011 Be Ready for Deception

2 Peter 3:1-10

October 31, 2010

We are now entering the final chapter of this letter Peter wrote.

This does not mean he is winding down,

Rather, he is getting even more plain spoken

About what he wants from those he is writing to.

And when you read this final chapter, it is clear what he wants.

He wants you and I to be ready.

According to the first 10 verses,

He wants us to be ready for THE COMING DECEPTION.

According to verses 11-18

He wants us to be ready for THE COMING DESTRUCTION.

It is a chapter filled with urgency and readiness.

And of course this is consistent with the rest of Scripture.

When Scripture speaks of the end,

It almost always also speaks of the importance of being ready for it.

When Jesus spoke of the end:

Matthew 24:44 "For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.”

Luke 12:35-36 "Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit. "Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks.”

When Paul spoke of the end:

Romans 13:11-12 “Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.”

And here in 2 Peter, it is Peter’s turn to encourage us in the same way.

He is encouraging us to be ready.

And as I said the two things he wants you to be ready for is

The Coming Deception, and The Coming Destruction.

Tonight we look at the first.

We just finished a lengthy section on the reality of false prophets.

It is not a matter of “if” they come, but “when” they come.

We know that certain men will creep in and introduce destructive heresies

And do all they can to lead men into destruction.

And Peter spent an entire chapter speaking about them.

We learned of their arrogance

We learned of their greed

We learned of their motives

We learned of their exploits

We even learned of their judgments

And more important than that, we learned they will be here.

And so we know they are coming.

In chapter 3 Peter stops focusing on the false prophets

And starts focusing on how we protect ourselves from them.

On so tonight we talk about being ready for deception.

And in our text we see three things that Peter tells us to do.

#1 EXPLORE SCRIPTURE

2 Peter 3:1-2

You will notice that here in the first verse

Peter gives his reason for writing this letter.

And interestingly enough the reason for this letter

Is the same as the reason for the first letter he wrote.

He wrote to stir “up your sincere mind by way of reminder.”

Namely “that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles.”

And there Peter’s admonition is fascinating to us.

Many would read 1 Peter and say that

“Peter wrote to encourage those who are suffering.”

Many would read 2 Peter and say that

“Peter wrote to expose false prophets.”

But when you ask Peter, he says he wrote both letters

To encourage you to pay attention to Scripture.

Because it is in Scripture that the persecuted are encouraged.

It is in Scripture that the false prophets are exposed.

And so Peter says this is now the second letter I have written

Telling you to pay attention to what Scripture says.

And we saw that in Peter’s first letter.

1 Peter 1:10-12 “As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven — things into which angels long to look.”

There Peter speaks of the great pain and dedication

That men went through in the past to give us the Scriptures,

And even notes that these are things that even angels long to look.

1 Peter 1:24-25 “For, "ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS, AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERS, AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF, BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER." And this is the word which was preached to you.”

Clearly an endorsement intended to get you to read this great word.

1 Peter 2:1-3 “Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.”

And there again Peter’s admonition is clear. Read the word!

Furthermore he has done the same in this second letter.

2 Peter 1:19-21 “So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”

There Peter saying that God’s word is even more sure

Than the vision we saw on the mountain.

Peter has written to remind you that if you thought

You could get through life without studying the Scriptures,

You are gravely mistaken, you need God’s word.

To give you an example as to why.

In a moment we will see.

THE DECEIVERS WILL COME AND DENY THINGS LIKE THE RETURN OF CHRIST AND THE COMING JUDGMENT

And that is why Peter wants his people to read the word.

Both the Old Testament prophets and the New Testament apostles (who recorded the words of Christ) have been adamant

About the reality of Christ’s return and the coming judgment.

We just finished our study of Isaiah.

Isaiah 63:1-6 “Who is this who comes from Edom, With garments of glowing colors from Bozrah, This One who is majestic in His apparel, Marching in the greatness of His strength? "It is I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save." Why is Your apparel red, And Your garments like the one who treads in the wine press? "I have trodden the wine trough alone, And from the peoples there was no man with Me. I also trod them in My anger And trampled them in My wrath; And their lifeblood is sprinkled on My garments, And I stained all My raiment. "For the day of vengeance was in My heart, And My year of redemption has come. "I looked, and there was no one to help, And I was astonished and there was no one to uphold; So My own arm brought salvation to Me, And My wrath upheld Me. "I trod down the peoples in My anger And made them drunk in My wrath, And I poured out their lifeblood on the earth."

