We have learned about rewards and crowns and enduring through life. We have not looked at failure. What makes us fail? How does the devil take advantage of us? What is the age old game, the age old bait, and the age old lesson of life? If we study Peter’s words we see very deep and complex ideas regarding the sporting of the devil. As we read our daily news we see so many stories about human trafficking, child sex abuse, cult sex clubs and islands for people who want to fulfill their lewd licentious desires. We read about arrests and convictions of those who have become morally depraved. Peter explains these things to us as if he was writing to us in our day. He tells us why we should trust him and why we should not trust pseudo prophets and pseudo teachers who are traveling snake oil salesmen. He has a special note for those who once knew the reality of Jesus as the Messiah. His words explain some of the age old questions of grafting and the problems we encounter as we are sported with, tested, and tried.
We have learned from the Book of Job that the devil accuses us before the throne of God. We have learned that the devil was created to be sported with by the angels and we have learned that the devil/dragon is a prick or a goad. But there is another aspect to explore regarding the devil/dragon and how we then wage war against this stinger.
Job 41:24 There is nothing upon the earth like to him, formed to be sported with by my angels.
Job 41:33 G3756 There is not G1510.2.3 G3762 anything G1909 upon G3588 the G1093 earth G3664 likened G1473 to him, G4160 being made, G1460.1 to be mocked at G5259 by G3588 G32 my angels. G1473
1461 Dodson:ἐγκεντρίζω I graft in I graft in, ingraft.
Thayer:
1) to cut into for the sake of inserting a scion
2) to inoculate, ingraft, graft in
ἐγκεντρίζω
KJV Usage: graff in (-to).
1722
ἐν
en en A primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), that is, a relation of rest (intermediate between G1519 and G1537); “in” , at, (up-) on, by, etc.
KJV Usage: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-) by (+ all means), for (. . . sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-) in (-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-) on, [open-] ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, [speedi-] ly, X that, X there (-in, -on), through (-out), (un-) to(-ward), under, when, where (-with), while, with (-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) prep.
2760 LSJ Gloss:κέντρον any sharp point
Dodson:κέντρον a sting, goad a sting, goad; met: of death.
Thayer:
1) a sting, as that of bees, scorpions, locusts. Since animals wound by their sting and even cause death, Paul attributes death, personified as a sting, i.e. a deadly weapon
2) an iron goad, for urging on oxen, horses and other beasts of burden
2a) hence the proverb, "to kick against the goad", i.e. to offer vain and perilous or ruinous resistance
κέντρον
kentron ken'-tron From κεντέω kenteō (to prick); a point (“centre”), that is, a sting (figuratively poison) or goad (figuratively divine impulse) KJV Usage: prick, sting.
The word egkentrizō literally means “in sting” or “instrumentally goad”. The devil/dragon was created to literally be a prick or to prick. There is a created opponent to the angels who competes and stings. He did not become an opponent, he was created as an opponent. The devil/dragon was poieō, formed or made to be sported with. The devil/dragon was manufactured and constructed to be a competitor, a being that would sting and goad. Yahweh also tells us that the devil/dragon was made to be played with by the angels. There is no suggestion of the devil being made to be played with by man. This is why humanity has been at a disadvantage in this sport. We simply have lacked the full knowledge of what is going on because the devil/dragon is the elohim of this cosmos.
Job 40:14 This is the chief of the creation of the Lord; made to be played with by his angels.
Job 40:19 G5123 This is G746 the beginning G4110 of the thing shaped G2962 by the lord; G4160 being made G1460.1 to be mocked G5259 by G3588 G32 his angels. G1473
There is another aspect of this which we must research. The devil tries to in-graft like a scion. We could think of this as ingrafting a shoot from one type of tree into a different tree or bush, to grow up together. Sometimes people ingraft two different varieties of apple trees into one apple tree so that they self pollinate and produce three different varieties of apples. This ingrafting will start with thoughts and ideas, trying to get humans to agree with those thoughts that may be contrary with what Yahweh intends for humans. Once these thoughts take hold, there is further merging and ingrafting of actions that are contrary to our Creator’s plans for humanity. Once the grafting fully takes, the individual’s soul and spirit are merged with the evil of the devil/dragon.
Even the heirs of the fallen angels have a free will opportunity to love and serve Yahweh. Their DNA is part angelic and part human, but they have freewill to choose who they will serve. It would seem that most chimera (genetically mixed beings) tend to follow after their fallen ancestors.
Those who allow the ingrafting of the devil/dragon into their lives become a different being. They are not as they have been created. This is how we are to war. First, by resisting the ingrafting of thoughts, then deeds, before we are faced with being fully grafted with the devil/dragon, so that we end up doing his will as opposed to the will of our Creator. Peter explains this for us. We will have to get a running start, backing up our study into the context of Peter’s letter.
