2 Peter - Know the Truth
Tuesday, October 19
2 Peter—Know the Truth
Today’s reading: 2 Peter 2: 4-9
“For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgement; if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men (for that righteous man living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)—if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment.”
STOP in the name of love (hear Missy Washam singing?) and praise our Almighty Father who knows all that is going on. Have no fear, He is aware of the evil that is taking place - even though sometimes it may seem like there is no judgment; God has his own timing. He is able to protect his own; and he is a faithful and righteous judge to punish the unrighteous.
We can see from history how God has punished the ungodly. In Peter’s message today, he gives us 3 examples. His first example is of sinning angels. If God does not spare the fallen angels (whom we cannot see) surely, he will punish the wickedness around us which we see so clearly. The next example is of God sending a flood upon a godless world in Noah’s day. The earth was corrupt in God’s eyes. He does not make decisions based on the will of the majority. In other words, he doesn’t say, “Well, if most of the people are doing something then it’s okay.” And, back in the days of Noah there was a whole generation of ungodly sinners that God did not excuse. All were flooded except Noah and his family who had faith in God (Hebrews 11:7).
The third example is the judgement of Sodom and Gomorrah (ungodly cities where people practiced filthy behavior and unlawful deeds). The cities were reduced to ashes. God did not spare anyone from the fire, except Lot who was a righteous man. These are examples of how God did not spare the unrighteous back then and He will not spare those today who willfully reject his truth and deny his son. Peter applied these lessons of ungodliness to false teachers. We can trust that false teachers will have their judgement day for light that is trifled with becomes lightning.
We can also trust that the Lord preserves the righteous. Peter encourages true believers by highlighting how God protected and saved Noah, who obeyed God in building the ark, and his family. He also protected Lot who was a believer, but chose to live in Sodom. God, in his mercy spared them. We, today, are like the “days of Noah” and the “days of Lot”. God’s judgement comes quickly and unexpectantly, all according to God’s timetable and only the righteous will be preserved. God will save and protect his children. “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep (alive or dead) we may live together with him” (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10).
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come to you in honor and glory! We seek to know the truth and spread the truth. Let us be aware of those false teachers and anyone who can keep us from growing closer to you. We want to live righteously and be on guard, living life today just as you intend. We want your light to be shining brightly through us as we await eternal life in your heavenly kingdom.
Amen
Audio of 2 Peter Chapter 2 https://youtu.be/8Kco_Hj-uJM