The Precious Promises of God - 2 Peter 3:3-14
Theme: God has made very specific promises re: future judgement and salvation. These promises can be trusted because of God’s faithful activity in the past.
Aim : To live radical lives of discipleship in the light of these great and precious promises.
____________________________________________________________________
Forget aging and dieting forever!
As seen on NBC, CNN, CBS, and even Opera – The health discovery that actually reverses aging whilst burning fat without dieting or exercise – and it’s guaranteed!
Would you like to lose weight whist you sleep? No dieting, no hunger pains, no cravings, no strenuous exercise. Change your life forever!
Body fat loss 82% improvement
Wrinkle reduction 61% improvement
Energy level 84% improvement
Muscle strength 88% improvement
Sexual potency 75% improvement
Etc..
We live in age of great promises and great disappointments. Never has so much been promised in terms of health, wealth, and success, dieting in this world. Never has reality been further for the ordinary person from that which has been promised.
Great promises about what you can have in this world, so big that, compared to the realities of life in this world which are far from them that we become cynical about promises in the age in which we live. It’s surprising indeed that anyone should bother to send an advert like this out at all. How can it possibly be believed or taken seriously by anyone – we become very cynical about promises. We take seriously only those things, which we can see or have right in front of us now.
And promises of course, are not like that. For they are about things we don’t have yet but may have one day. Which makes it very hard to be a Christian in this age. For the Christian life is all to do with promises about the future. And God given us very great and precious promises about heaven in the bible – and these have been given for a reason. We would do well to pay attention because what we think about the future will ALLWAYS effect how we live now.
Now, this evening, we’re going to be exploring the passage that was read out to us earlier and that’s exactly the truth that Peter wants to impress upon these early believers – that what we believe effects what we do.
Peter brings into sharp focus two promises made by God.
1 The promise of judgement for this world - 2 Peter 3:7
By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the Day of Judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
2 The promise of hope for the next world 2 Peter 3:12-14
Which talks about looking forward to the day of God…
12as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.[a]That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 14So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.
Looking forward – the verse is just pregnant with hope and suggests great anticipation as we look forward to a new world. A world Peter calls the home of righteousness.
Could not describe the world in which we live in now as the home of righteousness. A world of rightness and goodness and truth. God has given us a great promise of a renewed world where righteousness is at home. And he’s done it for a reason. Read Chp 1:4
4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
Look at how kind God is. He wants us, in the end, to escape the corruption that’s in the world – to belong to a new world. What are the things you:
Then consider how wonderful the God is who wants you to be able to share in something quite different from that. Peter tells us that God wants you to live in a world that’s free of all those things and in order to make that happen he’s given us his promises about that world so that in the end you can escape from this one and belong to that one.
So there we have it – two promises; one of judgement and the other of hope
Now, this is message we urgently need to hear in the church today. The notion that Jesus is coming back to judge the world is just incredible for many people. Laughable, pie in the sky, ungrounded fantasy that’s nothing more then a pious fairytale. It’s something Christians tell each other to keep their hopes up.
One of the most famous songs of the twentieth centaury was by John Lennon called imagine, denies the reality of god’s promised future. Here are some of the lyrics:
Imagine there’s no heaven, it’s easy if you try;
No hell below us, above us only sky;
Imagine all the people living for today.
Now, Things were not so different in Peter’s day. Read v3
3First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation."
You can almost hear the triumphant sneer of the scoffers in v3 as they say, ‘look around - where is the coming he promised? It all goes on as it always has. Nothing has changed. The second coming isn’t coming! So, live for now and don’t ask me to believe it or to live in light of such an implausible future!
Their focus was on the here and now and they deny/ ignores the future. And it’s really clear in Peter’s mind why they’re doing this So, v3, ‘they can follow their own evil desires.’ You see, the second coming is all about judgment. That’s when Christ will return to this earth and bring the final judgment. On that day:
Peter wants to lift the eyes of their heart to the realities of God’s promised future. Because judgement or salvation will await every human being at the end of time…
How does Peter answer these scoffers? Read v.5-7
5But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
Peter pushes the attention/ focus of his readers back into history and onto God’s activity of creation and judgement in the past.
He states that these ‘scoffers’ deliberately forget that long ago:
1. God created the heavens – by His word
2. the world was deluged and destroyed – by His word
3. By the same word – the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire
Here’s the point – If He created all things then it’s His prerogative to destroy all things. If He destroyed all things before, he can do it again – the creator has the right and the power to do that – that is the warning.
