1 Corinthians 1: 18

II Peter 2 vs9

 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

For further study - II Peter 2:1-9

Peter is near the end of his many years of ministry when he writes II Peter and is working to "stir up" our memories, II Peter 1:5, and also our pure minds, II Peter 3:1. In chapter 1, Peter calls for us to remember that we have a “sure word of prophecy”, verse 19. In chapter 3, Peter “stirs up our pure minds” as we remember the truths of Bible prophecy, verse 2.

In chapter 2 and especially the portion of the chapter for our extended reading, we are “warned about false teachers”. In many locations in the New Testament we are warned about false teachers. My concern for believers today is that they do not heed these warnings and they remain under the teachings of these false teachers.

Dear friend, you stay under false teaching and false teachers to your own peril. Do not judge a church by the “personality of the pastor”, but instead by the “doctrine of the deacons”. The main ministry of the local church is to protect its people from false teaching.

Peter then gives us a warning about “judgment to come”. The Lord will judge the angels, those in the abyss, the tartaros. He will also judge the whole world as He did in the days of Noah and Lot, verses 5-6. As we wade through these waves of deception and destruction, we walk ashore on deliverance.

Praise the Lord. He knows how to deliver us and will do so. He will deliver all of those made godly by His work on the cross and His resurrection. Our Lord will keep us from the temptation, the testing that is ahead.

During the 7-year Tribulation period of testing here on the earth, we will be celebrating a “marriage” in the heavenlies. We, as the “bride of Christ”, will be married to the bridegroom, Jesus himself.

There is a parallel passage to Peter's message, written by John, a longtime friend. John says in Revelation 3:10 that the Lord will "keep us from" not take us out of the testing of the judgment ahead.

Of course, the process of deliverance from this coming testing is the Rapture of the Church. This Rapture of the Church could happen at any time, even today so keep looking up until.

PRAYER THOT: Thank you, dear Lord, for your promise of deliverance from the terrible Tribulation Period yet to come.

II Peter 3 vs13 - Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
For further study - II Peter 3:10-18

Peter, with the very last words he would write to believers, challenged the readers of these words to consider what will happen in the future, and live in light of that knowledge.

Verse 10 reveals the final conclusion for this earth we live on and the heavens above. They are going to burn up because they have been cursed by Satan and sin. There is to be no renewing or refurbishing of this sin-tainted earth and the heavens above us; they will be "burned up," notice the procedure, verse 10. It starts with a great noise and then the elements "melt" with fervent heat.

This is not a description of a process that "renews" the heavens and earth. Armed with this knowledge, Peter becomes very practical, verse 11.

Since all these things will happen, the heavens and earth will be dissolved, what manner of person ought we to be as "Holy citizens".

But that's not the end of the story. Out of the ashes of heaven and earth will come the "new heavens and a new earth." This is not a new concept, the ancient prophet Isaiah first wrote about new heavens and a new earth about 2,700 years ago, Isaiah 65:17-19 and Isaiah 66:22.

John the Revelator also spoke of the new heavens and the new earth, Revelation 21:1. It's at this point in our devotional reading for today that Peter becomes very practical. Just another evidence that prophecy can be very practical.

Peter says, verse 14, since we look for such things (new heavens and new earth) there is a way we should live out our lives. We must be diligent, keep to the task, continually.

We must guard our lives so that we are "without spot and blameless". What practical advise we gain from studying the prophetic Word of God. Coming to an understanding of it's teaching will help us to" live right."

Peter wrote about his "beloved brother" Paul. who also was writing to the Christians as to how their life was to be played out, verses 15-16. Peter gives another practical application for our daliy lives, verse 17.

With the knowledge that we have from our study of scripture we should be on guard, be aware to not allow false teaching,error, to lead us astray and that by the "wicked one." We must stay steadfast.

By the way, the knowledge that Peter is writing about, will be that which we must grow in, that is the knowledge by the grace of God, verse 18.

Knowledge of the future will help us to grow in the Lord and stay steadfast also in Him. Prophecy is practical.

PRAYER THOT: Thank you Lord for being so good to me by giving me the knowledge of what will happen in the future and with that knowledge, You help me to live right as I look up for You to come

II Peter 3 vs.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.
For further study - II Peter 3:1-9

As Peter concludes his last epistle, he does so with the goal of stirring up within each of us a "pure mind." He does that by bringing some things to our attention from what the prophets wrote, what the apostles taught, and the words of Jesus.

Then Peter warns us of what the last days will be like. They will be days when people will be scoffers, denying the promise of the Second Coming, verse 3. They will say, "Where is the promise of His coming?

