2 Peter 1:14
The apostle Peter reminds the saints of the importance of being prepared for death, which is not a destruction, but a transition to eternal life.
John Gill emphasizes the transient nature of life as he reflects on 2 Peter 1:14, where the Apostle Peter speaks of his impending death. He likens death to the simple act of removing a garment, portraying it as a transition from a temporary dwelling to a permanent home in heaven. Gill reassures believers that death is not an end but a relocation to a better existence, echoing the hope of resurrection. He draws parallels to the experiences of other apostles, highlighting the importance of living purposefully in the time we have. The sermon encourages the faithful to view death with hope rather than fear, as it leads to eternal life.
Text
Ver. 14. Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle,.... Which is another reason why the apostle was so pressing in this case, and so much urged the exhortation, and was so diligent in reminding the saints of it, and stirring them to observe it, because he knew he had but a little time to live, and which therefore he was willing to improve for their good. He sets forth his death in a very easy and familiar way, it being not at all terrible and distressing to him; it was but like the putting off of a garment, or unpinning of a tabernacle, or a removing from a tent to a palace. Saints are pilgrims here, they dwell in tents or tabernacles, at death they remove to their own country, and Father's house.
Death is not a destruction of man, an annihilation of him, neither of his soul nor body: the soul is not mortal, it dies not with the body; it only removes from this world to another, from a cottage to a kingdom; and the body though it dies, it is not reduced to nothing, it is only like a tabernacle put off, or taken down, which will be put together again in better order than now it is.
Even as our Lord Jesus hath showed me; by some special revelation lately made to him; or by some strong impulse upon his mind; just as the Apostle Paul knew that the time of his departure was at hand, 2Ti 4:7 or this may have respect to the words of Christ to Peter, above thirty years before, in Joh 21:18, which both signified what kind of death he should die, and when it should be; namely, when he was old, as now he was.
Sermon Outline
- Knowing the Time of Death
- The Nature of Death
- Scriptural Support
- The apostle's knowledge of his death was revealed to him
- The words of Christ to Peter signified the type and timing of his death
- The body is like a temporary dwelling, to be replaced by a better one
Key Quotes
“Death is not a destruction of man, an annihilation of him, neither of his soul nor body.” — John Gill
“The soul is not mortal, it dies not with the body; it only removes from this world to another, from a cottage to a kingdom;” — John Gill
Application Points
- Recognize the importance of being prepared for death and eternity.
- Understand that death is a transition, not an end, and that the soul continues on to another life.
- Seek to live a life that honors God and is pleasing to Him, knowing that it will have eternal consequences.