Sodom and Gomorrah into Ashes 2 Peter 2:6

Thus far the apostle Peter has listed the fallen angels and the ungodly during the time of Noah's flood as examples of those who followed false teaching and were judged for it. In chapter two and verse six, Peter adds Sodom and Gomorrah to the list. We read:

And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an example unto those that after should live ungodly;

The verse begins, “And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes...” In Genesis chapter thirteen and verse thirteen we are told:

But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.

And in chapter nineteen of Genesis and verse twenty-four we read:

Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven

Those who were in Sodom and Gomorrah though themselves to be immune from judgment for their behavior, but they were not. We learn from chapter nineteen of Genesis that they were far from the principles of God, and this became their pending doom. Peter uses them as an example of those who follow after false prophets, and though Abraham appealed to God to not destroy them if as little as ten righteous men were found there, their demise was imminent.

The verse continues, “...condemned them with an overthrow,” Because these people were so far away from God He “condemned” which means destroyed them “with an overthrow” which is the Greek word “katastrophē” from which we get our English word “catastrophe”. Let us be reminded that it was “God” who did this according to verse five of Second Peter chapter two. Though they thought themselves exempt from the outward force of God, and yet it was God who brought this catastrophe upon them.

Finally the verse says, “making them an example unto those that after should live ungodly; Because of this massive devastation for their evil, Sodom and Gomorrah serve as “an example” to anyone who lives an “ungodly” life. This ominous instance should make everyone who reads about it beware, beware, beware.

We can see through Peter's words that he was very serious about those who would come into the church and teach false doctrine. The fallen angels, the ungodly of Noah's day, and Sodom and Gomorrah are severe examples of those who thought themselves on the correct paths, but soon found out they were not. As we consider these austere illustrations as set forth by Peter, let us once again look at our own lives and “make our calling and election sure”. The consequences for not doing so could be eternally damning, and our fates could be separation from God.

Next time we will see what Peter has to say about Lot, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

 

Until tomorrow...there is more...

 

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