Study Desk

by saying, "What happened to his promise to return? Ever since our ancestors died,fell asleep">[fn] everything continues as it did from the beginning of creation."Isaiah 5:19; Jeremiah 17:15; Ezekiel 12:22,27; Matthew 24:48; Luke 12:45;">[xr]

The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some people understand slowness, but is being patient with you. He does not want anyone to perish, but wantswants">[fn] everyone to come to repentance.Isaiah 30:18; Ezekiel 18:23,32; 33:11; Habakkuk 2:3; Romans 2:4; 1 Timothy 2:4; Hebrews 10:37; 1 Peter 3:20; 2 Peter 3:15;">[xr]

But in keeping with his promise, we are looking forward to new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.Isaiah 65:17; 66:22; Revelation 21:1,27;">[xr]

He speaks about this subject in all his letters. Some things in them are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort to their own destruction, as they do the rest of the Scriptures.Romans 8:19; 1 Corinthians 15:24; 1 Thessalonians 4:15;">[xr]

What we have seen and heard we declare to you so that you, too, can have fellowship with us. Now this fellowship of ours is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.John 17:21; Acts 4:20; 1 Corinthians 1:9; 1 John 2:24;">[xr]

But if we keep living in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.1 Corinthians 6:11; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 9:14; 1 Peter 1:19; 1 John 2:2; Revelation 1:5;">[xr]

If we say that we have never sinned, we make him a liar and his word is not in us.

This is how we can be sure that we have come to know him: if we continually keep his commandments.

The person who says, "I have come to know him," but does not continually keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.1 John 1:6,8; 4:20;">[xr]

But whoever continually keeps his word is the kind of person in whom God's love has truly been perfected. This is how we can be sure that we are in union with him:John 14:21,23; 1 John 4:12-13;">[xr]

The person who says that he is in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness.1 Corinthians 13:2; 2 Peter 1:9; 1 John 3:14-15;">[xr]

The person who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no reason for him to stumble.2 Peter 1:10; 1 John 3:14;">[xr]

But the person who hates his brother is in the darkness and lives in the darkness. He does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.John 12:35;">[xr]

I am writing to you, little children,Luke 24:47; Acts 4:12; 10:43; 13:38; 1 John 1:7;">[xr] because your sins have been forgivenon account of his name.

The anointing you received from him abides in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. Instead, because his anointing teaches you about everything and is true and not a lie, abide in him, as he taught you to do.to do">[fn]Jeremiah 31:33-34; John 14:26; 16:13; Hebrews 8:10-11; 1 John 2:20;">[xr]

Even now, little children, abide in him. Then, when he appears, we will have confidence and will not turn away from him in shame at his coming.1 John 3:2; 4:17;">[xr]

This is how God's children and the devil's children are distinguished.are revealed">[fn] No person who fails to practice righteousness and to love his brother is from God.1 John 2:29; 4:8;">[xr]

Do not be like Cain,Not like Cain">[fn] who was from the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's were righteous.Genesis 4:4,8; Hebrews 11:4; Jude 1:11;">[xr]

We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love one another. The person who does not lovedoesn't love his brother">[fn] remains in death.1 John 2:9-11;">[xr]

Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him.Matthew 5:21-22; Galatians 5:21; 1 John 4:20; Revelation 21:8;">[xr]