BEASTLY MEN

“…They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak against dignitaries, whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation against them before the Lord. But these, like NATURAL BRUTE BEASTS made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption.”  

(2 Peter 2:10-12) 

    

In the scripture above, Apostle Peter wrote concerning the punishment to befall those who follow the ways of false teachers and prophets. He also says in the second verse of the same chapter that many will follow their destructive ways and this will cause the way of truth to be blasphemed. Apostle Peter describes these people as beasts, people who only consider their gain. They do not care about God or the salvation of people. They are people who only live for their own promotion but Jesus says in Matthew 16:25 that whoever desires to save his life will lose it but whoever loses his life for His sake shall find it. Hence, we should not live our lives just to fill our stomachs with food and our wallets with money. We are to lose our lives for Christ’s sake and we shall gain it. Living for ourselves make us beasts who are “made to be caught and destroyed”, just as Peter said. Nowadays, Christians value their possessions rather than the giver of the possessions. They would do anything to keep their jobs, cars, money, clothes and worldly treasures. This is no different from IDOL WORSHIP. Exalting things of this earth above God is to place God at second place in our lives, which will only lead to destruction.

In 1 Corinthians 15:32, Paul writes that he had fought with beasts at Ephesus. He wasn't referring to animals, but was referring to those who stood against the gospel at Ephesus. The people who withstood the gospel were Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen. In Acts 19:25-27, Demetrius says, “Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. Moreover you see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands. So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be despised and her magnificence destroyed whom all Asia and the world worship.” From this scripture we learn that these men made their money by this trade and also they were into idol worship because they feared that the magnificence of the temple will be despised. These men were perverted, lovers of money, self-centered and worshiped idols. They cared more about their prosperity than any other thing and as such were willing to stand against Paul and the gospel of Christ. They put their personal gains before anything else. Putting material gains above spiritual needs is IDOL WORSHIP.  These people worshiped Artemis because of the earthly benefits they received.

Demetrius and his goons were able to stir up the whole city against Paul and the gospel he preaches. Apostle Peter also predicts in the second verse of his second epistle chapter two that many will follow their (false teachers) destructive ways. Many people will begin to cherish their earthly possessions which are only temporary. They will turn away from God and begin to cherish their jobs, money, cars, cloths and even their spouses above the All-Mighty God.

Most Christians of today do not even consider it vital to attend church services. Some claim they have worked throughout the week and need rest whereas some also claim they do not have money and some even claim that church is too far from their homes. These are the same people who spend money on a lot of earthly things which are not needed and drive for miles just to get to their workplace but claim church is too far. These are the attitudes of some believers which can be categorized under IDOL WORSHIP. They put work, money, food and rest before God and His purposes. As Apostle Peter says, these ‘natural brute beasts’ will utterly perish in their own corruption.

BEASTLY MEN are idol worshipers who seek their own lives, forsake God, exalt their earthly possession and stand against the gospel of Christ because of their perversion and self-centeredness. Walking down this path will only end in utter destruction. We, Christians, need to totally surrender our lives to God and reckon that we have been crucified with Christ. Therefore, it is no longer we that live but Christ lives in us to do His will. (Gal. 2:20) We need to forgo this beastly nature which ends with destruction in Hell and take up the cross of Christ and follow in His selfless ways full of love and obedience. (Jn. 15:13)

Related Resources
3 Characteristics of those who oppose the Gospel
God's five (5) words against Lucifer's (5) "I will" Statements
Be Perfect






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