Peter probably spoke these words which someone else scribed for us. This letter flows more like a monologue than a written letter which is why reading Peter’s words can be hard to understand. Peter’s language was Galilean, which was more heavily northern Aramaic. While the pharisees and religious leaders thought Peter was uneducated, we find Peter’s words, especially in regards to the unrighteous, complex, and deep. It takes a bit of focus to unravel Peter’s complicated explanations of these ignorant and arrogant people. Peter tells us that he/they were not following fairy tales or mythology because they were spectators of Jesus’ magnificence
2 Peter 1:16 G3756 For not G1063 G4679 [2discerning G3454 3fables G1811 1following after] G1107 did we make known G1473 to you G3588 the G3588 G2962 [4of our Lord G1473 G* 5Jesus G5547 6Christ G1411 1power G2532 2and G3952 3arrival], G235 but G2030 [2spectators G1096 1having been] G3588 G1565 of that ones' G3168 magnificence.
17 G2983 For having received G1063 G3844 from G2316 God G3962 the father G5092 honor G2532 and G1391 glory, G5456 [2voice G5342 3having been brought G1473 4to him G5107 1such a] G5259 by G3588 the G3169 majestic G1391 glory, saying, G3778 This G1510.2.3 is G3588 G5207 my son G1473 G3588 the G27 beloved, G1519 in G3739 whom G1473 I G2106 take pleasure in.
18 G2532 And G3778 this G3588 G5456 voice G1473 we G191 heard G1537 [2from G3772 3heaven G5342 1brought], G4862 [2with G1473 3him G1510.6 1being] G1722 on G3588 the G3735 [2mountain G3588 G39 1holy].
Peter was an eyewitness to Jesus’ majesty and heard the voice of the Almighty, Most High, Eternal, Heavenly Father from heaven. This gives Peter’s words some weight as being prophetic because he was personally involved with Jesus when Jesus walked on the earth, on the mountain top, and in Jesus’ resurrected body. Peter says the disciples/apostles have a stable prophetic logos.
2 Peter 1:19 G2532 And G2192 we have G949 more firm G3588 the G4397 prophetic G3056 word; G3739 which G2573 well G4160 you do G4337 heeding, G5613 as G3088 a lamp G5316 shining forth G1722 in G850 a dismal G5117 place, G2193 until G3739 which G2250 day G1306 should shine through, G2532 and G5459 the morning star G393 should arise G1722 in G3588 G2588 your hearts. G1473
He suggests that people should attend to this word as if it were a lamp that was lit in a dirty dusty room. If we heed these prophetic words and walk to the light bearing morning star, (Venus, the planet of love), then Jesus who is the bright star seen in the morning, will rise up in your heart. Remembering our work on this subject, Jesus is Phosphorus while the satan is Hesperus.
Every written prophecy is not of one’s own solution or explanation. Why? Because the written prophecy did not come because men wished for it.
2 Peter 1:20 G3778 This G4412 first G1097 knowing, G3754 that G3956 every G4394 prophecy G1124 of scripture G2398 [3by private G1955 4explanation G3756 1does not G1096 2take place].
21 G3756 For not G1063 G2307 by will G444 of man G5342 was [2borne G4218 3at some time or other G4394 1prophecy], G235 but G5259 by G4151 [2spirit G39 1holy] G5342 being borne G2980 [5spoke G3588 1the G39 2holy G2316 4of God G444 3men].
People didn’t carry or bring written prophecy to earth, the Holy Spirit did. The Holy Spirit carried the prophecies to holy men and women, and the holy men and women spoke those words. Someone then scribed those words. But there also existed pseudo prophets and pseudo teachers who bring damnable heresies that deny or contradict the teaching that the Lord purchased us. They bring disunion into the Body of Christ. We are redeemed, the Lord paid a price for us whether we die and will rise up or are seized off the earth, we are already paid for. These false prophets and teachers reject Jesus and attempt to teach people from that perspective. Notice the first word of the second chapter is “But”, which is a conjunction connecting two thoughts. True prophets preach redemption via the Holy Spirit while false prophets preach via the devil that Jesus didn’t or doesn’t redeem us.
2 Peter 2:1 G1096 But there existed G1161 G2532 also G5578 false prophets G1722 among G3588 the G2992 people; G5613 as G2532 also G1722 among G1473 you G1510.8.6 there will be G5572 false teachers, G3748 ones who G3919 shall introduce privately G139 [2sects G684 1destructive], G2532 and G3588 [2the G59 4buying G1473 5them G1203 3master G720 1denying], G1863 bringing G1722 unto G1473 themselves G5031 quick G684 destruction.
These pseudo prophets and pseudo teachers bring upon themselves impending eternal misery in hell. Many will follow the Jesus rejecters in impending eternal misery in hell because they will speak evil against alētheia, “truth”. They have a desire for wealth and will form and mold their words as a traveling salesman, peddling snake oils for you to buy. Yet the Jesus rejecters’ decree or judgment was cast long ago. They will have eternal misery in hell with no sleep or rest.
2 Peter 2:2 G2532 And G4183 many G1811 shall follow after G1473 them G3588 in the G684 destruction, G1223 through G3739 whom G3588 the G3598 way G3588 of the G225 truth G987 shall be blasphemed.
