174 Charlatans in the Church

2 Peter 1–3, TBC Book Two, Chapter 174
After the Lord revealed to Peter that his earthly departure was near, the apostle wrote the believers a second letter. This one focused on nurturing their new life in Christ, protecting them from false teachers, and instructing them on the end times and the day of the Lord’s return.

Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have received faith through the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Grace and peace be yours in abundance. . . .

The events we apostles described regarding the supernatural power of the Lord Jesus were not cleverly fabricated stories—we were eyewitnesses of those accounts and of his majesty. . . . 

What we witnessed confirms the words of the prophets, and you would do well to listen: Embrace those teachings as a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. No Scripture is the result of a prophet’s personal whims; rather, they received their message guided by the Holy Spirit’s inspiration.

There were, however, false prophets in their generation, just as there will be false prophets among you. These false teachers will introduce heresy, even denying the Lord. . . . Motivated by greed, they will exploit you with stories that are not from God, but from their own imagination. . . .

With boldness and arrogance, they slander celestial beings, claiming to have received revelation from them. Guided by greed, they expertly seduce and deceive, skillfully peddling messages they claim are from God. Like Balaam, who once knew the voice of the Lord, the lure of financial gain has caused them to sell their souls by prophesying for profit. . . .

The day of the Lord will come, suddenly, unexpectedly, like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire. The earth and everything in it will face judgment. So, dear friends, make it your goal to be found blameless and at peace with God. . . .

(See THE BIBLE CLICKS, Book Two, Chapter 174, for the rest of the story.)
​​Available in book, e-book, and audiobook formats, sold by Amazon and your favorite bookstores/vendors.​

---

Today’s Takeaways
     A proverb to guide you: Mark of false prophets—arrogant, boastful, peddling “revelation,” . . . They once knew God’s truth but sold their soul for greed.
     A promise to cling to: “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. . . . In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. . . .They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam.” 2 Peter 2:1, 3, 15 NIV
     A praise to fill you: I Will Be Here  Steven Curtis Chapman     [Can skip ad after first 5 seconds]

​