the Monday Main Line?
A Great Endeavour
Imagine an 18th-century collier ship, trudging along the East coast, hauling coal in a monotonous routine—“coals to Newcastle,” as the saying goes. Then, in 1768, this unremarkable vessel was chosen by Captain James Cook for an extraordinary mission. Renamed Endeavour, it was fitted with cutting-edge technology and embarked on a historic voyage, circumnavigating the globe. Despite storms and trials, it returned to London in 1771 to a hero’s welcome. This ship’s transformation mirrors the Christian life, as described in 2 Peter. If you’ve put your trust in Jesus, you’ve been lifted from a humdrum existence, given a new identity as a forgiven child of God, and sent on a mission to live and speak for Him. Though storms—like the false teachings Peter’s readers faced—may come, Jesus will return, and His people will be welcomed home with joy. As Angus Macleay notes in his book on 2 Peter, this is a vivid picture of our journey in faith.
Looking Up / Back / Within / Ahead
Peter’s second letter has already urged us to look up and marvel at the glory of “our God and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:1). We’re called to look back at His “great and precious promises” (v. 4), which, through the Gospel’s power, save us from sin and equip us for godliness: “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2 Peter 1:3). Peter also challenges us to look within, seeing our need to grow in Christlike virtues—goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love—qualities he witnessed firsthand during his three years walking with Jesus. Finally, we must look ahead, remembering that Jesus is coming back as Saviour and Judge, a truth central to Peter’s message - being denied by the false teachers of the day and so often derided or ignored today.
The News About Jesus’ Return Isn’t Wishful Thinking...
In this next section (2 Peter 1:12-21), Peter emphasises that this hope of Jesus’ return is no myth. He writes, “So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have” (v. 12). The “things” he refers to include the promise of a “rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (v. 11). This is vital because false teachers were denying Christ’s return as Saviour and Judge. Peter counters this in verse 16: “For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” He likely refers to both Jesus’ first coming—evidenced by miracles and the Resurrection—and His second coming, a recurring theme in the letter (e.g., 2 Peter 1:11; 1:19; 2:9 3:3-12). The Transfiguration, where Peter witnessed Jesus’ glory and heard God’s voice declare, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (v. 17), offers a glimpse of that future glory. This reality should shape our lives—prioritizing godliness, sharing the Gospel, and storing up heavenly treasure.
It Comes From Dependable Eyewitnesses and Divinely Inspired Scriptures...
Peter’s authority as an apostle and eyewitness sets him apart from false teachers. He saw Jesus’ miracles, death, and Resurrection, and at the Transfiguration, he experienced Christ’s divine glory (v16-18). Yet, the testimony of Jesus extends beyond the apostles’ accounts. Peter affirms the Old Testament’s reliability: “We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it” (v. 19). From Genesis to Malachi, Scripture points to Jesus. Peter explains this unity: “No prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (v. 20-21). Peter also considers Paul’s letters as Scripture (2 Peter 3:15-16), affirming the divine inspiration of both Testaments.
So Be Reminded, Be Refreshed, and Be Remembering These Things...
Peter’s urgency is clear: “I will always remind you of these things” (v. 12). He aims to remind, refresh (v. 13), and ensure we remember (v. 15) the Gospel’s truths, knowing his time is short (v. 13-14). No preacher should chase originality; our task is to echo Scripture’s message daily, countering the world’s voices with God’s.
So You’ll Be Established in Faith, Not Carried Away by Falsehood...
Peter trusts his readers are “firmly established in the truth” (v. 12), but later warns, “Be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position” (2 Peter 3:17). Today the landscape is littered by once faithful churches abandoning the Scriptures Peter affirms and lying in spiritual ruins - the warning is clear.
As for us, we must remain steadfast, saturated in Scripture, so we’re established in faith, not swayed by falsehood. May we live knowing Jesus is King, His Gospel is life-giving, and He is coming soon.
Series: 2 Peter: Be on Guard, Grow in Grace
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