Lessons in Apostacy from II Peter

Not really by any choice of mine, this site draws most of its attention because of the unconditional eternal security issue that seems to dominate the cyber-world. Obviously people have questions about it or else there would be no need for a site such as this one to tackle the issue. The scales are weighed heavily against those who hold my position (that UES/OSAS is a false doctrine) because most evangelicals hold that this is a cardinal doctrine of scripture (some even affirm this in their church/denominational statements of faith). Nevertheless, the scriptures must be our barometer and not public opinion. If we were to gauge everything based on majority opinion then Noah would be a complete failure- through his preaching (the bible calls him a "preacher of righteousness") only 8 souls were saved and the rest of the world perished. Numbers and crowds are not indicative of God's approval. Of course this does not mean that a minority of people guarantees biblical accuracy either. There are many fringe groups which hold that they have a monopoly on the truth, when in fact, they couldn't be any farther from the truth if they tried.

Today's lesson in apostacy will be based on the 2nd epistle of Peter. II Peter and Jude have many similarities- because of this some have even drawn the conclusion that they come from the same source- I cannot accept that position, but I merely state this to show you there are a number of similarities. This is also true from the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke)- there is much repetition, but this does not indicate they were written by the same source. The apostle Peter is the author of this epistle without any doubt in my mind. This is a man who understood the consequences of apostacy. He is a trophy of grace and mercy- although he denied the Lord 3 times- we also find in John's gospel that Peter affirmed his love for Jesus 3 times and that he was transformed into a mighty preacher on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Ghost was poured out on those disciples in the upper room. Peter also witnessed the tragic consequences of irreparable apostacy with Judas. Judas, though sorry for what he had done, did not seek the forgiveness of the Lord. Instead, he sought pity from the religious elite who wanted Jesus put to death- finding none, he went out and killed himself. We are sure of his fate because Jesus said it would have been better for him if he had never been born. Surely this could not have been spoken of anyone who made it to Heaven.

I have chosen the second chapter of this epistle for our focus today because I believe it very clearly depicts the dangers of apostacy. Taking the approach of a running commentary, I'd like to look at this chapter and add my comments. As always, I encourage you to prayerfully study the scriptures yourself, and weigh what I say against the truth of Holy Scripture rightly divided.

Now, from the second chapter of II Peter:

2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction

Just as there were false prophets in the Old Testament who would often prophesy "smooth things" to the people, Peter warns that the same will exist in the new testament church. Being a prophet in olden times was not a popular office- it meant rejection, persecution, and possible martyrdom. Notice Peter mentions damnable heresies- literally teachings that will doom men's souls in perdition (Paul call them "doctrines of devils" in I Tim 4). Also we see that they deny the Lord that "bought them." Christ had paid the price for their sins and had redeemed them, but they rejected his lordship. I would maintain that this is not a verbal denial of Jesus Christ (as they would not be deceptive at all, any one of us reading this article would immediately reject such a teacher) but rather a denial via lifestyle. Titus speaks of those who profess Jesus with their mouths, but deny Him through their actions/works (Titus 1:16)

2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

Not to belabor the point, but we see that "many" are following the ways of the false teachers. It is worthy of mentioning again, that just because a majority exists-does not make them right!

2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

As is typically the case, greed and covetousness is often at the core of motivating false teachers. Through flattery and deceit and "smooth words" they are able to amass great followings and prestige-and often great wealth! Peter says that their judgment is hovering over them and could devour them at any moment.

2:4 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

At this critical point in the passage, Peter is going to use illustrations of God's past judgement as a reminder to all those who would wink at sin and believe that somehow God would not punish the disobedient (whether professing Christian or otherwise). Peter first speaks of the fallen angels. Most respectable theologians are confident from scripture that a third of the angels fell with Lucifer in his rebellion. In numerous places we read that man is made "a little lower than the angels." Here we have an argument known as "greater to the lesser." Teachers in antiquity would often use this technique as a means of communicating truth- what holds true for the greater must also hold true for the lesser. For instance Jesus in His teaching told us not to be surprised when persecution comes- they called Him Beelzebub and falsely accused him- we should expect no less. He also illustrated this principle when He washed the disciples feet- if He did it...who are we to exalt ourselves! In this passage, Peter shows that God did not spare the angels in their rebellion- despite their prior position of security in heaven! If God did not spare the angels- how shall we (who are made lower than the angels) escape if we neglect so great a salvation?

2:5 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

Next, Peter uses another illustration from history. We read of a catastrophic flood in Noah's day which destroyed every living thing from off the face of the earth. The only survivors were among Noah's family. The flood came upon the "ungodly" of the world, but Noah's stance as a preacher of "righteousness" helped him find grace in the eyes of the Lord. Many scientists will try to attack the validity of the flood of Noah's day. Agnostics and unbelievers alike will always despise the flood because it is proof that the Creator can (and will) intervene in judgement towards His Creation when wickedness reaches a full measure.

2:6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly 2:7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: 2:8(For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)

Peter's third and final history lesson in this passage comes courtesy of Sodom and Gomorrah. Here again we plainly see that God judged these cities because of their immorality. It was only the righteous man and his family (just like Noah) who escaped judgement. Of course we are all too familiar with Lot's wife who turned back to her own destruction when she should have escaped unscathed. God will deliver the righteous, but He will always judge "the ungodly." This is not a new concept- it can be found from Genesis through Revelation. Given only the Genesis account, many are confused by Lot's delineation as being a "righteous man." However Peter gives us further revelation that Lot's inward attitudes toward the wickedness of Sodom were grief and vexation. Although Lot chose Sodom as a place to pitch his tent, Peter lets us know that Lot was grieved with the unlawful deeds committed day after day there. If you will recall, Abraham had earlier given Lot his choice of relocation and he chose Sodom. I sometimes wonder if later Lot hated that he ever made that decision (just me thinking out loud here)?