Peter then talks about three additional events in history that those who deny the Lord's return to earth will also deny. Verses 4-7 discuss the Creation, how God brought the heavens and earth and all that is in them into existence. These same deniers will reject the historical fact of a worldwide flood and the earth-wide results of that flood.

The Biblical truth that judgment is coming, even on the heavens and the earth which will both be burned up, will also be rejected which is a natural for someone who rejects what God did in Creation and as a result of the Flood.

Peter used the term, "willingly ignorant" to describe these deniers.

I like the statement, "they will be dumb on purpose," better. That term fits people who reject the Lord and what He has done and will do. It is "on purpose" when someone will reject the Lord.

By the way, notice that these people are deniers, verse 3, because they are "walking after their own lusts." Peter's description of the last days fits the description of the days we are living in now. There are many in the world that are "walking after their own lust." But there are many in the "church" that are also walking after their own lust today.

Today there are those that name the name of Christ and yet are walking after those same lusts that led them astray before their salvation experience. This is really evidence that the Rapture could take place very soon and it could be near to the time that the Lord could come back.

However, Peter reminds us of the reason the Lord has not yet come even though it seems like this is the time for His return. Look at verse 9 for that reason. Jesus is not willing that any should perish but all should come to Him for salvation. However, the Lord will only wait so long.

I do hope that this devotional for today did accomplish Peter's desire to stir up our minds to be pure and eagerly await His shout for us to join Him in the heavenlies.

PRAYER THOT: Help me, dear Lord, to lead others to You for salvation as I wait for Your soon return.

II Peter 3 vss 8-9 - 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.

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.

For further study - II Peter 3:1-12

As we enter this brand new year we have a clean slate on which to place our mark that will impact the world. The very best we can do with this exciting opportunity is to move through these next 365 days directed by God’s Word.

I believe a knowledge of God’s prophetic plan for the future will enhance our prospects for being successful in our adventure to serve Him each and every day of this coming year.

Our extended devotional reading for today speaks to some issues that must direct our path through this year, and in fact through all the days that the Lord allows us to have on this earth.

In prospective, this first day of a new year reminds us that another day brings us another year. In the mind of Jesus it's only been several days, verse 8, since He promised to return to set up His kingdom, on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

There is only one reason that Jesus has not returned to gather us to Himself with His shout, the shout of the archangel and with the sound of the trump of God, calling us to join Him in the heavenlies. At which time we'll be “caught up” to be with Him forever.

There is only one reason He hasn't called for us to join Him and that is because our Lord and Saviour is not willing that any should perish, but wants all of humankind to come to Him as their Saviour, verse 9.

Let me draw your attention to several other truths that this passage presents for us to “remember”. Verse 4 speaks of those in the last days who will question the “coming of the Lord back to the earth”.

The previous verse, verse 3, tells us why they will doubt that the Lord will come again to be among us, because they will be “scoffers, walking after their own lusts”. This statement is referring to both lost people as well as those who may be Christians, not in good fellowship with the Lord.

Verse 5 says they will be “willfully ignorant” of the fact that Jesus created all things, Colossians 1:16. In other words, they will be “dumb on purpose” of the Lord’s work. Verse 6 states that they will deny the “world-wide flood” and verse 7 reveals their denial of a “coming judgment day”.

These thoughts must be in our memory as we enter this new year. Also, as we see current events in today’s world setting the stage for all of Bible prophecy to be fulfilled, we must understand that Jesus is only delaying His return because of the lost that He wants to get saved.

When that last one that Jesus knows will get saved, when that one receives Him, then the shout will come a for us to join Him in the air. That could happen at any moment. In fact, the truth be known, each of us could hasten the coming of Jesus Christ.

In the context of verse 12, if we are winning people to Jesus Christ, that will hasten His return. What a great goal for this new year, winning people to Jesus and at the same time hastening His return.

Remember - everything else we do will be burned up one day, verses 10 and 11, so let's work to hasten His return.

Prayer Thot: Dear Lord, please help me to remember the things I should as I eagerly await Your shout for me to join you in the heavenlies and help me to win lost people to You.

II Samuel 5 vs.12 - And David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel's sake.

For further study - II Samuel 5:1-12

The event recorded here in II Samuel 5 took place 3000 years ago which is very significant as it relates to Jerusalem, both politically and prophetically. The men of the tribe of Judah had come to David to appoint the grown-up shepherd boy of Bethlehem as king of their tribe, II Samuel 2:4, how-be-it if only one of the tribes of the twelve of Israel.