3 G2532 And G1722 by G4124 a desire for wealth, G4112 with shaped G3056 words, G1473 they shall make trade of you; G1710 G3739 for whom G3588 the G2917 judgment G1597 of old G3756 is not idle, G691 G2532 and G3588 G684 their destruction G1473 G3756 shall not G3573 slumber.
The false prophets, teachers, are like snake oil salesmen, who are blaspheming Jesus and his plan of redemption, they have a verdict for complete ruin.
Now the reality is, we are mortals, humans. We are not all knowing and all powerful. We, in fact, know less about our Almighty, Heavenly Father, and our Magnificent Lord Jesus the Anointed, than the other sons of God. We are the blinded ones. The angels and the other heavenly beings are not. So then Peter compares the snake oil salesmen to the fallen angels, suggesting that if God did not spare them, but put them in chains in the infernal region, what about judgment on these false prophets, teachers, who are like traveling snake oil salesmen?
2 Peter 2:4 G1487 For if G1063 G3588 G2316 God G32 [2of angels G264 3sinning G3756 1spared not], G5339 G235 but G4577 in chains G2217 of the infernal G5020 region G3860 delivered them up G1519 for G2920 [2judgment G5083 1being kept for];
Who told us about these angels who sinned and ended up in chains? Enoch. Remember, it does not matter what we think as much as it matters what the writers led by the Holy Spirit knew. It is from their perspective that we learn.
The Secrets of Enoch, 2 Enoch
XVIII.
Of the taking of Enoch on to the fifth heaven.
THE men took me on to the fifth heaven and placed me, and there I saw many and countless soldiers, called Grigori, of human appearance, and their size was greater than that of great giants and their faces withered, and the silence of their mouths perpetual, and there was no service on the fifth heaven, and I said to the men who were with me:
2 Wherefore are these very withered and their faces melancholy, and their mouths silent, and wherefore is there no service on this heaven?
3 And they said to me: These are the Grigori, who with their prince Satanail rejected the Lord of light, and after them are those who are held in great darkness on the second heaven, and three of them went down on to earth from the Lord's throne, to the place Ermon, and broke through their vows on the shoulder of the hill Ermon and saw the daughters of men how good they are, and took to themselves wives, and befouled the earth with their deeds, who in all times of their age made lawlessness and mixing, and giants are born and marvellous big men and great enmity.
4 And therefore God judged them with great judgement, and they weep for their brethren and they will be punished on the Lord's great day.
5 And I said to the Grigori: 'I saw your brethren and their works, and their great torments, and I prayed for them, but the Lord has condemned them to be under earth till heaven and earth shall end for ever.'
6 And I said: 'Wherefore do you wait, brethren, and do not serve before the Lord's face, and have not put your services before the Lord's face, lest you anger your Lord utterly?'
7 And they listened to my admonition, and spoke to the four ranks in heaven, and lo! as I stood with those two men four trumpets trumpeted together with great voice, and the Grigori broke into song with one voice, and their voice went up before the Lord pitifully and affectingly.
Peter then compares the Lord’s judgments in the flood, that came upon the ancient world due to the fallen angels. Peter brings up Sodom and Gomorrah’s judgment.
2 Peter 2:5 G2532 and G744 the ancient G2889 world G3756 he spared not, G5339 G235 but G3590 [3 the eighth G* 2Noah G1343 5of righteousness G2782 4proclaimer G5442 1kept], G2627 [2 the flood G2889 4world G765 3to the impious G1863 1having brought];
6 G2532 and G4172 the cities G* of Sodom G2532 and G* Gomorrah G5077 having reduced to ashes G2692 [2by a final event G2632 1he condemned]; G5262 [2an example G3195 3for the ones being about G764 4to be impious G5087 1having set];
7 G2532 and G1342 [2righteous G* 3Lot G2669 4being harassed G5259 5by G3588 6the G3588 G113 7unlawful ones G1722 8in G766 9lewdness G391 10of behavior, G4506 1he rescued],
8 G990 (for by sight G1063 G2532 and G189 hearing, G3588 the G1342 righteous man G1460 dwelling G1722 among G1473 them, G2250 day G1537 by G2250 day G5590 [3soul G1342 2 his righteous G459 4 by their lawless G2041 5works G928 1tormented];)
On a side note, Peter mentions that Lot’s soul was tormented by the evil and lawless behaviors of Sodom and Gomorrah. Many peoples’ soul’s are tormented by the unlawful, lewd, behaviors of the unrighteous. There is a judgment coming. There was one at the time of Noah, and one at the time of Abraham and Lot. There will be another judgment upon the earth at the time of the tribulation. In the days of Noah, the fallen angels contaminated the earth. In the days of Lot, people distorted right living, instead they should have been doing the opposite which is the will of Yahweh.
