2 Peter 2:1-11 NKJV
2 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.
4 For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; 5 and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; 6 and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; 7 and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked 8 (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)— 9 then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, 10 and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries, 11 whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation against them before the Lord.
Today’s reading is fascinating, for it gives us a stern warning about the work of false teachers who are always among God’s people. Those false teachers (Jesus calls them “wolves in sheep’s clothing” in Mt 7:15) are dangerous because they bring in destructive heresies and deny the Lord. In our day, these are the ones who preach a theology of glory (“your best life now!”) which tells Christians that comfort and prosperity are yours in this life instead of the suffering and difficulties our Lord taught would be part and parcel of our life in this world. In this way they point away from Christ and to themselves, and they teach others to “look inside yourself” for life’s answers. Peter says that “many will follow their destructive ways,” and many have!
Peter also refers to “angels who sinned…” These would be Lucifer himself, who wanted to be like God, and all those heavenly beings that followed him and were cast out of heaven forever. By this reference Peter warns Christians not to be their own gods and follow the devil’s words from Genesis 3 (“you can be like God”). If this happens, we will not be spared eternal destruction, but live forever in hell which was prepared for the devil and all his angels (Mt 25:41). Repent of this perverse leaning, and cling by faith to Christ’s offer and promise of forgiveness.
Finally, we have the comfort of this truth in v. 9: “the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations…” In faith we turn to Him when faced with any and all temptations to go our own way. For “we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Heb 4:15). Christ suffered and died to pay for the sins of the world, and He suffered the pangs of death and hell for us and endured all temptations so that we may indeed receive His help and strength to live the godly life when we call upon Him. Let us pray: Lord Jesus, thank You for resisting all temptations. Help me to call upon You in my own temptations and give me Your strength to endure. Amen.