2 Peter 2:4-10a
For if God did not prevent trouble to the angels, while
sinning, but rather after casting them into Tartarus by chains of darkness He
handed them over into judgment while keeping watch over them; and if He did not
spare the ancient world but rather he guarded Noah, the eighth herald of
righteousness, after bringing about the flood against the ungodly world; and if
after reducing the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes He condemned them as
an example of what is about to have happened to the ungodly; and if He
delivered righteous Lot, while being distressed by the behavior of the lawless
ones in licentiousness – for by looking and by hearing the righteous who lived
in them day after day he was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless
works; then the Lord has known to deliver the pious from trials and to keep
watch over the unrighteous while punishing them into a day of righteousness,
especially the ones who follow after the flesh in lusts of defilement and who despise
ruling authority.
Thoughts for Today
First Thought:
Tartarus (τάρταρος). This is the only place in the New Testament
where this word appears, and even this is in the verb cognate. Tartarus is a place in Greek mythology where
people were bound and taken for torturous reasons. Because it can be confusing to have multiple
names for the place where those who are condemned go, most Bibles translate
this word as “hell.” However, from a
literal perspective the word hell in the Bible is Gehenna (γέεννα). In any case, though, we can understand that
there is a place for those who are condemned.
Furthermore, that place is not pleasant.
It is designed for a torturous existence. That’s highly important to remember for the
rest of this passage.
Why is it important to remember that there is an alternative
to heaven? Why is it important to
remember that this alternative is never painted with any positive dynamics?
Second Thought:
In fact, this whole passage is about reminding us that there
is judgment all around. The world was judged
in a flood. Sodom and Gomorrah were
smote off of the face of the earth. We
are reminded that God does not like licentious behavior. God does not look kindly upon the people who
pursue their own lusts. God does not
value those who despise ruling authority.
In fact, take a look around at the human existence. How much of human existence is about skirting
the authority above us. Anyone drive on
a road lately? How many people do you
see speeding, going through intersections illegally, not using turn signals,
parking in handicapped spots, etc. We
shirk authority all the time, and those are just the examples of driving! Much of the human existence around us is full
of people going out and doing their own thing and following their own cravings
of the flesh. God is displeased when He
sees this behavior. There will be
judgment against it.
Where in your life are you guilty of following human
self-centeredness? Where in your life
are you following your own lust and not obeying the authority around you?
Third Thought:
However, judgment need not be the focus
of the message. In fact, in each case
Peter lifts up an example against the judgment.
In the flood, Noah and his family was spared. In Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot and his daughters
were spared. In each time of judgment, the
righteous – however few there are – are spared.
The righteous need not fear judgment.
Judgment is harsh and it certainly would be scary. But it is not something that will be brought
down on the righteous. God will provide
a way out of judgment – even in the eternal.
That is Peter’s main point.
When has God provided a way out for you
in your life? What does this testimony
in your own life say about God’s ability to fulfill His promise to you in the
eternal?
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