Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotions comes from 2 Peter 3:1-7.

 

“This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles.  Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming?  For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.”  For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water.  But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.”  2 Peter 3:1-7.

 

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Today’s Scripture reminds us of the last days (eschatology), the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and the destruction of the present heavens and earth.

 

Although the format of a daily devotion is to be brief, there are times such as now when Scripture leads us to consider subjects that can not be comprehensively handled within a daily devotion.  We can only raise the issue for consideration, point to helpful links, and make a brief conclusion.  

 

There is a heresy called preterism which teaches “that most or all of the eschatological events prophesied in Scripture have been fulfilled already in the past.”  Preterist Gangrene:  Its Diagnosis, Prognosis and Cure by Martyn McGeown.

                               

“Preterism is the heresy which maintains that most or all of the eschatological events prophesied in Scripture have been fulfilled already in the past.  Postmillennialists, who envisage a “Golden Age” for the Church in which the world is Christianised, consign the New Testament prophecies concerning the Great Tribulation and persecution of the Church, the fearful and widespread apostasy from the truth, and the rise of Antichrist to the past.  These events were fulfilled, say the postmillennialists, in A.D. 70 when Jerusalem and the Temple were destroyed by the Romans.  Some are moderate, partial or inconsistent preterists.  Full, extreme, consistent or hyper-preterists relegate not only those prophecies to the past, but they also teach that all New Testament prophecy, including the resurrection of the dead (which they, like Hymenaeus and Philetus, spiritualise), the final judgment and even the Second Advent of Jesus Christ occurred in A.D. 70.  There is therefore no future coming of Christ at the end of the world.  We are already in the new heavens and the new earth in which righteousness dwells (II Peter 3:13).  This world will probably go on forever, or, if it does not last eternally, the Bible has nothing to tell us about the future.”   Preterist Gangrene:  Its Diagnosis, Prognosis and Cure by Martyn McGeown.

 

Although I have only skimmed this article and do not necessarily agree with everything written therein, the reader needs to beware of preterism.  

 

“Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings;  …”  Hebrews 13:9   

 

 

“preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.”  2 Timothy 4:2-4. 

 

 

“For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water.  But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.”  Verses 5-7.