1 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 3 In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.
 

4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment; 5 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; 6 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; 7 and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless 8 (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)— 9 if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.

A very popular and family friendly movie "Pollyanna" portrayed a preacher who is harsh and judgmental. Sunday after Sunday, he preached "hell fire and brimstone" messages, virtually scorching his audience with the wrath of God. Pollyanna finally came to his rescue by telling the preacher about her father who was also a preacher. Her father avoided the negative texts and instead preached the "happy texts," those texts with words which seem to offer encouragement and comfort and leave one feeling good after hearing them.

“Happy texts" can only be happy for those to whom they apply. Likewise, "unhappy texts" are those which desperately need to be heard and heeded by those who are in danger. The good news is that the "unhappy texts" warn men about destruction so that they will receive God's salvation, which alone makes men truly "happy".

The Bible speaks of the joy in the fellowship of Christ, who saves us and forgives sin. But it also clearly gives a loud warning bell against evil, unbelief, immorality and false teaching. That warning includes a divine judgment. Hell is being forever separated from the grace of God.

In this second letter, Peter is telling Christians all the benefits that are ours in knowing Jesus. He then talked about the Christian's responsibilities of adding certain qualities to our faith, which become part of our growth and maturity. Last week we concluded chapter one and showed how God demonstrated authority and truth through his servants - the apostles and especially the truth shared by Peter. He also pointed to the authority of Jesus Christ, God’s Son. Lastly he reminded them of God's authoritative word that is substantiated through the prophecies of Scriptures.The prophets of old were led of the Holy Spirit to write God's word.

Peter wanted us to enjoy the certainty of our salvation. He wanted us to be so firmly established in God that we cannot be shaken by any temptations or false teachings.

Now, Peter is setting the stage for his deepest concern, which is the influx of false teachers and untrue prophets who are tampering with the revealed word of the apostles - Christ and the Bible. He wanted them to be certain of their faith in Jesus Christ by exposing the false teachers who deny the sovereignty of the Lord amongst other false teachings. 

Application:  Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Peter gives us further instructions which we will address this week. As you read and listen to various religious leaders, be on the alert for those who will cause you to follow false teaching.

Prayer: Lord God, may your Holy Spirit guide me to be on the alert for false teachings. May I run to your word, your truth as the problem line of my beliefs.