At the end of Jesus's sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:13-27), he warns about the final judgment. He instructs us to enter through the narrow and difficult gate that leads to life, versus following the crowds who choose the wide and easy gate that leads to destruction. 

He then cautions against false teachers, who present themselves as fellow sheep but are inwardly ravenous wolves. Jesus instructs us to examine the fruits of their lives, looking for Christlike qualities in their character. He offers us a sobering warning: many will come to Jesus at the final judgment, proclaiming that they have prophesied in his name and performed many mighty works. He will tell them, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness” (Matthew 7:23, ESV). 

Jesus closes his sermon with a vivid picture of a house built on the sand and another built on the rock. When the storms came, only the house with a firm foundation stood the test of time. I cannot help but think that this imagery was in Peter’s mind as he wrote his second letter to the Churches in Asia Minor.

The Christians to whom Peter was writing were being persecuted for their faith. Peter was about to face execution. His first letter encouraged them to persevere through trials and tribulations, to hold fast to their hope in the resurrection, and to remember the promise that they would rule and reign with Jesus Christ when he returns. While they were prepared for external attacks, they were unprepared for internal threats. 

Peter’s second letter addressed how false prophets had risen up and were teaching doctrines in direct contradiction to the Apostles. I think it would be helpful to analyze the false prophets in Peter’s day, so we can identify where they are prevalent in our culture today. 

FALSE PROMISES

These false prophets were opportunistic. They were basing their teaching on a common concern of the people at the time. Christians were being persecuted, and there seemed to be no end in sight. The longer they waited for the return of Christ and their tribulations to end, the more they feared that it would not come to pass. Under pressure, the believers began to question God's promises.

In Peter’s first letter, he encouraged them to face their trials with joy, yet they were no longer looking for Jesus’s return. They had turned their eyes away from Jesus and focused on their troubles. 

Peter certainly could relate. He had stepped out of the boat in the midst of the storm when he saw Jesus walking on the water (Matthew 14:28-33). As long as he kept his eyes fixed on Jesus, he rose above the waves, but as soon as he looked away and focused on the troubles around him, he began to sink. 

It's concerning that while the New Testament emphasizes Christ's return, our communities rarely do. We focus on heaven, but often neglect the resurrection and reigning with Christ in the New Heaven and New Earth. Omitting the second coming of Christ overlooks a vital doctrine that encourages us to consider eternal investments and rewards. Are we living for today and earthly treasures or for God's Kingdom, where true treasures are eternal? “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21, ESV).

A FALSE LIFESTYLE

Because they didn’t believe that Jesus was returning, the false prophets taught that there would be no coming judgment. They claimed believers could live freely without worrying about sin. They twisted Scripture, questioned the Apostles' testimony, and argued Jesus' stories were myths (II Peter 1:16). They reinterpreted the Bible to promote their own ideas (II Peter 1:21). Rooted in conspiracy and encouraging people to dwell on their troubles rather than on faith, these false prophets twisted theology to serve their own interests.

The false prophets prioritized worldly pleasures over Christian principles like submission and perseverance. They resisted teachings on Christ's return and an eternal kingdom, preferring pagan practices that seemed more appealing than joining Christ’s suffering. 

Peter called them, “Waterless springs and mists driven by a storm” (II Peter 2:17, ESV). Their teaching seemed refreshing but lacked substance, leading to destruction. They used Christianity for self-gain, offering no hope for others' improvement. They exploited weak Christians, dragging them into sin, and claimed to offer freedom while remaining slaves to sin (II Peter 2:19a). 

Peter describes slavery as a power dynamic, “For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved” (II Peter 2:19b, ESV). Peter describes himself as a slave to Jesus. In II Peter 1:1, the word translated ‘servant’ is the same as the one in II Peter 2:19, translated 'slave’. The false teachers, however, refused to submit to God’s power. They promoted licentiousness, living without rules while claiming to be under God’s grace, but they sold lifetime subscriptions to sin and death. The devil lies, saying you can be free from rules, but he buries you in debt to sin. God won't lie. Through Christ, he ransomed us from sin and bought us for himself. We belong to God. 

In his first letter, Peter explains how to “die to sin and live to righteousness” (I Peter 2:24, ESV). He also urges believers, since Christ suffered in the flesh, to think like him, ceasing from sin so they can live according to God's will, rather than human passions (I Peter 4:1-2). This requires a life committed to holiness and applying Christ’s death on the cross appropriately. It was not convenient for false teachers who wanted to continue in sin without feeling guilty. 

A WORD OF WARNING

Peter reassures readers that false prophets distorting and mocking the truth is nothing new. He cites Old Testament examples: angels who defied God and were cast out of heaven (II Peter 2:4), the people in Noah’s day who scoffed at the building of the ark (II Peter 2:5), and the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah for their ungodliness (II Peter 2:6). He notes that God is faithful, rescuing Noah and Lot while punishing the unrighteous (II Peter 2:9, ESV). 

This is the fate awaiting the wicked, with false teachers among them. They should know better, having received the gospel. Peter states it would have been better if they had never heard it, as their judgment will be even more severe (II Peter 2:20-21). 

Christians inherently want to be gracious to all their enemies. Just as we are called to submit to cruel masters, the implication is that we should tolerate the misgivings of false teachers in our midst. However, the Bible clearly distinguishes between pagans, whom we should shine as lights of the gospel for, and false teachers within the church who are misleading people. 

Throughout the New Testament, false teachers are called out by name. The church is warned to have nothing to do with them, not even to show them hospitality. We would be wise to heed this warning and call out false teachers, avoiding them at all costs, lest they slip past our defenses and spread their corrupt teachings. 

A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT

Peter faced his execution while writing this letter. Before departing, he aimed to instruct readers on how to recall the gospel. He started by reminding us of our identity: “To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ” (II Peter 1:1b, ESV). We are co-heirs, brothers and sisters united by the power of the resurrection and sharing the same grace. Peter prays that grace and peace will increase as our knowledge of God and Jesus Christ deepens (II Peter 1:2), and he concludes with, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (II Peter 3:18, ESV). As my predecessor, Dr. John DeBrine, would often say, “Grow in grace, so that you won’t groan in disgrace.” 

Peter outlines a seven-step process: “Make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love” (II Peter 1:5-7, ESV). This is the fruit that represents Christ’s work in our lives. Whoever lacks these fruits is described as being “so nearsighted that he is blind” (II Peter 1:9, ESV). 

Exercising these qualities is evidence of our calling and election (II Peter 1:10). By focusing on our walk with Christ, we will be kept safe from falling for the teachings of false prophets. And though our waiting may seem long, even this is a grace of God to give us more time to work out these qualities in our lives. May the trials Peter spoke of in his first letter refine us so that, when Christ returns, we will be found without blemish or spot (II Peter 3:14).