Tag: Peter

Be Found of Him in Peace

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2Peter 3:14-18 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that you look for such things, be diligent that you may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. You therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest you also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. 

‘Be diligent that you may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless’ three final commands in 2Peter that save the soul: Be diligent that you may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless (3:14); beware lest you also (like the backsliders of 2Peter 2:1-22), being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness (3:17); grow in grace, and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ 3:18).

‘Written unto you’ Paul has written the letter of Hebrews ‘unto the Jews’.

‘Some things hard to be understood’ the things that Peter refers to are not listed, so it cannot be known what he would consider hard to understand. Had he possessed the whole New Testament Peter might have had more light on some of Paul’s statements.

‘Unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction’ this should not be taken as proof that the Bible is hard to understand, or that the common man cannot understand it, for the unlearned and unstable not only stumble at the so-called things which are hard to comprehend by some, they also twist the so-called simple scriptures to their own destruction, not wanting to understand (Matt. 13:15-17; 1Cor. 2:14).

‘Beware lest you also, being led away’ here is another proof that it is possible for a Christian to be led into error and fall from his steadfastness. If such is not possible, then many scriptures like this are meaningless.

‘Error of the wicked’ the error of the wicked is to wrest (twist) the Scriptures to make them condone or excuse their lusts and sinful practices.

‘But’ this clause is connected to “fall from your own steadfastness” (3:17), meaning that one can backslide and fall from grace. See Galatians 1:6-9; 5:4 and Hebrews 12:15.

‘Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ’ the Christian life is growth. Every grace and blessing of the gospel is in seed-form and implanted in the newborn child of God (1Pet. 1:23; Jas. 1:18). If these seeds are watered from heaven and cared for by the individual in conformity to the Word of God, they will grow to full maturity. No single work of grace or even a dozen works of grace or anointing of the Spirit will make a person fully mature and beyond the growing stage of Christian experience. One must walk in the light as he receives knowledge and he will grow normally to maturity in Christ (1Jn. 1:7; 1Pet. 2:1-8).

According to His Promise

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2Peter 3:11-13 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness. 

‘Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved’ seeing then – that all the things of earth and of man that need to be removed will be burned up, leaving only those things which need not be burned up – let us live godly and holy lives.

‘Conversation’ [Greek: anastrophe] behaviour or manner of life; the whole conduct of life in domestic and public relations. Always translated “conversation” (1:15, 18; 2:12; 3:1, 2, 16; Gal. 1:13; Eph. 4:22; 1Tim. 4:12; Heb. 13:7; Jas. 3:13; 2Pet. 2:7; 3:11).

‘Looking for’ let us look forward to the renewal of the earth and to the day of God in the new earth when He will be all and all, as before rebellion and sin (1Cor. 15:24-28; Rev. 21:1-22:5).

‘Hasting unto the coming’ expecting and desiring the day of God. Man cannot hasten or hinder the coming of Christ, the coming kingdom, the day of God, or anything else fixed in God’s own time (Acts 1:7), but there are those who are excited about being with God and that are looking forward to His coming.

‘Day of God’ the day of God is when God rules supremely again over all His creation without one person rebelling against Him, and as it was before Lucifer and Adam’s rebellions (3:13; 1Cor. 15:24-28; Eph. 1:10; Rev. 21:1-22:5; Isa. 65:17; 66:22-24).

‘Wherein the heavens being of fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat’ this will be at the end of the day of the Lord and the beginning of the day of God (3:7, 10-13; 1Cor. 15:24-28; Rev. 20:7-15).

‘Promise’ this promise was already given in Isaiah 65:17 and 66:22-24. ‘New heavens and a new earth’ three times earth made new: At its first creation (Gen; 1:1); at the recreation in the six days of Genesis 1:3-2:25 and Exodus 20:11; 31:15. At the renovation of the heavens and the earth by fire (3:7, 3:12-13; Isa. 65:17; 66:22-24; Rev. 21:1-22:5).

