The Bible Recap – Day 359: 2 Peter 1-3, Jude 1 (Year 7)

Host: Tara-Leigh Cobble
Date: December 25, 2025
Episode Theme:
A timely Christmas episode focusing on the final letters of Peter and Jude, exploring their responses to false teachers, steadfastness in faith during persecution, and God's ultimate judgment and rescue. Tara-Leigh highlights the hope and joy found in Christ, connecting scriptural truths to the meaning of Christmas.

Overview

• Main Theme:
  Exploring how Peter and Jude address the threat of false teachers in the early church, the assurance of God’s judgment and faithfulness, and how believers are called to remain steadfast and distinct. Tara-Leigh ties these themes into the broader narrative of Jesus as Savior, especially poignant on Christmas.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Setting and Context ([00:02]–[01:24])

• Milestone: Listeners are reaching the end of the chronological Bible reading:
  “New Testament readers, we finished books 22 and 23. And whole Bible readers, we finished books 61 and 62. Only four more books left.”
• False Teachers: Both 2 Peter and Jude deal with church leaders confronting false teachers, who distort the gospel and deny God's coming judgment.
• Host’s Summary:
  “In both books, the authors prove the false teachers wrong by giving multiple examples of times when God did bring judgment for sin and rebellion.” ([01:10])

2 Peter: Persevering in Truth and Godliness ([01:25]–[10:50])

• Background: Peter writes from Rome under Nero’s persecution, knowing his death is imminent.

• Purpose:
  Reminding the church to “hold tightly to the truth in the midst of such great persecution.”

• A Higher Calling:
  God’s power equips believers “for life and godliness.” Their lives should look distinct from the culture.

• Seven Traits to Pursue:

  • Faith
  • Virtue
  • Knowledge
  • Self-control
  • Steadfastness
  • Godliness
  • Brotherly affection and love
    “If those are on the increase, you’ll be fruitful and effective…If those things aren’t on the increase, you might be living a lie.” ([03:22])

• Authority of Scripture: Peter firmly defends the inspiration of Scripture:

  “No prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” ([2 Peter 1:21]; quoted at [04:15])

• False Teachers:

  • Accuse apostles of lying
  • Rely on personal revelation, not Scripture
  • Predict Jesus’ return falsely
  • Are described as “irrational and impulsive, like animals…adulterers, liars, greedy, and they entice unsteady souls.” ([05:25])

• Warning:
  “Those who lie about God's word will face judgment…God has reserved the gloom of utter darkness.” ([06:11])

• Responsibility for Believers:
  “That makes me want to make sure my soul is steady so I don’t fall prey to false teaching.” ([06:33])

• The Return of Christ:
  Scoffers will mock Christ’s return, but God is patient, allowing time for repentance:

  “His time frame is giving you an opportunity to repent. He’ll come when you don’t expect it.” ([07:45])

• Canon of Scripture:
  Peter refers to Paul’s letters as “Scripture,” reinforcing their authority ([2 Peter 3:16]; [09:22]):

  “Peter, who is in the inner circle of Jesus…this is a big deal. One of the main reasons Paul’s letters are canonized.”

• Peter’s Martyrdom:
  Refers to tradition of Peter crucified upside down, feeling unworthy to die like Jesus.

Jude: Guarding Against Apostasy ([10:51]–[21:45])

• Authorship and Audience:
  Jude is likely Jesus’ brother, writing to Jewish Christians, referencing Hebrew Scriptures and Jewish writings.
• God's Sovereignty:

  “He warns them about false teachers and reminds them that none of this surprises God…even this is somehow part of God’s plan.” ([12:03])