Earlier, Peter mentioned the written scriptures were prophecies brought to Earth by the Holy Spirit who gave it to holy men. Then someone scribed the prophecies. These were not done by the will or wishing of men but by the Holy Spirit. Whose written prophecies did the people have who lived before the flood? Enoch’s writings. Enoch’s written prophecies were given to Noah. Whose written words did Abraham have? Enoch’s. Abraham lived with Noah and Shem. This is how men were held accountable to the knowledge and words of Yahweh. Noah had taught his sons, and they taught their sons. We know Noah’s son Shem started a school in Salem (Jerusalem) and Isaac and Jacob both learned and served with Shem, aka Melchizedek.
Even though there were no written laws at the time of Abraham, Abraham was the righteous standard because of his relationship with Yahweh as he walked and talked with Abraham as a friend. If we remember, Nimrod corrupted the nations, turning them from Yahweh, but Sodom took that corruption to a whole new level. The cities were so corrupt that angels were sent to destroy them. The Lord knows how to deliver the righteous out of the unrighteous; Noah and Lot are Peter’s example to us.
2 Peter 2:9 G1492 but the Lord knows G2962 G2152 [2 the pious G1537 3from G3986 4tests G4506 1to rescue],..
2152 LSJ Gloss:εὐσεβής righteous
Dodson:εὐσεβής pious, God-fearing pious, God-fearing, devout.
Thayer:
- pious, dutiful
εὐσεβής
1537
ἐκ, ἐξ
ek ex ek, ex A primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence motion or action proceeds), from, out (of place, time or cause; literally or figuratively; direct or remote) KJV Usage: after, among, X are, at betwixt (-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for (-th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, . . . ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with (-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion .
3986 LSJ Gloss:πειρασμός trial, temptation
Dodson:πειρασμός trial, testing, temptation (a) trial, probation, testing, being tried, (b) temptation, (c) calamity, affliction.
TBESG:πειρασμός temptation/testing
G:N-M
πειρασμός, -οῦ, ὁ
(< πειράζω), [in LXX for מַסָּה, עִנְיָן ;]
__1. = πεῖρα, an experiment Diosc.).
__2. a trial, of ethical purpose and effect, whether good or evil (see Hort on Jas.1:13)
__(a) in good or neutral sense:
Refs Gal.4:14, Jas.1:12, 1Pe.4:12; esp. of afflictions sent by God (
Refs Deu.7:19, Sir.21:1-28, al.): 2Pe.2:9, Rev.3:10; pl.,
RefsLuk.22:28, Act.20:19, Jas.1:2, 1Pe.1:6;
__(b) of trial regarded as leading to sin, temptation:
Refs Luk.8:13, 1Co.10:13, 1Ti.6:9 ; of the temptation of Jesus by the devil, Luk.4:13; εἰσφέρειν (ἔρχεσθαι, εἰσέρχ-) εἰς π.,
Refs Mat.6:13 26:41, Mrk.14:38, Luk.11:4 22:40, 46;
__(with) of the testing or challenge of God by man (see: πειράζω, 3, with) : Heb.3:8 (LXX: Psa.95:9, where κατα τ. ἡμέραν πειρασμοῦ = מַסָּה the day of Massah).†
SYN.: δοκίμιον (AS)
Thayer:
1) an experiment, attempt, trial, proving
1a) trial, proving: the trial made of you by my bodily condition, since condition served as to test the love of the Galatians toward Paul (Gal.
4:14)
1b) the trial of man's fidelity, integrity, virtue, constancy
1b1) an enticement to sin, temptation, whether arising from the desires or from the outward circumstances
1b2) an internal temptation to sin
1b2a) of the temptation by which the devil sought to divert Jesus the Messiah from his divine errand
1b3) of the condition of things, or a mental state, by which we are enticed to sin, or to a lapse from the faith and holiness
1b4) adversity, affliction, trouble: sent by God and serving to test or prove one's character, faith, holiness
1c) temptation (i.e. trial) of God by men
1c1) rebellion against God, by which his power and justice are, as it were, put to the proof and challenged to show themselves
πειρασμός
peirasmos pi-ras-mos' From G3985; a putting to proof (by experiment [of good], experience [of evil], solicitation, discipline or provocation); by implication adversity KJV Usage: temptation, X try.
4506 LSJ Gloss:ῥύομαι to draw to oneself
Dodson:ῤύομαι I rescue I rescue, deliver (from danger or destruction).
Thayer:
1) to draw to one's self, to rescue, to deliver
2) the deliverer
ῥύομαι
rhuomai rhoo'-om-ahee Middle voice of an obsolete verb, akin to G4482 (through the idea of a current; compare G4511); to rush or draw (for oneself), that is, rescue KJV Usage: deliver (-er).
The Lord knows how to rescue the God-fearing out from trials, temptations, and tests. In Noah’s day what was the trial, temptation, or test? It was the mixing of the angels with humans, which led to multitudes of sin upon the earth. In Lot’s day what was the trial, temptation, and test? Living among the most inhospitable people on the earth which tormented Lot’s soul. It should be obvious that we too are living under many of the same circumstances as both Noah and Lot. Why is this? A quick read of the Book of Jasher will explain their history with more detail.
