2 Peter 2:17 These people are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them.
Peter minces no words about false teachers and prophets. He continues to warn his readers about the seriousness of following after such people. In this verse he uses several images that tease the imagination and should create a sense of dread in our minds about people like this. The image of a spring without water gives the idea of a promise without fulfillment. A spring promises water but does not deliver. These people may say one thing but provide another. Their words lack truth and power. Their promises do not work because these promises are based on their own ideas and words and not from God. God’s promises are true, but these people give false promises. The next image of mists driven by a storm shows weakness and temporariness. The words of these false teachers lack power and vitality. They are just blowing hot air. Any human thinking without reference to God’s creative power will lack eternal value. Finally, these people will experience blackest darkness. Their future will match their empty hearts. Blackest darkness could be an image for judgment and punishment the angels will experience in verse 4. Blackness has no light and God’s presence. This verse is not easy for us to read. We like to think that because God loves everyone, we should have nothing to fear. There is a new movement of universalism within the church that says that because God is love, everyone will eventually be saved. This movement misses the point of God’s justice and holiness. The Bible is very clear that those who reject God will face judgment. This thought should be enough to warn us back to orthodoxy and careful consideration of what is truth. For those who teach and preach (to church, family, friends), we must be ever vigilant that what we say is accurate and what the Bible clearly says.
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