‘Dwells righteousness’ the earth was originally created to be inhabited (Isa. 45:18). This purpose will be realized forever when the natural people who do not rebel with satan at the end of the Millennium (Rev. 20:7-10) will remain on the earth after its renovation by fire and multiply forever, as God intended Adam and his race to do before the fall (Gen. 1:26-31; 8:22; 9:12; Isa. 9:6-7; 59:20; Dan. 2:44-45; 7:13-27; Luke 1:31-33; Rev. 11:15; 22:5).

All Should Come to Repentance

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2Peter 3:7-10 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. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which 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 burned up. 

‘Which are now, by the same word are kept in store’ the present heavens and the earth, as restored to a second perfect state in the days of Adam (Gen. 1:3-2:25; Ex. 20:11).

‘Unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men’ this is the 6th New Testament prophecy in 2Peter that is unfulfilled. This proves that the time of the renovation of the heavens and the earth by fire of 2Peter 3:10-13 will be at the time of the great white throne judgment at the end of the Millennium (3:7; Rev. 20:11-15).

‘The one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day’ that with God, a thousand years is like a day and a day like a thousand years. He inhabits eternity and is not subject to time to get His work done before death as is the case with us (3:8-9; Isa. 57:15; Eph. 3:11).  

‘But is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance’ this shows us why God has delayed so long in putting down all rebellion and in tolerating His enemies to continue their evil designs. The Lord is not slack concerning His promises but is longsuffering to all men, wishing that all would come to repentance (3:9; 1Tim. 2:4; Rev. 22:17).

‘The day of the Lord will come …’ this is the 7th and last New Testament prophecy in 2Peter that is unfulfilled. The day of the Lord is the Millennium, from the second coming to the rebellion of satan at the end of that period (Rev. 19:11-20:10). The day of the Lord cannot come until the Lord comes to reign (Isa. 2:12; 13:6, 9; 34:8; 61:2; 63:1-6; Jer. 46:10; Ezek. 30:3; Dan. 2:44-45; 7:13-14; Amos 5:18; Joel 2:1-32; Oba. 1:15; Zeph. 1:8, 18; 2:2-3; Zech. 14:1-21; Mal. 4:1-6; Matt. 24:29-31; 25:31-46; 1Thess. 5:2; 2Thess. 1:7-10; 2:1-12; Jude 1:14; Rev. 19:11-21; 20:1-10).

‘As a thief in the night’ this expression is used only in 2Peter 3:10 and Revelation 3:3; 16:15. Each time it refers to the day of the Lord coming as a thief, except Revelation 3:3 where it refers to judgment on the local congregation of Sardis. Christ’s coming is also referred to as a thief (Matt. 24:43; 1Thess. 5:2-4).

‘Which the heavens shall pass away’ in the day of the Lord the renovation of the earth will take place – not at the beginning of it, but at the end (3:7; Rev. 20:7-15).

‘Pass away’ – Change [Greek: parechomai] pass away; pass from condition to another. It never means annihilation. Passing away of the heavens and the earth (3:10; Rev. 21:1), or the changing of them, like old things passing away and all things becoming new at the new birth (2Cor. 5:17). It means they will be: Purified by fire (3:7, 10-12); delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the sons of God (Rom. 8:21); changed to a new state (Heb. 1:10-12); re-created or renewed to their original perfection (Heb. 12:25-28; Isa. 65:17; 66:22-24; 1Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:1); cleansed of all the curse and its effects (Rev. 22:3).

‘Great noise’ [Greek: rhoizedon] a rushing sound; swish; illustrating the length and suddenness of the renovation. ‘Elements’ [Greek: stoicheion] translated “element” (3:10, 12; Gal. 4:3, 9); “rudiment” (Col. 2:8, 20); and “principle” (Heb. 5:12). It has reference to the principles or basic elements of the present world system of evil spirits, sinful and fallen nature, germs, corruptions, and all elements by which people corrupt themselves.

‘Melt’ [Greek: luo] to lose. Translated “melt” (3:10); “dissolve” (3:11-12). Here it means the loosing of the heavens and the earth from the curse by fire, not their annihilation. ‘Fervent heat’ [Greek: kausoo] burning heat (3:10, 12). ‘Earth’ [Greek: ge] the ground (3:10).

