Ron Graham was called home on March 14, 2013. He began writing this commentary before his death and had asked me, Nathele Graham, to continue his service to our Lord by finishing what he began.

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But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18a).

Knowledge is a good thing and we begin gathering knowledge when we enter into this world. A newborn baby cries and begins to gather knowledge. He learns that his parents will answer his need and help his discomfort when he cries. As the child grows, more knowledge is acquired…how to walk and talk. If that child does not begin to grow and use knowledge, his parents worry. We can get a long way on the amount of knowledge we obtain while just living day-by-day, year-by-year.

Knowledge is continually imparted to us. Gathering knowledge is just natural to a child. So it should be with knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Proof of His love is everywhere we look and if we don’t see Him we are blind. Once we are born into God’s family, we need to grow in our knowledge of Him. Our knowledge of God’s ways needs to be cultivated, and then we need to live according to His Word so grace will also grow.

Peter understood the need to grow in grace and knowledge. He walked with Jesus and saw the miracles, which Jesus performed. Most of us can identify with Peter because of his enthusiasm, followed by his failures. The years that Peter was with Jesus watching and observing were important to his growing and gathering knowledge, but it wasn’t until Peter finally understood Jesus’ words that he became the man Jesus knew he could be. His knowledge of God and His ways finally were combined with living out that knowledge, and that is when Peter began growing in grace. Sometimes, like Peter, we require knowledge bumps to finally get a particular bit of knowledge. But knowledge of Jesus Christ will elude us at every turn of life unless we actually delve into our Bibles.

Peter began his second epistle this way:

“Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of our God and our Savior Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord” (2 Peter 1:1-2).

Peter understood that knowledge of God and of Jesus brings grace and peace to a believer. Where does that knowledge come from? There are plenty of folks who claim knowledge in this area; they think they know who Jesus is. They attend worship services on Sunday mornings and there they receive a few minutes of instruction of biblical stories, and sometimes Jesus may even be mentioned. But that’s not all there is to obtaining the true knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Sunday mornings are good places to whet your appetite for knowledge, but an in-depth study seldom happens in our pulpits today. Knowledge of Christ comes from studying the Bible (both Old and New Testaments) and then applying that knowledge to our everyday life. The more we learn and the more we rely on Jesus for everything the more peace we will find. Even when things seem to go wrong, our faith and knowledge of Christ will give us peace.

Scripture isn’t always easy to understand. Speaking of Paul’s epistles, Peter says:

“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” (2 Peter 3:16).

The word “wrest” comes from the Greek word: strebloō which means: to twist, to torture, put to the rack, metaphorically to pervert, of one who wrests or tortures languages in a false sense. If due diligence isn’t taken in studying Scripture (Peter states that Paul’s epistles are Scripture) their meaning will be twisted.

“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” (2 Peter 3:17).

Yes, it takes a conscience effort to study and learn, but the Holy Spirit will lead you in your study if you allow it. If we don’t have solid knowledge of God’s Word we can be led astray. There are many men and women who spout very nice sounding ideas, but they teach heresy. How can you know truth from lies? Pray and allow the Holy Spirit to guide your study. When I truly wanted to know what God’s Word said, I fasted and prayed for three days while I read my Bible. When I came across something that I didn’t understand, I prayed. The Holy Spirit opened my understanding and taught me His truth. You can learn too, but it takes diligence on your part.

“And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity” (2 Peter 1:5-7).

Do you see how knowledge grows? First faith. That is where we begin our Christian walk. In faith we accept Christ and that faith should make a change in how we live. Virtue (moral goodness in feeling and action) should follow. Add to virtue knowledge and so on. It is a matter of building upon a foundation of faith. Can you imagine what a Christian with solid knowledge of Christ can do? I can. I read my Bible and see the actions of Peter, James, Paul, and all of the others who had faith in Christ and gained knowledge. They shared their faith and we are the beneficiaries of that most valuable knowledge.

As we study the gospels we learn a lot about knowledge without grace. The Pharisees had much knowledge. They studied the Jewish Law – both written and oral. They were able to point out another person’s sin, and were also able to justify their own. They tried time and again to find reason to discredit Jesus. On the other hand, Jesus always showed grace and mercy to the common people. Jesus healed the sick on the Sabbath, ate with sinners, forgave sin, and many other acts of kindness. No wonder the Pharisees were out to get Him! Jesus had a lot to say to them and their lack of grace:

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity” (Matthew 23:27-28).