King David would serve as King of Judah for 7 and a half years before all the tribal leaders of Israel would come to him where he served in Hebron, to make him the King of all twelve tribes. King David made a league with them before the Lord and they anointed David King over Israel.

Now David must find a neutral location to headquarter his kingdom, some location other than Hebron. David's search took him to a Jebusite stronghold between the tribal locations of Benjamin and Judah known as Jerusalem. After capturing the city, King David makes Jerusalem the political capital of the Jewish people. By the way, that was done some 3000 years ago - before the Islamic faith came into existence.

Jerusalem, and in particular the Temple Mount, became the political center for the Jews. The Jews were occupying the Temple Mount over 1000 years before the Muslims were ever in existence, especially before the prophet of the Islamic faith ever thought of riding a horse from the stone under the Dome of the Rock into heaven to meet with Allah. The truth be known, The Quran never even mentions Jerusalem and most Islamic scholars debate whether Mohammad ever was in Jerusalem.

King David has a real connection to the Temple Mount. The second King of Israel actually paid cash money for the Temple Mount, II Samuel 24:18-25. God made King David a promise, the Davidic Covenant, that there would be a Jewish temple on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem and one of his descendants would be there to serve as co- regent, administrator of the Temple Mount.

The Davidic Covenant can not be broken, however, there is one exception. If you can make the sun, the moon, and the stars disappear, then the Lord would forget all the promises He made to the "chosen people," Jeremiah 33:20-21.

God used this shepherd boy, giant killer and natural leader to not only lead the Jewish people in ancient times but He will also raise King David to serve along side the Messiah Jesus Christ for the 1000 year Kingdom that is coming to Jerusalem, forever.

PRAYER THOT: Mold me and make me to your specs to serve you now - and forever.

II Samuel 6 vs17 

And they brought in the ark OF THE LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before THE LORD.

For further study - II Samuel 6:1-23

In our previous readings in II Samuel we looked at chapter 5, which was the record of King David capturing the Jebusite stronghold of Jerusalem and making it the political capital of the Jewish people.

We also looked at chapter 7 which records that God made a covenant with King David, the Davidic Covenant, which promises that a descendant of David will sit on the throne in Jerusalem forever.
Now we read from II Samuel 6, which records King David bringing the Ark of the Covenant, that sacred piece of Temple furniture, into the city of Jerusalem. The account reminds us that Uzzah died beside the Ark because when he reached out to stop the Ark from falling from the cart it was being transported on, it angered the Lord, II Samuel 6:7. God also smote the driver of the "new cart," II Samuel 6:3.
The problem was that King David was following the example of the “secular world”, the Philistines, by using a “new cart” to transport the Ark. The Manual, (God's Word), said that four Levites were to bare the Ark when it was moved.
Therefore, David would wait three months before he would be able to bring the Ark to Jerusalem. The record tells us that David would transport the Ark the proper way from the home of Obededom up to Jerusalem, II Samuel 6:11.
When all else fails, read and follow the Manual.
David placed the Ark in a “temporary Tabernacle” until it was placed in the Holy of Holies in the Temple that would be built by David's son Solomon. By this action, David made Jerusalem not only the “political capital” of the Jewish people, but it is their religious, or “spiritual capital” as well.
After having the First Temple built, King Solomon would place the Ark inside the Holy of Holies, II Chronicles 3:1 & 5:1-7. In God's promise to King David, the Lord said that Jerusalem would be the “eternal, spiritual capital” of the Jewish people.
In the Temple that Jesus will build in Jerusalem, Zechariah 6:12, there will be no Ark. Jesus Christ is the Ark in the Holy of Holies. However, in the next Temple to stand on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem there will be this same Ark that King David brought into Jerusalem. The next Temple is a “false temple” built by a “false messiah” - the Antichrist.
The next Temple is ready to go up in Jerusalem, with the Ark ready to be placed in the Temple. The only thing to happen before that is the Rapture of the Church, which could happen today.
PRAYER THOT: Help me, Lord, to live ready for the Rapture.
II Samuel 7 vss16 -17 

And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever. According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.

For further study - II Samuel 7:4-17

The promise of a house (Temple), Kingdom and throne for a descendant of King David from the Lord is known as the Davidic Covenant. This is a promise that will only fail if the day and the night are no longer in existence, Jeremiah 33:19-21.

For almost 6,000 years, we have had a night followed by a day - God's promise to David is as true as the next moonlit night or majestic sunrise. The Davidic Covenant will be fulfilled by that member of the linage of King David, the person of Jesus Christ.

