Present Truth – 2 Peter 1:12
Present truth, in 2 Peter 1:12, is the preaching of the everlasting gospel that has particular urgency for a specific time. Let’s review some Bible examples:
Noah’s message of the Flood (Genesis 6 and 7; 2 Peter 2:5): Noah was a preacher of righteousness. He taught God’s love as he warned of a coming flood that would destroy the world. The Flood message was present truth for that time. Its urgent cry was “get into the boat” to be saved. And it was so important that it would have been immoral not to preach it.
Jonah’s message to Nineveh (Jonah 3:4): Jonah’s present truth was that Nineveh would be destroyed in 40 days. Jonah also preached about repentance, and the city repented. To not give the 40-day warning would have been unfaithful and unforgivable. It was present truth. It fitted that time in a very special way.
John the Baptist’s message (Matthew 3:1-3 Luke 1:17): John’s present truth was that Jesus, the Messiah, was about to appear. His work was to present the gospel and prepare people for Jesus’ first coming. To have not given that first-coming element of the gospel for his day would have been unthinkable.
Today, the three angels’ messages (Revelation 14:6-14) are God’s present truth. Salvation through Jesus Christ alone is central to these messages. However, the present truth of the three angels also has been given to prepare people for Jesus’ second coming and to open their eyes to Satan’s brilliant and highly convincing deceptions. Unless people understand these messages, Satan will indeed deceive them. Jesus knew we needed these three special messages, so in loving kindness He gave them.
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
