Sick Dogs And Washed Hogs

Temple Baptist Church - 5-16-2018

2 Peter 2:9-22

Introduction:

A.  We need to remember our context tonight to get the proper meaning of the verses that I will deal with.  I am going to look at these verses in reverse order to show who these people are and how they got here.

B.  Verses 20-22 have been used more by way of application than contextual interpretation. 

1.  I fear that the true meaning of these verses has been lost because of topical peaching.  YOU MUST always give a Biblical interpretation of a verse before making a practical interpretation! 

2.  This is simply Biblical Hermeneutics.  It is called the Context Mention of Bible Interpretation.  When taking a verse out of its context, it often becomes a pretext!  Great application but no Biblical interpretation.  This can lead to serious doctrinal problems.

3.  It lends itself to Biblical ignorance which destroys the people of God.  God’s people are destroyed for a “lack of knowledge.”  Preaching through the Bible book by book establishes the people of God doctrinally.

C.  When you get to these verses, the context has not changed as the first word of verse 20 in the word “For.”  The Holy Spirit is now going to draw a conclusion to chapter two.  Chapter two begins and ends with false teachers!

D.  In verses 20-22, these Old Testament false prophets and New Testament false teachers did not lose their salvation, they were never saved.  You can wash them all that you want to make the outside smell a little better, but that does not change their inward nature: dogs are dogs and hogs are hogs! 

1.  Their Dereliction.   “falling away”

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3  Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,  (2)  That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.  (3)  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition …

2 Peter 2:17-20  These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.  (18)  For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.  (19)  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.  (20)  For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

a.  Many used the Greek word for “falling away,” which gives us a commonly used word “apostasy.”  The words “falling away” give us the actual meaning of “falling away from a former position.”  To fall away from something, you must have once stood for something!

b.  These “dogs” and “hogs” vomited up and left their wallowing in the mire.  The “dog” detested but later invested in heresy.  The “hog” detested the mire but later returned to its filth.

2.  Their Deception.

a.  Their damnableness.  2 Peter 2:1  But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

b.  Their deceiving.  2 Thessalonians 2:2-3  That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.  (3)  Let no man deceive you by any means …

1)  “spirit”  A spirit that is disobedient to the Scriptures.  Teachers who teach and act contrary to clear Scripture and say that they are led by the Holy Spirit.

2)  “word”  A message that does not comply with the Scriptures.  Man-made doctrines that do not line up with the clear doctrinal teaching of the Scriptures.

3)  “letter as from us”  A false “word of God” that takes precedent over “The Word of God.”  False “bibles” from perverted underlying texts that bring about confusion over what is or is not Scripture.

c.  Their being deceived.  2 Peter 2:19  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

3.  Their Damnation.

a.  Their return.  2 Peter 2:22  But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

b.  Their accountability.  2 Peter 2:21  For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.

c.  Their damnation.  Matthew 7:21-23  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  (22)  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  (23)  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.