Perseverance - Acts 17 and 1 Thessalonians 1

This lesson repeats inspiring Scripture and study from a 2021 blog. I am reposting this now because I needed to hear it again. It includes excerpts from my book Who is the Holy Spirit? A Devotional Journey Through the Book of Acts.[1]As we look forward to the Winter Olympics of 2026, I thought it would be appropriate to use this for the background of our selected text of 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 today.

 

Some years ago there was a PBS special called "The Real Olympics." I learned from this presentation that in ancient Greece to become an Olympic athlete took everything that one had—all your time, all your money, all your energy, all your focus. Anyone could become an Olympic athlete as long as they completely dedicated themselves to it. And they had better do that for any chance to win.

 

The games were so brutally violent that it was not an unusual thing for athletes to die, particularly in the wrestling and boxing games. To lose was complete dishonor, so the few rules that existed could be broken, particularly when the crowds cheered wildly. There were four results of the ancient Olympic games: winning, surrender, knockout or death. So the training was intense. The preliminary contests were intense. The ancient Greek athletes practiced progressive resistance training. This was the concept, which of course is used widely today as well, where the individual would begin early in their training with a low amount of weight or resistance and gradually build up more weight and resistance as the months and the years went by.   The result was an athlete who could sustain tremendous amounts of strain and exertion. It was said that the ancient Greek athletes could most likely beat any of today's athletes without blinking an eye. Some of the greatest characteristics of those ancient athletes included perseverance, pain tolerance, skill and hope.

 

With complete dedication, constant progressive resistance training and perseverance a young athlete could take to the road to Athens. All along the way he would have great victories, certainly some discouraging and perhaps some damaging encounters.  Then again that athlete could find some great victories—perhaps even to stand with an olive wreath on his head and with great fame for years to come.

It takes little or no stretch of imagination for this kind of process to be compared to the Christian life and journey. And this is aptly demonstrated in our next passage of Scripture in Acts.

 

 Acts 17:1-4

When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. ² As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, ³ explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,” he said. ⁴ Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women. 

 

Remember that Paul, Silas and Luke had been in Philippi. Now they traveled about one hundred miles to Thessalonica, heading south toward Athens. They traveled on the famous Egnatian Way, one of the world-famous roads built by the Romans. With stones several feet deep, laid painstakingly close, many of these roads still exist today.

 

Just as an athlete is very strategic in the path that they take in training and selective about the competitions they participate in, so was the Holy Spirit as he directed Paul. One of Paul’s strategies was to go to key cities. "He did not aim simply to preach the Gospel wherever he could find an audience . . . [Instead he moved forward] with a program for establishing churches in key centers from which the surrounding countryside could be evangelized."[2] Thessalonica was a premiere city in that day. "It was the capital of the province of Macedonia and had a population of more than 200,000, including a colony of Jews (and a synagogue)".[3]

 

Paul, once again empowered by the Holy Spirit, entered a Jewish synagogue, longing for his Jewish brothers and sisters to know the truth about Jesus. He wanted them to know that Jesus Christ was indeed the Messiah they had been longing to see. The Jews knew from ancient prophecy that there was one who was supposed to come and save them from all their trouble. In their minds was the idea of a great King riding proudly onto the world scene, transforming their oppression into a ruling kingdom and dominating the world. It is no wonder then that they had a hard time accepting the idea of a Messiah who would suffer and die. For centuries most practicing Jews had or have overlooked or ignored the passages of Scripture that described the Messiah who would have to suffer for the sins of the world.

 

Isaiah 53:3-6

He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he took up our infirmities and earned our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

 

They could not or would not comprehend that their Messiah "could be both a conquering king and a suffering servant."[4] They did not understand yet that their sins, our sins, were so great that the only solution was for Jesus Christ, the only God-man, to die in our place. But not only would he die, he would rise again to prove that God had the power to release us from the awful guilt and consequence of our sin. We would not have to die forever, because he died once. We would not have to live pitiful, unforgiven lives, because he lives forever to forgive us when we seek him with all our hearts.

 

This is the message that compelled Paul to seek out people and tell them the good news of Jesus Christ. This is the message that Paul carefully and passionately explained to people on his road to Athens.  And we see the great result in Acts 17:4: some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and not a few prominent women. Not only did some of the Jews finally comprehend the role of the Messiah—that he had indeed already come to them and that he now lived to set them free—but so also did many of their Greek friends who were seeking the truth that would set them free. And that is how the Thessalonian church was born.

