2 Peter 2:1-3
- But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.
- How can we tell a false prophet from a true prophet? Answer: Deuteronomy 13:1-3
- OT examples of false prophets/teachers:
- 1 Kings 18:19-22. 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of the Asherah.
- 1 Kings 22. 400 false prophets of Israel vs. Micaiah who prophecies against King Ahab.
- Nehemiah 6. Tobiah and Sanballat vs. Nehemiah.
- NT examples of false prophets/teachers
- Modern-Day examples of false prophets/teachers
- Mormonism
- Jehovah's Witness
- Christian Science
- Others?
- What about those seeming closer to our orthodoxy?
- Bethel Church. 9Marks ministries outright calls the writing of Bill Johnson, their senior "pastor," heresy.
- What are some characteristics of the teachings of false teachers?
- Lamentation 2:14. Your prophets have seen for you false and deceptive visions; they have not exposed your iniquity to restore your fortunes, but have seen for you oracles that are false and misleading.
- Local "teacher" David McCarthy is one such teacher that says we do not need repentance and a turning from sin. He does not expose sin. He believes we do not have a sin nature anymore, and therefore no need to repent.
- Ezekiel 13:10. They pronounce "Peace" where there is no peace.
- 1 Kings 22. The false prophets only said what King Ahab wanted to hear.
- In an example I heard on Wretched Radio, a false prophet "prophecies" flatteries on a visiting pastor who then immediately prophecies curses when the pastor confronts her in front of the congregants.
- In the words of Paul from Romans 16:18, For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
- Matthew 24:24. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.
- This is the reason I advocate holding to the word of promise. We are told in 1 Corinthians 1 that Jews seek signs and Greeks seek knowledge, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to the Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
- Paul goes so far to say in 11:19 of the same letter that "there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.
- Christ recited stories comparing the true and the false. The wheat and the tares, the sheep and the goats, the wise virgins and the foolish virgins.
- Galatians 4:17. False teachers wish to be made much of.
- They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them.
- Colossians 2:8. They try to take you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, elemental spirits of the world and not according to Christ.
- Col. 2:18. They may insist on asceticism (severe self-discipline and avoidance of all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons), worship of angels, visions.
- 1 Timothy 4:3. [They] forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
- 2 Timothy 3:2-6 describes the character of people in general as Christ's coming approaches.
- According to this very passage, they deny Jesus, "the Lord who bought them." In what ways or words do they deny Jesus and why?
- Jude 1:4. For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
- Why? Because the cross is offensive to them. They aren't sinners. Hebrews 10:29 describes such individuals: How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?
- These are just a few of the many characteristics of false teachers
- It is also said they come in "secretly" or "privily." Why do this?
- Galatians 2:4. Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery—
- We are told to have nothing to do with them. Those who flirt with such individuals, seemingly well-intentioned individuals, remind me of those "Christian" kids in schools who "dated" non-Christians in what was called "missionary dating," with hopes of drawing them to Jesus. Is this a proper metaphor for this kind of activity? Is it right or wrong for us to partner with them in ministry? Why or why not?
- 2 Peter 2:2-3 Lesson 5 Part 2
- And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed.
- Many.
- Matthew 24:10-13, 24. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved...For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.
- Matthew 7:13-14. “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
- Why is this so easy to do? Why do so many fall?
- Their deeds were evil. They were drawn away by their lusts. Satan studies us like one studying for doctoral exams. He knows us well. There are things I am just not tempted by. There are many other things that I am tempted by. I don't sense temptations for smoking, for drugs, marijuana, drunkenness. I am, at this point, not enticed by it. However, there are other things I must guard against. Every red-blooded American male deals with lust.
- And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.
- "In their greed..."
- Jeremiah 6:13. What did Jeremiah prophecy about the leaders of his time?
- “For from the least to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for unjust gain; and from prophet to priest, everyone deals falsely.
- Romans 16:17-18. I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
- Paul, Peter and Jude all warned of such false teachers who are in it for selfish gain.
- See 2 Corinthians 12:17-18; 1 Timothy 3:3,8; 6:5; and Titus 1:11.
- "...with false words..."
- Peter seems to have been accused of this. That is why he gives his defence in 2 Peter 1:16-21. As opposed to those who try and get you through greed, Peter says they did not follow cleverly devised myths.
- The KJV uses the phrase "feigned words." In other words, these men folks were pretenders. Luke 20 tells of a story of men who "pretended to be sincere...that they might catch Jesus in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the governor.
- "exploit you".
- The KJV renders this as "make merchandise."
- Does the story of Jesus driving out the money changers come to mind?
- Deuteronomy 24:17. Who was likely to be exploited in those days? The fatherless and the widow. That hasn't changed much today. Nowadays, men who ignore Sacred Scripture are bound to make the same mistake. How many times did my own family pledge money to charlatans like Rod Parsley and Benny Hinn, hoping that in "sowing the seed of faith" we could get out of financial hardship? That's their scheme.
- Judgment/Condemnation
- Ultimately, God will judge them and punish them, as they deserve. As we'll see later in vs. 9, God knows how to rescue the godly from those trials.
- That said, Deuteronomy 32:35 is clear that vengeance belongs to whom? God!
- Scripture is replete with warnings from God against false teachers and prophets.
- Luke 18:8 states that God will give justice speedily.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:3 – "While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
- Jude does not mince words. He first states that even Michael the Archangel does not pronounce judgment but simply states, "The Lord rebuke you."
- Jude 1:4,7,15
- 1:4. For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
- 1:14-16. 14 It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, 15 to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” 16 These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.
- CONCLUSION: A Call to Persevere
- 17 But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 18 They[fn] said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” 19 It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment[fn]stained by the flesh.
- 24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
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