Doom of False Teachers

Last weeks message was on the “Destructive Doctrines of False Teachers” today's verses will deal with the “Doom of False Teachers” If they are left unrepentant for their destructive teachings, denying the LORD who bought them, as well as those who follow them, they will experience the wrath and judgment of God.

We ended last week on verse 3 in 2 Peter chapter 2. Where Peter says that "Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.”

And this is where we come to v. 4 begins to list example of this judgement leaving an example to us all that no one will be left unpunished if they are unrepentant, only those who are made righteous by God’s saving grace will escape YHWH Holy wrath.

2 Peter 2:4–11 NKJV

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.

The meaning of 2 Peter 2:4-11 is that God will judge the false teachers who have corrupts the church and leads many astray from the truth.

Peter gives three examples from the Old Testament to show that God does not tolerate sin and rebellion, but punishes those who oppose the truth and proclaim lying deceptions leading millions to their own doom.

These examples are: Number 1...

The Angels who Sinned

The angels who sinned where those who left their proper place and having sexual relations with human women (Genesis 6:1-4; Jude 1:6).

Genesis 6:1–4 NKJV

Now it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them, that the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose. And the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.” There were giants on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.

Jude 6 NKJV

And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day;

If you would like to more study are research into these fallen one who sinned, go right ahead. I just read to you all that the Bible says in regard to this.

However I believe the main point Peter is making here is that God DID NOT SPARE them but judged their unholy union with man and possibly even beast.

And so, God cast them into hell (Tartarus) and bound them in chains of darkness until the final judgment (2 Peter 2:4). May this serve as an example....

The second example Peter gives on God’s Judgment to those who appose His will is

The Ancient World

The ancient world that was destroyed by the flood because of its wickedness and violence.

God spared only Noah and his family, who were righteous and obedient (Genesis 6:5-9:17).

What was it like in Noah’s day? That is really a question we should be asking because Jesus pointed out the following Luke 17:26

Luke 17:26 NKJV

And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man:

So what was it like in Noah’s day and are we seeing signs today that our world is looking like the days of Noah.

Genesis 6:5–9 NKJV

Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the Lord said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.

The point Peter is making so far from these two OT references is this…God did not spare them from His judgment.

God did spare Noah and his family...“Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.”

God rescued them from the flood waters as a sign of His grace and mercy (2 Peter 2:5).

Now the third example Peter gives has to do with the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.

The Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah

The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah that were consumed by fire because of their sexual immorality and perversion.

Are we seeing the type of sexual immorality in our world today that was being seen and experienced in these two cities? I personally believe that we are. And I would go as far as to say that it may be even worse.

It is believed by many that America is on the threshold of Romans 1:18-32

Romans 1:18–32 NKJV

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

Sounds like America Post Modernism to me. If this country does not repent of its sins, it will experience the wrath of God…may Sodom and Gomorrah be the example.

Just as God rescued Noah and his family God rescued Lot, who was a righteous man, but was tormented by the wickedness around him (Genesis 19:1-29).

As Peter says, 2 Peter 2:9

2 Peter 2:9 (NKJV)

the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment,

This is why I believe the Rapture of the every true believe will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air before that great day of God’s Wrath aka - Jacob’s Trouble. For God knows how to deliver the godly out of trails, but all those left behind are reserved for punishment and judgment.

Peter uses these examples in 2 Peter 2:4-11 to warn his readers that God will also judge the false teachers who have denied the Lord Jesus Christ, who bought them with His blood, and have followed the ways of the world, indulging in lust, greed, pride, and blasphemy.

They are like irrational animals, destined for destruction, and they will bring swift ruin upon themselves and their followers (2 Peter 2:1-3, 9-11).

Peter’s message is relevant for us today, as we face many false teachings and temptations in our world.

We need to be careful not to be deceived by them, but to hold fast to the true gospel of Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and rose again for our salvation.

We need to live holy and godly lives, in obedience to His word and His Spirit, and to look forward to His coming again, when He will judge the living and the dead, and reward His faithful servants with eternal life.