 

Somewhere a long time ago a tiny group of people came together in this same way in your community. A Christian church was birthed where you are because of what Jesus did for them. And now we gather together today because of what Jesus did for us.

 

Think with me again about the concept of progressive resistance training. In our Christian life, God permits us that path as well. Some of us live with the idea that the longer we are Christians the easier life should be, right? That is not the path to becoming a great spiritual athlete. Progressive resistance training in our spiritual lives means that opposition will come. It will come for many reasons. Among those is the spiritual battle we face when we turn our backs on Satan. He will do anything he can to tear us down. We must be aware that "our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8) That old devil wants to defeat you so badly he will do it through full frontal attacks, through the subtleties of boredom, or just the drip, drip, drip of constant temptation. There are times, too, that he will manipulate others to try to destroy not only you, but the Church of Jesus Christ. Talk about Olympics trials! Look what happens next.

Acts 17:5-10

⁵ But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd. ⁶ But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city officials, shouting: “These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, ⁷ and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.” ⁸ When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil. ⁹ Then they made Jason and the others post bond and let them go.

¹⁰ As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue.

 

You have heard about dishonest and biased judges at the Olympic Games. You have heard about athletes who sabotage other athletes. It is very disheartening, very discouraging, enraging, sad, and could be utterly defeating.  In the same way politics can be used against the innocent. Declaring that another king had come was one of the greatest threats a Roman Caesar could face. He was supposed to be most powerful, not this man named Jesus they were calling King! 

 

So now let's jump in to the first chapter of I Thessalonians, a wonderful, heartwarming letter. The first section, 1:1-10, is really a snapshot of the more in-depth expressions found in the remainder of the letter. After a comparatively brief stay in Thessalonica, Paul and his companions felt it important to write to these dear friends. It is striking that there is such incredible love and warmth for these people. You would think that that kind of depth of feeling could only come after extended friendship and fellowship. But the transformation of salvation and the power of the Holy Spirit can work just that quickly! Have you ever had a chance encounter with another Christian during travel and found that remarkable and immediate connection and consolation? I have. That is the power of the presence of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit leading us to recognize the unbreakable Kingdom bond that exists all over the world. Praise God! 

 

That same bond carries further even after we have had fellowship together. To demonstrate that bond, Paul teaches us how to pray effectively for others: We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. (v. 2) On those extended missionary journeys, the long walks from town to town, the hours watching the waves splash against the sides of the boats as they crossed seas, and in the quiet nights of reflection—these were filled with prayers and thanksgiving for their friends in Thessalonica. And these prayers aided in the continual transformation of those young Christians in their spiritual battles in that pagan culture.

 

We remember before our God and Father . . . What do you remember about your Christian friends? Do you reflect on their behaviors and reach out to them to encourage them?

Your work produced by faith,

Your labor prompted by love, and

Your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

What transformation! In contrast, their pre-Christian days may have been listed in this way:

Your work produced by duty,

Your labor diminished by selfishness, and

Your vacillating values inspired by the changing culture around you.

 

Thank God for the transforming work done in us that gives us new and better ways to be! Arnold Airhart wrote: "What it [the Gospel] does do, through the grace of humility, is to join all ranks in a fellowship of love and labor unmarked by either conscious condescension or servility."[5] In such a short time this group of believers acted out their Christianity in such a way that it encouraged the missionaries' hearts. What a wondrous fellowship that crosses miles and time. What a consolation that leads to further transformation and the reason to persevere in the faith.

 

And yet, Paul and his missionary colleagues recognized the continual pressure these dear folks were under. And so, they sought to encourage them. For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chose you . . . (v. 4) Remember that Paul wrote to a predominantly Gentile congregation that was pressed on one side by Jewish leaders who were willing to take legal action against them and on the other side a culture filled with pagan practices and idolatry including Egyptian religion, traditional Greek religions, and cultic practices from Somathrace.[6] Not to speak of the pressure from the emperor cult of the Caesar's. F.F. Bruce wrote: "Their practices are clean contrary to Caesar's: they are proclaiming a rival emperor, Jesus."[7] Craig Keener wrote: "Most of pagan culture reacted angrily to Jewish people's converting pagans from the religion of their ancestors; because a greater percentage of Christians were converts from Gentile backgrounds, they would face still greater hostility."[8] Folks under that kind of pressure need motivation to persevere!

