approved.” Peter also emphasized that Scriptural prophecy does not originate with man but “men spoke from God as they were borne along by holy spirit.” No question about it, Christian faith is not built on fables or imaginary things, but on facts, on truth! This being so, ‘we do well to take heed to inspired prophecies as to a light shining in a dark place.’​—2 Pet. 1:16-21.

In chapter two Peter champions God’s truth and righteous principles by speaking out strongly against apostates. These with counterfeit words seek to exploit their fellow Christians. Rightly they will suffer the same kind of fate that befell the wicked antediluvian world and the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. But people of godly devotion will be preserved just as Noah and his family were. Those false teachers follow the mercenary path of Balaam. By their fleshly desires and loose habits they offer others greater freedom while actually they themselves are slaves of corruption. Having once known the truth and turned away from it, they are in a worse condition than they would have been had they never known the path of righteousness.​—2 Pet. 2:1-22.

In his concluding chapter 3, Peter further champions God’s truth by exposing the falseness of the ridiculers’ claim that ever since ancient times things have continued in the same way. But not so! Such overlook the flood of Noah’s day. And so in the last days, Jehovah’s day will come suddenly, like a thief in the night, when He executes the wicked. True, the time may seem to delay, but, after all, with God a thousand years are as but one day. Actually Jehovah is patient because he desires that all attain to salvation by repenting.​—2 Pet. 3:1-10.

Peter reminds Christians that God’s patience means salvation. This truth the apostle Paul also noted in his letters, which some twist as they do the rest of the Scriptures​—Peter here championing Paul’s letters as being inspired. And since God’s Word is so sure and the present wicked system is to be dissolved, what sort of dedicated lives should we lead? Should we not be known for our holy acts of conduct and deeds of godly devotion? Yes, we should do our utmost to be found by God “spotless and unblemished and in peace.”​—2 Pet. 3:11-16.

Truly by thus championing God’s truth and righteous principles Peter strengthens our faith in them and our resolve to live by them. Doing so, we can look with confidence to ‘the new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness will dwell.’​—2 Pet. 3:13.

Questions From Readers

● Do Jehovah’s Witnesses believe in Jesus Christ?

We most certainly do. We wholeheartedly accept and preach everything that God’s Word says about Jesus Christ. That includes the apostle Peter’s declaration: “There is no salvation in anyone else, for there is not another name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must get saved.”​—Acts 4:12.

Even outsiders who have examined our Bible-based teachings realize that we believe in Jesus. For instance, the New Catholic Encyclopedia (1967) says in its article “Jehovah’s Witnesses”:

“They consider Jesus as the greatest of Jehovah’s Witnesses, ‘a god’ (so they translate John 1.1), inferior to no one but to Jehovah. Before existing as a human being, he was a spirit creature called the Logos, or Word, or