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 should live ungodly; (2 Peter 2:3-6 KJV)
Doom of False Teachers
People often think that a delay in punishment means it will be canceled, but the apostle tells us that no matter how successful or prosperous false teachers may seem for a time, their judgment does not delay. God has already determined how He will deal with them. Such unbelievers, who try to turn others from the faith, are already condemned, and the wrath of God remains on them (John 3:18, 36). The righteous Judge will soon take vengeance; their day of calamity is near, and what awaits them is coming quickly (Deuteronomy 32:35). To prove this, the apostle gives several examples of God’s righteous judgment against sinners for our serious reflection.
See how God dealt with the angels who sinned.
No excellence can shield a sinner from punishment. Even the angels, who far exceed us in strength and knowledge, were not spared when they violated God’s law. The sentence of the law was executed on them without mercy.
The more excellent the offender, the more severe the punishment. These angels, with all their dignity, were punished immediately, without delay or favor.
Sin degrades those who commit it. The angels of heaven were cast down from their high position and stripped of their glory because of disobedience. Whoever sins against God harms himself.
Those who rebel against God will be sent to hell. There is no neutral state between heavenly glory and hellish misery where they can find rest. If creatures sin in heaven, they must suffer in hell.
Sin is a work of darkness, and it leads to the darkness of misery and torment. Those who refuse to walk in the light of God’s word will lose the light of His favor and the comfort of His presence.
Just as sin binds people to punishment, misery holds them under it. The darkness of their suffering keeps them from escaping their torment.
The final stage of their punishment is reserved for the day of judgment. Though the sinning angels are already in hell, they are kept there until the judgment of the great day (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6).
See how God dealt with the ancient world. He did not spare the old world either.
The number of sinners does not lessen their guilt or delay punishment. When sin is widespread, punishment will be just as extensive.
If there are only a few righteous people, they will be spared. God does not destroy the righteous with the wicked. In wrath, He remembers mercy (Genesis 18:23-26).
Those who preach righteousness during a corrupt age, and live blamelessly as examples to others, will be protected when judgment comes. Noah was such a preacher of righteousness and was saved along with his family (2 Peter 2:5).
God can use the very things He created for people’s benefit as instruments of His vengeance. He destroyed the whole world by water, which He originally created for blessing.
This judgment was brought on by ungodliness. A world full of ungodly people was destroyed. Ungodliness removes God’s protection and leads to destruction.
See how God dealt with Sodom and Gomorrah. Though they were in a rich, well-watered land like the garden of the Lord (Genesis 13:10), their abundance of sin turned that fruitful land into desolation. God can easily turn a prosperous land into dust and ashes (2 Peter 2:6).
No form of government or alliance can protect a sinful people from God’s judgment. Sodom and its neighboring cities were not any safer because of their unity than the angels were because of their dignity or the old world because of their numbers.
God can use opposite elements to punish sinners. He destroyed the old world with water and Sodom with fire. The same God who protects His people from both fire and water (Isaiah 43:2) can also use them to destroy His enemies.
Severe sins bring severe punishments. Those guilty of the most abominable crimes were punished with extraordinary judgments. Those who sin openly and excessively before the Lord should expect the most dreadful vengeance (Genesis 13:13; Ge 19:24-25).
God’s punishment of sinners in past ages serves as an example for future generations. Those who live ungodly lives must look at what happened to others before them and realize what to expect if they continue in sin.
Let us take warning from all these examples of God’s vengeance. These records are given for our instruction, so we won’t deceive ourselves into thinking we can sin without consequences (1 Corinthians 10:11).