Preparing the Church
2 Peter 3:1-9 NKJ
Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your
pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which
were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us,
the apostles of the Lord and Savior, knowing this first: that scoffers will come
in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 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 creation.” For this they willfully
forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth
standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed
perished, being flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth which are
now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of
judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, do not forget this one
thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand
years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some
count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should
perish but that all should come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:10 NKJ
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens
will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent
heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
2 Peter 3:11-18 NKJ
Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of
persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and
hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will
be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?
Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new
earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to
these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and
blameless; and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as
also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has
written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in
which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and
unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the
Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware
lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error
of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
Acts 2:16-21 NKJ
But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘And it shall come to pass in
the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; your sons
and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your
old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My
maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.
I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath: blood
and fire and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the
moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the
LORD. And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the LORD
shall be saved.’
Hosea 6:1-3 NKJ
Come, and let us return to the LORD; for He has torn, but He will heal us; He
has stricken, but He will bind us up. After two days He will revive us; on the
third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His sight. Let us know, let us
pursue the knowledge of the LORD. His going forth is established as the
morning; He will come to us like the rain, like the latter and former rain to the
earth.
2 Peter 3:8 NKJ
But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a
thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
• Jesus born Hebrew year of 3758; died year of 3781
• Current Hebrew year 5775; 1994 years since Christ’s death
• 2021 will be 2,000 Hebrew years since Christ lived on earth
Acts 2:40-47 NKJ
And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be
saved from this perverse generation.” Then those who gladly received his
word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to
them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and
fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon
every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold
their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had
need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread
from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of
heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added
to the church daily those who were being saved.
Signs of Preparation:
- Deciding to live by the Word.
Acts 2:42 NKJ
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine…
2 Timothy 3:10-17 NKJ
But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith,
longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened
to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And
out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in
Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow
worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in
the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom
you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy
Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which
is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,
and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped
for every good work. - Developing a communal lifestyle.
Acts 2:46 NKJ
So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from
house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart. - Belief in the supernatural power of God.
Acts 2:43 NKJ
Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done
through the apostles. - Sacrificial sharing with others.
Acts 2:44-45 NKJ
Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold
their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had
need. - Boldy sharing the gospel with the lost.
Acts 2:47 NKJ
…praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to
the church daily those who were being saved.
Matthew 24:14 NKJ
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness
to all the nations, and then the end will come.
2 Peter 3:11 NKJ
Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of
persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness…