All right, verse 18, 2 Peter
2 and following. For when they speak great swelling
words of vanity, they allure through the lust of the flesh,
through much wantonness, those who were clean escape from them
who live in error. While they promise them liberty,
they themselves are the servants of corruption. For of whom a
man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For
if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world, through
the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are
again entangled therein and overcome, the latter end is worse with
them than the beginning. Listen to this. It had been better
for them not to have known the way of righteousness than after
they have known it to turn from the holy commandment delivered
unto them. But it happened unto them according
to the true proverb, the dog is returned to his own vomit
again, and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. Pretty strong passage and it's
one that needs to be carefully examined. We'll begin by saying
this is another one of those several passages that are much
disputed whether or not there can be the total apostasy and
the fall from grace of those who hold to the perseverance
and the preservation of the saint. On the one hand, there are those
who insist that even a true, genuine, and long-time believer
may apostatize, fall away, lose grace out of their soul, and
fall again under condemnation. Then they are again entangled,
it said, verse 20, and overcome. Verse 21, they turn from the
holy commandment delivered unto them. Verse 22, they return again
to their old way and the end is even worse than their beginning. Now there are many who say this
text and others like it and akin to it are a clear declaration
that there can be a true conversion and then a real apostasy. On the other hand, those of us
who hold to the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints of
God see the scripture clearly and repeatedly saying that a
person, one may be greatly much enlightened I'll say, much enlightened,
much influenced by the truth that is preached in their hearing
and receive a measure of knowledge and believe that and yet not
ever be savingly or genuinely converted or quickened or turned
unto the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. That is, they may be
morally, they may be outwardly reformed without being spiritually
and inwardly renewed. They may for some time pass themselves
off and be received and viewed as a Christian and yet not be
one. And they might appear to make
some progress in the things of God and then at a time cast it
all away, turn their back on it and go away because they were
not true Christians to begin with. Now, if this is not true
and possible, then we believe that the perseverance of the
saints is out the window and is down in flame. If it is true,
then it gives meaning and understanding to all those passages that are
used against the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints. This note before we move along,
that is that it seems abused by those who believe that the
true, genuine saint of God may lose grace and salvation and
then fall down into hell while at the very same time claiming
that those who never manifested any signs of grace and only lived
in the corruption and the pollution of their sin have, quote, gone
to a better place when they die, unquote. Now coming to the passage
here in 2 Peter where it is clear that the context concerns false
teacher. It is a lengthy and a detailed
argument about false teachers and their work among men, and
they contain a strongly worded warning and description of verse
1, false prophets and false teachers, pseudo they are, notice, who
privately bring in, that is secretly, stealthily, covertly shall bring
in damnable heresies, denying the Lord that bought them, and
bring upon themselves swift destruction." We'll say more about the false
teachers later on. But look now at verse 18, especially
the last part of that verse. For it is here the description
begins of those we wish to consider who are the focus of verse 19
through verse 22. See the words in the end of verse
18, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. Now this caution for us when
we are dealing with this passage of scripture. And that is we're
going to have to look particularly at it. We're going to have to
concentrate here on the many thems, theys, and those that
we find in this passage of scripture. if we are to make the right application
and come out right with the right person in view in each situation. Now, with that in mind, note
the first two days. back in the end of verse 18. They clearly refer to the false
teacher. So let's reread verse 18. For when they speak great swelling
words of vanity, they being the false teacher, they allure, they
being the false teacher, through the lust of the flesh and wantonness,
those who are clean escape from them in error. Now such false
teachers Peter refers to as these. We look at verse 12. These as
natural brute beasts. Again, look at verse 17. These
are wells without water, clouds, and so like. Verse 18, he gives
an account of their tactic. They speak great swelling words
of vanity. They are immoderate and grandiose
words that are spoken by these that they might ensnare others.
They allure, he said, they entice, they ensnare through the lust
of the flesh by means of the desires of the flesh and therefore
giving license to fleshly desire and setting them, as it were,
loose. And then note their victims. We want to Look at them also,
those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. Note again, those and them in
the verse. Note that the margin, that is,
at least of the King James is, a little or for a while. Those who for a little or for
a while are escaped. In other words, The false teachers
set their sights upon those who for a time or a little while,
those just escaping from those companions that live in error. Those that are perhaps making
or were making a break from paganism or making a break from Jewish
hypocrisy under some influence of preaching or the Word. Gil
points out being convinced of the falsity of their false ways,
willing to part with them, and of the truth that they have heard. Now before we come to their situation,
let us make an observation concerning the tactics here of the false
teachers that Paul is speaking about. In that, where do they
troll, where do they fish, where do they search for their victim? Let's notice, they troll for
their victim, not in the world only, but in the churches and
not godless whirlings necessarily and every time, but perhaps these
newly professing Christians, among those not grounded and
sound yet in the faith of our Lord and truth. Owens put it
this way, that is, John Owen, the false teachers, quote, lay
baits for them as a fisherman does for the fish that he would
take them, unquote. Who do Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses
The Pentecostals, who do they try to draw into their net? They
draw those that are professors of Christianity already. Now
the bait is, notice, the promise of liberty. Here is the bait. Would you like to be free? Would
you like to be free and escape? from the bondage and all of those
things that enslave you, show how to be free. They talk to
them of freedom, as in verse 19. Now this is a strong anomaly,
is it not, when servants of corruption, meaning false teachers in verse
19, promise freedom to those who are just escaping from error. for the promises of liberty are
to a bondage of corruption, so that whosoever they gain by their
way becomes in turn a servant of corruption, verse 19, again.
So let's consider those described in this text. These are not true
Christians, yet are they not still among the world, nor are
they worshippers of pagan deities and such like. But notice again
as we run through it what is said of them. In verse 18, They
escaped from them who lived in error. Verse 20, they escaped
a little while the pollution of the world. And verse 21, they
came to know the way of righteousness. Now, of whom are these things
said, and can they be said? Not of the false teachers, for
their character is very clearly set out in the chapter. Verse
1, they're set upon a course of destruction. Verse 2, their
ways are pernicious, as Peter calls them. Verse 3, their judgment
lingers not, their damnation is not asleep, is not slumbering. Verse 12, they as natural brute
beasts made for destruction who will utterly perish. Verse 14,
having eyes full of adultery that cannot cease from sin, cursed
children, Peter calls them. Then verse 15, have forsaken
the right way, walked in the way of Balaam. Verse 17, they
are wells without water, reserved unto darkness forever. Well, who then is described in
verse 18 through verse 22? Is it godless whirling? Is it
true Christians? Is it hypocrites? Is it sincere
but false professor? Those in some sense, in some
degree, who have, as it were, been reformed by the gospel but
not inwardly renewed and not inwardly cleansed by the Holy
Spirit of our great God. It is the opinion of the very
best expositors, and I number among them John Owen, John Gill,
Thomas Goodwin, Thomas Manton, A.W. Pink, Matthew Henry, Calvin,
Herman Hoeksema, and we could name others, that these are not
true and regenerate Christian But neither are they open prolificates
who wallow in sin as they once did or others do. But they are
they as have in some way, and I'll add to some degree, been
reformed by the gospel, by the Word of God. They have changed,
as it were, their outward behavior, escaping those who live in total
and complete pollution. One of the above-mentioned exegetes
called it, quote, the pollutions and practices against this light
of nature and their uncontrolled practicing of vile abominations,
unquote. They are such as have been seen
in every age, in every place, and no doubt in every church,
who are by divine providence, the ordering of their way, been
brought under the truth of God or the word of the gospel that
then brings them perhaps onto conviction. It troubles their
conscience and perhaps they receive enough light that is granted
to them so that they can acknowledge the truth and even the power
of the word of God. They have a degree of sincerity
about them and for a time they walk let's call it conscientiously,
and yet as neither renewed in nature nor united unto Christ
by covenant grace and by faith. They are prevailed upon by the
preachers and perhaps by the Word to reform and to separate
themselves from their former practices and change their life
greatly. We see people doing this all
the time. Some do it through therapy, as
they call it, treatment. Others do it by and through religion. They come to know formally, but
not practically, the way of righteousness. They acknowledge what they have
obtained from and through Jesus Christ, they're able to leaf
off for a while and to a degree the pollutions of the world and
put behind them the old way of life. Now consider as we think
on that for a bit, the things which are said in Hebrews chapter
6 and verse 4 and verse 5. And of course, this is one of
the most controversial passages in all of the Scripture, particularly
along the line that we're dealing with this evening. But here's
what I wanted to point out in that passage. Hebrews 6, 4, and
5 speaks of some that they were once enlightened, they tasted
of the heavenly gift, they made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world,
perhaps that ought to be age to come." Now here are five evangelical
privileges of which they are partakers. And Arminians contend
that what is being described here is a real and true Christian,
yet falling away and according to the text, are irrecoverable. Irrecoverable. Keep that in mind,
that one may experience all of these things and yet desert gospel
worship, that one may have some illumination and even find a
