Preparing Spiritually for Hard Times

Everyone goes through hard times. And many can see that harder times are coming. Preppers are doing what they can to provide food and protection for themselves. But the greatest need when hard times hit will not be physical or emotional in nature. The hard times and persecution of any kind will be most challenging to our spirits, so the preparation must also be spiritual. The Apostle Peter knew from experience how to get through difficulties victoriously, with a net gain. He writes his first letter to explain to his readers how to avoid persecution, so far as possible, by their excellent behavior. He tells them that a right relationship with the Lord is the crucial factor. And then he tells them how the certainty of their salvation is their hope.This commentary is a thorough explanation of Peter's first epistle. It treats the details without skipping the difficult passages, and keeps the big picture in view, showing the flow of thought throughout. It expands upon some of the doctrinal issues, including the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith, eternal security, the essentials of spiritual growth, why baptismal regeneration is not a sound doctrine, why the atonement is unlimited in scope but limited in application. It also includes the demonic origin of the giants in Genesis 6 and later, and why they had to be totally eradicated by the Israelites in Canaan in order to defeat Satan's plan to make the whole human race unredeemable.This commentary includes the biblical text, including the text of most of the many cross-references, so that the book reads more like a novel than a reference book. The author has an M.Div. degree from Talbot Theological Seminary and long experience in explaining biblical texts and theological doctrines in a way that is easily understood without being simplistic.