And here’s the thing – A promise is only ever as valuable as the person who makes it. I recently purchased a house and, on my dad’s recommendation, I hired a builder who, as builders have the habit of doing, didn’t always turn up for work when he said he was going to. In fact he pretty much just turned up when he wanted. He would promise that he would turn up and do the work but more often then not, well…he didn’t. Well, what were those promises worth to me after a few months of non attendance?
The point that Peter’s making here is that God has a very good record of keeping promises. In the past, God has made many promises to His people and at every point He has proved him self faithful and true. He promised to bring judgment to Noah’s generation - and that’s exactly what he did in the flood. Therefore, when God says he’s going to do something – we can trust that he will do it.
They (the scoffers) deliberately forget this. It’s simply not true that things go on just as they always have from the beginning. That things are just going on as they always have. It’s simply not true and they’re deliberately ignoring (a) the facts of creation and (b) the flood.
So why the delay? That’s what Peter turns his attention to in v.8-9
There those who scoff but haven’t you ever found yourself asking that question? In the midst of personal suffering and hurt? Have you not found yourself asking the question - where is he? Why doesn’t he end it all? The pain of waiting is just too much to bear! 100 billion people have died violently this centaury. Why doesn’t God just end all the pain now? If He’s good/ all powerful? Why the delay?
Well, it’s not because this is all a fairy story as the scoffers, of Peter’s day and our day, would have us believe . It’s not because God isn’t aware of the suffering in this world or that he has forgotten or slept in. Peter tells us, ‘The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.’
Patience is a lovely quality and is rooted in the character of God. Exodus 34:6-7 "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.
The reason why we have today is because God is patient and is giving us time for repentance because it’s not His desire to see anyone perish.
The bible is very clear in its teaching that some WILL perish. As we’ve read, there will be those who will be kept for destruction. Jesus was the most kindest, most compassionate man that ever walked this earth and he spoke plainly about the realities of hell and judgement.
Mark 9:42-48
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out.[a] 45And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.[b] 47And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, 48where
" 'their worm does not die,
and the fire is not quenched.'[c]
God’s holy response to human sin and we wouldn’t have it any other way would we? One author puts it this way:
There is something within Human nature that cries out for justice. When we see children molested or old people attacked in their homes. We long for the people who have done these things to be caught and punished. There is such a thing as justifiable anger we are right to feel that peoples sins should be punished – but its not just other people’s sins that need to be punished it’s our own as well. One day we will all be subject to the judgement of God.
The good news of the gospel (the message of Xnity) is that the destruction of ungodly people isn’t in line with the heart beat of God. He longs for men and women to turn away from sin and come to repentance. God is passionately concerned with the salvation of sinners.
The reason the final judgement hasn’t taken place yet is that God is waiting…giving us time to say sorry for living without reference to Him. However, He will not wait forever. Jesus WILL come back with the unpredictability of a burglar.
The scoffer says, ‘I’ve not been burgled yet, so therefore, I never will be.’ But that is foolish. v 10 it WILL happen!
And if you’re here today and you’re not a Christian then there is a solemn warning for you here.
11-14 – Live in light of that which is promised
Love 2 Peter because it’s such a practical book and in these last few verses Peter turns his attention to how Christians should live in light of God’s promised future.
11Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. 3But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 14So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.
You’ve heard it said, “Some Christians are so heavenly minded that they’re of no earthly use!” i.e there are those who are always thinking about heaven and never really get on with life on earth.
Well, Peter tells us that having the return of Xst in our minds and before our eyes is crucial if we are to live out the Xn live now. Ashley Cooper (earl of Shaftsbury) said, ‘I do not think that in he last 40 years I have lived one hour that has not been influenced by the return of Christ.’
So, How ought we to live?
1. We ought to be people who long for that day to come v11 holy and godly.
Looking forward to the day ought to be the most natural thing to do if grasped what’s going to happen when it comes. If you have understood what God’s promise means you won’t be able to take your eyes off that day because it’s such a good promise – looking forward – longing/ yearning word.