‘Works’ [Greek: ergon] works, toil, deeds, labour, and acts of man. It is used of religious works as well as other kinds of work. ‘Burned up’ [Greek: katakaio] to burn down to the ground; wholly consume with fire. It has reference to the things of earth and of man that need to be removed, so that the things that need not be moved may remain eternally (Heb. 12:25-28).

The World That Then Was

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2Peter 3:6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished

‘World’ [Greek: kosmos] social system. The one that then was, being deluged with water, perished. This refers to the pre-Adamite world that totally perished by the flood of Genesis 1:2 and Psalm 104:5-9. There was no man, bird, or any other life left after this flood (Jer. 4:23-26). This was when Lucifer rebelled (Isa. 14:12-14; Ezek. 28:11-17; Matt. 13:35).

‘That then was’ three periods of the heavens and earth: The world that then was (3:6; Gen. 1:1-2); the heavens and the earth which are now (3:7; Gen. 1:3-2:25); the new heavens and new earth (3:13; Isa. 65:17; 66:22-24; Rev. 21-22).

‘Overflowed with water, perished’ the pre-Adamites period can be seen clearly from the two social systems that are mentioned here by Peter. One was before the one which is now and the other after the one that then was (3:6-7). The former social system perished by water and the present one will perish by fire (3:6-7). The former social system was created “in the beginning” and was destroyed by the flood of Genesis 1:1-2. The present social system was created in six days since the flood of Genesis 1:2 (Genesis 1:3-2:25). The flood of Noah did not destroy all the social system on earth between Adam and Noah for some was preserved in the ark to continue that social system after the flood, but the social system that then was before the present one utterly perished. Not one man, bird, or animal was left alive (3:6; Gen. 1:2; Jer. 4:23-26). No reference in Scripture can be found of a change in the heavens and the earth in Noah’s day, as in Adam’s day (Gen. 1:3-2:25). This proves that “the world that then was” had to be before Adam’s day because “the heavens and the earth, which are now” came into existence at that time and not at the time of Noah. There was no man, bird, vegetation, or any other life left after the flood of 2Peter 3:6 and Genesis 1:2. They were made again in the six days (Gen. 2:4-9). That they had been here before Adam is clear from Jeremiah 4:23-26.

There have been and will be a total of three social systems on earth: (1) The pre-Adamite, the one that then was before the present heavens and the earth (3:6); (2) The Adamite sinful social system, from Adam to the new heavens and the new earth (3:7) and (3) the Adamite sinless social system in the new earth (3:13; Isa. 66:22-24; Rev. 21:1-22:5).

Peter taught two distinct ends of two sinful careers of the earth: The world that then was. The pre-Adamite social system had a sinful career or it would not have perished in the flood of 2Peter 3:6; Genesis 1:2; Jeremiah 4:23-26; Isaiah 14:12-14; Ezekiel 28:11-17 and Matthew 13:35. The present Adamite sinful social system making the present sinful career of the earth. It will come to an end during the Millennium (3:7, 10-13; 1Cor. 15:24-28; Rev. 20:7-10). If 2Peter 3:6 pictured Noah’s flood it would be clear, for Peter always mentions Noah or eight persons if he refers to this flood (1Pet. 3:20; 2Pet. 2:5). Others also make it clear when they refer to Noah’s flood (Isa. 54:9; Matt. 24:37-38; Luke 17:26-27; Heb. 11:7). There is no doubt of a universal flood before Adam (3:6; Gen. 1:2; Ps. 104:5-9). Since God never sends a flood unless judgment is necessary, there must have been a social system to be banished before Adam.

Ignorant

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2Peter 3:5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 

‘Ignorant’ [Greek: lanthano] to be unseen or unnoticed. Translated “ignorant of” (3:5, 8); “unawares” (Heb. 13:2); and “be hid” (Mark 7:24; Luke 8:47; Acts 26:26).

