2 Peter 1:3-4
Seeing that His divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that called us by His own glory and virtue;
whereby He hath granted unto us His precious and exceeding great promises; that through these ye may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust.
2 Peter 1:10
Wherefore, brethren, give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure.
These are the Scriptures we shall read. Let us bow our heads and pray.
Lord, we thank You and praise You that You have given us another opportunity to gather before You.
Lord, we acknowledge that the reason You have not returned is because You are longsuffering toward us. Lord, we pray that we may not indulge ourselves simply because You have been patient with us.
Lord, we pray that, because of Your patience and Your tolerance, we may be even more diligent, that we may truly be a people who wait for and hasten Your coming.
Lord, we put this time before You. We pray that You will use this time to do Your work. We give all glory to You, Lord. In the name of the Lord Jesus, amen.
Our risen Lord, because He loves the church, has given ministries to the church—ministers.
If we summarize and categorize the nature of the ministries which the Lord has given to the church in the New Testament, we may say that there are primarily three categories of ministry. Three people represent these three categories.
There is the ministry of Peter. This ministry is especially related to the kingdom of God.
We also see the ministry of Paul. His ministry is especially related to the temple of God.
We also see the ministry of John. This ministry is especially related to the house of God.
According to the characteristics of these ministries, Peter’s ministry comes first, because he is preaching the kingdom of God.
When we hear the kingdom of God, we believe in the Lord Jesus. Today, we not only believe in the Lord Jesus, but we also submit to Him.
Because the gospel is the gospel of the kingdom, we not only believe in the kingdom, but we obey and submit to the Lord Jesus. We believe Him, and we obey Him.
Then we see that the church, which is the temple of God, can be built.
Today, the reason the temple of God cannot be built is that, although there are many people who believe in the Lord, few will submit to Him.
Therefore, we see that the temple of God cannot be built. If we have those who believe in the Lord Jesus and submit to Him, then the ministry of Paul can begin.
Then, with the temple of God, we can see the house of God. We can see brotherly love.
Therefore, according to this order, the ministry of Peter comes first, then the ministry of Paul, followed by the ministry of John.
Of course, we know that these three ministries cannot be separated. We cannot simply accept one ministry and reject the other two, because our Lord has given ministries to His church.
In many years past, it seems that God’s children paid particular attention to Paul’s ministry, and we have received much teaching.
Then, in recent years, it seems that we have begun to see the preciousness of the ministry of John.
Because when the church seems to be struggling and falling, we need the ministry of John to restore it.
So it seems that we have begun to pay attention to John’s ministry in recent years.
But, brothers and sisters, I have another feeling. We have to come back to the beginning.
At this very end of the age, we need to return and consider the ministry of Peter—the ministry of the kingdom.
It is because our Lord is returning. The kingdom is about to appear.
It seems that now we should pay greater attention to this ministry of the kingdom.
Did not our Lord tell us in Matthew 24 that the gospel of the kingdom shall be preached throughout the whole world, and then the end shall come?
Brothers and sisters, we have some knowledge of Paul’s ministry. Probably we also have some knowledge of John’s ministry. But how much do we know about the ministry of Peter?
In the feeling of many brothers and sisters, it seems that we do not know what the kingdom of God is.
We know that we should believe in the Lord Jesus. We know that we should be built together as the temple of God. We also know that we should love one another in the house of God.
But how are we related to the kingdom? What is this kingdom? What is taking place in the kingdom of God? Are we related to the kingdom of God at all? Perhaps these matters are very vague in our understanding.
Therefore, I think that today we should pay special attention to Peter’s letters, because the ministry God entrusted to Peter is the ministry of the kingdom.
The term the kingdom of God has a very broad definition. Our God is from eternity to eternity. This is what Moses tells us in Psalm 90.
What, then, is the kingdom of God? The kingdom of God is the realm in which God has authority. It is the realm ruled by the authority of God.
We may say that from the time when God created the heavens and the earth, and from that time unto eternity, this is the scope of the kingdom of God.
His authority rules over the whole heavens and earth. His throne is established forever. This is the kingdom of God.
So we see that the kingdom of God is immense. The kingdom of God includes the kingdom of heaven, the kingdom of our Lord Jesus, and the eternal kingdom. Wherever God’s authority rules, that is the kingdom of God.
But the Bible also shows us a narrower definition of the kingdom of God.
The narrower definition of the kingdom of God is the sphere in which the character of God is expressed. That is the kingdom of God.
Although the authority of God rules over the whole heavens and earth, and there is nothing that is not under His authority, not everyone under His authority is willing to submit to His authority.
Actually, we see much rebellion against His authority.
