What does Peter mean when he writes; the end of all things is at hand?

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1 Introduction People often ask me; When do you think Jesus will return? Like children on a cross country trip asking the constant question; Are we there yet? Few people ask me how should I live right now knowing Jesus could return at any moment? Peter doesn t wait to be asked. Peter doesn t hold a prophecy conference or write a treatise on theodicy (suffering). Peter is not really educated or sophisticated but he does have advanced degrees in the real world of living. We Should Live Serious and Sober (v.7a) We Should Live Watching and Praying (v.7b) We Should Live With Increasing and Expanding Love (v.8) We Should Live With Generous Hospitality (v.9) We Should Live Fully Exercising Our God Given Gift (vv.10-11) The subject of prophecy is exciting. The subject of suffering less exciting. But the subject of suffering is clearly on the author s mind. Chapters 4 and 5 are all about God s grace in suffering. Suffering purifies the saint (vv.1-6) and now Peter suggests that suffering unifies the church (vv. 7-11); and later glorifies the Lord (vv.12-19). How does suffering unify the church? Peter reminds the church that even in the very middle of trial and suffering we have obligations and responsibilities to one another. Those obligations and responsibilities include prayer and fervent love. Christians are exhorted to open their hearts and their homes; and to refrain from accusing one another. A believer s love can cover sin but only Jesus can cleanse sin. Our love for one another is sufficient to motivate us to refrain from living a life-style of accusation against one another. We are called to serve the Lord in spite of persecution; exercising the God given gifts imparted by the Holy Spirit. In this chapter Peter hints at the purpose of suffering (vv.1-11; 15, 17-18). Clearly that includes our purification; but also to chasten and discipline the carnal believer (v.15, 17-18). Peter reminds us that suffering is a privilege and to remain patient in suffering (v.19). When we are in trial we continue to do good (v.19a); and we commit ourselves and our circumstances to the Lord (v.19b). We Should Live Serious and Sober (v.7a) 1 Peter 4:7 (NKJV) But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. What does Peter mean when he writes; the end of all things is at hand? The Prophet Daniel wrote (12:1-3) (1) At that time Michael shall stand up, The great Prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as 1

2 never was since there was a nation, even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book. (2) And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt. (3) Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever. The word translated end is telos and does not necessarily mean cessation or termination in the sense of coming to a chronological conclusion; but rather the end or fulfillment or realization or the culmination of a goal. In this context I think it means the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. I don t think Peter means the end of the persecution is at hand or even the end of the Temple or the sacking of Jerusalem or the end of his own life. I don t think he means a political end which will result in more favorable treatment towards believers culturally or socially. The context seems plain enough; he is speaking of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ the second time. The verb translated is at hand (eggiken) means fast approaching in the perfect tense; a consummated process with a resulting nearness (see MacArthur p. 235). We use the term imminent; the coming of Jesus Christ could happen at any moment (see Matt. 24:37-39; Rom.13:12; 1 Thess. 5:2). Peter is speaking of both an attitude and a life-style; we expect and anticipate his return as a matter of love and faithfulness to Jesus. Did Peter believe that? In this same letter Peter writes the believers are protected by God s power for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (1:5); at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1:7). Over and over again the New Testament stresses the importance of believers anticipating the Lord s imminent return (Mark 13:35-37; Luke 12:40; 21:36; 1 Cor.1:7; 1 Tim. 6:14; Titus 2:13; James 5:7-9). When Paul wrote to either churches or individuals he called special attention to the suffering we can anticipate as we approach the end. But the Spirit explicitly says that in the later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods, which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the work of God and prayer. In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Jesus Christ, constantly nourished on the words of the faith an of the sound doctrine which you have been following (1 Tim. 1-6). In the days of suffering we become focused and intensely interested in the end. Peter briefs the troops before he deploys them for battle. Remember our audience includes suffering saints who see little or no relief on the horizon. Peter interjects a comment that always makes the true believer s spirit soar. Jesus is coming back. The Master went away from us 2000 years ago. He left us with his promise to return. How our hearts do long for him, we miss the Master so, we must keep the faith and let the fire burn. 2