2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: 2:10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

We have noted that Lot and Noah were spared because they were godly and righteous before God. But also we see that those who choose wickedness and immorality will find themsleves under the judgement of God. Peter notes that a common denominator among the wicked is a spirit of rebellion. They walk after the lusts of the flesh and they are "self-willed" (i.e. "nobody's going to tell me how to live"...sound familiar?). They have no fear even to speak evil of celestial beings (the KJV renders the term "dignities" but clearly these are not merely human beings in focus here). We know that by looking at the next verse:

2:11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord

Again Peter uses the "greater to the lesser" argument to prove his point. Human beings are created "a little lower than the angels" and yet even the angels do not slander other celestial beings (most commentators agree that the fallen angels are in view here based on Jude 1:9).

2:12 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;

These false teachers and ungodly men who masquerade as saved people really aren't much different than animals according to Peter. Animals do what comes instinctively to them...they merely react to their environment, and spend most of their time trying to satisfy their desires and meet their needs through whatever means are necessary. Those who despise godliness and authority often speak evil of things they do not understand. They boldly speak about topics which they have no such authority to pontificate about.

2:13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the daytime. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you

Just as righteousness has a reward, so does wickedness. God is not mocked-whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap! The shameful thing here is that this behavior becomes more bold in its manifestation. We typically think of "dirty deeds" being done at night, under the cover of darkness. But these men and women do their deeds in broad daylight. Peter calls them "spots and blemishes." They "feast" (the early Christian gatherings were called love feasts because of the intimacy of fellowship and the breaking of bread/communion) among the righteous with no regard to offending God or His children.

2:14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:

Again we see that the false teachers are dominated by the lusts of the flesh (primarily sexual immorality and covetousness). Peter calls them "cursed children" denoting the perdition and torment that awaits the unrepentant.

2:15 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; 2:16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet

It is worthy of mention that these have "forsaken" the right way and are gone astray. This indicates that at some point in time they were on the right track. When I read this, I often think of those television evangelists who have become a public disgrace. I truly believe that some of them probably started out with pure motives, but either the fame or the fortune corrupted them. Balaam is a famous Old Testament figure (who is called a "soothsayer" in one place) who was willing to sell out God's people for money.

2:17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever

These are disturbing images. When one comes upon a well there is an expectation there will be water for the thirsty soul. How disappointing it is to find a dry well! The false teachers who have abandoned the faith are like clouds that have no stability. They blow in and out and are carried about with every wind of doctrine- sadly the "mist" of darkness will be their final habitation.

2:18 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

Here is where we see the great charm of the false teachers and their followers. The people are deceived through the "swelling words" of vanity. Often those who come with false doctrine also come with a wonderful pedigree. They may have many degrees behind their names. They may have the support (financial and otherwise) and backing of huge evangelical ministerial alliances. They may be highly esteemed in the church at large- but that does not make them right! I want you to pay special attention to those who are most vulnerable to deception....the new convert! (i.e. those who escaped from them who live in error).

2:19While 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

The false teachers promise one thing, but deliver another. The bible often speaks in terms of slavery and freedom/liberty. Paul calls himself a bondservant of Christ. But Jesus also talks about those who are slaves to sin (as does Paul). We are not to be slaves to sin, but rather slaves to righteousness. There can be a point at which liberty becomes bondage- Paul said that he had to keep his body under subjection, lest when he had preached to others, he himself would be a castaway (I Cor 9:27). Paul warned the Galatians that liberty was not to be used as an "occasion to the flesh" (Gal 5:13).

2:20 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.

Now we come to one of the more controversial passages of scripture in the New Testament. Even those who do not believe a Christian can "fall from grace" readily admit that they do not have an answer for this passage. Clearly this "knowledge" of Jesus Christ is more than just intellectual knowledge, for only by a true knowledge of Him can one escape the pollutions of the world. Merely making mental assent to the gospel will not rescue you from the contamination of sin...it takes conversion! Also note the use of the words "again entangled"- meaning that they had been free at one time in the past. The latter end for such an one is worse than the beginning. How can this be said of someone who is merely an unbeliever who has never known Christ- judgment is already hanging over their heads (John 3:18) and they are already "dead in trespasses and sins" (Eph 2:1). I personally believe this warning is much like the one Jesus said about Judas- better for such an one not to have even been born! This is almost a mirror-image of the warning given in Hebrews 10:29.

2:21 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

Again this is almost impossible to interpret any other way than to represent a believer committing apostacy. Those who are lost are already on their way to hell- how can it be any worse for them unless they have known the true Way and turned from it. Notice also it is a "holy commandment" they are turning from. The common theme in each case is that they despise the holiness requirements of God. We are told to "be holy for I am holy" by God and also that we must "follow peace with all men and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord." (Heb 12:14)

2:22But 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.

This sounds very much like Peter is quoting Proverbs 26:11. Most of us have had the displeasure of watching a dog return to his own vomit. And despite your best efforts to clean up a pig, he would like nothing more than to leave his bath and return to his filthy pen and wallow in it. These are disgusting images indeed, but God uses this strong language to convey how He feels about those who wish to return to their old manner of life.

I'm sure there are those who could have done a much better and much more thorough commentary on this passage of scripture, but as someone who cares about the eternal souls of men and women, I submit this for your reading and examination. May God bless you and keep you is my prayer.