Ouch! This is just a small portion of His speech to them. These men had lots of knowledge, but they had no grace.

What is grace? It comes from the Greek word, “charis” and means: “that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech, good will, loving-kindness, favor: of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting His holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues.”

This sounds like something everyone would want. When we study and know God’s word our values change. As we grow in grace the things we once saw as important will take a second seat to things of God. Grace will grow and His peace will be in us.

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul touched on this:

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

If our thoughts are on things that are godly we won’t dwell on, or be tempted by, the evils of the world. Our life will reflect Jesus and be filled with grace. As we study about our Lord and Savior and His grace and mercy we learn to acknowledge Him in all aspects of life. Thus we gain a knowledge that sets us apart.

“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:10-11).

We must be diligent in our study of God’s Word. Continual and diligent study produces knowledge. His grace is imputed to those who will diligently seek Him. Do you strive to grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord? The choices you make will determine your growth. If you choose to prayerfully study His word rather than reading a secular book, the Holy Spirit will lead you to a deeper knowledge. Your heart will be turned to Him and your desire to please Him will grow. As His grace and knowledge grows in you, you will turn away from worldly pursuits, which lead to sin. What better way to seek Him than by studying His Word and acknowledging Him with our praise and worship?

[Jesus said,] “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

To know His commandments we must prayerfully study His Word and gain knowledge. Then we need to make a choice to keep His commandments in how we live our lives every day. By this we will grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Do you love Him? Then keep His commandments and grow in grace and knowledge.

God bless you all,

Ron Graham

Ron Graham was called home on March 14, 2013. He began writing this commentary before his death and had asked me, Nathele Graham, to continue his service to our Lord by finishing what he began.

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Can you feel it? There is a feeling of anticipation in the air that can almost be touched. I get emails wondering what this sign or that sign might mean. Could we be within moments of the Rapture? The answer to that question is “Yes.” Then again, it has been “within moments” since Christ established the Ekklesia, the called out people who worship Him. Paul wrote about it and may have expected it to happen within his lifetime. Could that be why he was such an avid evangelist?

“For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in” (Romans 11:25).

To many Christians, endless attempts to predict a date for the Harpazō (also known as the Rapture) has become an obsession. Why hasn’t it happened yet? Nearly two thousand years have passed and we are still waiting. According to Paul the Harpazō won’t happen until the fullness of the Gentiles comes in. Only God knows the exact number of Gentiles needed for completeness of the Ekklesia. Until that number is reached, we need to get busy.

Since God alone knows what number constitutes the fullness of the Gentiles and when that fullness will come about, what should we be doing? Should we speculate on dates that the Rapture might occur, or should we work to bring the lost to salvation so the fullness of the Gentiles will be accomplished? Jesus didn’t tell us to focus upon the Rapture, but to preach the gospel.

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).

Evangelism is the key to bringing about the fullness of the Gentile Ekklesia. We have work to do. The Ekklesia of Christ needs to get about the business of presenting Christ to a lost world.

“But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many” (Romans 5:15).

Adam sinned and death became a reality. Because God the Son, Jesus Christ, became human and took our sin upon Himself at the cross, we have the gift of salvation available to us. That gift has to be accepted in order to be effective in an individual’s life. We need to diligently tell others about the gift of grace through Jesus instead of only focusing upon an event that will occur when we least expect it. There are many dead people walking around who need to know Jesus today or tomorrow they may wake in hell. By that I mean there are people who are dead in their sins. Unless they come to know Jesus they will die the second death and spend eternity in the lake of fire.

Do you really want to wonder if a beloved aunt or your grandfather really knew salvation through Jesus Christ before they died? Way too many Christians spend their time arguing about and speculating upon the Rapture. While they are distracted by such things they ignore their responsibility to evangelize. The lost of this world continue to walk in darkness and have no idea about the lateness of the hour. Too many saints turn from evangelism because they think someone else will do it. The truth is it isn’t up to the other guy to share the gospel. It is up to me and up to you.

