Read 2 Peter 2:1-3 – False Teachers Then and Now
1. In Chapter 1 Peter taught that prophets were holy men of God who were moved by the Holy Spirit to speak the Words of God. Now, Peter tells us that there were also false prophets. These would be men who spoke words from their own imaginations, in their own power, whose message did not represent God. Today we also have false teachers. What false teachings of today have you heard?
2. Peter also tells us what to expect from a false teacher. Describe each phrase used by Peter:
a. They secretly bring in destructive heresies
b. They deny the Lord who bought them
c. They bring on themselves swift destruction
3. Verse 2 tells us that the truth is being blasphemed through false teachers. Why do you think many are attracted to false teachers?
4. Guzik: False teachers use covetousness – both their own and in their followers. Many false teachers, both today and in previous times, present a gospel that has self-gratification at its core. All this is presented with deceptive words because false teaching never announces itself. How is self-gratification in opposition to the message of the Bible?
5. (vs 3) Peter again speaks of the judgment coming to false teachers. It may seem that God is lax in punishing them, but consider these words from Guzik: God’s wrath pours out on them even in allowing them to continue, thus heaping up more and more condemnation and hardness of heart in themselves. How does this speak to God’s view of their sin?
Read 2 Peter 2:4-6 – The Righteous and The Ungodly
Commenting on verse 3, Peter gives us examples proving that God’s judgment does indeed come.
1. The judgment of angels: The details about fallen angels is shrouded in mystery, but we know that many (demons) are still at work on earth under the influence and direction of Satan. But Peter tells us that there are some who are already confined in chains of darkness in hell, awaiting final judgment. Describe the fall of the angels from Is. 14:12-15, Ez. 28:12-15, Rev 12:4, Jude 6.
a. Satan and his demons are determined to destroy the work of God and deceive anyone they can. Describe their tactics from 2 Cor. 4:4, 1 Tim. 4:1, 2 Cor. 12:7, 1 Pet. 5:8.
b. Some of these demons are already chained, but all were cast from heaven and face final judgment. Wiersbe: It is not to debate the hidden mysteries of this verse in order to get the main message: God judges rebellion and will not spare those who reject His will. If God judged the
angels, who in many respects are higher than men, then certainly He will judge rebellious men. If the understanding of the work of Satan and his demons troubles you, remember that as we submit to God and resist Satan, we have nothing to fear. Confirm this with 1 Jn 4:4.
2. The judgment of the old world: Before the flood, the world’s civilization had become corrupt. The extent of it is found in Gen. 6:5. What was the root of the corruption? What else does God say in Gen. 6:11-12?
a. God exercised judgment on the world through the flood. And yet, Gen. 6:3 tells us that He waited 120 years, a divine grace period, before the flood. What does this tell us about our God?
b. God’s justice is shown in the salvation of Noah and his family. What was seen in Noah that pleased God? See Gen. 6:8, 9, 22.
c. There are some telling comparisons between the world in Noah’s time and our world today. Note these things: The population was multiplying – Gen. 6:1, the world was filled with wickedness – Gen. 6:5, the earth was corrupt – Gen. 6:11, people were violent – Gen. 6:11. And God judged
those who rejected His truths. Your thoughts?
3. The judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah: How is the sin of those in Sodom and Gomorrah described in Gen. 18:20? How are the men described in Gen. 13:13? It is clear from Gen. 19 and Jude 7 that the primary sin that was judged in Sodom and Gomorrah was sexual perversion. According to 2 Pet. 2:6, to whom was this an example?
Read 2 Peter 2:7-9 – Deliverance of the Righteous
1. Peter had already told us that God had saved Noah and his family in 2 Pet. 2:5. Now he tells us that God also delivered Lot. How had the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah affected Lot? (See Gen. 19)
2. We know that God is omniscient, but what specifically are we told God knows from verse 9a? How should this bring us confidence?
3. According to verse 9b, what is reserved for the ungodly? As a Christian, what is reserved for you? See 1 Pet. 1:4.
Read 2 Peter 2:10-11 – Those Who Walk in the Flesh
1. From verse 10, describe those who walk in the flesh.
2. Can a Christian walk in the flesh?
3. Interestingly, Peter next contrasts the ungodly with the faithful angels. What contrast is seen in verse 11?