temporary satisfaction in the hearing of the word of God and
the gospel. And I'm quoting John Brown now,
who made considerable attainments in religion, unquote. but despite
the enlightenment, had fallen away from their former state
that they had confessed, which is the historical context describes
Hebrews who had embraced a profession of the gospel way of salvation
in Christ as preached by the apostles. They had been subjected
to it. They had been affected by the
Gospel of the Son of God. The Holy Spirit had even far
a degree elevated their views of Christ. And then as Jews living
in the Mosaic times as they had been, had a taste of the Word
of God of the age that was to come. They had seen the age of
Messiah entered in or ushered in. They had been partakers and
numbered themselves with those worshipers of the gospel. They
had heard the gospel of the free grace of God, but had then, under
the pressure, whether of temptation or persecution, forsaken the
gospel and the profession that they had made. We can liken them,
I think, to the stony ground hearers in the Lord's parable
in Mark 4.16, who, when they have heard the word, immediately
receive it with gladness. They give it a good reception. But notice verse 17, they have
no root in themselves, so they endure for a time, and afterward
when affliction or persecution arises for the sake of the Word,
immediately they are offended." Even so, the first century Jews. We have to keep that historically
in our mind. Enjoyed those privileges that
were spoken of. Then many of them went back into
Judaism and this is apostasy from the gospel. This is also
applicable unto many in other times and many places. who for a time believe and endure
for a time, as in Mark 4 and verse 17, and then they let slip. Hebrews 2, what they have heard,
they let the words of God, I think the language there is leak out
like a leaking vessel and then drift away because they have
not internal or real saving grace. And do not have a renewed mind,
and they do not have a new heart. Now reading the Puritan Thomas
Goodwin, I came on this heading from his pen that the gospel,
listen to this carefully, quote, the gospel civilizes many that
it does not convert, unquote. Think on that, whether that is
true or not. whether we have seen it to become
true in our lifetime and before our very eyes or not. That for
a very good reason, there is a good explanation for such,
the more knowledge one has of the things of God, the more civil
will they become. If the fear of God to a degree
is in them, the more civil they will become. I see Matthew Henry
raising his hand now and desiring to comment on the matter from
the text in 2 Peter chapter 2. What have you to add to this?
Brother Henry, we ask him just this, that some are for a time
kept from the pollution of the world by knowledge of Christ,
who are not inwardly renewed in the spirit of their mind,
have a, rather quote me, notional knowledge only of Christ in the
heart that may be a cause of their present service, unquote,
and that not being true grace or conversion might be left behind. But here is a summation in a
nutshell, quote, a religious education has restrained many
whom the grace of God has not renewed." In other words, to
use his words again, it has civilized them. When considering what these
kind of texts do say, what is declared of the person described
Let's notice what they do not say, especially Hebrews 6, 4-6
and 2 Peter 2, 20-22 and over in Jude as well. Now, I agree
with John Gill upon two observations that he made. Number one, there
is nothing here but what may be applied to a false professor. Everything here is applicable
to a false professor. Number two, there is nothing
here, he said, that puts them beyond question as a true believer
possessing the faith of God's elect, for then we consider what
is not said of them. They are not called elect. They are not said to be in Christ. They are not said to be regenerate,
or called, or adopted, or sealed, or justified. None of these things
or terms are used with regard to these people in our text this
afternoon. So this is important in interpreting
the passage in Hebrews chapter 6, 4 through 6, as the author
speaks several of those, they and them, in those verses of
the scripture. Then in verse 9 through 12 of
Hebrews chapter 6, He changes and begins to call them beloved. We are persuaded better things
of you, things that accompany salvation. One of my Lenten interlinears
has it having salvation. Another renders it better things
and things connected to salvation. Better things of you we are persuaded. Better things than tasting but
not digesting. Better things than having their
minds in form but not renewed. Better things than being sanctified
in profession and not in power. Better things in comparison to
those who fall away after a time of profession. For there is here,
in Hebrews 6, a definite contrast to what is said of such as make
temporary professor, then fall away. We are persuaded better
things of you, brethren. Now, he uses there a double-edged
similitude in verse 7 and verse 8 of Hebrews chapter 6, wherein
the two sorts of people are figuratively likened to two fields perhaps
growing side by side and expressed in the words for the earth which
drinketh in the rain that falls plentifully upon it, often drinks
it in, soaks it up, takes it in, is moisturized by it, is
invigorated by the rain. This is an Old Testament imagery
used here. Now consider the words of the
Lord, Matthew 5 and verse 45. He makes his son to rise on the
evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. The point is, as the rain falls
upon the earth, yet the earth in one place may bring forth
a plentiful crop of useful herbs, of fodder, precious herbage,
and in another place, with that same rain, it may bring forth
thorns and briars and stickers and such like. Even though those
who have the privileges of the gospel, under the very same Word
of God, hearing the same truth, One hears in part, another hears
with the faith of God's elect and a hearing ear. The first
one then falls away in apostasy, and the second brings forth fruit
and things that pertain unto the great salvation. So let's
note the contrasts that are here. I'm in Hebrews 6. Number 1 in
verse 7. brings forth herbs. That is, good foliage. This is
the kind that the husbandman is seeking on his ground and
for which he has invested his labor. Then look at verse 8. Bears thorns and briars. Useless, worthless vegetation. Then look at verse 7 again. It
receives blessing from God. It brings forth good foliage.
