People like to get the “last word.” What was Jesus’ last word on earth?
John 19:30:
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, IT IS FINISHED: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
Jesus did EVERYTHING the Father wanted him to do. Now we have salvation and eternal life in him.
Peter was perhaps Jesus’ closest and most trusted disciple while on earth. Peter led the early church from its beginning on Pentecost. In his final letter, he knew that his time on earth was short.
2 Peter 1:13-15:
Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
Knowing that shortly I must PUT OFF THIS MY TABERNACLE, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.
Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
What was Peter’s last word in this epistle about?
2 Peter 3:15-18:
And account that the longsuffering of our Lord [patient waiting for Christ’s return] is salvation; even as our beloved brother PAUL also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
As also IN ALL HIS EPISTLES, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also THE OTHER SCRIPTURES, unto their own destruction.
Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
But GROW IN GRACE, and IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
What amazing last words. Peter wanted the believers to know, before he “put off” his earthly body, that Paul’s writings were as much God’s truth as the REST OF SCRIPTURE. In Paul’s letters [especially to the church], we learn how to grow in GOD’S GRACE and gain a KNOWLEDGE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST.
So, WHAT WAS the Apostle Paul’s last word toward the churches?
2 Timothy 4:7,8:
I have fought a good fight, I have FINISHED MY COURSE, I have KEPT THE FAITH:
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that LOVE HIS APPEARING.
Paul was focused on the return of Christ. That was his ultimate hope. So he did ALL THAT HE COULD while on earth and finished the race before him. That included writing what God wanted him to write about our Lord Jesus. We don’t know Christ after the flesh. We learn FROM the four gospels, but WHO WE ARE IN CHRIST is revealed in Paul’s letters about THE RISEN CHRIST. May we receive a “crown of righteousness” at Christ’s return as we greatly love and cherish his future appearing for us.
Amen. I love you.