Everything in this realm should express His character and His glory. Yet we see many things that are contrary to His nature and contrary to His glory.
So, narrowly defined and strictly speaking, those who oppose the authority of God and oppose the glory of God are not included in the strict scope of the kingdom of God.
Although they are not in the strict definition of the kingdom of God, they are still in the realm of the kingdom of God according to the broader definition.
When God created the heavens and the earth, we see that the heavens declared the glory of God. All things expressed the glory of God.
At that time, there was no difference between the broad definition of the kingdom of God and the strict definition, because where the authority of God was, His glory was also expressed. His authority and His character were fully expressed in that realm.
We thank and praise our God. At that time, everything was harmonious.
We see that all things were summed up as one in the Son of God.
But we do not know how many years passed. We do know that something happened in the world before this present world.
In the previous world, among God’s creation, the highest beings were angels.
God created these angels to rule all things under His authority. Through the service of these angels, the glory of God could be expressed.
According to the Bible, there are ranks among the angels. There were chief archangels.
Among the archangels, there was one who probably held the foremost position, although the Bible does not state this explicitly.
Bible students generally acknowledge that Isaiah 14:12-14 and Ezekiel 28:11-18 tell us, rather implicitly, what happened in that previous world.
In that previous world, among the creation of God, there was one of the archangels named Lucifer.
This archangel Lucifer may have been the most beautiful and the most perfect in God’s creation. God gave him many gifts and a high position.
He was one of the cherubim who covered the ark of God.
We remember that when God told Moses to build the ark, upon the ark was the mercy seat.
On both sides of the ark were two cherubim covering the ark. They were protecting and maintaining the righteousness and holiness of God.
It is possible that God used these cherubim to praise and worship Him. When we come to the book of Revelation, we see that the praises in heaven are led by the four living creatures.
According to Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28, Lucifer was created perfect.
He performed the duty of one of the cherubim who covered the ark. He also led other angels and the whole universe to praise and worship God.
But the Bible tells us that because of his great commerce, pride arose in him.
He looked at himself. He saw his own gifts, his own position, and the many trusts and powers that God had given him.
Then self arose within him. He said, “I will ascend to the utmost height.”
He said, “I will sit in the council of God.” He wanted to sit in the council of God.
But our God is the Triune God. Lucifer said, in effect, “I want to join You. I want to be equal with God.”
Because of this covetousness within him, he was not willing to remain in the position of a creature. He wanted to be equal with the Creator.
He did not faithfully perform his duty, and as a result he committed much unrighteousness.
The Bible tells us that God cast him out from the garden of Eden.
This is the origin of Satan, because the meaning of Satan is “opposer” or “adversary.”
God did not create Satan. God created only a beautiful archangel.
But this archangel turned himself into the adversary of God because he was not willing to obey or submit to the authority of God.
Therefore, the judgment of God came upon him. He was expelled from the garden of Eden in heaven.
We remember that our Lord Jesus said in the Gospel of Luke, “I beheld Satan fallen as lightning from heaven.” This refers to that event.
When Satan was cast out, the Bible also hints that one-third of the angels followed him in rebellion against God.
The realm in which he ruled entered into ruin and confusion.
Perhaps our solar system and planetary system at that time were under the rule of this particular archangel.
When we read Genesis, we find that in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Yet, coming to the second verse, we find that the earth had become waste and void.
It had entered into curse and judgment.
After Satan was cast out, he established his own kingdom of darkness.
The kingdom of God is righteous, because righteousness is the character of God.
But Satan, according to his own nature, created his own kingdom. It was dark and unrighteous. He created his kingdom of darkness to oppose the kingdom of God.
But, brothers and sisters, let us not forget: although Satan has his own kingdom and seeks to use it to oppose the kingdom of God, that does not mean that Satan is outside the authority of God.
We know that Satan is still under the authority of God. He is still under the judgment of God.
It is not because he separated himself from God that he became free.
Even Satan’s work today on earth could not proceed unless God permitted it. So we see that he remains under the authority of God.
But our God desires to restore His creation.
In Genesis, we see the Spirit of God hovering over the waters.
The Spirit of God was like a bird covering this corrupted and damaged earth, using His love to restore it.
Why did God desire to restore the earth? The purpose was to make the earth habitable.
Why did God desire to make the earth habitable? Because, in the will of God, He desired to create man.
When the earth was restored in six days, on the sixth day God created man according to His own image.
After God created man according to His own image, the Bible tells us that God gave man authority over the birds of the sky, the animals on the earth, and the fish of the sea.
God told man to multiply and to cover the whole earth. God also told him to tend the garden.
The word translated tend in the original language has the sense of subduing.
God desired man to subdue the creation that had been corrupted—to subdue the old creation, so that it might again be under the authority of God.
