2 Peter 1:12-21

Introduction

I would like to speak today on three points of light for the Christian

President George Bush (the father of our current president) during his administration spoke about “1000 points of light” – meaning different bright spots in our economy, government, education system etc. to guide us a nation

Growing up near the water – at night in a boat during evening we would use point of lights on horizon to guide us home

For Christian from this passage we see three points of light:

·        The Doctrine -- the prophetic Word which we hold in our hand

·        The Day Dawn – the world to come which we have as our hope

·        Day Star-bright/morning star witness Lord who we have in our hearts  

These are the three lights that believers have to guide us in the last days

Discussion/Background

Epistle of 2 Peter deals with the issue of Christians living in the last days

No question that we are in lasts Days - Heb. 1 clearly tells us this

But 2 Tim 3 also reminds us that last days conclude, evil will intensify

Peter in this portion gives us further teaching about the lasts days and remind us about three different lights all of which guide us in last days

Power/coming of Lord is one of four revelations given to Peter by Lord in Matt 16

It was at Caesarea Philippi in the shadow of pagan altars, that the Lord Jesus asked His disciples “who do men say that I, the Son of Man AM?”

The answer was in the question – Peter’s correct reply was “Thou art the Christ Son of living God” – It was revelation given to Peter that He was Christ – Son of living God 

After this revelation, He then revealed the truth of Church “I will build My Church and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it” His Church (future)         

And then Lord began to speak of what would happen to Him at Jerusalem and how He would suffer/die – for which Peter rebuked Him!

It was the revelation of the Cross – Bride of Christ – the wounds that would have to occur after the truth of the Bride – just as w/ Adam/Eve

Then after this revelation came the revelation of His Coming expanded upon in ch. 17 when Lord took disciples to the Mount of Transfiguration

Four great revelations given to Peter in Matt 16

The first three of those revelations are the subject of Peter’s first epistle when he speaks of the sufferings of Christ and the glory that would follow

But the last revelation — the prospect of the Coming of Christ and events of the last days is the subject of this second epistle of Peter

Apostle Peter opens this passage he says he wants to remind them of these great truths even though they knew them were already established in truth

It is possible to know these things about the Lord and yet let them slip

Heb 2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

Spiritually, what we don’t use we lose and have to learn the lesson all over

Peter knew that one day he was going to put off the tent of his body just as the Lord showed him (v. 14) and that he would no longer be around so he wanted to make sure that he strengthened his brethren just as Lord said he should do when he was restored 

He did not want to be negligent in this responsibility as an elder – an undershepherd to the Great Shepherd

So as long as he was alive he was going to work to bring about their maturity

Moreover, (v. 15) he wanted to make sure that there was written record of what he taught believers he was writing to, as continually reminder to them after his decease and for all believers afterwards

Cites two irrefutable evidences to substantiate this teaching of the coming of Christ – the witness of apostles/and the witness of the Word 

Tells them that apostles did not fall for cunningly devised fables when they related truth of Christ’s return but instead were eyewitnesses to it

Knowing that there would probably be false teachers that would try to discredit him he stated that this truth was a reality proved 3 ways:

1) they saw w/ their eyes, 2) they heard a voice 3) witnessed it personally 

And because of this, the OT prophecies of Christ’s return in power and glory were made even surer or confirmed to be true to them

Then he speaks about three lights to believer (word, day dawn, daystar)

And these three lights have an application to us  

1.  Doctrine - the prophetic word (which we have in our hand)    

The first light spoken about in this portion is the prophetic word

It is light that shines in dark place this world – place that it is getting darker

The Christian has the prophetic word to give us light as to future events

There will always be those who will try to interpret the actions of people and nations in the light of biblical prophecy - make more of it than what it is   

But from general standpoint we know general direction-how things will go  

Ps 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

It is like a flashlight that we hold in our hand, a flashlight lighting our way 

It has been darkened by sin ruled over by prince of darkness who blinds people to the truth of God’s word    

1 Sam 11 – Nahash the Ammonite made a covenant with men of Jabash Gilead – covenant that he would make a deal with them if he could put out right eye – blinding them – a picture of what Satan is doing in world today

Israel in Egypt - Just as the children of Israel had light in their dwellings and outside their was darkness in land that could be felt so too this is how it is with believers

Jn 11:10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.

Ps 36:9 For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.

We have the benefit of the Word of God which shines light upon our path

The world lies under sway of wicked one says that we are getting better – God says it will deteriorate

Man says – peace is in mid-east is a near possibility through negotiation  

But the Christian has word of God to give us wisdom and to give us understanding of the times – we know how things are going to turn out

1 Jn 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

We have the Holy Spirit to help us understand the Word of God 

The word that we hold in our hand

Ps 19:8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

Eph 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

1 Jn 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

The warning is that “we take heed in our hearts”

For the believer this is the way which we find our way around in this world – the light of the word of God - are we heeding it in our hearts, not just heads

2.  The Day Dawn (which we have as our Hope)

The next light that we see in this portion is the day dawn

It is a reference to the beginning of the day in which righteousness will reign – the 1000 reign of Christ  

It comes at the end of the man’s day that really is darkness and inaugurates the beginning of His kingdom which is spoken about in OT

It comes after the Lord returns for His own after the Tribulation

What gives us hope and encouragement as we go along in this world in which we see unrighteousness seemingly reign?  

Is it not that one day the tables are going to be turned when the Lord returns

It certainly is not the governments of men/judicial systems sanction evil   

It is when the Lord eventually comes to reign and rule in righteousness

When all evil is put down and thrones/dominions/principalities and powers  

And the Lord the King of Glory will come out of His place and take His throne and the bright day of His kingdom will dawn and righteousness will spread from sea to sea

This is hope for believer – day dawn when Christ will rule in His kingdom

Ro 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.

If we did not have this hope we would be wondering what are we doing   

2 Pe 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

3. The Day Star (which we have in our Hearts)    

The third light that we have is in our hearts is the day Star – another name for the bright and morning star – Lord Jesus

He is referred to by that name here and twice in Book of Revelation

The Bright and morning star is the star that appears brightly in the night sky as the dawn approaches – it pops up quickly while there is a little night

It shines in the midst of darkness and signals that dawn is not far away

What a fitting picture of Christ in the believer’s life

It is the truth of indwelling Christ in life of believer as a witness to world

2 Co 4:6 For God, who commanded light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Jn 8:12…I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Not only He is giving light to those who follow Him but give light to world

Jn 9:5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

And He also said Ye are the light of world that light is to shine through us

And so we are to let our light so shine among men that they may see our good works

and ask the reason of hope that lies in us (1 Peter 3:15)

Ps 34:5 They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.

Conclusion

In Judges 7 we have a very interesting episode in life of Gideon

He was about to do battle with the enemy and so going out to battle he and his men took with them, trumpets, empty vessels, and lights in pitchers

When the broke their picture letting light shine out they won the victory

A lesson for us – Scripture reminds us that we have this treasure in earthen vessels  A treasure – the Gospel, the Lord, the Light of this world

As we are broken and let the light shine we confound the enemy and live victoriously as we walk this scene

Three lights for the Christian:  The prophetic word we have in our hand

Day dawn we have as our hope for future; Day star we have in our hearts 

Three points of light for the Christian to guide us in the last days