Articles
Countdown
All sci-fi shows have countdown events. Aliens take over the spaceship, a self-destruct sequence starts, and the hero tries to escape as a voice counts down to zero. On TV they always get away, but in real life there is no audible count-down when false teachers take over. Do not be fooled, though; Peter and Jude are warning us to flee false teachers, because the countdown has begun.
Three chapters in 2 Peter and Jude warn about the ruin caused by false teachers and the judgment waiting for them. Peter starts with how they will sneak in “destructive heresies” (2:1) and ends with a pleafor us to watch out so we don’t “also fall” (3:17). Jude starts with the fact they are setfor “condemnation” (v. 4) and ends with acall to rescue (v. 23). In between are many words and illustrations warning us to fleebefore the countdown reaches zero.
Peter uses several interesting words for destruction. Apoleia (to ruin or perish, utter destruction) is used four times in the first three verses to show that the path and teaching of false teachers destroys, and does so quickly (2:1-3). Krima (the sentence of a judge) is described as not being delayed (2:3). Katastrophe (ruined by an overthrowing destruction) is found in the illustration of God’s judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah (2:6). Do you recognize the last two in the words criminal and catastrophe?
Jude adds a couple of interesting words as well. Dikei (execution of a sentence or punishment) is used, along with eternal fire, to describe the ultimate end for Sodom and Gomorrah (v. 7). Tereo (to reserve forsomething) refers in this case to eternaldarkness that is waiting (vs. 6, 13). The last word is fire. Peter warns of the final day of judgment when the elements will melt and everything will “be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10).
Along with the words are quite a few great illustrations. Angels who did not keep their “proper domain” were “cast down to hell” and kept “in chains” for “judgment.” The ungodly ancient world was not spared,but “perished in the flood.” The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were “wiped off the face of the earth” in a “rain of fire from heaven” because of their “vile and filthy ways.” The unbelieving people of Israel were “destroyed in the rebellion” of Korah and did not “enter the Promised Land.” Like “empty clouds,” “dead trees” and “raging waves,” they are blown, thrown or foamed away. They are even compared to mindless “wild animals” that have to be put down.
Yet even in the face of judgment, hope remains, since God does not want any to perish (2 Peter 3:9) and we can keep the faith (2 Peter 3:17). But the countdown has begun, so flee false teachers as if your life depends on it. It does!
