As we continue last week's study of 2 Peter concerning the end times, this verse from Lamentations applies to what we discussed as revealed in Peter's epistle:
"Your prophets have seen (imagined) for you
False and foolish visions;
And they have not exposed your wickedness
To restore you from captivity [by teaching you to repent],
But they have seen (imagined) and declared to you false and misleading oracles."
Lamentations 2:14 (Amplified Version)
Peter made clear that false teachers and false prophets would be enticing believers. Their unrighteous agenda comes from covetousness and the desire for gain, as they intend to make merchandise from their followers. Peter compares these false prophets and teachers to Balaam, a prophet of God, who compromised his relationship with God for the promise of gain from an earthly king:
..."these...speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; and shall receive the reward of unrighteousness; beguiling unstable souls: a heart they have exercised with covetous practices; which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam ("Not of the people/compatriots") the son of Bosor (Beor: "burning, to feed upon, stupid, brutish, barbarous, dull-hearted, unreceptive"), who loved the wages of unrighteousness." 2 Pet. 2:12-15 (excerpt) (see also Jude v. 4-16)
These false teachers promise liberty, but they themselves, and those whom they deceive, have become instead slaves of corruption (2 Pet. 2:19). Jesus corrected the lie of finding liberty in sin as He spoke to His believers who thought they were free because they were descendants of Abraham:
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." see Jn. 8:31-36
What happens to those who know Christ in this way, but choose to follow the unrighteous teaching of the false prophets and teachers instead, because of their false teachings appeal to their lusts (desire/coveting for what is forbidden)? Peter wrote that "the latter end is worse for them than the beginning", like a dog returning to its vomit, or a washed sow returning to wallow again in the mire (2 Pet. 2:20-22, see also Heb. 6:4-6, 8)). This is a warning for all of us, as we see the corruption and lusts that are drawing men, including believers, all around us today.
Peter wrote this epistle as a reminder to the Church, to stir up our pure minds, so that we are mindful of both the Word of God, and the commandments of the apostles of Christ:
"Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his (Christ's) coming?...all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation..." 2 Pet. 3:3-4 (see also Jude v. 17-19)
They are promoting the thought that Jesus is not returning, and there is no need to fear judgment, because God has not judged men or the earth to this point. However, as Peter pointed out, God has indeed judged cataclysmically during the flood of Noah. That same word which precipitated that judgment is still active:
"Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men." 2 Pet. 3:6-7
There are indeed those today who mock and jeer at the promise of judgment, and the return of Christ to rule and reign on earth. There was even a declaration from the son of a respected President who proclaimed that he is not afraid of burning in hell. There are indeed many scoffers who hold that false assurance against the judgment. Peter warned not to take God's patience and forbearance as slackness to keep His word regarding the judgment of the wicked. The Lord is patiently giving the opportunity for repentance and salvation:
"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." 2 Pet. 3:9
However, when that day of judgment does come, Peter warned, it will come suddenly, without warning and unexpectedly for some, "like a thief in the night":
"...the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burnt up." 2 Pet. 3:10
Keeping these things in mind, especially in the light of the end time falsehoods, scoffing, and the misrepresentation of scripture (2 Pet. 3:15-16) that can lure many away from the faith, Peter exhorts us, with wisdom for these end times, to be diligent, guarding and examining ourselves and our faith "that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless...grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
2 Pet. 3:14, 18 (see also 2 Cor. 13:5-8)
2 Pet. 3:14, 18 (see also 2 Cor. 13:5-8)
*The above is based upon the 1/20 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson.
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Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.
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