Warning Of The False Teachers Series

Peter is writing to the scattered Christians. In his first letter Peter mentions who he is writing to, the scattered Christians of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia. Peter is writing from a Roman prison and the Lord has told him his execution is near. He writes this last letter to these same scattered believers to remind them to remain faithful.

During the time that Peter wrote, the Roman emperor Nero, was persecuting the Christians. Nero was blaming the Christians for a fire in Rome that he himself had most likely ordered, so that he could build a palace and a statue to himself in that area.

The pictures of coliseums of people watching Christians be thrown to the lions was what sums up this particular time. It was under Nero that not only Peter was executed, but Paul was beheaded. That is two giants of important leadership of the early church snuffed out in this persecution.

Before Jesus was executed Peter pulled him aside and ask him to explain some things to him. James, John and Andrew were there too along with Peter for that private conversation. What Jesus said, in what we call the Olivet discourse before he was about to be executed has some similarities in what Peter says before his execution 30 years later. Jesus told Peter:

For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 23 So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time. (Mark 13:22-23)

These scattered Christians to whom Peter is writing were hit with brutal persecution. In this context Peter’s letter was vital to keep them walking with Christ and staying out of the pitfalls that can shipwreck their faith. Peter knows his end is near. These are the important issues to prepare the Christians in these turbulent times. In chapter one Peter reminded them of the tools they need to walk with the Lord in turbulent times.

Now in chapter 2 Peter is warning them about false teachers. Chronologically the first book written of the New Testament is Galatians, the heart of the area where Peter is writing to now. In that letter to the Galatians Paul wrote to warn them to watch out for Judiazers and legalism in the church. Now Peter is writing to scattered Christians to watch out for false prophets found in the church who tell them lies to make money for themselves.

False teachers (2 Peter 2:1-3)

It is unthinkable that while Christians were being thrown to the lions, false teachers would set up shop to dupe the believers to make a profit from distorting the truth of the gospel. It is unthinkable but not the first time something like this has happened. Peter has examples from the Old Testament to remind Christians about how this has happened before.

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. (2 Peter 2:1-3)

There have been these lying false prophets around through the ages. This would be like in a critical war the soldiers can’t just fight the enemy who wear a different uniform, but within their ranks wearing their same uniform are those who would work to see the enemy win to make a profit. These traitors are only out for themselves.

False prophets cause division pitting the Christians against each other. There are enough mixed-up Christians to keep these liars going strong. But to their own destruction. They are not only giving the truth a bad name, but they are opposing God, and they won’t get by with it.

They are going to meet a bad end and Peter has examples ready to remind them of that also.

Fallen angels and the times of Noah. (2 Peter 2:4-5)

When angels rebelled against God, they were held accountable by God. These fallen angels are held for their judgement. The Lord will hold the false teachers accountable and for judgement. As an example, at the time of Noah God destroyed the wicked people and delivered righteous Noah and his family.

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; (2 Peter 2:4-5)