‘That by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water.’ Things that people are willingly ignorant of: [1] That by the Word of God the heavens were created of old (3:5; Ps. 68:33; 93:2; 102:25; Mic. 5:2). [2] That the earth was established in and out of water (3:5; Ps. 24:2; 136:6). [3] That “the world that then was” refers to the pre-Adamite world or social system which was destroyed by a great universal flood before Adam (3:6; Gen. 1:2; Ps. 104:5-9; Isa. 14:12-14; Jer. 4:23-26; Ezek. 28:11-17). [4] That the heavens and the earth which are now were restored from chaos and judgment about 6,000 years ago in Adam’s day (3:7; Gen. 1:3-2:25). [5] That the heavens and the earth entered their second sinful career through Adam and are now reserved for a second universal renovation (by fire) at the time of the great white throne judgment at the end of the Millennium (3:7, 10-12; Rom. 8:18-25; Heb. 1:10-12; 12:25-28; Rev. 20:7-15). [6] That with God a thousand years is like a day and a day like a thousand years. He inhabits eternity and is not subject to time to get His work done before death as is the case with us (3:8-9; Isa. 57:15; Eph. 3:11). [7] That the Lord is not slack concerning His promises but is longsuffering to all men, wishing that all would come to repentance (3:9; 1Tim. 2:4; Rev. 22:17). [8] That the day of the Lord is to come as a thief in the night, in which day (the end of it) the heavens and the earth will be renovated and made new a third time (3:10-13; Isa. 65:17; 66:22-24; Rev. 21-22). [9] That all rebellion will then be put down (3:13; 1Cor. 15:24-28). [10] That the righteous natural people left on earth after the rebellion of Revelation 20:7-10 will multiply and replenish the new earth forever, carrying out God’s original program for Adam, as would have been done if man had not sinned (3:13; Gen. 1:26-31; 8:22; 9:12; Isa. 9:6-7; 59:20; Dan. 2:44-45; 7:13-14, 27; Matt. 25:34, 46; Luke 1:32-33; Rev. 11:15; 21:1-22:5). [11] That God will move His capital city from heaven to the earth to dwell with men forever and administer the affairs of the universe from the earth (3:13; Rev. 21:1-22-5). [12] That the resurrected saints, saved from Abel to the Millennium will be heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ and will reign as kings and priests on earth helping God administer the affairs of the universe forever (3:13; Ps. 149:5-9; Dan. 7:18-27; Matt. 19:28; Rom. 8:17; 1Cor. 4:8; 6:2; Eph. 2:7; 2Tim. 2:12; 2Thess. 1:4-10; Rev. 1:6; 2:26-27; 5:9-10; 11:15; 12:5; 20:4-6; 22:5).

This ignorance of the Biblical facts is not forced upon man. They are willingly ignorant, preferring to remain in darkness, even scoffing at the second coming of Christ and denying Him who bought them with His own blood (2:1-2; 3:5, 8). They shut their eyes against light and refuse all evidence.

‘By the word of God the heavens were of old’ this refers to God speaking the materials into existence out of which He then formed the heavens and the earth (Heb. 1:10).

‘Standing out of the water and in the water’ this proves the earth was not created all wet as in Genesis 1:2, but dry, then flooded, and later restored to a dry state as in Genesis 1:9-10.

Be Mindful

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2Peter 3:1-4 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: That you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: 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 coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 

‘This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance’ the second epistle of Peter wherein he exhorts believers to stand true in all kinds of suffering, and to set forth the true grace of God (1Pet. 5:12). In this second epistle Peter foretells conditions of the latter days and shows more fully how the earth will be renovated by fire instead of by water as in the two great universal floods of Lucifer and Noah (3:1-13).

‘Holy prophets’ here Peter classes the writings of the apostles [New Testament authors] as equal in authority to the writings of the holy prophets [Old Testament authors].

‘Knowing this first, that here shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts’ this is the 5th New Testament prophecy in 2Peter that is being fulfilled. One of the signs of the last days that those who mock the Word of God [anyone contradicting, misquoting or disobeying God’s Word] will be living according to their lusts (whatever their sinful natures desire).