Then all creation could be restored to its original harmony and express the nature and glory of God.
So, dear brothers and sisters, God did not create man according to His own image without purpose.
When God created angels, He did not create them according to His own image. Only when God created man did He create him according to His image.
This tells us that God had great hope for man.
God desired to use man, who is slightly lower than the angels, to subdue the whole earth and accomplish the will of God.
This is the amazing work of God.
But we all know the history.
Our ancestors, Adam and Eve, not only failed to subdue all things to God according to God’s original purpose; they were tempted and sinned.
Not only did they fail to subdue all things; they themselves were subdued.
It seems that they gave to Satan the dominion that God had given to them.
So Satan is now called the ruler of this world. God did not give Satan this dominion; God gave this dominion to man. But man gave it up to Satan.
Not only did man fail to cooperate with God, but man threw himself into the enemy’s camp.
Therefore, curse came upon the earth, and thorns came out from the ground.
We know that a thorn is really an aborted tree. A plant should bear fruit, but when it does not bear fruit, it becomes a thorn. It does not accomplish the original purpose of God.
But we thank and praise God. God did not abandon His original purpose simply because of this.
He still desires to have His kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
In heaven there is no problem or question concerning His kingdom. Those who challenged Him have already been cast out.
Now the angels in heaven are in united obedience to the will of God. They worship and praise Him.
But on earth it is different.
God desires His kingdom to be on earth as it is in heaven. Originally, He desired man to accomplish this work, but the first man failed.
But thank God: in the fullness of time, God sent the second Man into this world.
God still desired to use man, but this Man was not Adam. This Man is the Christ.
Therefore, our Lord came into this world to become a man.
He was the Man according to God’s original intention. He came to this earth, and He was completely obedient.
He completely laid down Himself. He absolutely obeyed God.
The glory of God was in Him. The character of God was expressed through Him. The authority of God’s dominion was also expressed through Him.
Not only did He bear our sins, so that our sins might be cleansed through His blood, but He also brought the whole race of Adam to the cross to be crucified.
He concluded the race of Adam and began a new race—the race chosen by God.
Our Lord, when He was on the cross, put death itself to death. He crushed the devil who held the power of death.
The Bible tells us that when our Lord was on the cross, He led captivity captive. He disarmed the principalities and powers and publicly put them to shame.
In other words, when our Lord was on the cross, He totally defeated the enemy and his kingdom.
When He ascended to heaven, God crowned Him King of kings and Lord of lords. Majesty and honor became His crown.
The rule over the earth was given into His hand.
Our Lord Jesus is in heaven today, executing His victory.
Our Lord Jesus is also completing the work of restoration through the people on earth whom He has redeemed.
Why are we speaking about these things? It is because our calling is closely related to the kingdom of God.
Often we do not understand why we have been chosen. We do not understand the reason God has called us.
In the understanding of many ordinary Christians, we may think that God called us and chose us so that we could be saved.
We may think that we are saved from the suffering of hell and may go to heaven to receive eternal blessing. Of course, this is included.
But if we think that we are called and chosen merely for this, it shows that we are still very selfish and self-centered. We think, “God is for me.”
But, brothers and sisters, the Word of God tells us how God has chosen us.
Ephesians 1 tells us that God chose us before the foundation of the world.
Before the earth was formed, before the universe was brought into being, before God created anything—in eternity past—God chose you and chose me in Christ.
Brothers and sisters, this is a mystery. This is a glorious mystery.
When there was not even a shadow of us, before the foundation of the world God saw us. He knew us, and in Christ He chose us.
Brothers and sisters, I often feel that the fact God chose us is our solid foundation.
If God had chosen us according to our own merits, then this foundation would be shaking every day.
But God chose us according to His foreknowledge. He chose us according to Himself.
Here we are told that we are called according to God’s own glory and virtue.
The book of Romans tells us that today we are called by God, not according to our works, not according to him that willeth, nor according to him that runneth, but according to God who showeth mercy.
God calls us according to His mercy. He calls us according to His glory. He calls us according to His excellent virtue.
Is it enough that we simply do not go to hell but go to heaven? Is that worthy of the glory of God? Is the glory of God so small?
If God calls us according to His glory, then we know that the calling itself is glorious.
We are also told that God calls us according to His excellent virtue. What is His excellent virtue?
He calls us according to His own righteousness and His own holiness.
In other words, He desires to satisfy His own righteousness and His own holiness. His purpose is not merely to satisfy us.
In different English translations of 2 Peter 1:3, there are two renderings.
One says that the Lord calls us by glory and virtue. Another says that He calls us through His own glory and virtue.