It receives blessing from God. God partakes of the blessings
of God. But then look at verse 8. It
is nigh unto cursing. It is rejected. It is disapproved,
whose end is to be burned and to be destroyed, gathered by
the husbandman, stacked up as it were, gathered, taken out,
and then burned and destroyed. Now consider. those upon earth
who hear the gospel, upon whom the doctrine of the gospel is
as rain or good doctrine falling down. Moses used that in Deuteronomy. My word is like good rain or
dew falling down. There are three sorts as to the
response of the gospel, three principal effects it has upon
people in the world. Number one, such as believe unto
the saving of their soul. Hebrews 10.39, we are they that
believe to the saving of the soul. Here opposed to those who
draw back unto perdition others believe to the saving of the
soul. Secondly, there is the resolute
unbeliever who from the very first hearing rejects it and
opposes the gospel and that way of salvation. And then thirdly,
on that second one, it had no effect at all. But then thirdly,
there are those, like in our text, who for a while profess
and hear and then casted away and returned to their old way
of life, and many times a worse way of life than they ever lived
before. So here's the point. Of all who
live in the different form and stand before God, I think the
apostate is far worse. I think the state of apostasy
is the worst state to be in of all of those states that we meet
with in the Scripture. Yes, worse than the atheist,
worse than the agnostic, and worse than the unbeliever. Worse than the unbeliever who
never made a profession, and profess to give honor unto Christ,
worse than the nominal professor who gives no sincere worship
to God. For the apostate, those falling
away, are such as once profess Christ, but then renounce Him,
turn their back, trample underfoot the blood of the Son of God,
and go again." And their faith is worse. Their latter end is
worse with them than the beginning. Can you imagine Peter saying
this? It had been better for them had
they never been born or had they never known the way of righteousness
than after knowing it to turn away from it. Of such, Peter
uses the proverb in the 22nd verse there. It happened to them
in accordance unto the true proverb. The dog is turned again to his
vomit. We've all seen that. And the
sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. This is from Proverbs
26. And verse 11, see again, what is not said, never were
they called sheep, but they are likened unto dogs and hogs. Now, point of emphasis, it is
a critical point when one responds to the gospel. and takes up an
interest in religion whether they will be guided on into the
truth. Will they be ensnared by a false
teacher and as it were detoured into false doctrine? Will they
be unable to believe savingly to the saving of their soul,
or will they draw back unto perdition? Will they persevere? Will they
fall away? It is a great question when one
comes under the gospel and makes a profession. Let's close by
remembering the words of Christ, a somber warning they are in
Matthew 7 and verse 21. Not everyone that saith unto
me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom. Now, there are three
tests of the soundness of one's profession. I think three things
test the profession, and I agree with those who say that God will
indeed test the profession. First of all, truth. There is
an ear for truth in those that are truly converted. They hear
the truth, they acknowledge it and recognize it as the truth
and accept it. Second, time. Time is a test
of profession. And what I mean by that, do they
continue in their profession? Do they continue in their profession? And thirdly, tribulation is a
great test of one's profession. Trouble, temptation. are often
not endured by the false professor and it destroys their profession
and is the end of that. But the true child of God endures
tribulation, trouble, temptation, and finds the grace of God to
persevere on. So truth, time, and tribulation. They're like Timex, I guess.
They take a licking and they keep on ticking. Those who have
the grace of God in them. And it amazes us sometimes what
trouble we can get into and find the grace of God sufficient. Find it sufficient. Thank God
for that.