Sabbath school lesson 12, 2nd quarter of 2017

1. Lesson 12 for June 17, 2017
Adapted from www.fustero.es
www.gmahktanjungpinang.org
2 Peter 3:11
“Since all these things are to be dissolved in
this way, what sort of persons ought you to be
in leading lives of holiness and godliness?”

2. 1. The line of authority. 2 Peter 3:1-2.
2. Doubt. 2 Peter 3:3-4.
3. Waiting. 2 Peter 3:5-10.
4. The danger in waiting. 2 Peter 3:11-13.
5. How to live waiting. 2 Peter 3:14-18.
The last
chapter of
Peter’s letter
is focused on a
key moment of
Christian
history: The
Second Coming
of Christ.

3. THE LINE OF
AUTHORITY
2 Peter 3:1-2
“that you may be mindful of the words which
were spoken before by the holy prophets, and
of the commandment of us, the apostles of the
Lord and Savior.” (2 Peter 3:2)
Peter introduces the basis of our belief in the Second Coming. He explains
which is the foundation of true authority that we are prepared to reject the
tales of false teachers and we accept the truth of that event.
THE HOLY
PROPHETS
• The Old Testament
is an authorized
source of
information that
cannot be rejected.
THE COMMANDMENTS
OF JESUS
• Most of the New
Testament (the
writings of the
apostles) was already
known and accepted
by the Church at
Peter’s time (v. 15-16).
THEOLDTESTAMENT
THENEWTESTAMENT

4. DOUBT
“knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last
days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying,
‘Where is the promise of His coming? For since the
fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were
from the beginning of creation.’” (2 Peter 3:3-4)
Those scoffers live according
to their own desires. They
are governed by their
passions and cannot feel the
burning desire of the coming
of He who is flawless.
Therefore, they deny the
Second Coming of Jesus.
2 Peter 3:3-4
Nevertheless, part of their statement
seems to be true. Isn’t true that time
goes by, people die and everything
seems like remaining the same?
That’s why it’s so important to trust
the authorized source of information
that assures the promise of the
Second Coming.

5. WAITING
2 Peter 3:5-10 “But, beloved, do not forget this one thing,
that with the Lord one day is as a thousand
years, and a thousand years as one day.”
(2 Peter 3:8)
“For a thousand years in Your sight are like yesterday when it is
past, and like a watch in the night.” (Psalm 90:4)
Has everything remained the same since
Creation?
No. The Flood is an example of great changes
that have happened on Earth because of the
evil behavior of humans.
God destroyed Earth with water, and He has
prepared fire to destroy it again (v. 5-6).
Why does He take so long to do so?
1) There is no delay from God’s
perspective (v. 8).
2) He is patient with us, so He gives us
more time to repent (v. 9).
“But the day of the Lord
will come as a thief in the
night.”(2 Peter 3:10)

6. THE DANGER
IN WAITING
2 Peter 3:11-13
“Therefore, since all these things will be
dissolved, what manner of persons ought you
to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking
for and hastening the coming of the day of
God…” (2 Peter 3:11-12)
How is the Second Coming related to our daily life?
Waiting may lead us to dangerous attitudes:
Announcing dates. Those dates bring revival
to the believers’ community, but discourage
and doubt emerge after the announced
date.
Thinking the Coming is too far away. Our
morals may loosen up and we may stop
waiting (Matthew 24:43-51).
Therefore, Peter encourages us to hasten the coming
of Jesus by using our energy to preach the Gospel and
live a holy life.

7. HOW TO LIVE WAITING 2 Peter 3:14-18
“Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things,
be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot
and blameless.” (2 Peter 3:14)
Peter closes his letter with three
warnings for us:
1. Live in peace with God by the works
of Christ (v. 14-15).
2. Don’t look for excuses for sinning in
the writings of the prophets or the
letters of Paul (v. 15-16).
3. Don’t be influenced by “the error of
the wicked”, but grow in grace and
in knowing Jesus Christ.

8. E.G.W. (Our Father Cares, April 18)