‘Where is the promise of his coming?’ one of the promises that mockers use to contradict the Word of God of His promise that He will return. The two comings of the Lord (the rapture and Second Advent) are some of the most practical and fruitful doctrines in Scripture. They are real incentives to holiness (1Jn. 3:1-3), profitable in exhorting to watchfulness and faithfulness (Matt. 24:25; 1Jn. 2:28), patience (Jas. 5:7,8), death to self (Col. 3:3-5), endurance (1Pet. 1:7; 4:13), holy conversation and godliness (2Pet. 3:11-13), soberness anal righteousness (Tit. 2:11-13), consolation (1Thess. 4:13-18), blamelessness (1Cor. 1:4-8), pastoral diligence and purity (1Pet. 5:1-4), sincerity (Php. 1:9, 10), mildness (Php. 4:5, 6), and hope (1Cor. 15). The rapture will be to the saints the beginning of eternal and ever-increasing joy and glory. The second coming will be to Israel and all righteous earthly nations the beginning of eternal and ever-increasing blessing and favour.

Backsliding

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2Peter 2:20-22 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. 

‘If after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein’ one of 1,522 IF’s in the Bible, plainly indicating that all can and some do escape the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Yet some are again entangled therein, becoming worse than they were before they found Christ. Here some proofs follow that these are backsliders: In 2Peter 2:4, Peter warns men that God sent three great catastrophes upon angels and men because of their backslidings and sins. One may argue that the ante-deluvians (pre-flood inhabitants) and Sodom and Gomorrah were not backsliders and had nothing to backslide from, but this argument cannot possibly hold true of the angels that sinned, which, as is acknowledged by all, were created sinless and holy and in God’s grace and blessings. They sinned and are now in hell (2:4; Jude 1:6-7). Angels are definitely called sons of God in Genesis 6:1-4 and Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:4-7. Hence sonship, whether by creation or adoption, will not keep God from damning any angels or men who rebel and sin and who do not get right with Him. In 2Peter 1:5-15, it is clear that Peter lays down conditions to be met if one is not to fall.

One could not forsake or abandon the straight-way if he had not been in it. If they went astray from the right and straight-way, they were one time in it. When we look at 2Peter 1:4; 2:18, 20 we see that the first verse proves that escaping the corruption that is in the world through lust is at the time one partakes of the divine nature, thus it is not possible that these people are not saved or born again at such a time. This confirms that they were one time believers or they would not have had the experiences of like precious faith, grace, peace, and godliness which come with such knowledge, as proved in 2Peter 1:1-4.

The words “again entangled therein, and overcome” (2:20), prove they were once free from such pollutions or they could not be entangled and overcome in and by them again. The statement, “the latter end is worse with them than the beginning,” proves that they were once saved and could have had a better ending than the beginning if they had not become entangled again in the pollutions of the world (2:20).

Peter’s explanation of why it would have been better not to have known the way of righteousness, than after knowing it, to turn away, becoming entangled and overcome by sins again, proves that they were once saved and in the way of righteousness, actually knowing the Christian way (2:21).

The illustration of the sow and the dog proves that they were once saved and that they had gone back into sin again as a dog returns to his vomit and the washed sow to her wallowing in the mire (2:22). If this does not illustrate Christians going back into sin again, it has no point. To argue that it does not refer to Christians returning to sin again on the pretext that the sow always remains a sow and the dog always remains a dog proves nothing, for the same is true of lost sheep, coins, and men (Luke 15:1-32). They always remain what they are when found as do sows and dogs. In none of these illustrations is there a change made in the sow, dog, sheep, coin or lost son. The point is that the sheep, the coin, and lost son were found, and the sow and the dog went back to their old ways. Even a born-again person is not changed into another species; he is still a human being, he is simply cleansed from sin like the sow that was washed (1Jn. 1:7, 9; Rev. 1:5). If he wants to remain cleansed from sin he must walk in the light and in the Spirit (1Jn. 1:7; Gal. 5:16-26; Rom. 8:12-13). To argue that the sow was never washed or the dog was never free from vomit is meaningless.

The warning of 2Peter 3:14 proves that some might not be without spot and blameless and the warning of 3:16 proves that it is possible to go into sin and fall from steadfastness in Christ.

