Do you desire to be a “workman that needeth not to be ashamed” unto God? What child of God would not so desire? Of course, what faithful child of God would not desire to study the word of God? These thoughts come from 2 Timothy, chapter two, verse fifteen. Thais is where the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, and the verse reads: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” The American Standard has the words: “Give diligence;” where the King James Verse has “study.” It would be impossible to truly “give diligence” without studying the word of God!
In this fourth article on the subject: “studying the word of God,” we shall once more look at the words of Peter. However, having noticed a few truths in 2 Peter 3:3 – 7, it is necessary, to get the context, that we recall verse seven: “but the heavens that now are, and the earth, by the same word have been stored up for fire, being reserved against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.” First, notice that Peter is writing about the “heavens” and the “earth” that were present in his time and our time. He wrote that they: 1) “by the same word have been stored up for fire;” and 2) they are “being reserved against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.” Answer this question: “What are the heavens and the earth waiting on? They are, even at this present time, waiting, as they are now in a state of being “reserved!” The Greek word is “tēreō” and means: “to reserve: to undergo something!” Peter is pointing to a time of change: “reserved, waiting to undergo something.” Just what are the “heavens and the earth” waiting to undergo? Peter wrote: “against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men!” Here, notice the word Peter used, “against,” which is the Greek, “eis,” which means: “towards.” So, the heavens and the earth are “reserved,” as they look “forward,” to undergo something! Just what is this something? Let Peter, by the Holy Spirit, answer our question. He wrote: “the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.” However, Peter calls on us to be aware of a great truth: “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” (verse 8). In other words, don’t be like those who are “scoffers,” who are “willingly ignorant” as we wait! Let us do our waiting with knowledge we have gained through “studying the word of God!”
Here your attention is called to Peter’s words in verse 9: “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; …” As we live, it is so important that we see things, not from our point of view, but God’s!” As we look at our “world,” we see evil on every side, yet, more than likely today is not as bad as it was in Peter’s time. The Roman “world” was known for its evil! Then, we know for sure our “world” is not as evil as it was in the time of Noah! Here is another thought, read with thought Peter’s next words: “but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” In every day, that passes and the Lord has not come; we should see the love of God, as he is waiting for one more lost soul to “come to repentance!” Here is a question: Do we see one more day as God sees one more day: “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance?”
Peter now turns his attention, to what this should mean to us; he wrote: 1) “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness;” and 2) “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?” The keys words are: “what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness.”
So, unlike what took place in the days of Noah; wherein the people, the “kosmos,” “perished;” Peter is telling us “the heavens” and “the earth,” which are now, will be no more; therefore, Peter questioned: “what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness.” This is one of the most important questions that we can put our minds on; and answer it! Therefore, in conclusion, the same question comes to each of us! How do you answer?
Frank R. Williams