The apostle Peter has
thought it his righteous responsibility to remind his readers of the
principles for growing in their relationship with God the Father and
our Lord Jesus Christ. He has told them of the “divine power” and
“exceeding great and precious promises” that have been given by
God so the “divine nature” of God may be obtained. He has also
given eight steps of growth that may be acquired by these gifts, and
in chapter one and verse fourteen he tells them how long he will
remind them of such things. He wrote:
Knowing that shortly I
must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus
Christ has showed me.
The
verse begins, “Knowing that shortly I must put off this
my tabernacle” Peter has special insight as to when he will
face his death. He uses the phrase, “put off this tabernacle”
to describe the way he feels about his departure, and relates
that he knows his body is a temporary dwelling place. Peter knows his
body is like a “tent”, and his permanent dwelling place is in
heaven.
The
verse continues, “even as our Lord Jesus Christ has showed me.”
Somehow Jesus showed Peter that he would be departing his
tabernacle soon. We know this letter was written very close to the
end of Peter's life, and we noted in earlier studies that these were
some of his last words written to the church. Knowing that his time
on earth was limited, Peter spent it sharing the principles of the
kingdom of God with his people. No doubt the urgency of writing was
inspired by knowing he would soon depart, and his reminding the
church of salvation and growth through Jesus Christ and God the
Father was preeminent upon his mind.
What if
we knew how long it would be until we “put off this tabernacle”?
What would we consider to be urgent? Would there be someone we would
contact? Would we write some special words that would inspire and
remind those who are left behind of the principles of the kingdom of
God? As we ponder Peter's words, let us use our imaginations and put
ourselves in his place. As we do, more than likely we will be
inspired to have a few things to say and quite possibly a few things
to do.
Next
time we look at what Peter expected after he put off his tabernacle,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation” and the new marriage book “So, You Want
to Be Married” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ;
www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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