20. If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. 21. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. 22. Of them the proverbs are true: "A dog returns to its vomit," and “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud." 

Peter warned that God did not spare angels and they do not have the possibility to repent like we do. God did not spare the world in Noah's Day - we have much more revelation than they did. God did not spare Sodom and Gomorrah - we have much more evidence of reality and work of the Messiah than they did, then how much more shall we fall into judgment? Those who are turning people away from truth and the Lord, and enslaving captives through false teachings and false faith have greater responsibility and punishment.

It is very serious business to be a minister. There are many clergy who have no right to be so. It is a special calling of God that cannot be compromised by money, benefits, parsonages, or other monetary gifts. Preachers, teachers, religious leaders, youth workers, sponsors, and the like are under tremendous warning, as being the most dangerous of jobs, for “it would be better for a millstone to be tied around one’s neck and thrown into the sea than for one causing a little one to fall or stumble” in their faith in the Lord.    

This passage causes some problems with the question of eternal security. Peter is talking about those who have had knowledge of Jesus and have escaped from the corruption of the world, but now they are entangled in it again.    

I would argue this is the same result regardless of the of theology.  Those who believe in eternal security interpret it to say those folks were never really saved to begin with. They knew about the truth; they taught the truth; they were active in church; they were baptized; but they were not real sheep following the Shepherd Christ, instead they were dogs going back to their vomit and pigs going back to the mud. There were people who went back to their true nature - in other words they were only putting up a front, but never committed their lives to Christ, nor submitted their wills and desires to live for Jesus.    

Others will say, “No they were under the saving grace of God, but they turned their back on Him and fell from grace. Since they once were dogs and pigs now they have become like them again in their own lost natures.” I follow the first belief, but I don't want you to miss the point. The outcome is the same.    

They are under the judgment and condemnation. Only you and the Lord know for sure if you are pretending or have a real faith. If you know Him, then you will want to please Him in the things you do.    

We are on alert. Look at the religious leaders and their character, their consistency, their content and their condemnation.  Peter's characterization of the false teacher is such that we see some of the earmarks of the false teacher who will arise in our midst.    

The God who judges false prophets can protect and rescue those who love Him, right in the midst of temptation.

Application:  Stay tight with Christ and His word. If someone comes up with a new teaching, beware. Don’t follow any man or woman, but only the Lord.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, in all things, make my faith real.