First Peter

Verses three through five: In verse three we are told that the Lord Jesus Christ still has a Father. A God does not have a father. In the beginning God and the Word (who became Jesus of Nazareth) were co-equal Gods (Jn. 1:1-4,14/Phil. 2:6). God became His Father only when He was born of a human woman. Scripture proves that Jesus is STILL A MAN, in heaven, serving at the right hand of His Father (1 Pet. 3:22): “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men–the MAN Jesus Christ” (1 Tim. 2:5). True saints will have the same inheritance as their Elder Brother–Jesus (Rom. 8:17). Upon a saint’s rebirth at the time of Christ’s return he will be taken into the Kingdom of God AS A MAN OR WOMAN, though now totally spirit, exactly as was and is Jesus Who promises that true saints will sit with Him on His throne in God’s kingdom (Rev. 3:21). Do you see it? Saints will be born again (changed from flesh to spirit) and taken into God’s Kingdom where they will sit on Christ’s throne with Him helping Him rule the world from the kingdom’s headquarters in Jerusalem (Rev. 5:10;11:15;20:6;22:5). SAINTS WILL BE EXACTLY LIKE JESUS–FORMER HUMANS IN THEIR FORMER HUMAN FORM THOUGH TOTALLY SPIRIT. See Jesus Christ: God, Man or Godman?

In verse 3 we are also told that, as true saints, we have been begotten AGAIN. Saints who make the cut will have been begotten three times: 1) at physical birth, 2) at conversion, and 3) at the time of rebirth. Peter noted that in this life God HAS begotten His children AGAIN, meaning for a second time. The third begettal will take place when Christ returns and they will be changed–born again–in the twinkling of an eye (1 Cor. 15:52). He also notes that saints have the “HOPE” of an INHERITANCE (vs 4)– SALVATION that is “reserved in heaven” for them (vs 5). That salvation will be awarded in the future is proved by the use of two expressions: “reserved in heaven” and “faith for salvation.” Both statements prove that one does not now have salvation–the inheritance. “Reserved” means that salvation has been placed on “layaway” and will be made available when the total price (obedience to God until the end-Mat. 10:22) has been paid for it. Faith refers to the future: “Faith is the substance of things HOPED FOR, the evidence of things NOT SEEN (obtained)” (Heb. 11:1). Note it: SALVATION IS NOT AWARDED IN THIS LIFE. Peter ends verse 5 with the coup de gras relative to Satan’s “saved now” ruse–the belief that one is saved and born again upon performing a prescribed ritual in a religious setting. This deadly deception is exposed when one believes what he wrote–that one’s salvation/ inheritance is being held in heaven by faith and will “BE REVEALED (RECEIVED) AT THE LAST TIME“–the last day of this life. See Hope and Salvation. L.J.