‘Pollutions’ [Greek: miasmata] things that infect, pollute, and defile. It is used still today of the contagion of dangerous diseases and of decaying bodies, stagnant water, and putrid matter. The world is here pictured as putrid and full of contagion of sin and uncleanness (1:4; 2:20).

‘Entangled therein’ [Greek: empleko] to plait or weave in; interweave; entangle. This shows to what extent they had escaped from the pollutions of the world and was then entangled again. ‘The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire’ partially quoted from Proverbs 26:11. Here are some examples of those who returned to sin (Aaron and David repented): Aaron and Israel (Ex. 32:32-33; Deut. 32:16-18; 1Cor. 10:1-11; Jude 1:5); Nadab and Abihu (Lev. 10:1-20); Korah and company (Num. 16:1-50); King Saul (1Sam. 10:13-24; 16:12-23; 1Chron. 10:13-14); many disciples of Jesus (John 6:66); David (2Sam. 11-12; Ps. 51:1-19); Judas Iscariot (Ps. 41:9; 55:12-14; 69:25-28; 109:8; Matt. 26:24; John 13:18; Acts 1:1-26); Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-14); many Galatians (Gal. 1:6-9; 5:4; 6:7-8); many early Christians (1Tim. 1:19-20; 5:8-20; 6:1-21; 2Tim. 2:18-21); Demas (2Tim. 4:10); whole congregations (Rev. 2-3).

Forsaken the Right Way

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2Peter 2:15-19 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet. These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 

‘Have forsaken the right way’ three great sins of Balaam are noted (Numbers 22:1-24:25): The way of Balaam (2:15). This was the love of the wages of unrighteousness and coveting the gifts of Balak (Num. 22:7, 17, 37; 24:11). The error of Balaam (Jude 1:11). This was accepting the wages of unrighteousness for his services in giving the secret of how to get God to curse Israel (Jude 1:11; Num. 31:8, 16). The doctrine of Balaam (Rev. 2:14). This was to teach Balak that if he would give his most beautiful women to the Israelite men and cause them to commit idolatry and adultery that God Himself would curse Israel (Num. 25:1-9; 21:8, 16).

‘Rebuked for his iniquity; the dumb donkey which spoke with a man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet’ we see from Numbers 22:22-35 the story of Balaam’s iniquity which can be summarized as follows: His disrespect for God’s word and integrity when he was forbidden to go and curse Israel (Num. 22:12-20) which he wanted to do because of his covetousness for reward (Num. 22:7, 17, 37; 24:11). We see his hypocrisy in trying to persuade God to let him go (Num. 22:19) and we see his seeming desire and attempt to curse Israel (Num. 22:14; Deut. 23:4-5; Jos. 24:10). Then there is his stubbornness about going in spite of God’s command (Num. 22:19-35) and his lack of desire to do God’s perfect will (Num. 22:12-22). We see his perverseness (Num. 22:32) and his refusal to wait until the men called for him, and arising early to go with the enemies of Israel (Num. 22:20). He tries to persuade God to cooperate with him, through repeated sacrifices, so he could get the reward (Num. 22:19; 23:1-3, 14-15; 24:1) and his tiresome willingness to use every means in seeking to get the reward like most false prophets/teachers today (Num. 22:8, 19; 24:1; 2Pet. 2:15-16; Jude 1:11; Rev. 2:14). God foresaw the backsliding of His prophet through covetousness, and how the destruction of many people would ultimately result from the doctrine of Balaam.

‘Wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever’ two symbols of false prophets/teachers: Wells without water and clouds without rain. In the desert it is distressing to find wells without water and clouds that dissipate without rain. So are false teachers who are as unprofitable as an empty well and as a dissipated cloud. We are warned in Matthew 7:15 to stay away from false prophets/teachers. There are seven ways false prophets are known: By their outward general conduct (Matt. 5:20; 6:1-24; 7:15; 23:1-33; 2Tim. 3:5); by inward their state (Matt. 5:22, 28; 7:15; 23:25-28; Mark 7:21-23); by the kind of fruit in works produced (Matt. 7:16-20; 23:1-24; 2Cor. 11:13-15; Php. 1:15-17; 3:3, 17-19); by the kind of fruit in doctrine taught (Matt. 7:16-20; 12:33-37; 15:1-9; 16:12; 23:1-33; 1Tim. 4:1-6; 6:3-5; 2Tim. 3:1-8; 4:1-4; 2Pet. 2:1-22); by professing to do, but not doing the will of God (Matt. 5:20; 7:21; 23:1-33); by satanic backing usually drawing huge crowds and popularity (Matt. 7:22; 24:24; Acts 8:9-13; 13:6-13; 16:16-24; 2Cor. 11:13-15; 2Thess. 2:8-12; Rev. 13:1-18; 16:13-16; 19:20); professing to come in the name of the Lord, but they use their own names to promote themselves and their ministries (John 5:43; 1Tim. 6:3-6).