Now we see the category of God-fearing people being brought up here. As we studied a few weeks ago there are a group of people who receive rewards at the bēma who fear God, Revelation 11. The people who fear God, who want to do what is right, will be delivered from the devil’s testing on the earth.
To take a step back, the devil is not only a stinger or a prick, he is attempting to ingraft his evil into humans. He does succeed. He wants to become part of each human. One way he does this is to test, try, and tempt people. If one allows evil behavior into his/her own life, that one is now open for control by a demon. Remember Jesus’ example of casting out demons when he said that if we cast out demons, the house will be cleaned and swept, but the demon will come back finding a clean house and bring seven more wicked spirits with him? We can cast evil spirits out of people but we cannot shut the door. The individual has to shut the door and lock it. In other words, every human is responsible to keep demons out, but it is the game of the devil to ingraft humans so that they can’t keep demons out.
Think of the grafting-in process. At first it is easy to remove a graft, because it has not adhered, but after months and years, the graft merges into the entire being. It is hard to separate the graft from the rest of the being. Yet the Bible tells us that the word of God pierces to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and joints and marrow. Only the word of God can remove a graft from a human. It is the idea of pruning, but with better precision than regular pruning shears. There are those who do not want to change, they enjoy their unrighteousness. They will be pruned from the creation on the day of judgment.
2 Peter 2:9...G94 and the unrighteous G1161 G1519 [2for G2250 3a day G2920 4of judgment G2849 5being punished G5083 1to keep];
94 LSJ Gloss:ἄδικος wrong-doing, unrighteous, unjust
Dodson:ἄδικος unjust, unrighteous unjust, unrighteous, wicked.
Thayer:
1) descriptive of one who violates or has violated justice
1a) unjust
1b) unrighteous, sinful
1c) of one who deals fraudulently with others, deceitful
ἄδικος
adikos ad'-ee-kos From G1 (as a negative particle) and G1349; unjust; by extension wicked; by implication treacherous; specifically heathen KJV Usage: unjust, unrighteous.
2920 LSJ Gloss:κρίσις a separating, power of distinguishing
Dodson:κρίσις judging, divine judgment judging, judgment, decision, sentence; generally: divine judgment; accusation.
Thayer:
1) a separating, sundering, separation
1a) a trial, contest
2) selection
3) judgment
3a) opinion or decision given concerning anything
3a1) esp. concerning justice and injustice, right or wrong
3b) sentence of condemnation, damnatory judgment, condemnation and punishment
4) the college of judges (a tribunal of seven men in the several cities of Palestine; as distinguished from the Sanhedrin, which had its seat at Jerusalem)
5) right, justice
κρίσις
krisis kree'-sis (Subjectively or objectively, for or against); by extension a tribunal; by implication justice (specifically divine law) KJV Usage: accusation, condemnation, damnation, judgment.
2849 LSJ Gloss:κολάζω to curtail, dock, prune
Dodson:κολάζω I chastise, punish I chastise, curtail, punish; mid: I cause to be punished.
Thayer:
1) to lop or prune, as trees and wings
2) to curb, check, restrain
3) to chastise, correct, punishment
4) to cause to be punished
κολάζω
kolazō kol-ad'-zo From κόλος kolos (dwarf); properly to curtail, that is, (figuratively) to chastise (or reserve for infliction) KJV Usage: punish.
5083 LSJ Gloss:τηρέω to watch over, protect, guard
Dodson:τηρέω I keep, guard, observe I keep, guard, observe, watch over.
Thayer:
1) to attend to carefully, take care of
1a) to guard
1b) metaph. to keep, one in the state in which he is
1c) to observe
1d) to reserve: to undergo something
For Synonyms see entry G5874
τηρέω
tēreō tay-reh'-o From τηρός teros (a watch; perhaps akin to G2334); to guard (from loss or injury, properly by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from G5442, which is properly to prevent escaping; and from G2892, which implies a fortress or full military lines of apparatus), that is, to note (a prophecy; figuratively to fulfil a command); by implication to detain (in custody; figuratively to maintain); by extension to withhold (for personal ends; figuratively to keep unmarried) KJV Usage: hold fast, keep (-er), (ob-, pre-, re) serve, watch.
The unrighteous will be guarded for pruning or punishment on the day of judgment. This tells us that there is a place of guarding and keeping an eye on the unrighteous after death as opposed to the place of the righteous. What day will that be? The great white throne judgment. That will be the day that the unrighteous will be cast into the lake of fire. In Noah’s day, the flood pruned the heirs of the fallen angels and individuals from the Earth who had been taken over by the devil. In Lot’s time, the people of Sodom and Gomorrah were eradicated from the earth so as not to spread their evil ways. They were made an example of for the degree of evil that they embraced. The tribulation period will extract the righteous out from the unrighteous, leaving the unrighteous behind to suffer.
Peter goes on to explain the unrighteous. Remember who we are speaking of, false prophets, false teachers, who are like traveling snake oil salesmen. As a side note, there are false pastors, false evangelists, and false apostles as well. Peter says: ‘most of all, the ones going backwards after flesh, long for defilement’. They despise the Lordship of Jesus.