If you’ve grasped the promise then the hopes, dreams and expectations ought not to be for the things of this world – what do you dream of/ hope for/ long for/ what do you most want to happen? The things that we long for/ hope for and desire will make us the people we become – if you long for that day it will make you godly now/ holy now. Distinct in behaviour because you have a distinctive future that you are looking forward too
How will this promis effect the decisions we take in life – job/ marriage/ where to live? Will that decision make me long for the next world or will it make me more at home in this one. The way I live with other people will it help them long for the next world or will my priorities encourage them to be at home in this world.
You hear of people who graduated 10 –15 years ago who have taken jobs that have taken them away from a good bible teaching church. And that’s meant that for many years they never really hear god s promise explained to them which has meant they have become more and more at home in this world.
Or – folks that have started relationships with non-xns – taken them away from hearing God’s promises and living in light of them.
Could I have less in this world that I may keep my hunger for the next world alive – we ought to long for the day
2. Prepare for the day v14.
People ought to see you and say, “there are strangers amongst us here – not like us. People who belong somewhere else” because we are preparing for a different future. In every single part of life the future always makes us prepare in the present – exams/ marriage/ going on hols.. Future always changes the present v14. Confidence in god’s promises leads to effort now 1:4 what effort are you making to prepare for the future. What are you working hard at now? Does what you are working hard at now have anything to do with Gods promises abut the future?
3. Accelerate the day v12.
The day here is for repentance. Top 5 things on your agenda now? Is repentance one of them because it is right at the top of God’s agenda v15. New heavens and earth are for repentant people not for people who won’t repent. There is nothing that reflects the character and nature of God more then evangelism.
These are great promises. The one who has made them is great. God’s promised future. Judgment for this present world and a great hope for the next. What will you do with God’s promises?
Aim : To live radical lives of discipleship in the light of these great and precious promises.
____________________________________________________________________
Forget aging and dieting forever!
As seen on NBC, CNN, CBS, and even Opera – The health discovery that actually reverses aging whilst burning fat without dieting or exercise – and it’s guaranteed!
Would you like to lose weight whist you sleep? No dieting, no hunger pains, no cravings, no strenuous exercise. Change your life forever!
Body fat loss 82% improvement
Wrinkle reduction 61% improvement
Energy level 84% improvement
Muscle strength 88% improvement
Sexual potency 75% improvement
Etc..
We live in age of great promises and great disappointments. Never has so much been promised in terms of health, wealth, and success, dieting in this world. Never has reality been further for the ordinary person from that which has been promised.
Great promises about what you can have in this world, so big that, compared to the realities of life in this world which are far from them that we become cynical about promises in the age in which we live. It’s surprising indeed that anyone should bother to send an advert like this out at all. How can it possibly be believed or taken seriously by anyone – we become very cynical about promises. We take seriously only those things, which we can see or have right in front of us now.
And promises of course, are not like that. For they are about things we don’t have yet but may have one day. Which makes it very hard to be a Christian in this age. For the Christian life is all to do with promises about the future. And God given us very great and precious promises about heaven in the bible – and these have been given for a reason. We would do well to pay attention because what we think about the future will ALLWAYS effect how we live now.
Now, this evening, we’re going to be exploring the passage that was read out to us earlier and that’s exactly the truth that Peter wants to impress upon these early believers – that what we believe effects what we do.
Peter brings into sharp focus two promises made by God.
1 The promise of judgement for this world - 2 Peter 3:7
By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the Day of Judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
2 The promise of hope for the next world 2 Peter 3:12-14
Which talks about looking forward to the day of God…
12as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.[a]That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 14So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.
Looking forward – the verse is just pregnant with hope and suggests great anticipation as we look forward to a new world. A world Peter calls the home of righteousness.
Could not describe the world in which we live in now as the home of righteousness. A world of rightness and goodness and truth. God has given us a great promise of a renewed world where righteousness is at home. And he’s done it for a reason. Read Chp 1:4
4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
Look at how kind God is. He wants us, in the end, to escape the corruption that’s in the world – to belong to a new world. What are the things you:
- Things that you dread happening
- Things that make you miserable
- Things that make the world an unpleasant place to live in
- Things that make us angry/ unhappy
- Things in the inside of us that we wish were not true of us but they are
Then consider how wonderful the God is who wants you to be able to share in something quite different from that. Peter tells us that God wants you to live in a world that’s free of all those things and in order to make that happen he’s given us his promises about that world so that in the end you can escape from this one and belong to that one.
