2 Peter 2:1 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.

2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

3 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.

4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;

6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after live ungodly;

7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:

8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)

9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.

MEMORY VERSE: The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished. —2 Peter 2:9

CENTRAL THOUGHT: All down through the ages of time there have been rebellious and lustful people who have taken the path that leads to everlasting destruction before the Almighty God. However, it is good to note that there have been those who earnestly sought to please God and turned from the ways of sin and disobedience and escaped the destruction of the wicked. Today we can be of that number who will turn from sin and the world and find grace and victory to live holy and righteous before God.

WORD DEFINITIONS

2 Peter 2:1, “privily”: Secretly and under pretence. “damnable heresies”: Destructive false doctrines that lead men away from the real truth.

Ver. 2, “pernicious”: Destructive.

Ver. 3, “feigned”: False and deceitful. “make merchandise”: Make effort to get financial benefits. “judgment lingereth not”: Will certainly be poured out. “damnation”: Eternal destruction.

Ver. 4, “angels”: We do not believe that angels in heaven are meant here, but rather beings on earth before Noah’s time. Gen. 6:2 speaks of the sons of God, seeing that the daughters of men were fair, took them wives of all which they chose. It was then that the wickedness of man began its rapid growth and by the time of Noah was so great that God purposed to destroy the earth with a flood.

Ver. 5, “spared not the old world”: Condemned it to be destroyed with a flood.

Ver. 6, “with an overthrow”: Destroyed with fire.

Ver. 7, “vexed”: Grieved and oppressed.

Ver. 10, “despise government”: Disregard those in authority, both spiritual and earthly powers.

Ver. 11, “angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord”: While these presumptuous ungodly people lift up their words against those in authority, Jude 8, 9, and 10 speaks of the same thing, “Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disput-ed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.” Now I do not know all about this affair, but I believe it is showing that being quick to condemn and contest those in authority is a manifestation of an ungodly spirit.

LESSON BACKGROUND

Our lesson today deals with the sad state into which many have fallen through the years of history. False prophets and false teachers who are filled with their own ideas and thoughts void of inspiration and anointing of the Holy Spirit have stained the history of mankind. Many have followed their destructive ways and have brought swift destruction upon them. Even more sadly, so many times the trouble caused by false teachers is backed by covetousness and the love of material wealth.

Peter speaks of Noah, labeling him as a preacher of righteousness. Now we are certain that Noah was that, and as he and his sons worked to build the ark according to God’s instruction, he preached and proclaimed to those of the world looking on just what he was doing, and why he was doing it. How tragic that no one of the world took heed and responded in faith and obedience. Just Noah, his wife, his three sons and their wives, were the only ones who found refuge from the awful flood that destroyed humanity.

Peter then mentioned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha and how Lot, vexed with the ungodly people around him, was delivered. It tells in Genesis 19 how Lot escaped from the condemned city of Sodom with his wife and two daughters. Sadly, his wife did not heed the counsel of the angels and looked back from behind him, and became a pillar of salt. Oh, it was a hard thing to leave his home and worldly possessions to escape the judgment of God. Our lesson is speaking of these two incidents of old where people escaped the destruction of the ungodly.

So it is yet today. We are facing the destruction of this present heaven and earth. It will mean so much for us to fully trust and obey the Lord and His Word and be accounted worthy to escape the terrible day of destruction that is yet to come!

–Bro. Leslie Busbee

QUESTIONS:

1. How was Noah and his family saved from the destruction of their day?

2. What did Lot have to deal with in the wicked city of Sodom?

3. What is going on and is so prevalent in our wicked society today?

4. How are we going to escape the destruction of this world soon to come?

5. Why should we give due respect to the faithful godly ministers of today?

COMMENTS AND APPLICATION

The Almighty God created the heavens and the earth and all things therein. He created man in His own image and, as Genesis 1:28 says, God said unto the male and female: “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it”. He wanted man to have the rule over everything. This included not just a literal, outward control, but it also included the control of one’s mind, spirit, and affections. It was in the affections where Satan got the advantage and drew man’s thoughts in the wrong direction. Sin came into the world when Adam disobeyed God and, sad to say, sin has multiplied and taken over the hearts and affections of mankind ever since.

God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to bring about a salvation that will give mankind victory and peace and fellowship with God again, but God will not force His will in any way and on any person. There must be a willing and obedient heart and mind in man to enable him to overcome the temptation of Satan and the flesh. Jesus overcame it and He can help us to overcome it, also.

We are going to have to be diligent and earnest with all of our hearts to be a partaker of the happiness that comes by being obedient and holy before God; however, the controlling influences of the world are those who do not make this purpose in their hearts to please God. A person must weigh this matter deeply and earnestly in their heart and mind and come to a firm decision. God is able and willing to help us to do that, but we must be faithful in our own responsibility. The results of sin and ungodliness all around us spell the truth that it is better to turn from sin, give our hearts to God and be faithful and fully obedient to Him.

—Bro. Leslie Busbee

REFLECTIONS

Christ said, “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.” (John 17:15) While our sojourn here is surrounded by the enemy and all of its evil forces, it is profitable to practice fixing our sights on heaven. There are active choices we can make that not only sharpen our vision for eternity but can keep our hearts and minds pure while living in this present evil world:

1. “Gird up the loins of your mind” – I Peter 1:13: Learn to discipline your thought patterns to think on those things that are good, clean and wholesome. The Lord made us with intellectual abilities and there are plenty of good books, articles, and a wealth of information that is edifying to the mind and spirit. The old saying, “You are what you eat” is also true for the mind. You are what you feed your mind.

2. “But by love serve one another” – Galatians 5:13: Ask the Lord to open your eyes to the needs that are around you. Find something positive for your hands to do and do it with all your might. There is always a “Lazarus” at your door if you will be receptive to the opportunities.

3. “Make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you” – I Peter 5:10: Develop more fully your relationship with the Lord. Set aside time in each day to talk with the Lord and meditate/memorize the Word of God.

As you can see, there are plenty of ways to keep us safe in this wicked time; despite all of the worldly influences that seem to surround us. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldy lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:11-13 .

–Sis. LaDawna Adams