Judgment – with mercy | 2 Peter 2:4-8

4 For God did not spare even the angels who sinned. He threw them into hell,[a] in gloomy pits of darkness,[b] where they are being held until the day of judgment. 5 And God did not spare the ancient world—except for Noah and the seven others in his family. Noah warned the world of God’s righteous judgment. So God protected Noah when he destroyed the world of ungodly people with a vast flood.

6 Later, God condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and turned them into heaps of ashes. He made them an example of what will happen to ungodly people. 7 But God also rescued Lot out of Sodom because he was a righteous man who was sick of the shameful immorality of the wicked people around him. 8 Yes, Lot was a righteous man who was tormented in his soul by the wickedness he saw and heard day after day.

2 Peter 2:4-8 (NLT) 中文

Judgment comes

As Peter just shared, the judgment for the false teachers is due, it’s coming. In this section, he provides some examples of judgment (mixed with favor) meted on those who follow false teaching and rebel against God. Follow the links to read more about each event. We won’t go into details here.

“Verses 4-10a form one long, complex conditional sentence; verses 4-8 form the conditional statement, and verses 9-10a the conclusion. This long sentence skillfully combines the different aspects involved in God’s judicial dealings with mankind.” (Constable commentary quoting Hiebert)

Judgement 1 – the Angels

Angels are judged? No way! Yes way. For before God created mankind, He had already created angels. Believe it or not, demons are fallen angels (Revelation 12:9, 4). They sinned, along with their leader, Lucifer (aka Satan) by pridefully rebelling against God and His rule. Click here for more. God, being just, to protect His integrity, punished them to hell as we learn here. We don’t know much of the details – like how are these angels in v4 different from the angels (demons) that are on the earth today. But we know they are all destined for eternal punishment (Jude 1:6 and today’s verse).

Judgement 2 – the flood

Early on in the beginnings of mankind on the earth, the evil ignited in Adam and Eve’s sin continued to grow to a ravaging fire in the hearts of mankind. “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of mankind was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually.” (Genesis 6:5) In the story of the flood (Gen 6-8) we see God punished all mankind for their sin and rebellion.

But Noah was a righteous man in the midst of the evil of “the world of ungodly people”. So God protected him (and his family). This became a symbol of God’s judgment and mercy symbolized by a rainbow (the proper use of this symbol). Peter identified it also as a symbol of baptism (1 Peter 3:20–21)

Judgement 3 – Sodom and Gomorrah

After this, the sin of two cities, Sodom and Gomorrah, boiled over as documented in Genesis 18-19. Again, God demonstrated judgment and mercy. Even after a bold appeal by Abraham, these cities were still so wicked God destroyed them; not even 10 righteous could be found.

But He saved Lot and his family. Lot is identified as living righteously in the midst of an entirely sinful situation. It’s interesting that Lot chose to live here when presented with the choice by Abraham, his uncle (Genesis 12:8-13).

Conclusion

“Therefore the ungodly have no reason to think they can escape God’s judgment. Their coming judgment is certain. As Jesus said in Luke 10:10-12, for those who reject the truth ‘it will be more tolerable in that Day for Sodom.’” (enduringword.com)

RЯeflection

God doesn’t mess around. Those who rebel against Him and believe (and teach) false doctrine will be judged and punished. This shows the importance of proper doctrine.
At the same time, it shows God’s mercy and grace. Remember: Justice is getting what we deserve. Mercy is not getting what we deserve. Grace is getting what we do not deserve. Thank God for His grace. Now! Ask Him to reveal to you what eternity is and what it will be like for those who repent and believe in Him vs. those who don’t.