So there we have it – two promises; one of judgement and the other of hope
Now, this is message we urgently need to hear in the church today. The notion that Jesus is coming back to judge the world is just incredible for many people. Laughable, pie in the sky, ungrounded fantasy that’s nothing more then a pious fairytale. It’s something Christians tell each other to keep their hopes up.
One of the most famous songs of the twentieth centaury was by John Lennon called imagine, denies the reality of god’s promised future. Here are some of the lyrics:
Imagine there’s no heaven, it’s easy if you try;
No hell below us, above us only sky;
Imagine all the people living for today.
Now, Things were not so different in Peter’s day. Read v3
3First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation."
You can almost hear the triumphant sneer of the scoffers in v3 as they say, ‘look around - where is the coming he promised? It all goes on as it always has. Nothing has changed. The second coming isn’t coming! So, live for now and don’t ask me to believe it or to live in light of such an implausible future!
Their focus was on the here and now and they deny/ ignores the future. And it’s really clear in Peter’s mind why they’re doing this So, v3, ‘they can follow their own evil desires.’ You see, the second coming is all about judgment. That’s when Christ will return to this earth and bring the final judgment. On that day:
- Atheists will be judged by Christ
- Muslims will be judged by Christ
- Hindus will be judged by Christ
- Sikhs will be judged by Christ
- Agnostics will be judged by Christ
- Me and you, everyone sitting in this assembly, will be one day judged by Christ
Peter wants to lift the eyes of their heart to the realities of God’s promised future. Because judgement or salvation will await every human being at the end of time…
How does Peter answer these scoffers? Read v.5-7
5But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
Peter pushes the attention/ focus of his readers back into history and onto God’s activity of creation and judgement in the past.
He states that these ‘scoffers’ deliberately forget that long ago:
1. God created the heavens – by His word
2. the world was deluged and destroyed – by His word
3. By the same word – the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire
Here’s the point – If He created all things then it’s His prerogative to destroy all things. If He destroyed all things before, he can do it again – the creator has the right and the power to do that – that is the warning.
And here’s the thing – A promise is only ever as valuable as the person who makes it. I recently purchased a house and, on my dad’s recommendation, I hired a builder who, as builders have the habit of doing, didn’t always turn up for work when he said he was going to. In fact he pretty much just turned up when he wanted. He would promise that he would turn up and do the work but more often then not, well…he didn’t. Well, what were those promises worth to me after a few months of non attendance?
The point that Peter’s making here is that God has a very good record of keeping promises. In the past, God has made many promises to His people and at every point He has proved him self faithful and true. He promised to bring judgment to Noah’s generation - and that’s exactly what he did in the flood. Therefore, when God says he’s going to do something – we can trust that he will do it.
They (the scoffers) deliberately forget this. It’s simply not true that things go on just as they always have from the beginning. That things are just going on as they always have. It’s simply not true and they’re deliberately ignoring (a) the facts of creation and (b) the flood.
So why the delay? That’s what Peter turns his attention to in v.8-9
There those who scoff but haven’t you ever found yourself asking that question? In the midst of personal suffering and hurt? Have you not found yourself asking the question - where is he? Why doesn’t he end it all? The pain of waiting is just too much to bear! 100 billion people have died violently this centaury. Why doesn’t God just end all the pain now? If He’s good/ all powerful? Why the delay?
Well, it’s not because this is all a fairy story as the scoffers, of Peter’s day and our day, would have us believe . It’s not because God isn’t aware of the suffering in this world or that he has forgotten or slept in. Peter tells us, ‘The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.’
Patience is a lovely quality and is rooted in the character of God. Exodus 34:6-7 "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.
The reason why we have today is because God is patient and is giving us time for repentance because it’s not His desire to see anyone perish.
The bible is very clear in its teaching that some WILL perish. As we’ve read, there will be those who will be kept for destruction. Jesus was the most kindest, most compassionate man that ever walked this earth and he spoke plainly about the realities of hell and judgement.
Mark 9:42-48
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out.[a] 45And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.[b] 47And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, 48where
" 'their worm does not die,
and the fire is not quenched.'[c]
God’s holy response to human sin and we wouldn’t have it any other way would we? One author puts it this way:
There is something within Human nature that cries out for justice. When we see children molested or old people attacked in their homes. We long for the people who have done these things to be caught and punished. There is such a thing as justifiable anger we are right to feel that peoples sins should be punished – but its not just other people’s sins that need to be punished it’s our own as well. One day we will all be subject to the judgement of God.
