Saturated and Secured by the Truth

Peter continues, "Knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me" (2 Peter 1:14). The NASB translates this with the word "imminent": "knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwell-ing is imminent." The term "imminent" carries a dual meaning in that it can denote "soon" or "swift" (John MacArthur, Jr., The MacArthur New Testament Commentary: 2 Peter & Jude, [Moody Publishers: Chicago Illinois, 2005], 51). Perhaps here it conveys both.

When he wrote 2 Peter he was in his seventies. So, it was only natural for Peter to assume his death was not far off. He also knew his death would be sudden or swift, because Jesus made it clear to him that morning on the seashore when He asked Peter three times if he loved Him. That morning, about forty years before this, Jesus clearly indicated that Peter's death would be sudden.

In John 21:18-19 Jesus said, "'Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.' This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God."

Peter lived another four decades or so, always remaining faithful to feed God's sheep—God's people. All the while, he knew his life could be cut off at any time: "Knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me" (2 Peter 1:14). Paul told the Corinthians, "For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven" (2 Cor. 5:1-2).

Saturated by the truth, Peter spoke in the same way: "I must put off my tent" (2 Peter 1:14a). He was looking forward to the day when he would see Jesus. In the meantime, he was reminded of the great truths of Scripture and he wasted no time in reminding others also.

Peter was diligent to remind believers of the truth. He took it upon himself to make sure they were completely saturated by the truth and reminded of it. He wanted to ensure that they would be able to recall these things. "Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease" (v. 15).

Everything in this letter, from salvation and assurance of salvation, continuing with the inspiration of Scripture, and right on through to the certainty of the Second Coming and the anticipation of Christ's return, is essential doctrine. These truths need to be imbedded in the minds of Christians, so they can be remembered and recalled at the proper moment, at the time of need.

Peter used the word "decease" (v. 15b) to speak of his own death. The NASB translates it "departure." Literally, it is the Greek word exodos, same as the Hebrew word "exodus," the name of the second book of Moses in the Old Testament. It carries the idea of leaving one place (Egypt) to go to another place (the Promised Land), or in this case, leaving earth to go to heaven.

Peter's focus, however, was not on himself or his death, or even on heaven. His focus was on God's people. His desire was for them to be secured by the truth and to remember the truth he had taught them.

In his Commentary on Peter and Jude, Martin Luther wrote, “Thus Peter now says: I will not only remind you with the living voice, but set such things also in writing, and charge you through others, that ye ever hold them in remembrance during my life and after my death, and not let them slip.” (Martin Luther, Commentary on Peter and Jude, edited by John Nichols Lenker, Database © 2008 WORDsearch Corp., 243)

Peter intended for this letter, 2 Peter, to be that "reminder of these things" (v. 15b). He labored hard to make sure all the essential doctrines were covered to ensure that none were ever forgotten. It was his way of leaving a sort of final will and testament to remind the saints of the greatness of their salvation, the blessedness of their assurance, and to make certain that false doctrine did not rob them of their rich spiritual heritage.

As we study 2 Peter, let us have that same goal—to be reminded of the great doctrines of the faith and to remember them always. Be in the Word often. Read the Bible every day to remind yourself of the truth and the great doctrines of the faith. Make it your desire to learn these truths so well that you will recall them in your time of need. Amen.