Apostle Peter wrote this second letter to address the need of the first century believers. They were tempted to depart from the sound doctrines of the faith. Some professing people groups were influencing them away from the truth. He encouraged them to spiritually grow so they can combat such temptation. Peter was a man who acted like a modern day local church pastor concerned about his members. He showed accuracy in his theological positions on various areas discussed in the book. In the study on apostasy, this book is a must reading as it discloses many aspects concerning the subject.

One lady church member asked me years ago, “If these religious cults are indeed wrong in their teaching then why are they growing fast?” If we are to read the news and statistics in Europe and USA, then you will be surprised at the astounding numerical growth of Islam as a religion in those once “Christian nations.” If you visit the northern part of Luzon, Philippines you will see the Muslim traders fast spreading in the marketplace and their mosques gradually being built. As a child, I never saw any Muslim trader in my province in the 1970s. But today even in our remote town you will see them. Soon, their mosque will also be constructed. In the end of 1980s as I ministered in Villasis, Pangasinan mission work I never saw any Muslim trader at the market. After less than 20 years I saw them selling goods and perhaps at this time of writing their mosques are under way.

The advent of the Americans in our land at the turn of the past century brought religious freedom to the Filipinos. Our ancestors gloried in that blessing. But with that freedom the false religionists and cultists came as well. Thus, later the Seventh-Day Adventists, the Mormons, and the Jehovah’s Witnesses came to our religious shore. In less than two decades, thereafter, the indigenous religious cult known as the Iglesia ni Cristo was born (1914) in Manila and is now an economic, political, and social institution to reckon with. This group’s influence will be complicated by the commencement of other false religious groups, such as but not limited to, the Ang Dating Daan, the Fourth-Watch Church, and the Quiboloy Church (Jesus the Name Above Every Name).

Why do we have this false religious development? Why is the Romanist Church continuing to flex her religious and political muscles in our people? As someone asked me in the past for an answer, here is God’s answer to the above question.

Apostle Peter prophesied in our text the coming of the false teachers and prophets. He declared how they would develop. He told us how they would affect people. And He discussed their manner of leading people as well as their attitude to the truth.

First, Peter disclosed their origin – from the local group of true saved people (v.1a). The false prophets will claim to have special communication access with God even if it can not be biblically verified. They will come from among God’s people. As such they used to be part of true Christian churches. Apostle John’s declaration helps here (1 Jn.2:19). Either they would be expelled by the godly church leaders due to their error or they will depart from the godly church as the latter is unwilling to adapt to their teaching. It shows that they used to have contacts with the sound teaching churches.

Second, Peter declared their teachings and acts (v. 1b). They will smuggle in (the local churches) their teachings. It will be shared under the cover of other sound teaching matters. They will creep into until the whole structure is influenced. The teaching will be of man’s origin. It has no apostolic origin. The teaching will bring destruction either in organization, in teaching, and in people’s lives. They will deny the sufficiency and substitutionary work of Christ. They will criticize the simplicity of such work relative to salvation. Finally, they themselves will be destroyed and doomed. They will deteriorate from the orthodox doctrinal position. Refusing Christ’s offer of salvation at the Cross they are headed to eternal destruction in the lake of fire.

Third, Peter foretold their large number of followers (v. 2). Many will embrace their new teachings and ways of life. Some of God’s people will follow them. This last group is called apostates. People will be enticed by their example described by the author as evil. The false teachers’ lifestyle will be lascivious and uncontrolled. In spite of this wickedness, large mass of people will follow them. They will see the false teachers’ lifestyle as the norm. People will be mesmerized by the false teachers’ aggressiveness in attacking sound teaching and presenting it as false. This is the very act of many false religions towards the historical and apostolic teaching. If you were to number the false religious groups in the country, namely the INC, ADD, PMCC, Quiboloy’s, the SDAs, the JWs, the Mormons, and the RCC, then the fundamental Baptists would be insignificant in number. Each group claims at least a million members while the RCC has 80% of the entire population.

Fourth, Peter discussed their manner (v. 3). As mentioned above, false teachers and prophets attacked the truth and aimed at presenting it as the false one. If you watch their TV programs and read their papers the same attitude is manifested. They will engage in acts that exploit the members. They will trade their doctrine like a commercial product for a substantial gain. Their leaders are in great luxury and ostentatious life as a result of successful trading. Indeed, religion in this sense becomes a big money-making enterprise. All these religions learn the trade from the great mother whore of the Romanists. She occupies the professorial chair of religious enterprising course offered by the University of Rome funded by the endowments of false Peters.

Fifth, Peter assured their damnation (v. 3). As they victimized people even those who once professed Christ as Savior, God will not neglect their deserving punishment. God does not sleep over their case. Their deserved judgment is actively being prepared. It is gaining momentum and will be unleashed at the designated time. So the godly faithful Christians need not worry about apparent divine toleration. We must worry about not working hard to preserve the remnant and striving to win the deceived (Titus 1:9-11).

The birth and growth of false teachers and churches are prophesied. We can not change that. But we are equipped by the prophecy. We are to forearm our people from such vicious attacks from them. We are to encourage the church members to diligently study the Word for their own growth and strength. Then we are to strive to win back the deceived ones into the Lord. Evangelism must be intensified at all fronts. Doctrinal grounding at the Sunday School and home levels as well as at secular studies must also be intensified. Every sector leader is to work harder to protect his herd. Every missionary worker is to prevent the deceivers from entering his flock. The man of God must ever be militant to carry on this spirited passion to present the local church pure before the Great Shepherd at His coming. Amen.