2 Peter 2:10 G3122 and especially G1161 G3588 the ones G3694 [2after G4561 3 the flesh G1722 4in G1939 5a desire G3394 6for defilement G4198 1going], G2532 and G2963 [2lordship G2706 1ones disdaining]; G5113 daring, G829 self-willed, G1391 [4glories G3756 1they do not G5141 2tremble G987 3 in blaspheming].
5113 LSJ Gloss:καταφρονέω to think down upon
Dodson:καταφρονέω I despise, scorn I despise, scorn, and show it by active insult, disregard.
Thayer:
1) to contemn, despise, disdain, think little or nothing of
καταφρονέω
kataphroneō kat-af-ron-eh'-o From G2596 and G5426; to think against, that is, disesteem KJV Usage: despise.
829 LSJ Gloss:αὐθάδης self-willed, wilful, dogged, stubborn, contumacious, presumptuous
Dodson:αὐθάδης self-satisfied, arrogant self-satisfied, arrogant, stubborn.
Thayer:
1) self-pleasing, self-willed, arrogant
αὐθάδης
authadēs ow-thad'-ace From G846 and the base of G2237; self pleasing, that is, arrogant KJV Usage: self-willed.
Peter is telling us that these people who have been grafted-in by the devil despise Jesus as Lord, and they look down on others who make Jesus their Lord. When we are young we typically feel badly when someone looks down on us. We might even try and appease the individual looking down on us by denying what we believe. But when we are older and more mature, we rise up in our spirit and beat back that witchcraft which is called intimidation. The older we get, the less tolerant we become of witchcraft tactics used against us. We have to understand that people who desire defilement and despise Jesus are not our “friends”, the devil has ingrafted them. They lost the sporting match and the testing long ago to the degree that they have been grafted into the devil’s family. This is how the devil gains sons and daughters. He mocks, chides, teases, and tests people, until they desire moral contamination, uncleanness, and unrighteousness.
These people are arrogant. They are not afraid to speak evil against the Lord or his people, and they actually glory in blaspheming. They reject Jesus’ Lordship and are quite opinionated about it. The fallen watchers were quite arrogant. They enjoyed their deferments and mocked those who were reverent to the Lord. That was until they ended up in chains and asked Enoch to intercede for them. The people of Sodom were arrogant, and looked down on those who visited their city. They raped, mocked, stole from, and tortured those passing through. Their unjust judges always sided with the Sodomite accusers.
We have to keep in mind that we are not the center of this story. We are a small part of a larger story. The devil was made to sport with the angels. Some of the other sons of God have fallen for the devil’s games and have been ingrafted by him. We know the incorporeal satan is one of those beings. He was an angel of light, but now is the kosmokratōr, the ruler of darkness. As the other sons of God fall, they become ingrafted, and work for the devil/the dragon. In linear time, humans came later, after there were many fallen spiritual beings. New to the story were the angel watchers who left their first estate to cohabitate with human women, creating a mixed race called the Nephil/Nephilim or giants. Humans are easily deceived as humans do not know the history of the fallen beings. Peter explains the difference between the ingrafted, arrogant, self-willed, pseudo prophets, pseudo teachers, and traveling salesmen, who glory in blaspheming the heavenly sons of God.
2 Peter 2:11 G3699 Where G32 angels G2479 [2in strength G2532 3and G1411 5power G3173 4greater G1510.6 1being], G3756 do not G5342 bring G2596 against G1473 them G3844 before G2962 the Lord G989 a blasphemous G2920 case.
The angels are greater, megas, in force and strength, and inherent miraculous power. They do not bring down slander, blasphemy, and their own divine judgment, against us, or the unrighteous, or against the Lord. Peter is saying that angels who are far superior to the devil, his fallen spiritual beings, and the unrighteous humans, don’t speak evil or bring evil accusations against others. Peter then calls these slanderers physical illogical living creatures.
2 Peter 2:12 G3778 But these, G1161 G5613 as G249 [2illogical G2226 3living creatures G5446 1physical], G1080 engendered G1519 for G259 conquest G2532 and G5356 corruption G1722 in G3739 [2what G50 3they know not G987 1blaspheming], G1722 in G3588 their corruption G5356 G1473 G2704 shall be laid waste;
These illogical natural beasts are conceived for conquest and corruption. Conceived by whom? The devil. They were conceived when the graft took hold. Once conceived they are overtaken and ruined by the devil. They ignorantly blaspheme the things that they know nothing about. They bring a payment or reward for wrong doing.