 

The first mode of motivation was the fact that they were chosen. Of course there were Jewish Christians in this church who had lived with the life-long conviction of being chosen by God for his salvation. But the bulk of this group did not live with this in the hearts. They had to be reminded that they had been grafted in with all the rights and privileges of children of God. (Romans 11:11-32) And that election, given to any who open their hearts to the saving work of Jesus Christ, was grounded in the glorious love of God. "Proof of their election was the fact that the Spirit drove the Gospel home in their hearts."[9]

 

The second mode of motivation for perseverance, founded in their Holy Spirit transformation, was because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. (v. 5a) If they had been present, these missionaries might have leaned in, touched the hands of those up-hill-battling Christians and said, "I need you to remember this . . . " That unmistakable power that they responded to through the simple preaching of the Gospel was still transforming, still emboldening, still empowering them to live lively Christian lives!

 

The third mode of motivation for transformative perseverance came in the act of imitation. You know how we lived among you for your sake. You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. This is no pop-culture imitation on Tik Tok or YouTube. This is an imitation of the real person of Jesus Christ. The flat and narrow imitations of this world only mimic, they do not transform. When believers engage in the constant practice of doing their best to be like Jesus (not just appear to be like him) they reflect him in such a way that others are attracted to him and his Kingdom. We do not imitate to make people like us or to appear like us; we imitate to be like Jesus. This is why Paul can rejoice in their imitation. They don't behave like the missionaries. They behave like Christ! I don't want a Church full of human leader look-alikes. I want a Church filled with all of the diversity and beauty of each person created in God's image shining the light of Christ to the world.

 

The fourth mode of motivation was to tell them what witnesses they had actually become. Arnold Airhart wrote that "[t]his entire passage is graphic testimony from the primitive missionary church of the utterly transforming force of the gospel in pagan culture [and] the astonishing effectiveness of their witness (6-10) could be accounted for only as the outflow of divinely implanted qualities."[10] And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath. (v.7-10) While many commentators point out that Paul's language of all and everywhere are hyperbolic, could it not be possible that because of the strategic positioning in this cultural crossroads of a city that indeed the Gospel spread far more broadly? Of course, it could. That's the nature of the Gospel and its transformative power. Give it an inch and it will take a region!

 

Those Thessalonians Christians had gained not only the incomparably great salvation and hope to persevere, they also gained the understanding of the severity of God's wrath stored up for those who do not respond as they did to the Gospel. No wonder their lights were shining so brightly! The whole culture needed to know and imitate Christ to avoid his wrath. The decidedly eschatological bent of 1 and 2 Thessalonians always holds this in front of us as we read these wonderful letters.

 

Some of the troubles we face are a consequence of our own selfishness and sin. But we have a solution for that—the forgiveness of God and the strength of the Holy Spirit to deal with the consequences.  But, some of the troubles we face are from the evil in the world, the wickedness of sinful people, the oppression of dark systems of power that need to be reclaimed for good. These points of resistance are not our final answer. Just like the ancient Greek athletic values of perseverance, pain tolerance, skill and hope, we can adopt those values and be overcomers through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. We can more than recover from these battles and trials. We can come out the other side victorious because we know that our God is eternal and invincible; that no matter what threat comes our way, no matter what scars we sustain there is a hope that springs eternal because of our great Savior Jesus Christ and the ever-present power of the Holy Spirit!

 

And all along the way we will find people with similar stories that will encourage our hearts. We will find others who have an open heart and mind to the truth of God. We will be buoyed up by those whose witness will ring out for years to come.  These are the kind of people that Paul and his companions found in Thessalonica.[11]

 

M.R. Hyde

Copyright 2021, 2026

The End Times - It's Not About You, Christian!

 

There’s a lot of talk about end times lately. When the world is in turmoil many people begin to think about such things. Harold Raser traced several impactful shifts in theology and Christian foci on the Second Coming.

•      In the 16th- and 17th-century Europe, a series of social, political, economic, and religious upheavals (the Reformation included) turned that part of the world upside down. In this environment, Christians began once again to seriously entertain the idea that Christ’s return might be very near.

•      The Enlightenment (late 17th century and 18th century) stressed rationality, the central role of scientific inquiry in human knowledge, and the continuous progress of humanity. When that work was complete, Christ would return to claim His kingdom, raise the dead, judge the world, and bring human history to its consummation.