3 What are we to do? Use good judgment, stay calm in the spirit of prayer. The word we translate serious or sober is sophroneo. The word appears some 6 times in the Greek New Testament; twice it is translated be in the right mind and twice be sober. Here the word means clearminded; self-restrained, calm, thoughtful. Clear-minded is the opposite of crazy. The coming of Jesus doesn t mean we act crazy or think crazy or fill our lives with things that make us anxious. Don t quit your job. Don t quit school. And don t think you have to know every detail of the end times in order to feel secure. We are to live serious and sober; not given to excess; not shaken by trouble to problems or circumstances; whether from our family, or jobs, or culture or world. We clearly can enjoy our family and our job and our culture; but we keep a sensible perspective on all things and give each thing a proper place in our lives. We Should Live Watching and Praying (v.7b)...and watchful in your prayers. One of the ways to maintain sobriety and balance is watchful prayer. We keep one eye looking up and another eye looking down. We stay sober, vigilant, alert, awake. John Phillips put it this way; Watching sights the enemy; praying fights the enemy (p.170; Exploring the Epistles of Peter). We pray and watch. Prayer connects us to the mind and will of God. Prayer brings into sharp focus our awareness and discernment. Prayer is what strengthened the resolve of Jesus in his arrest and torture and eventual execution. The same lack of prayer caused Peter to stumble and fall. Watchful in your prayers carries the idea of temperance and abstinence of those intoxicating influences that might numb a vigilant spirit. The verb form suggests a kind of stirring up that needs to take place when indifference finds people asleep. Peter warns the reader to adopt the discipline of prayer. Not to be religious but rather to be strong, rather than weak, ready, prepared rather than unprepared. We Should Live With Increasing and Expanding Love (v.8) 1 Peter 4:8 (NKJV) And above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins. Peter writes; stay calm; remain focused; and now above all things; have fervent love for one another. 3

4 The word translated fervent is ektene. The word means stretched or strained. It was a word the ancients would use to describe the athlete who strains to win the match or cross the finish line. The point Peter is making is have a flexible love, one that is able to stretch to the very limits necessary to minister to one another. The other place in the New Testament where this word appears was Peter s own imprisonment in the book of Acts by Herod. Peter was to be executed the next morning but prayer was made for him without ceasing (ektenes). Peter draws special attention to the kind of love that stretches and covers a multitude of sins. A love that goes far enough to forgive. The writer of Proverbs wrote (10:12); Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all transgressions. Does hatred remain in the Body of Christ? The sad truth is that too often people see our failings and our accusations and our divisions. Mahatma Gandhi said, I like your Christ but I don t like your Christians...They are so unlike your Christ. And what is Jesus like? Jesus is loving and forgiving. Someone once wrote We are most like beasts when we kill. We are most like men when we judge. We are most like God when we forgive. What are the benefits of this kind of fervent love? Paul wrote that love must be sincere (Rom. 12:9); to owe no man any thing, but to love one another (Rom. 13:8). The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith (1 Tim. 1:5). This is the kind of love we exercise in the midst of personal injury; abuse, persecution, opposition, ridicule, evil speaking, mocking. Life needs love to confront sin to apply grace and mercy and forgiveness. Love is like a strong soap that cleanses dirt and grime that build up in life s interactions. Your wife or child or friend doesn t really care that Russia is marketing nuclear technology and military equipment to several Middle Eastern Countries. They don t really think about or are fascinated by Iran s aggressive upgrading of long range missile systems. They don t get up in the morning agonizing over Anti- Israeli sentiment is at a fever pitch among Muslim nations. They wonder why your Christian faith isn t strong enough to keep you from yelling at them; why your Christian love isn t big enough to overlook a transgression or offense. Your boss, your coworker; your neighbor may find it interesting or fascinating that you are well versed in Bible prophecy; the threat from the North; the rise of radical Islam; our countries addiction to foreign oil; interpretations of Ezekiel 38-39; America s role in a future global conflict; the final jihad; even Messianic prophecies fulfilled in Christ; but they wonder why you show up late for work; and your life is marked by a growing resentment and bitterness and anxiety and you can t bring yourself to forgive them for some real or imaginary injury. Prophecy is easy to learn; loving and forgiving and reconciling requires a work of God s Holy Spirit and a willingness to allow Jesus to be Lord. 4