Isaiah 66:15-16 “For behold, the LORD will come in fire And His chariots like the whirlwind, To render His anger with fury, And His rebuke with flames of fire. For the LORD will execute judgment by fire And by His sword on all flesh, And those slain by the LORD will be many.”

But of course we know the same is taught in the New Testament.

Matthew 24:27-31 "For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. "Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather. "But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. "And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. "And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.”

Revelation 19:11-16 “And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."

And the point is that you and I need to be certain of what God has to say

So that we are ready for the deceivers who come perverting God’s truth.

You had better know what you believe before they arrive.

You see, reading God’s word gives conviction.

(Never to deny the value in listening to a teacher or preacher, but don’t miss the value of having God tell you personally through His word)

1 John 2:27 “As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.”

That means that while teachers are certainly a benefit,

They are not totally necessary.

You have within yourself the Spirit of God,

And He is the One who teaches you.

And when He does, it drives in a conviction that no one can move.

Remember Jesus telling Peter: “Blessed are you Simon Barjona for flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father in heaven revealed this to you.”

And this comes through reading the Scriptures.

And Peter says the same here.

You need to make sure that you are exploring the Scriptures

And finding out what God has to say.

This is the first key step in making yourself ready for deception.

Explore the Scriptures

#2 EXPECT MOCKERS

2 Peter 3:3-7

I think we would be naïve to ignore the way Peter opens this point.

“But know this first of all”

It is a statement of absolute urgency,

And furthermore one that he feels is overlooked.

You see in verse 1 Peter said, “I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder.”

Peter didn’t question their sincerity, Peter questioned their urgency.

Peter was concerned that they were being apathetic, or nonchalant.

He was concerned they were failing to grasp the gravity of the situation.

And says as much here

This is something that you need to open your eyes to.

This is something that you need to understand.

“But know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking,”

If you were under some sort of delusion that the narrow road

Was an easy one, you need to wipe that thought from your mind.

Not only are we promised suffering, we are also promised ridicule.

Have we not learned that only fools follow Jesus?

1 Corinthians 1:23 “but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness,”

The message of Christianity is a foolish message to the world.

God became man – died at the hands of men – rose from the dead – ascended to heaven – and will one day return.

The world thinks that is foolish.

And if you think for one minute that they are going to just sit silently by

With their thoughts you have another thing coming.

“mockers will come with their mocking”

And Peter even gives the content of their mocking.

“following their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming?”

So there we see that their mocking is simple, “Where is your God?”

I thought you said He was returning?

I thought you said He would save you?

I thought you said He was king of the world?

Psalms 42:3 “My tears have been my food day and night, While they say to me all day long, "Where is your God?"

Psalms 42:10 “As a shattering of my bones, my adversaries revile me, While they say to me all day long, "Where is your God?"

Psalms 79:9-10a “Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name; And deliver us and forgive our sins for Your name's sake. Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?"

This is what they did to Christ.

Matthew 27:41-43 “In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking Him and saying, "He saved others; He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel; let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in Him. "HE TRUSTS IN GOD; LET GOD RESCUE Him now, IF HE DELIGHTS IN HIM; for He said, 'I am the Son of God.'"

They mock you in your despair, they mock you in your hardship,

And they challenge your Savior.

And the reason they do this Peter says is because they are

“following their own lusts.”

In other words they deny the return of Christ

Because that is what they want to happen.

They don’t want Him to return, they don’t want Him to come and judge

And so they look for a reason to deny that He will.

And the proof they use that He will not return

Is that He has not returned yet.

“Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.”

He hasn’t returned yet, and they hope that means He never will,

And they use that hope to mock you.

No doubt the aim is to turn Christ’s followers against Him.

Imagine a believer being persecuted,

And the whole time being mocked by his persecutor asking:

“Where is He?” “Why didn’t He stop me from doing that?

What doesn’t He stop me from doing this? Why doesn’t He just return?”

His mocking is meant to get you to believe He won’t come either.

But here Peter refutes their logic.

(5-7) “For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.”