The complete fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant is yet future. It will be fulfilled when Jesus Christ returns to the Earth, to the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem to set up His Kingdom by building His Temple on the Temple Mount (Zechariah 6:12-13) in Jerusalem.

It is in that Temple, where Jesus will be seated upon His “throne” as the promised descendant of King David. Jesus will rule and reign, forever. This is evidence that we are not now living in “the kingdom period”.

The “kingdom” is yet to come, right now Jesus is seated at the “right hand” of His Father in the heavens, Hebrews 1:3, 8:1 and 12:2. One day in the future the Father will give His Son, Jesus, the “kingdom”.

Current events in this present world, in light of Bible Prophecy, seem to indicate that the coming of the Messiah is quickly approaching. The fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant's promise is drawing closer.

PRAYER THOT: Thank you Lord for keeping your promises, like the Davidic Covenant, to the Jews, which confirms that You will keep all of Your promises to me.

II Samuel 12 vs13

And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.

For further study - II Samuel 12:1-23

This portion of II Samuel selected for today's devotional reveals a very sad ending to the “double act of sin” that King David committed while serving as King of Israel.

David had lusted over Bathsheba, the wife of one of his "mighty fighting men", Uriah. David was driven so much by his lust for Bathsheba that he had her husband killed. The King then had a child by this other man's wife.

These sins had already taken place, and then along comes the prophet Nathan who tells King David a story of how one man mistreated another. The story made the King angry until Nathan told David that "he was the man," the man who had mistreated the other, verses 1-11.

David's anger changed to sorrow and repentance, verse 13, and the Lord did not kill the King of Israel for these sins right then. However, Nathan told David that his son by Bathsheba would die because of the sin. Notice, verse 12, what David had done secretly, the Lord would reveal openly before all of Israel.

David would pray that his son would not die because of the sins he, David, had committed. But the Lord did take the son. Verse 14 tells us why the Lord took David's son. The sins of King David had given occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme Him, and therefore the Lord would take the child.

In no way can one commend David for what he did, murder and adultery. However, David confessed his sins and the Lord forgave the King even though he would have to pay the consequences, his young son would die. There are consequences for sin.

Before we leave this passage please notice the last verse of our extended reading. Though it is not an absolute, the verse seems to say that "babies" at death go directly into the presence of God to be with Him forever.

We know that David will be in heaven, and the verse tells us that his "baby" will be there also, "I shall go to him but he cannot return to me", verse 23.

Though David was forgiven of his sins, he did suffer the consequences of these sins, here on the earth in his lifetime. Our sins will be forgiven if we confess them, I John 1:9, but we must remember that there will be consequences for our sins that we must live through, in this lifetime.

PRAYER THOT: Help me Lord, to stay away from sin, so that I don't give occasion to others to blaspheme You, and thus I will also escape the consequences of sin.

II Thessalonians 1 vs3 

We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;

For further study - II Thessalonians 1:1-12

As we now come to this second letter to the Christians in Thessalonica, it seems Paul evidently writes it very soon after his first letter to the church.

There would be much said in this letter about the Second Coming, including the time of the coming of the “Anti-christ”, how the church would be spiritually at that time and what would happen to those who had heard the gospel message, understood the gospel message, and then "rejected" the love of the truth that they might be saved, II Thessalonians 2:10-12.

Paul, however, starts his letter with thanksgiving to God for the word coming to him of the spiritual life of the Thessalonians. Paul was so pleased that he had heard of their faith that was growing, as he stated it, "exceedingly", verse 3.

Also in verse three we find out how their love for each other was increasing and in fact, "abundantly". Paul also realizes their "patience" even during times of persecution and trouble for these new Christians and how they were able to "endure".

This is an excellent list of objectives for each of us "older Christians", a growing faith, love for each other, patience and ability to endure persecution.

Paul then encourages the Thessalonians with the fact that the Lord will bring judgment upon all those who were persecuting them, "when He shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels", verse 7.

Verses 5-9 indicate that when Jesus comes back this next time, He will come as the "judge". People don't want to hear of Jesus as the "judge". His righteousness, however, demands that He judge sin.

Peter, in II Peter 3, wrote that people would deny the coming of the Lord because they do not want to face judgment. Jesus came as the 'lamb," our sacrifice for sin, but He is also coming as the "Lion of Judah," the coming judge.

Paul then tells the Thessalonians that his prayer for them is that the "name of Jesus Christ would be glorified in them." verse 12.

That must be our goal, our lives glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ.