Be Alert

The Second Epistle of Peter
Chapter 2

Be Alert Bible Verse Truth
How to Be Alert in Chaos

Nice to have you back again to share more Daily Bread together. In this second letter from Peter, we left off as he was saying that prophecy wasn't something that was made up in the mind of man, but holy men of God, spoke things that they were told by the Holy Ghost. Let's continue now and see what Peter has to say next.

There were false prophets among the people then too, just as there will be false teachers among you, who in secret will bring in wrong teachings, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their evil ways; and speak evil of the Truth because of them. And through greed they will make a mockery of you with false words, but their judgment will be here in no time, and their damnation will not sleep.

If God didn't spare the angels that sinned (see The Book of Enoch), but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to wait until judgment; and didn't spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an example to those that afterward choose to live ungodly; and delivered just Lot, troubled with the filthy manner of the wicked: (For that righteous man living among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust until the day of judgment to be punished: but mainly those who walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government (belittle control). Presumptuous are they (overstepping their bounds), self-willed, they aren't afraid to speak evil of the worthy.

But Angels, which are greater in power and might, don't bring railing accusations against them before the Lord. But these, as natural brute beasts (wild animals), made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they don't understand; and will utterly perish in their own corruption; and will receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time (only the wicked find it acceptable to do such evil so that all can see).

Be Alert Bible Verse Danger
How to Be Alert Path Quest

They are spots and blemishes, entertaining themselves with their own deceivings while they share your good things; having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot say no to sin; dishonest, weak souls: an heart they have trained with covetous practices; cursed children. They have turned away from the right way, and have gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; but was rebuked for his iniquity: the donkey speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.

These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. And 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. While 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.

Because if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in it, and overcome, the end is worse with them than the beginning (Matthew 12:45, Luke 11:26, Hebrews 6:4-6). It would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them (Luke 12:47).

Be Alert Bible Verse Concern
How to Be Alert Today

But it is happened to them according to the true proverb, The dog returns to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire (Proverbs 26:11).

Well, let's take a little look at our modern day world and see if what Peter said was true. Quite recently (in our generation) in the news, there is a man who is a polygamist (where a spouse may possess a plurality of mates at the same time), who has quite a large following in different places in the United States, and his followers are compelled (by him) to give him all their money.

Some of the women followers and daughters of the followers are sold to other men in the group. If you disagree with any of his practices or principles, you are made to feel like you are dishonoring God. If that doesn't describe what Peter is talking about, I don't know what does.

Be Alert Bible Verse Promise
How to Be Alert Path

Peter goes on to say that God has a special place reserved just for them, but I promise you, they're not gonna like it. Then he tells us a very important thing. If you've come to know Jesus Christ, you change your ways, you see the light, you walk in Truth, you are a child of God ...

And then if you get tangled up in your previous way of living once again and permanently renounce your faith ... If you think things were bad off before you knew the Lord ... Things will be even worse. Peter says, it would be better if you never learned the Truth, rather than to learn it and choose to turn your back on it. Again, the more you know, the more you're responsible for. You shouldn't view wisdom as a punishment either. This is a privilege.

False teachers are here in this day and age, just as they've been in every day and age. They're not only the obvious suspects either. Peter is warning that they're running around using our name (Christians) as their own, so you may want to be alert. You not only have to deal with those from outside the Faith, but those that are inside too.

Be Alert Bible Verse Summary
How to Be Alert Conclusion

That doesn't mean that you should become paranoid, and treat everyone as suspicious, but if there's ever anything that raises a red flag in your mind, it's in your best interest to pray about it, and prove all things. Remember that Jesus said they will deceive even the elect if possible (Matthew 24:24). Peter points out that even though God may be patient in sending judgment, inevitably, it will come.

Our next study is the last chapter of Peter's second epistle, so be sure and come on back as Peter concludes his writing, and we'll learn more together, right here at Daily Bread.