based on the believers inability to fall from God’s Grace; even as they ignore the many warnings. And included within their teachings is an additional twist concerning even the gifts of the Spirit about which Paul also teaches.

Just yesterday, I heard the Pastor of a rather large church mock the charismatic revival that is taking place here in America, as he ridiculed the now playing movie “Come Out In Jesus Name”.

If we look at verse 10 of 2 Peter 3, we see that Peter is teaching concerning the Day of the Lord, just as Paul had done in 1 and 2 Thessalonians, and elsewhere in his own teachings on these end times. Peter has this to say concerning this connection between himself and Paul:

and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, 2 Peter 3:15 NASB

Why is the Lord patient with us? It concerns our salvation. He will not give up on us. He wants us to get it right so that we might bring others into the proper understanding of His word. For that in itself may effect our salvation, and that of others. Doctrine is important to God. His Son, His Truth leads us to Him. Study to show thyself approved, a workman that needeth not be ashamed. We love you Lord. We love your people. It is hard for me to love my enemies, please change me in this area.

This will be a good point to break. It is here that we will leave off and then take up this subject in our next post otherwise this will become too long.