The Lord Knows How

2 Peter 2:1–11 (NKJV)

Peter utters a profound endorsement–under the anointing–that establishes the verbal inspiration of the Bible. In this passage, Peter addresses those who utter uninspired words, or heresy, among the believers. Those false prophets interfere with the true gospel and dissuade the gullible from believing in Christ. While the last passage was an apologetic (defense) of the true word of God, this passage is more of a polemic (attack) on the heresy of false prophets.

1 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.

2 Peter 2:1-3

Peter calls out the false prophets and false teachers who disseminate a false gospel. They bring in destructive heresies that even go so far as to deny Jesus Christ Himself, who saved them. They bring swift judgement and destruction upon their own heads. Many love to follow heresy. Most heresy has a drop of truth and a great deal of charisma, but not the charismata of the Spirit. Because of the apostasy of souls, the way of truth will be blasphemed and denied. The heretics and false teachers and prophets covet the souls of the defiled, the minds of the duped, the very spirit of the gullible and misled. The result of following such pied pipers is destruction and loss. Do not allow someone with a new gospel or a fresh interpretation that defies Biblical truth to sway you from the word of God and to a new message of falsehood. Stand strong and do not be deceived.

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.

2 Peter 2:4-11

Peter reminds the reader of the plight of the fallen angels who chose to follow Lucifer in his rebellion. If God did not spare them, but case them out of heaven into the darkness of hell, reserved for judgment; if He did not spare the sinners of the ancient world save Noah and his household, the lone righteous man, but sent a flood of destruction upon them all but him; if He did not spare Sodom and Gomorrah, but burned them up into ashes for their sin, delivering only righteous Lot, then the Lord will not spare the sinful of this day. He does, however, know how to save the righteous and deliver the godly out of temptation. Those who walk according the the flesh in lusts and desires, and lead others into error will face swift judgment and destruction as well. These are presumptuous individuals, full of self-willed actions and attitudes. The speak evil of their rulers, religious and otherwise, and do not follow the example of the true angels in heaven, who will not speak a word against any ruler, but at all times submit to the Lord Himself, even though they, the angels, are greater than any man who would speak falsehoods and lead the weak to destruction. There is a judgment coming to those who deceive and speak lies in the name of God. Don’t put yourself in the crosshairs of the great God, but rather follow Him and submit to Him as He leads you into the paths of righteousness and truth! The Lord knows how to judge the evil and protect the right. Stand with Him and live.

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