Peter's second letter to the churches began by extolling the Lord Jesus Christ and the inspired Word of God.
It helps us to remember these truths as we study his warnings about false teachers who promote heresy.
The Glory of Christ and God's Word is superior to pagan myths.
2 Peter 1:16-18 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17) For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18) And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
The gospel of Jesus Christ stands in stark contrast to pagan mythologies. The power of the eternal Godhead was put into the coming Jesus Christ as a humble babe in Bethlehem (See Matthew 1:18-25).
Peter and the other apostles were eyewitnesses of Christ's power and the glorious truth He communicated.
They knew without any doubt, that Jesus was God in the flesh and that He was one with His Father (See John 10:30).
Peter, James and John went up with Jesus on the mountain when He was transfigured before them. They heard the voice of the Father commanding them to obey His Son.
It was the real glory of God on display in a tangible way, and Peter called it excellent glory.
All the gods and goddess worshipped by the Romans and Greeks were products of men's corrupt imaginations. Their teachings were fables and myths handed down to each generation.
Pagans worshiped and served the creature instead of their Creator.
Romans 1:21-23 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22) Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23) And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Romans 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
Many ancient gods and goddess are depicted with animal like features, making it clear that people worshipped and served creatures, rather than the One, True, Living God of heaven , who made all things.
They bowed down before lifeless idols who cannot feel, think, see, hear or do anything.
Mythology essentially contains religious teaching about pagan gods and goddesses.
They describe pagan deities as capricious, and mercurial in character. Their emotions ranged from sympathetic to hateful, from compassionate to mean spirited.
Why? Because they reflect the sinful hearts and ways of those who created them.
Peter points us to the Lord Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, who came to this world for the express purpose of saving us from sin.
Peter knew Jesus Christ intimately, from their ministry together over more than 3 years. He heard Jesus' inspired truth as He taught the multitudes.
He witnessed so many miracles of Jesus that they could not all be recorded. He saw the heart of God on display in the compassion and lovingkindness of Christ.
He saw the hatred of those who were enemies of God, and he witnessed the suffering, death and burial of Jesus. He also witnessed the resurrection of Jesus and watched Him ascend in glory to His Father.
Anchor your soul to Jesus Christ and the holy scriptures.
2 Peter 1:19-21 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20) Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21) For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Peter now turns from telling us about the glory of our Lord, to telling us about the glory of His inspired Word. This Word is sure, secure and unchanging because God gave it.
This Word is like God, living truth, filled with His power, given to the world, so that people might be saved from eternal condemnation.
This Word shines gospel light into the sin darkened souls of those who hear it preached. This glorious gospel is the power of God unto salvation to all who will hear it, and believe it.
God used holy men to record His eternal truth for us. Such holy men did not do anything until they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
The idea is that these men were "moved" or carried along by the Spirit of God as they wrote the inspired scriptures.
The word "moved" speaks of the action of a strong, steady wind filling the sails of a large ship, propelling it across the ocean, to its intended destination.
Peter wants us to remember these two specific points of reference, before he teaches us about heresy, false teachers and end times. We must anchor our soul to the Lord Jesus Christ, and to the Holy Word of God.
Balaam's error was trying to seduce the Israelites to sin against Jehovah.
2 Peter 2:15-17 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16) But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. 17) These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
The apostle now brings forth another example of ungodly men, in the person of Balaam. This man received visions from God at various times.
Peter tells us that professing Christians who have forsaken the right way are like this man, Balaam. God showed him the right way, but he refused to follow it. He preferred a monetary reward from a wicked king instead of receiving the blessing of God.
The way of Balaam is the wicked counsel of Balaam. He counselled the Moabites to give their beautiful young women to young Israelite men, so that they would be seduced to commit idolatry. (See Numbers 22 through Numbers 23).
In like manner, false teachers are like wells that contain no water. They are useless and worthless. They are like rain clouds that pass over a dry land without any showers falling.
When we see a dark, gray cloud, we expect a refreshing shower from it, but false teachers are clouds which yield no rain.
They are driven by every wind of false doctrine, a stormy wind or tempest fueled by personal ambition and covetousness.
False teachers promise people many things but their teaching is full of illusive, changing lies. Their promises are bankrupt because they cannot do what they claim they will do.
These are people who profess faith in Jesus Christ and who should furnish the water of life to souls athirst for salvation.
But they do not have the living waters of God's Spirit in their bellies, as Jesus said (See John 4, 7:37-39).
Therefore, they are false teachers who have no truth from God to share with others.
They sow bad, corrupt seed, rather than those who sow the good seed of the gospel of Christ (See Matthew 13).
Nothing blesses nomads who live in the extremely hot, dry deserts, than finding a well of water to quench their thirst and sustain life.
Nothing is more distressing, to a traveler who is desperate and parched with thirst in the desert, than finding a well that contains no water.
The Word of God will always do something in our heart when we hear or read it.
Isaiah 55:10-11 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11) So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Pastors and teachers should be as wells or fountains preaching the Words of life. Isaiah tells us God's perspective of His Word.
Jehovah compares His Word with life giving rains that come from heaven to water the earth. It causes seed to germinate, produce grains, for food and seed to plant for the next year's harvest.
As each pastor and teacher faithfully and accurately teaches the Bible, we have confidence that God will do something with it, in the hearts of all who hear or read what we are teaching and preaching.
This is why Jesus said man must not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (See Matthew 4:4).
Their preaching and teaching should be a safe place where the people may find instruction, direction, and comfort for their souls.
False teachers have no good things to impart to those who hear them. Deceivers focus on spreading error, and are pictured as empty wells, because there is no truth in them.
False teachers appeal to mankind's fleshly lusts.
2 Peter 2:18-19 For 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. 19) 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.
False teachers often speak with an inflated view of self, and use soaring rhetoric filled with fancy, pompous words, that cannot change a soul for eternity. They use words that appeal to the lust of our flesh.
For example, they may tell you that God wants you to be happy, wealthy and have a lot of good things in this life. Certainly such a message is always well received by those who hear it.
The problem is that God never said that at all. This is why Peter teaches us to anchor our heart to Christ and the scriptures. Otherwise, we will fall into error.
John 6:66-69 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67) Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 68) Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 69) And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
Jesus fed the 5,000 men, plus thousands of women and children. He offered Himself as the bread of life to all who would believe.
As Jesus taught these wonderful truths about Himself, many of His professing disciples left and did not return.
Jesus turned to His 12 disciples and asked if they were also going to leave Him.
Peter was led by the Holy Spirit to utter a profound declaration of truth about Christ.
Jesus alone has the words of eternal life. And, Jesus alone is the Christ, the Son of the living God.
May our hearts be firmly anchored to these two truths.
Bob
Comments
Post a Comment