•      The late 19th and early 20th centuries there were social upheavals in many parts of the world, devastating wars, economic depressions, growing religious indifference, and many other ills. They yearned for Christ to return—and soon. This hope for the imminent return of Christ strengthened throughout the 20th century and continues to be popular in the 21st century.[1]

 

In our current world situation, minds often turn to Christ’s return. Is it imminent? When will it arrive? Where will I be in the mix? In light of Jesus declaring that no one knows the date and time of his return, why do some Christians still declare or venture guesses at the dates? (Matthew 24:36-44)

 

So many Christians have been caught up in the fear, anxiety and sometimes outright hysteria of this that they have left homes and property, gone off to remote places or high mountains to be nearer to the event, or have left off the basic practices of Christian living consumed by the anticipation or becoming disillusioned. Whole churches and Christian communities have been caught up in predictions or disillusionment that Christ has not yet returned. One set of churches many years ago experienced this and we have Biblical documentation of the strife as well as guidance for how to live as Christians while in the time of waiting for Christ’s return.

 

The Apostle Peter had preached for many years and helped to establish churches after Christ’s return to heaven (Acts 1). He wrote the letters preserved in the New Testament at a particularly brutal time—the time of the Roman ruler Nero’s reign. “Nero was the fifth Roman emperor (54–68 ce), stepson and heir of the emperor Claudius. He became infamous for his personal debaucheries and extravagances and, on doubtful evidence, for his burning of Rome and persecutions of Christians.”[2] History tells us that he used to arrest, torture and burn Christians alive. What kind of responses to these events do you imagine were happening in churches in the area?

 

In 1 and 2 Peter we see a clear set of responses. Peter wrote circular letters to churches in these desperate times. 1 Peter 1:1 “To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia…” This is what we know today as modern Turkey. 1 Peter is full of praise to God, celebration of new birth through Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection, their identity rooted in relationship with Jesus Christ, and instructions on how to live in a culture such as that in which they lived. Peter admonished them to continue to live holy lives. 1 Peter 2:11-12 reads, “Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” There must have been incredible pressures on them for Peter to write with ardent words. He goes on with such words in 4:12-19.

 

¹² Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. ¹⁴ If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. ¹⁵ If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. ¹⁶ However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. ¹⁷ For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? ¹⁸ And,“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

 

¹⁹ So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

 

That was from Peter’s first letter. There were clearly external threats to these Christians. But, even worse, there developed internal threats. Moving into 2 Peter we see some very disturbing things. But Peter first starts with again declaring their identity found in Jesus Christ, the promises that exist for all who believe, and the urging toward godly lives.

 

2 Peter 1: 3-11

 

³ 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.

 

⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; ⁶ and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; ⁷ and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. ⁸ For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

 

¹⁰ Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, ¹¹ and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 

I have clung to verse 3 for many years. This verse alone has helped me through times of doubt and trouble. I believe that God has given me everything I need for life as I know it right now. If we hold to this belief, it can help us to endure, and even thrive, during difficult times. It is possible to live a Christian life in the face of persecution and great trouble—even if we feel we know so little.

 

Then Peter admonishes them to add to their Christian lives in spite of the trouble. This admonishment is one of the keys to surviving spiritual and physical trouble. The Christian life is far more than just survival! Because of the Living Hope, we can rise above and keep learning and growing. If we turn our minds and hearts and efforts toward Christian growth, that can pull our eyes off of the trouble and onto the One who saves us out of that trouble. There are some remarkable stories of Christians throughout history who have shone brightly even in the moments of their martyrdom.

 

But the internal trouble in these churches had not yet been addressed by the Apostle Peter. In Chapter 2 that is revealed.

 

2 Peter 2:1-3

 

But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. ² Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. ³ In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

 

It is here revealed that there were snakes and wolves ravaging these churches. Peter had just described the power and reliability of the prophets’ words in the Old Testament and Jesus Christ as well as the authenticity of his own, and the other Apostle’s, participation in the continued message empowered by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:12-21). But during this time of great persecution, it must have become easier to listen to false prophets among them.

 

False prophets have motives that are not godly. They either want your money, or your bodies, or your property or your powerlessness to defeat the Light. They are of Satan and his willing actors. Peter describes them this way.