‘For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh’ false teachers cannot give the water of life, but they can damn souls by the methods used in this verse (1Tim. 1:3-4; 4:7; 2Tim. 2:15-17; 4:3-4).

‘Wantonness’ [Greek: aselgeia] licentiousness and lustfulness. Lasciviousness is the promoting or partaking of that which tends to produce lewd emotions, anything tending to foster sexual sin and lust. That is why many worldly pleasures have to be avoided by Christians – so that lasciviousness may not be committed.

‘In error’ this error refers to the vile affections of the homosexual sins, as is clear here and in Romans 1:27.

‘While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption’ false teachers promise liberty from the condemnation of sinful lusts, but they themselves are not free.

‘For of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.’ This verse states clearly that whatever rule over us (overcome) we brought us in bondage, thus we will serve it (Rom. 6:15-23). That’s why it is important to forsake all (Matt. 10:37-39) so that you can serve the one and only true God that will never put you in bondage (Rom. 8:15-17).

To Be Punished

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2Peter 2:9-15 The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness 

‘To deliver the godly out of temptation’ the godly are not preserved from temptations, but delivered out of them (1Cor. 10:13; Jas. 1:2, 12-15; 1Pet. 1:7; 4:12). These include trials of any kind, not necessarily temptation to sin (Jas. 1:2-4, 12; 1Pet. 1:7).

‘To be punished’ this is the 4th New Testament prophecy in 2Peter that is unfulfilled. It is clear from the Word of God that the wicked will be punished eternally in hell (Isa. 66:22-24; Matt. 8:12; 13:42-43, 50; 18:8-9; 25:41, 46; Mark 9:43-49; 12:40; Luke 3:17; 12:4-5; Rev. 14:9-11; 20:11-15; 21:8; 22:15). Let us have grace and serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear, for God will punish by fire (Heb. 12:28-29).

‘Them that walk after the flesh’ here it refers to the sins of sodomites (please note that even though a specific sin is discussed here, those who commit for example adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness (Gal. 5:19), are mostly guilty of the same attitude and arrogance): they commit homosexual sins (2:10; Rom. 1:1-32); they despise government and law (2:10); they are presumptuous, bold, daring, headstrong and reckless (2:10; Rom. 1:29-32); they are self-willed and self-sufficient in their own eyes (2:10); they speak evil of lawful authority (2:10); they live like brute beasts (2:12); they speak evil and blasphemy (2:12); they commit sins in open daylight and without sense of shame (2:13); they make sport of their deceptions (2:13); they have eyes full of adultery (2:14); they beguile innocent and unstable souls leading them into perversion (2:14); they have forsaken the right way (2:15-22); they live in covetousness (2:14-15); they are braggarts and boasters (2:18); they seduce and allure others to surrender chastity and live in lusts (2:18); they promise people liberty from sin but they themselves are sinful (2:19).

Such are the chief ones reserved for punishment in eternal hell (2:10). ‘Lust of uncleanness’ this is definitely the homosexual sin (Rom. 1:24-27).

‘Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them, before the Lord’ the idea here is that the holy angels who are given the responsibility to report to God of the actions of fallen angels and wicked men, do not rashly accuse or condemn, but merely report facts as they are without bitterness and railing. They are courteous in their reports (Zech. 3:1; Jude 1:9).

‘As natural brute beasts’ like animals that are void of reason, following depraved instincts. ‘They feast with you’ they attend your love feasts and pose as godly men while in your midst.