2 Peter 2:13 G2865 carrying G3408 a wage G93 of unrighteousness; G2237 [5satisfaction G2233 1esteeming G3588 2the G1722 3daily G2250 G5172 4delicacy]. G4695 Stains G2532 and G3470 blemishes, G1792 reveling G1722 in G3588 G539 their deceptions, G1473 G4910 feasting together G1473 with you;
The false prophets, false teachers, and snake oil salesmen are illogical natural beasts who bring a payment for their unrighteous blasphemers. Remember, they deny that Jesus bought and paid for us, and they create destructive sects among us. They lead or govern. Who do they lead or govern? Unrighteous people who go backward after the flesh in defilement. There are many people who follow pseudo prophets, pseudo teachers, and slick salesmen. They govern in truphē, daily physical and mental indulgence, luxury, or debauchery and in hēdonē, sensual delight, lust and pleasure. Peter says they are enfeeble, weak, and effeminate. They are defiled spots and disgraced blemishes, who live in luxury, entruphaō, sporting, partying. They are deluded frauds, feasting together with you.
We can see what Peter is saying about these people. They are natural beasts, they do not have the Holy Spirit dwelling within them, they have demons dwelling within them. They are not refined, they are not purified, they are not of the right pedigree. They are natural brute beasts. They are unrefined, impure, and of corrupt descendants. They have a defiled graft in them. They speak evil against the Almighty Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the children of God. They are conceived by the devil for conquest and corruption. Once the defiled graft is in them it is as if they are captured by the devil and his followers, and they decay and rot. They are ignorant and defiled yet they look down on the children of the Most High God.
2 Peter 2:14 G3788 [2eyes G2192 1having] G3324 full G3428 of an adulterous one, G2532 and G180 ceaseless G266 of sin; G1185 entrapping G5590 [2souls G793 1unstable]; G2588 [2a heart G1128 3being exercised G4124 4for a desire for wealth G2192 1having]; G2671 [2of curse G5043 1children].
Their eyes or vision are filled with adultery. This tells us that spiritually they are looking for another partner, one who is not the Almighty God, Jesus Christ, or the Holy Spirit. Physically they are looking for other lovers, ones who will feed their lustful desires. They can’t stop sinning. Once the graft is ingrained they can’t stop their sinful behaviors, just as the sons of the Nephil had voracious appetites for sexual pleasure and for blood. Peter is describing the people of his day, and our day, who are grafted into the devil’s group but they are just like the heirs of the fallen angels. Why is that? Because some of the disembodied spirits of the Nephilim were left on the earth, and those are the demons who are inhabiting the ingrafted followers of the devil. The very same demons who inhabited the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. This is why the game never changes. The sporting and luring, through lusts, is the same gameplay. We have simply never been told what we are dealing with.
2 Peter 2:15 G2641 Leaving behind G3588 the G2117 straight G3598 way, G4105 they wandered, G1811 following after G3588 the G3598 way G3588 G* of Balaam G3588 the son of G* Bosor, G3739 who G3408 [2 the wage G93 3of unrighteousness G25 1loved];
The pseudo prophets, pseudo teachers, and others who are snake oil salesmen, and their followers all abandoned the level, upright, road. They are led astray by following after the road of Balaam, who loved the rewards and payments of unrighteousness. The same demons inspiring the unrighteous people of those days, work in the unrighteous people of today.
2 Peter 2:16 G1649 [3rebuke G1161 1but G2192 2had] G2398 of his own G3892 unlawfulness -- G5268 [2beast G880 1a voiceless], G1722 in G444 a man's G5456 voice G5350 uttering a sound, G2967 restrained G3588 the G3588 [2of the G4396 3prophet G3913 1ranting].
Balaam was rebuked of his lawlessness by his own voiceless donkey who spoke in a mans voice to stop and prevent the insanity and foolhardiness of the prophet. These false prophets, false teachers, and traveling salesmen are dry fountains or clouds propelled by a whirlwind.
2 Peter 2:17 G3778 These G1510.2.6 are G4077 [2springs G504 1waterless], G3507 clouds G5259 [2by G2978 3a tempest G1643 1being driven], G3739 ones to G3588 the G2217 infernal region G3588 G4655 of darkness G1519 [2into G165 3 the eon G5083 1is kept].
There is an allusion here to clouds being moved demonically, as by the fallen Ophanim. If we think back to our understanding of the Ophan/Ophanim we know them as the transporters of the glory. Solomon also made images of them in the temple. They are also known as whirlwinds. The idea here is that a devastating storm, like a tornado or hurricane are elements under the authority of the god of this world, the prince of the power of the air. Dried up springs and swirling storms are ways that the devil harms humans. These false prophets, false teachers, and snake oil salesmen, are like elements controlled by the devil that harm humans. The devil utilizes his fallen spiritual followers to inflict dried up water sources and tornados on humanity. Peter’s words are not simply surface level, they are deep.
The zophos of skotos, the gloom of the nether world of darkness, is reserved as a military fortress for the pseudo prophets/teachers, snake oil salesmen, and their followers, into the aiōn, age. The people who are ingrafted, who were conceived for the devil’s conquest, leading to their own corruption, will be kept in a military fortress in the gloomy nether world of darkness for an age. Peter is not fooling around.