The good news of the gospel (the message of Xnity) is that the destruction of ungodly people isn’t in line with the heart beat of God. He longs for men and women to turn away from sin and come to repentance. God is passionately concerned with the salvation of sinners.
The reason the final judgement hasn’t taken place yet is that God is waiting…giving us time to say sorry for living without reference to Him. However, He will not wait forever. Jesus WILL come back with the unpredictability of a burglar.
The scoffer says, ‘I’ve not been burgled yet, so therefore, I never will be.’ But that is foolish. v 10 it WILL happen!
And if you’re here today and you’re not a Christian then there is a solemn warning for you here.
- The door of salvation is still open – God’s patience equals salvation
- Xst has not yet returned but when he does He will close the door and judgment will follow and the day of opportunity will be gone.
11-14 – Live in light of that which is promised
Love 2 Peter because it’s such a practical book and in these last few verses Peter turns his attention to how Christians should live in light of God’s promised future.
11Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. 3But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 14So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.
You’ve heard it said, “Some Christians are so heavenly minded that they’re of no earthly use!” i.e there are those who are always thinking about heaven and never really get on with life on earth.
Well, Peter tells us that having the return of Xst in our minds and before our eyes is crucial if we are to live out the Xn live now. Ashley Cooper (earl of Shaftsbury) said, ‘I do not think that in he last 40 years I have lived one hour that has not been influenced by the return of Christ.’
So, How ought we to live?
1. We ought to be people who long for that day to come v11 holy and godly.
Looking forward to the day ought to be the most natural thing to do if grasped what’s going to happen when it comes. If you have understood what God’s promise means you won’t be able to take your eyes off that day because it’s such a good promise – looking forward – longing/ yearning word.
If you’ve grasped the promise then the hopes, dreams and expectations ought not to be for the things of this world – what do you dream of/ hope for/ long for/ what do you most want to happen? The things that we long for/ hope for and desire will make us the people we become – if you long for that day it will make you godly now/ holy now. Distinct in behaviour because you have a distinctive future that you are looking forward too
How will this promis effect the decisions we take in life – job/ marriage/ where to live? Will that decision make me long for the next world or will it make me more at home in this one. The way I live with other people will it help them long for the next world or will my priorities encourage them to be at home in this world.
You hear of people who graduated 10 –15 years ago who have taken jobs that have taken them away from a good bible teaching church. And that’s meant that for many years they never really hear god s promise explained to them which has meant they have become more and more at home in this world.
Or – folks that have started relationships with non-xns – taken them away from hearing God’s promises and living in light of them.
Could I have less in this world that I may keep my hunger for the next world alive – we ought to long for the day
2. Prepare for the day v14.
People ought to see you and say, “there are strangers amongst us here – not like us. People who belong somewhere else” because we are preparing for a different future. In every single part of life the future always makes us prepare in the present – exams/ marriage/ going on hols.. Future always changes the present v14. Confidence in god’s promises leads to effort now 1:4 what effort are you making to prepare for the future. What are you working hard at now? Does what you are working hard at now have anything to do with Gods promises abut the future?
3. Accelerate the day v12.
The day here is for repentance. Top 5 things on your agenda now? Is repentance one of them because it is right at the top of God’s agenda v15. New heavens and earth are for repentant people not for people who won’t repent. There is nothing that reflects the character and nature of God more then evangelism.
These are great promises. The one who has made them is great. God’s promised future. Judgment for this present world and a great hope for the next. What will you do with God’s promises?
posted by p at 6:56 AM
10 Comments:
Good to see that you seem to have got it written. Will not be able to be there this evening but will pray that God uses you to send the message in his word to Cornerstone.
Great stuff.
Ween - you the heck are you dude? You go to Cornerstone?
I thought you knew me! I have popped over from LiveJournal and set up http://the-ween.blogspot.com/ instead, check it out. Ween being the nickname I ended up getting in the lab during my PhD because I kept saying "wee" (in a small sense, not the other sense) and was dubbed Wee-Ian, or Ween.
I was sitting beside you in church this morning too...
ICP!!! Ha ha!
you got it pardeep.
My blog is a bit of a collection of random stuff, a bit better than the old LJ version, due to the bigger range of things that you can do on blogger.
Good stuff, thanks for posting it.
except that I've now got imagine in my head, grr.
Good work Mr Pod sir. I salute you.
Thanks for eveyones encouragement...really appreciate it!
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