5 We Should Live With Generous Hospitality (v.9) 1 Peter 4:9 (NKJV) Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. Peter includes the command be hospitable (philoxenos) to one another without complaint. The implication is that this hospitality is extended not simply to the rich or the famous, or the fun, but it includes the unfriendly the unwelcome, those who are not really all that fun. Why do you suppose Peter adds; without grumbling? Are Christians just as likely to complain as the unbeliever? What would we complain about? The time, the expense, the inconvenience. Hospitality requires a certain amount of emotional reserve. The vultures come and empty the cupboard; they swoop through the refrigerator like a plague of locusts. They talk about their lost job; lost love; lost opportunity. But the Bible makes it clear that emotions can be recharged; cupboards can be refilled, refrigerators can be restocked. Your time and resources belong to the Lord. Build bonds of friendship and treat guests as honored pilgrims. Refresh them. When is hospitality most likely to be expressed and even enjoyed? When our priorities are right. When fervent love has opened the door to help the needy (v.8). But hospitality is a two way street. Love stretches both ways. We are not to abuse or take advantage of the believers generosity. Again some people had decided to tune out and drop out. In an unbalanced and unbiblical response to prophetic teachings some had quit their jobs and started living off the assets of others. We Should Live Fully Exercising Our God Given Gift (vv.10-11) 1 Peter 4:10 (NKJV) As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Here I think Peter speaks of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. These are spiritual gifts, a special enabling given by God for the purpose of honoring God and building the Body of Christ. These gifts are given until Jesus returns. The emphasis that Peter writes are these gifts are given for the purpose of serving one another. Peter has mentioned hospitality as a general duty or obligation; but some have a supernatural; God given charisma; visiting, mercy, giving, prophecy, miracles, tongues, interpretation of tongues, knowledge, wisdom, discerning of spirits, exhortation, ruling, faith, teaching, evangelism. 5

6 The word translated manifold means many colored or many sided or variegated. Here I think Peter means that God s grace can meet any need, match any color; fit together whether the edges are rough or smooth. God gives us the gifts and the strength to use all things for His glory (Warren Wiersbe; Wiersbe s Expository Outlines of the New Testament; p.751). 1 Peter 4:11 (NKJV) If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. If anyone speaks, the emphasis must not be on personal opinion, private belief, personal preference, or our subjective philosophies or human wisdom. The emphasis is as the oracles of God or the utterances of God; the revelation of God in Christ Jesus. Think carefully about the outcome; so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. God gets the glory. Think how many problems could be resolved if everyone purposed that God s glory is the first and choice outcome? What if God s glory became the goal of every single person in our church? How do we practically do that? How do we make God s glory our chief aim and our end game? Conclusion For some talk of the end-times conjures images of sandwich boards with The End Is Near! or commando bunkers in some remote town in Idaho or Montana. I wish I could say that Preachers have never taken advantage of end time events to fill pews or generate church revenue. Can you imagine seeing a Headline Reading Peter Preaches On End-Times! Peter s points don t even include the identity of the Anti-Christ but rather prudent pictures; family pictures; exhortations to sobriety; watchfulness in prayer; generous love; uncomplaining hospitality and mutual ministry. Peter charges the reader to live each day as if Jesus Christ could come that day (v.7). Stay clearminded; level-headed, thoughtful and calm (v.7). Stay disciplined and alert in prayer; seeking God s strength; discerning God s will (v.7). Make the active expression of God s love a vital part of your life and ministry; making sure that it stretches far enough to cover the sins of people who hurt you, or injure you, or offend you (v.8). Make sure you are found faithful in the stewardship of your God given; God entrusted gifts; investing your time and talent where the eternal consequences will have the greatest benefits (v.10). In all things and every thing; give God the glory; praise God as the source of life and salvation and strength and reason for your service (v. 11). 6