Peter picks up with a promise of salvation to the righteous: "The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations" (2 Peter 2:9a). You see this in the life of Noah, as he and his family are saved through the water, carried by the Ark. You see this in Lot, as he and his family are whisked out of the city just moments before the complete destruction of those cities.
This should encourage you to remain faithful to the Lord. The Lord has promised, and He will keep His promise. "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand" (John 10:27-28).
He continues with a warning of impending punishment of sin (v. 9b). God saves the godly and He knows how "to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment" (v. 9b). Sinner beware! Unless you repent and trust Jesus for salvation, the Day of Judgment is coming, and it may be just around the corner.
We need to be encouraged. No matter how well the false teachers and those who follow them seem to do, or how popular they are with the crowds who are deceived, in the end, only those who take their stand on the Word of God through Jesus Christ will continue to stand.
Peter then chimes in with a warning of impending judgment of sinners. The ungodly are promised a day of judgment, and that is "especially" true of "those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries" (v. 10). An apt description of false teachers. "To speak evil of dignitaries" (v. 10b), likely refers to speaking evil against angels. "Whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation against them before the Lord" (v. 11), indicates that the angels do not retaliate.
The truth is, the only way to God and salvation is through faith in the shed blood and resurrection of Jesus Christ. All who say otherwise are wrong! All who follow those false teachers or false religions are destined to spend eternity separated from God, unless they hear and believe the truth of Jesus Christ.
What we need to hold on to is the truth of God's Word, the truth of Christ, without wavering. False teachers or true believers—God knows the difference. He deals justly with each one. Do not be led astray by false teaching. Stand firm on the truth of Christ, and stand. Amen.
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