 

2 Peter 2:10-12  

 

10 This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority.

 

Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to heap abuse on celestial beings; 11 yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not heap abuse on such beings when bringing judgment on them from the Lord. 12 But these people blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like unreasoning animals, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like animals they too will perish.

 

Keep reading the rest of chapter 2 for unnerving descriptions of people bound to destruction. Nero-esque? Indeed! Oh, how can anyone survive such people?

 

Peter instructs these dear Christian sisters and brothers to shift their focus off of the wicked among them to the Savior of the world. God has given us powerful minds and wills. If we keep them engaged and focused on the right things, the Holy Spirit will empower us to thrive. This focus can help us to discern error and heresy and raise our eyes to the reality of the Second Coming.

 

So many times our suffering causes us to turn inward, focus on our pain, defend ourselves against those who would tear us to pieces or cause us to just give up. But do not give up, my friends there is a Day of the Lord! Here is how Peter teaches us to do this from 2 Peter.

 

2 Peter 3:1-2

Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.

 

There is a deliberate act of the will, mind and heart to turn away from the unwholesome and disturbing thinking. This is far more than just “emptying our minds” as other religions teach. This is filling our minds so full of God’s truth that error and heresy have no room to rest or abide. We have a strong legacy with God’s Word and his witnesses that cannot be quenched if we choose to think on them, recall them and rejoice in them.

 

2 Peter 3:3-7

³ Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. ⁴ They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” ⁵ But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. ⁶ By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. ⁷ By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

 

Oh, how I wish scoffers did not exist! Our spiritual lives would be so much easier. The contemptuous, ridiculing and mocking that try to drive darts of doubt into our minds are constantly set against us. If we let them get to us, lead us to deliberately set our beliefs aside, or forget that we have the power of the Holy Spirit to resist, then our lives with Christ will be lost and we will become hopeless.

 

But we have hope—we always have hope because of who God is! Peter describes the unquenchable power of God as Creator and Judge. One of the greatest temptations as we wait on the Lord’s return is to believe that it won’t happen because it hasn’t happened yet. God has demonstrated his presence and power from before the Creation of the world. That power is undeterred and unfettered. On this we can rely. Peter relied on it.

 

2 Peter 3:8-10

⁸ But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. ⁹ The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

 

¹⁰ But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.

 

Peter speaks directly to the effrontery of the scoffers in these churches. Who were they to question God and his promises?! How little they knew about him, or greater still, how little they regarded him and his legacy of deliverance and grace. Peter makes sure that the Christians under such attacks need to look beyond what is known of human time and the present world to the everlasting power and love of God. We are so time-bound. This is why the prophecies about the end times that include the changes to the sun and moon that mark our daily lives are so deeply disturbing. But, if that is all we focus on, all that we believe is real, then we are missing the greater truth and are at risk of falling into disillusionment, despair and debauchery.

 

Verse 9 is one of the greatest verses about the character and purposes of God. When we wrestle with the timing of his return, when we become discouraged because our lives are so disrupted and the persecutions are so painful, we must turn our hearts to the reality that it’s not all about us, Christians. You see, God is holding out for salvation. He wants more and more people to come to him, to find him trustworthy, powerful to deliver them, and gracious to receive them. What the scoffers do not know is that God loves them despite their sin. He loves them through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He loves them and longs for them so much so that he is willing to allow us to suffer some so that they have a chance.

 

It feels unfair, doesn’t it? Why should my suffering be to their advantage? Why should what they have done to us be endured? Why? Why? Why? Because God wants to embrace them with his wonderful grace, just as we have been embraced. Even false prophets and the wicked can be saved!

 

Remember what Peter wrote in 1 Peter 2:12? “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” For the salvation of others, Peter shifts our gaze from this present world to the new world.

 

2 Peter 3:11-13

¹¹ Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives ¹² as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. ¹³ But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

 

Peter imbues his message with hope and joy. Yes, there will be destruction. Yes, there will be judgment. Yes, there will be the dissolution of all that we presently know. And, yes, yes, yes there will be fulfillment of God’s promise!

 

Then how do we live today? We live toward God with the knowledge that he wants to save as many people as possible. And maybe, just maybe, that’s because we live Christian lives as witnesses to God’s great power and promises.

 

2 Peter 3:14

¹So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.

 

Amen

 

© M.R.Hyde 2025

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[1] Illustrated Bible Life, Summer 2025, The Foundry Publishing, Kansas City, MO, 2025.

[2] https://www.britannica.com/search?query=nero