We should all long for Messiah’s appearing, but we are never encouraged to sit around and wait for the Rapture. I long to hear Him calling me for the Rapture, but until He calls me Home, in the Rapture or by death, I will continue to serve Him and tell others about Him. Jesus gave all of us a job to do and it is the most important job associated with our walk with Him. It is not our job to go out and drag people into worship halls simply to fill the pews. We must teach them the truth of the Gospel of Christ. Jesus said we must.

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20a).

Baptizing is important and I don’t want to marginalize it, but what good is baptizing someone who doesn’t understand what it is about? We need to preach the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ and tell the lost why they need salvation. Adam’s sin created a gap between us and God. Only Christ can bridge that gap. If we don’t teach the lost of this world about Jesus, who will?

The Rapture of the Ekklesia must occur before Jesus’ Second Advent. We do need to be excited, but we need to be evermore fervent in sharing the gospel. Being obsessed with the coming Rapture to the exclusion of evangelism is the same as turning our backs on our Messiah’s command. Just what kind of ambassadors for Jesus are we when we disregard His command to teach the gospel to all nations? If you’ve helped lead someone to the Lord, hallelujah! Don’t stop there. After all, there are many more lost folks wandering aimlessly down that destructive highway that leads to eternal death. Can you imagine the joy you might have if that person you have just led to salvation through Jesus is the one that constitutes the fullness of the Gentiles?

“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” (2 Timothy 4:8).

Believe me, I’m as anxious for the Harpazō as anyone, but I must be about my Father’s business right up ‘til the end. I confess that my wife and I eagerly talk a lot about the Harpazō. Every war and rumor of war gets our hopes up. At the end of our discussion I am more resolved than ever to tell others about Jesus. If the followers of Messiah Jesus only focus on the Rapture, the lost of this world are kept in the dark about salvation. Since we are to be raptured at a point when the fullness of Gentiles is complete, would it not be much better to be out there on the battle front preaching the gospel instead of incessantly dreaming of the Rapture?

“And he said unto them, how is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49)

Jesus spoke those words when He was twelve years old. We too must be out our Father’s business of spreading the Gospel of Christ. There is no doubt in my mind that this world is very close to the end. Every day we watch events unfold that point to the soon return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and there should be a sense of urgency as to the lateness of the hour. The news is filled with clues that Jesus is coming soon. That’s exciting and we need to be excited. Have you ever had a bit of good news and you could hardly wait to tell someone? You have that good news. It is the news of what Jesus accomplished on the cross. That’s the most exciting news I can think of. So go tell someone.

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18).

As Paul explained the Rapture of the Ekklesia to the Thessalonians, he wanted them to take comfort in knowing that those who have died knowing Christ as well as those who are alive and living for Christ when we hear the call will meet the Lord in the air and be with Him forever. We too, need to comfort each other with these words, but we still have work to do. Can you imagine what would have happened if all Christians stopped witnessing back in Paul’s day because of their belief in the nearness of the Rapture? Some did just that and had to be corrected in order to get them back to evangelizing. Just like the Thessalonians we need to take heed that we are diligent in our work for Jesus.

“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28).

Many commentators use this verse to encourage Christians to keep looking for Jesus. We need to always be listening for His call which will remove us from God’s judgment upon the earth. More comforting than that is the verse that tells us we won’t go through God’s wrath.

“And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come” (1 Thessalonians 1:10).

Christians won’t see God’s wrath. There will never been a more fearsome time on earth than the events of Daniel’s seventieth week. Jesus said:

“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24:21).

The Great Tribulation will be the last half of that week, and we have the promise of being delivered from that time of judgment. The more people we share the gospel with the better. You don’t want your worst enemy to face God’s wrath.

“If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

That’s the question at the heart of the matter of evangelism. Do you love Him? Do you love Him enough to keep His commandments and go and teach all nations? Prophecy is exciting and a great study; there is much to learn and be excited about. Through the study of prophecy we know that the Harpazō is imminent, which means it can occur at any moment. That is very exciting. There is nothing standing in the way of that awesome event except possibly that one person God has been putting on your heart to seek out and speak to. You have work to do. Get busy.

God bless you all,

Ron Graham