• Echoes of Peter:
  Uses stories from Exodus, the fallen angels, and Sodom & Gomorrah to illustrate God’s pattern: punishing rebels, sparing the righteous.
  • Sins highlighted: Unbelief, quest for illegitimate power, sexual immorality
• Judgment for False Teachers:
  “They rely on their own dreams as guidance instead of God's word, and they reject God's authority and blaspheme against him and his holy ones.” ([14:50])
• Enoch Reference:
  Jude quotes from the Book of Enoch—though non-canonical, it was familiar to Jewish audiences.
• Archangel Michael and Moses’ Body:
  • Michael does not rebuke Satan on his own authority, but invokes the Lord.
  • “These false teachers were pronouncing judgment on their own…and denying Christ's authority, which is the exact opposite of what the archangel Michael did.” ([17:11])
• Final Encouragement:

  “Keep themselves in the love of God because God is keeping them in his love…Just like always. God is working in us and through us to accomplish what he's promised.” ([18:20])

God Shot & Christmas Reflection ([21:46]–End)

• Christ Preexistent:
  Jude 5 credits Jesus with rescuing Israel from Egypt—a “Christophany.”

  “Jesus is God the Son who has always existed…He actually shows up multiple times on earth doing miraculous things throughout the Old Testament before he was born in a manger…He’s always been coming to earth, always been rescuing his people.” ([22:31])

• Christmas Message:
  • Jesus came to rescue us, “our Savior Immanuel.”
  • The holiday brings joy for some, sadness for others, but “the Lord is near, Emmanuel. And the Lord is good. And he alone is where the joy is in this season and in every moment of every day.” ([24:41])
• Encouragement to Listeners:

  “If today is hard for you, you’re not alone…If it’s joyful, he’s with you too. So wherever you are, whatever you’re feeling, the Lord is near, Emmanuel.” ([24:22])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On False Teachers:

  “Their message is a lie, but their lives are a train wreck…That makes me want to make sure my soul is steady so I don't fall prey to false teaching.” (Tara-Leigh, [05:29])

• On Scripture’s Authority:

  “No prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:21, quoted at [04:15])

• On God’s Patience:

  “His time frame is giving you an opportunity to repent. He’ll come when you don’t expect it.” ([07:45])

• Canonization of Paul’s Letters:

  “Peter refers to Paul’s letters as Scripture…One of the main reasons Paul’s letters are canonized.” ([09:22])

• On God’s Sovereignty Over Trouble:

  “It’s comforting to know that none of this leaves God wringing his hands trying to figure out what to do.” ([12:17])

• On Christmas Hope:

  “Jesus came to Earth to rescue his people…to live the perfect life and die the perfect death so that we could not only have our sin debt paid, but also so that we could have a new, eternal, abundant life in his eternal kingdom.” ([24:00])

• Final Blessing:

  “Wherever you are, whatever you’re feeling, the Lord is near, Emmanuel. And the Lord is good. And he alone is where the joy is in this season and in every moment of every day.” ([24:41])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:02] – Introduction, episode context, and books finished
• [01:25] – Overview of 2 Peter: Setting, themes, traits for believers
• [04:15] – Scripture’s authority & false teachers
• [07:45] – Christ’s delayed return, God’s patience
• [09:22] – Peter references Paul’s letters as Scripture
• [10:51] – Introduction to Jude
• [12:03] – God’s sovereignty over false teachers
• [14:50] – Sins highlighted; consequences for false teachers
• [17:11] – Story of Michael disputing with Satan
• [18:20] – Jude’s exhortation: God keeps us as we keep ourselves in His love
• [22:31] – The God Shot: Christophany and Jesus in the Old Testament
• [24:00] – Christmas reflection: Emmanuel, joy in all circumstances

Tone & Style

• Warm, personal, and encouraging—blending theological insight with down-to-earth application.
• Tara-Leigh speaks as both teacher and fellow traveler, empathetic to the listener’s own joys and struggles, especially poignant on Christmas Day.

Conclusion

This Christmas episode of The Bible Recap wove together stern biblical warnings and timeless encouragement. Tara-Leigh highlighted the recurring biblical theme of God rescuing His people, the certainty of His justice, and the gift of Christ—making every moment, and every season, a cause for hope and joy.