As the God of glory appeared to Abraham, God uses His glory to draw us. God uses His excellent virtue to draw us.
When we see the glory of God expressed in the face of our Lord Jesus, He draws our hearts to Himself. This is one translation.
Another translation says that God calls us into His own glory and virtue.
He calls us so that we may enter into His glory. He calls us so that we may become partakers of His excellent virtue.
This is why, in His great power, He has called us and chosen us.
According to God’s calling and election, we are closely related to the kingdom of God.
His Son is the Firstborn, and we are the sons who will follow Him into glory.
Those whom He has chosen, He desires to conform to the image of His Son.
The book of Romans tells us that those whom God foreknew, He predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.
Those whom He predestined, He also called. Those whom He called, He justified. Those whom He justified, He glorified.
The Bible tells us that God calls us in a holy calling. God desires us to be co-heirs with His Son and partakers of His kingdom.
He desires us to reign with His Son.
Brothers and sisters, we see that the election and calling of God are for the sake of His kingdom.
How can we merely consider ourselves and think that it is enough simply to be saved? How can we think it is enough that one day we will go to heaven?
Brothers and sisters, the heart and mind of God toward us are so great. He desires us to reign in His kingdom with His Son.
Not only does God call us in this way, but He also tells us that He has given us sufficient grace to accomplish this calling.
The Bible tells us that the power of God has already given us all things pertaining to life and godliness.
Because God has called us in this way, He has given to us, by His great power, all things related to life and godliness.
Why do we believers have eternal life today? Why has God given us the life of His Son?
What kind of life is this? Today the life of God is in us who believe.
If you want to know what kind of life this is, read the Gospels. Through His living, we see this life.
This life is an endless life. This life is a victorious life. This life is a holy life. It is a glorious life. This is the Lord Himself.
God has given us this life. Is it merely that He wants this life to be restrained within us and to function only after we die? No.
This life is within us so that, according to the character and nature of this life, we may grow into the character of our Lord.
What is godliness? Godliness is to be like God.
How can we be like God? It is not by external learning, but by the life within growing.
When this life grows and matures, naturally we become like God, because this is the very life of God Himself.
Brothers and sisters, today we need to allow this life within us to grow and mature.
For the sake of this life growing, God has given us the greatest and most precious promises.
The Bible tells us that He has given us exceedingly great and precious promises.
If you read the Bible, you will see promise after promise.
Romans 8, for example, tells us: if God is for us, who can be against us?
God did not spare His Son, but gave Him for us. Shall He not also freely give us all things?
Who can separate us from the love of God? This love is in His Son.
Ephesians 1 tells us that we thank God because He has given us every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
The Bible also tells us that our Lord is at the right hand of God today, living forever to intercede for us.
Whoever comes to God through Him, He is able to save to the uttermost.
The Bible also tells us that there is an anointing in every one of us, and this anointing will teach us concerning all things.
This is the Holy Spirit dwelling in us as our Comforter.
The work of the Holy Spirit is to conform us to the image of Christ.
All these things encourage us.
So, brothers and sisters, Peter tells us that we must use all diligence.
We must be diligent before God, so that we may receive these promises and trust these promises.
We must live on this earth in obedience to this Spirit of life.
Indeed, we need to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow our Lord.
God has already laid before us His promises and His grace. We need only partake of them.
There is no reason for us to regard ourselves lightly. We have no reason to retreat. We have no reason to fail. We should press on.
We should press on so that we may enter richly into the kingdom of God.
This is the will that God has predestined.
If we can do this, we are a people who wait for and hasten the day of God.
Peter pays particular attention to the kingdom.
Of course, we know that those who today put themselves at the feet of the Lord, who become His disciples and are trained by Him, are already living in the kingdom of God.
But one day that kingdom shall come upon the earth.
Who can reign with the Lord in that kingdom? Those who today live in the kingdom.
Those who are willing today to accept the discipline of the Lord, so that the character of the Lord may be formed in them—such people can reign with the Lord when the kingdom of God comes in the future.
Brothers and sisters, we hope that, by the mercy of God, we may all, by grace, become such people.
Let us never be like the songwriter who said that we will simply sit in an armchair and be carried into heaven.
We have to follow the footsteps of the Lamb. We have to walk the way of the cross.
Then the character of the Lord Himself can be wrought into us.
That is hastening the coming of the kingdom. It is not merely words, nor merely what you have done for the Lord.
It is you—the person—that can hasten the coming of the Lord.
Let us bow down and pray.
Lord, when Your kingdom is at hand, we pray that on this earth, even now, we may live in the kingdom.
So that not only may we be prepared to enter into the kingdom, but we may be used by You to bring in Your kingdom.
In the name of the Lord Jesus, we pray. Amen.