Looking forward with prophetic vision to the perilous times into which the church of Christ was to enter, the apostle exhorted the believers to steadfastness in the face of trial and suffering. "Beloved," he wrote, "think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you."

Apostlen så med profetisk syn frem til de farefulde tider, der ville komme for Kristi menighed, og formanede de troende til bestandighed trods prøvelser og lidelser. "I elskede," skrev han, "I skal ikke undre jer over den ildprøve, I gennemgår, som om det var noget mærkeligt, der hændte jer."