2 Peter

Written by Petros (Peter). Petros was one of Yeshua’s closest disciples. A fisherman who left everything behind to follow the man he thought was the Jewish Messiah. Yeshua gave him the name Cephas. Both Cephas (Hebrew) and Petros (Greek) mean rock. Despite denying Yeshua three times on the night he was betrayed, he was still the only other person who ever walked on water, and Yeshua also gave him the keys of the kingdom of the heavens. (What do you think that means?) Peter went on to be a leader in the early church, particularly to Jews living outside of Israel..
Petros (Peter) wrote these two letters around 60AD.This is clearly the second since it refers to the first. (3:1)
Petros doesn’t say where he was, but traditionally it has been thought he wrote this letter from Rome.
He doesn’t specify the location of his audience, but says “To those who have obtained by lot a faith which is equally precious to ours.” Perhaps this time he is writing to include the Nationals? (non-Jews). And since he refers to his first letter, we presume he is writing to the same churches he wrote to in 1 Peter.


	2 Peter
	Who, When, Where
	Written by Petros (Peter). Petros was one of Yeshua’s closest disciples. A fisherman who left everything behind to follow the man he thought was the Jewish Messiah. Yeshua gave him the name Cephas. Both Cephas (Hebrew) and Petros (Greek) mean rock. Despite denying Yeshua three times on the night he was betrayed, he was still the only other person who ever walked on water, and Yeshua also gave him the keys of the kingdom of the heavens. (What do you think that means?) Peter went on to be a leader in the early church, particularly to Jews living outside of Israel.. Petros (Peter) wrote these two letters around 60AD.This is clearly the second since it refers to the first. (3:1) Petros doesn’t say where he was, but traditionally it has been thought he wrote this letter from Rome. He doesn’t specify the location of his audience, but says “To those who have obtained by lot a faith which is equally precious to ours.” Perhaps this time he is writing to include the Nationals? (non-Jews). And since he refers to his first letter, we presume he is writing to the same churches he wrote to in 1 Peter.
	Summary
	Continuing his encouragement to live good lives in the world Petros also warns about false teachers and talks at length about how they will be judged for their false teaching which leads people astray. Fittingly he also mentions how important the truth which we teach is because it can save (eternal) lives. Petros also encourages us to persevere as we live in the hope that Yeshua will return “soon” - perhaps not soon in the sense we think of it, but from God’s point of view.
	Before You Read
	Is your life blameless? Do you feel like you fit in with those around you? Would you welcome a false teacher into your house?
	Key Verses
	2 Peter 2:1 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them – bringing swift destruction on themselves. How dangerous are false teachers? Just a little? 2 Peter 3:8 But don’t let this one thing escape your2 notice beloved, that one day with the lord [Yahweh] is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like one day. God always has a long term view of things. We always want it NOW. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. Why is Yeshua taking so long to come back? 2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. How much warning will we get when Yeshua returns?
	After You Read
	What verses really stood out to you? How would you summarize this book in a sentence or two? What is it about? What is God trying to say to us? How aware are you that people are watching how you live? And whether they listent to your message depends on what they think of your lifestyle. That’s a big responsibility. Do you know any false teachers? Do you care? Do you speak out? The New Testament has a lot to say about false teachers. Are you living like Yeshua could come back today? Why not? Are you sick of waiting? Is your life blameless? Blameless like nobody knows or blameless like even the angels who watch over you all day would say “blameless”?