In other words Peter says they are blind to the fact that

This creation they refer to was started “by the word of God”

Furthermore they are blind to the fact

That things haven’t remained this way since creation.

One time (by His word) God also destroyed the world by flood.

They suppose that God won’t intervene now,

Because they don’t think God has ever intervened,

But that is not true.

You see they are just like those people in Noah’s day.

Matthew 24:36-39 "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. "For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. "For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.”

The people in Noah’s day didn’t think God would do anything either.

Can you imagine how they mocked Noah?

“Hey Noah, how much rain did you get last night?”

So they mock, having forgotten

That God eventually intervened and destroyed those mockers.

Furthermore “by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.”

And so just as God told creation to happen and it did.

And just as God told the flood to come and it came.

It is God’s word that secures the next judgment.

God will come and judge just as He did in the days of Noah.

His Word says so.

That is why Peter stressed earlier

That we get in God’s word and find out what He said.

You see mockers will come following their own selfish logic

Seeking to pervert the truth,

But their logic doesn’t change the word of God.

Just because some man tells you that we came from monkeys and uses logic to prove it, does not change what God said.

Just because some person says, “I don’t think hell is real” doesn’t change what God says.

Just because some person says, “I don’t think Jesus will return” or “I don’t believe in a judgment” doesn’t change what God says.

God’s word states unequivocally that Christ will return,

And that judgment will follow,

Listen to God before you listen to the mockers.

(NOAH IS CERTAINLY GLAD HE DID)

Expect that they are coming, and be ready for them

By knowing God’s word ahead of time.

Explore the Scriptures Expect Mockers

#3 EXPEL DOUBT

2 Peter 3:8-10

Peter just said that mockers will come

And we should not pay attention to them.

However Peter also knows that sometimes those liars

Can be pretty convincing.

They mock that Jesus hasn’t returned and in one sense that is true.

Christians are persecuted around the world, but He hasn’t returned.

Christians suffer the effects of a sin filled world, but He hasn’t returned.

There is even evidence that for a time all of the disciples expected Him to return in their lifetime, but He didn’t.

The church at Thessalonica expected Him to return in their lifetime, but He didn’t.

In fact most Christians throughout the ages have expected Christ during their day, but He didn’t come.

SO WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT THAT?

Is there some truth to the logic that the mockers bring forth?

Has Christ forgotten us?

Did we not just read on Wednesday night all the people

Throughout the ages who have asked the same question – “How Long?”

So has Christ forgotten us?

Has Christ changed His mind?

Did we misunderstand His intentions?

And Peter’s answer is NO

“But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord, one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.”

First you have to know that God doesn’t measure time like you do.

You think it is slow, but to an eternal God, it is quick.

(9) “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”

There is why God delays

Ezekiel 33:11 "Say to them, ' As I live!' declares the Lord GOD, 'I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?'”

God is patient.

God longs for repentance.

God is like the father of the prodigal waiting until the absolute last second before he goes inside and closes his son out in the darkness.

GOD HASN’T CHANGED HIS MIND, HE IS JUST PATIENT

(10) “BUT the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.”

God is patiently waiting, but don’t let His patience fool you,

And don’t let some mocker fool you.

Just because He is patient, doesn’t mean He isn’t coming.

Just because God doesn’t delight in the destruction of the wicked,

Doesn’t mean He won’t do it.

God is waiting. God is patient.

“But the day of the Lord will come”

And it will come “like a thief”

Matthew 24:42-44 "Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. "But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. "For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.”

Christ will come and it will be quickly and unexpectantly.

And judgment will come with Him.

“in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.”

In one short second Christ will literally rip the top off this world.

(no protective ozone layer)

And then “the elements will be destroyed with intense heat”

This is not global warming, this God warming.

This is God’s judgment “and the earth and its works will be burned up”

The Tower of Babyl didn’t last.

The Wall of Jericho didn’t last.

The Temple of the Jews didn’t last.

And neither will the statue of liberty or the Great wall of China or the Pyramids

GOD WILL DESTROY IT ALL

READ GOD’S WORD

BE READY FOR THE MOCKERS

GET RID OF ANY DOUBTS THAT GOD WON’T DO WHAT HE SAID

Hebrews 9:27 “And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment,”

God will return and judgment will come,

Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.