2 Peter 2:18 G5246 For [2pompous G1063 G3153 4of folly G5350 1uttering 3sounds], G1185 they entrap G1722 by G1939 the desires G4561 of the flesh, G766 in lewdnesses, G3588 the ones who G3689 really G668 escaped G3588 from the ones G1722 [2in G4106 3delusion G390 1behaving],
19 G1657 [2freedom G1473 3to them G1861 1promising], G1473 they G1401 [2bondmen G5224 1being] G3588 G5356 of corruption; G3739 for by whom G1063 G5100 anyone G2274 has been vanquished, G3778 by this one G2532 even G1402 he is enslaved.
“For insolent, boastful, morally depraved, proclamations, entice in forbidden desires of the flesh, licentiousness (conduct shocking to public decency), in reality, flee against overturning deluded error, announcing licentious freedom to them (their followers), they (their followers), are slaves of corruption and anyone who is overcome or conquered, he/she is enslaved.” What is Peter saying? The pseudo prophets, pseudo teachers, and traveling snake oil salesmen use insolent, boastful, and morally depraved speeches to entice peoples’ forbidden desires of the flesh. They manipulate people with lust and promiscuity. Truthfully or in reality, they run away from turning back against delusions. Instead of turning back to the Almighty God, they run away from any attempts to turn them back to the Father. They enjoy this corruption. This is why they are slaves of corruption. Anyone who is overcome by corruption, who is conquered by the devil, is enslaved. Peter certainly gives us the answers that we need to understand this sport of grafting-in. Now we understand why some people turn away from the Lord, they enjoy the lusts of their flesh.
2 Peter 2:20 G1487 For if G1063 G668 they having escaped G3588 the G3393 defilements G3588 of the G2889 world, G1722 in G1922 the full knowledge G3588 of the G2962 Lord G2532 and G4990 deliverer G* Jesus G5547 Christ, G3778 and in these things G1161 G3825 again G1707 being entangled G2274 they are vanquished, G1096 [3has become G1473 4to them G3588 1the G2078 2last] G5501 worse than G3588 the G4413 first.
If anyone flees the moral foulness of the cosmos in the recognition and full discernment of the Lord and deliverer Jesus Christ, but they go backwards and entwine themselves, they are overcome, defeated, and enslaved. Entwining is like re-ingrafting. That one is rejecting Jesus and is overcome and a slave again to corruption. Peter says that it would be better for that one not to know Jesus and the road of righteousness than to epiginōskō, have over knowledge of Jesus and revert out from surrender of the sacred authoritative prescription.
2 Peter 2:21 G2908 [3better G1063 1For G1510.7.3 2it was] G1473 for them G3361 to have not known G3588 the G3598 way G3588 G1343 of righteousness, G2228 than G1921 having known, G1994 to have turned G1537 from G3588 the G3860 [3delivered G1473 4to them G39 1holy G1785 2commandment].
If one surrenders to Jesus as Lord and deliverer, because that one has an above perception that Jesus is the Messiah, that one better not go back to being enslaved to corruption. They attempt to play with the lusts and depraved desires of the world and re-entwine themselves to the devil. It is like Proverb 26:11. This is the root of scandal in the Body of Christ, people trying to fulfill their own licentious desires with the bait that the devil leaves out for them. When a Christian is caught doing something lewd and foul, we wonder what happened. It is the sporting match. Bait Christians, then wait until they are in so deep that they crave and desire more of the devil’s poison. Following a trail of bread crumbs the devil has left out, Christians think no one will know. Turning backwards, to the devil’s ways, is like eating one’s own excrement.
2 Peter 2:22 G4819 But has come to pass G1161 G1473 to them G3588 the word G3588 of the G227 true G3942 proverb, G2965 A dog G1994 having returned G1909 unto G3588 its own G2398 G1829 excrement, G2532 and G5300 [2pig G3068 1a bathed] G1519 unto G2946 wallowing in G1004 mire
What can we learn from Peters letter? Peter suggests that we should believe him as he was an eyewitness to the voice of the Father speaking to Jesus on the mountaintop. He tells us that it is important to understand that the written prophecies did not come about due to men’s desires, but instead the Holy Spirit told men to speak the words that would be scribed. He suggests that we follow those words of prophecy like a lamp in a dark room so that Jesus will rise up in our hearts. Peter warns us that there are false prophets and false teachers who are like traveling snake oil salesmen. They deny that the Lord Jesus purchased us. They create destructive sects. They love wealth and are using people for their own personal financial gain. Peter tells us that there is an infernal nether world, dark and gloomy, reserved just for them. And for those who once came to know that Jesus is the Messiah, but refuse to turn away from their corrupted ways, they would have been better off not knowing Jesus as Messiah. They are eating their own excrement. Peter sums up the problem that we have. We have not known that there is a test, or trial, or a sporting match going on. We have never realized that we are being baited into being conquered by the devil. Once we are overcome we are corrupted. The game is a potentially fatal one once ingrafted. But the Lord, who is our deliverer, bought us with his blood, giving us a way for the graft to be precisely removed. Jesus is the word who cuts between soul and spirit and joints and marrow.