‘Eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin’ the images of sinful acts are continually lingering before their eyes. They revel in imaginations of lustful acts. ‘Beguiling unstable souls’ they seduce the innocent, unwary, inexperienced, light, and trifling women and even men to surrender chastity.

God Spared Not

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2Peter 2:4-8 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds)

‘For if God spared not the angels …’ over one-third of God’s holy angels rebelled with Lucifer (Rev. 12:3, 7-12) and became destined to hell with satan (Matt. 25:41; Isa. 24:21). Many of these committed the additional sin of fornication and are now in hell (2Pet. 2:4; Jude 1:6-7). Angels are sons of God (Gen. 6:1-4; Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:4-7) and yet those who sin are to be punished forever in hell, so sonship is no unforfeitable guarantee of heaven. Three examples of judgment are given: [1] The fallen angels (2Pet. 2:4). They rebelled with Lucifer when he ruled the earth and when he invaded heaven to dethrone God in the pre-Adamite period (Gen. 1:1-2; Isa. 14:12-14; Ezek. 28:11-17; Jer. 4:23-26; Luke 10:18; 2Pet. 3:5-8). [2] The ante-deluvians [pre-flood humans] (2:5; Genesis 6-8); [3] and Sodom and Gomorrah (2:6; Gen. 19:1-38).

‘Sinned’ it does not say here what sin they committed causing them to be confined to hell, but Jude 1:6-7 and Genesis 6:1-4 tell us that they committed fornication, living with the daughters of men contrary to their own nature and produced races of giants on earth which caused a lot of human destruction (Gen. 6:4; Num. 13:33; Deut. 1:28; 2:10-11, 21; 9:2; Josh. 11:21-22; 14:12-14). These angels committed sin beyond that of falling with Lucifer, and they are now confined to hell for that sin. If all the fallen angels had committed such sin they all would now be bound in hell and none loose with the devil to fight against God in the middle of Daniel’s 70th week, 3 1/2 years before the second coming of Christ (Rev. 12:7-17). It would not be just to bind some and not all if the same sin was committed by all. Thus it is clear that there are two classes of fallen angels – those now bound and those now loose with satan.

‘Hell’ [Greek: tartaroo] from tartaros (Latin, tartarus), a dark abyss; a place of punishment. Eight facts about Tartarus: It is a prison for angels and is located under the earth (2:4); it is a place of confinement for angels until the judgment (2:4; Rev. 20:11-15; Jude 1:6); A place visited by Christ when He went to hell (Ps. 16:10; 1Pet. 3:19); It is a place of darkness, eternal fire and vengeance (Jude 1:6-7). The word is used only here but in Greek writings tartarus was held to be a place in the earth lower than hades were the Titans, the primeval deities or the giants who were supposed to be the first children of the earth and even older than the Greek gods, was cast when they lost their war with Zeus.

‘Chains’ [Greek: seira] a cord; rope; chain. It could mean literal chains, for the Greek in Jude 1:6 are desmos which is a band; fetter; halter; imprisonment. Angels can be bound by literal chains and confined to prisons as we see from Revelation 9:1-2, 14; 20:1-3, 7, 10.

‘Of darkness’ Jude 1:6 reads under darkness. The Greek word zophos is used here. It is literal, not spiritual.

‘Spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly’ we read this history in Genesis 6:1-8:22. ‘Turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes’ See Genesis 19:1-38 for this part of history.

‘Those that after should live ungodly’ Peter refers to God’s judgment when He did not spare the angels, the ante-deluvians, and the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, and that He will not spare any man who lives ungodly, including the backslider (2:9-22).

‘Filthy’ [Greek: aselgeia] licentiousness and lustfulness. Lasciviousness is the promoting or partaking of that which tends to produce lewd emotions, anything tending to foster sexual sin and lust. That is why many worldly pleasures have to be avoided by Christians – so that lasciviousness may not be committed.

‘Conversation’ [Greek: anastrophe] conduct, behaviour or manner of life; the whole conduct of life in domestic and public relations. Here it refers to sodomy.