“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.” 2 Peter 2:1-3 (Read the entire chapter)
Our faith in Christ Jesus is built upon the testimony of God Himself, in His Word, for He gave to us the inspired Scriptures that we might know of the gift of God’s Son and the salvation He provided for all when He suffered and died upon the cross and then rose again in victory.
As the apostle writes, “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: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 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” (2 Peter 1:19-21).
Thus, true prophets and true teachers teach God’s Word – nothing more and nothing less. They bear witness to God’s truth, saying what God Himself says of sin and evil and what God Himself says of forgiveness and new life in Christ Jesus. True prophets and true teachers are unwilling to compromise God’s truth for the sake of earthly gain or temporal peace. Like the faithful prophets and apostles of old, they are willing to suffer all – even death – rather than compromise God’s truth and proclaim anything less than God’s Word.
But, as Peter writes by inspiration of the Holy Ghost, there were false prophets (pseudo-prophets) and there will be false teachers (pseudo-teachers) who, for the sake of earthly gain and peace, privately bring in damnable heresies, dividing God’s flock by deceiving those who do not love the LORD God and hold fast to His truth (cf. Deuteronomy 13:1-5; Matthew 7:15; Acts 20:28ff.). Some even go so far as denying the Lord Jesus, who bought them with His holy and precious blood (cf. 1 Peter 1:18-19).
Coveting the goods of this world and seeking to gain a following for themselves, such false teachers make merchandise of true believers – taking advantage of them and misleading them back into sin and faithlessness. Like the prophet Balaam who so desired earthly riches and honor that he sought a way to disobey God and bring a curse on God’s people, so pastors and teachers turn aside from the truth of God’s Word and compromise its teaching for the sake of appeasing the masses and keeping positions, salaries and retirement benefits.
Peter minces no words in telling of God’s judgment upon false teachers and compromisers of God’s Word. Looking back on God’s judgment upon the angels that sinned, the wicked world at the time of Noah, and the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, Peter points out how God can and will carry out His judgment upon false teachers and yet save those who hold to the truth (cf. 2 Peter 2:3ff.).
Jesus, too, points out God’s judgment upon those who compromise His Word when He says: “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:18-19); and, “Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels” (Mark 8:38).
Why does Peter write this warning? So that we are not deceived by such false teachers – so that we do not turn away from the hope of the Gospel and back into sin and unbelief! The inspired Word of God warns you and me against the false prophets and false teachers – who will come – because God desires that we hold fast to His Word and continue to place our hope and trust in Christ Jesus and in the redemption He accomplished for us by His innocent sufferings and death upon the cross. God wants you and me to overcome the lies and the deceit, the false teaching, the temptations and attacks of the devil. He wants none of us to be lost to His kingdom but all to continue in the true and saving faith in Christ Jesus unto life everlasting.
God grant that you cling to His inspired Word, that you hold fast to its truths and that you continue to trust in the crucified and risen Christ Jesus for the forgiveness of all your sins and a place in His eternal kingdom. Only in Jesus, can we be saved! Amen.