Text: 2 Peter 3:3-4 "Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, (4) And saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation. (NASB)
God's Plan
God has always had a plan for His people. His plans were thought out from the foundation of the world. He knows what he is doing and He has everything under control. God has not changed! Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, Yes and forever." (NASB) What God has declared, be assured, it will come to pass. God's plans cannot be thwarted. Nothing can get in the way of His purposes. God's Word will be fulfilled and will come to pass. It's important that we obey His word and heed its warnings so that we do not fall into disobedience and lose faith and miss out on what God has for us.
Satan's Tactics
Satan's tactics have also not changed. He still moves upon people the same way today as He has in times passed in order to get them to sin. Fortunately the Bible says that we are not ignorant of his schemes. 2 Cor. 2:11 "In order that no advantage be taken of us by satan; for we are not ignorant of his schemes. (NASB)
Therefore, we do not have to allow him to take advantage of us. As we read and begin to know God's Word, we can stand against all his deceptions.
Persevering Under Trials
In light of this, God would have us to hold fast to that which He has called us to. He does not want us to get tripped up by anything or anybody. During times of trial, it is very easy for us to start doubting and losing faith because we cannot always see clearly. And what usually happens during times of great trials, Satan sends his mockers to mock and taunt us regarding God's work and what God has called us to do. Mockers will produce doubt in our minds. We then begin to question whether we heard from God and even start doubting His word.
Satan has been doing this from the beginning of history. Genesis 3:1 - And he said to the woman, "Indeed, has God said, "You shall not eat from any tree in the garden?" (NASB)
His plan was to cast doubt into Eve's mind to get her to doubt what God had said to her and thus cause the fall of man. He uses the very same tactics on us today. Often the mocking will come from people closest to us. But we must hold fast to what we know God's word says and not deviate from it.
Job's Example
Job was an upright, God fearing man. He prayed often and he loved God deeply. When trials and tribulations hit him, his response was remarkable. Job 13:15 "Thou He slay me, yet will I trust in Him." (KJV) Job was suffering greatly no doubt. This isn't something he said flippantly, but his attitude in the midst of trial was in response to a deep relationship with God. Job's wife's response however, was different. Yes, she was suffering greatly too. She lost all her children as well and watched Job as he suffered. But, instead of being a comfort to him and standing firm in her faith as well, she mocked the situation. We find her response in Job 2:7-10 Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. (8) And he took a potsherd to scrape himself while he was sitting among the ashes. (9) Then his wife said to him, "Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die!" (10) But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity." In all this, Job did not sin with his lips. (NASB)
It was the person closest to Job that told him to curse God. Further into the book of Job it was his closest friends that claimed to speak for God and failed as comforters. In all this, instead of Job doubting God and giving in and turning away from God, he held fast his confession of faith and clung to what he knew about God. He did NOT listen to the voice of the mockers. He walked by faith and clung to the word of God. Job's wife and his friends did not know God like Job did. What they told him would have disturbed anyone greatly. But Job had a sincere relationship with the Father. One that was so strong that even in the midst of the greatest trials, he was able to trust God ultimately. He stood firmly against his wifes mockings and his friends, and kept his faith and integrity.
Noah's Example
When God told Noah to build an ark in order to preserve his life and those of his family's, Noah obeyed God. Noah was aware of the corruption and wickedness that was going on around him. He was a God fearing man. You can just imagine the ridicule that Noah suffered as he started building this huge monstrosity. The ark was not something he could hide in his garage whenever someone came over. His neighbors, no doubt, could see this thing for miles. It was 5, 400 inches in length, breadth 900 inches, and its height 540 inches. That's 450 feet x 75 feet x 45 feet. Can you imagine the doubts that Satan must have been planting in Noah's mind? You can just hear them; "You fool!" "Was it God who told you to build this ridiculous looking Vessel?" "It's never rained. What makes you think that it will now? Can't you see that all your friends and neighbors are laughing at you? Maybe you just imagined hearing God's voice. How do you know that God will really keep His word when you are finished? What if He doesn't? Boy will you look ridiculous. You'll be a laughingstock!"
Well, this didn't stop Noah! He knew who he believed. He knew his God! And, he knew that God would be faithful to do that which he promised! Noah trusted God with all his heart and did not lean on his own understanding. Prov. 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. (NASB)
Not long after Noah had completed the ark, the first drop of rain fell out of the sky. His friends were no longer laughing at him. They probably started begging Noah to let them in the beautiful ark they had just moments ago ridiculed. But it was too late! The doors were shut and those who mocked him were left to their own chosen fate. God keeps His word!
A Testimony Against Those Who Mock
I would like to point something out that we find here during Noah's building of the ark. God didn't want him to hide what he was doing even if he could have. Noah's building of the ark was a testimony against all who stood around and mocked him. It was a testimony to those who refused to heed the word of the Lord, and those who defiled the earth with their corruption and violence. It was a witness and a warning to them to repent.
God told Ezekiel to do some pretty radical things in front of the people of his day. Let's see what God's reasoning behind this was. Ezekiel 12:1-16 Then the word of the Lord came to me saying, (2) "Son of man, you live in the midst of the rebellious house, who have eyes to see but do not see, ears to hear but do not hear; for they are a rebellious house. (3) "Therefore, Son of man, prepare for yourself baggage for exile and go into exile by day in their sight; even go into exile from your place to another place in their sight. Perhaps they will understand though they are a rebellious house. (4) And bring your baggage out by day in their sight, as baggage for exile. Then you will go out at evening in their sight, as though going into exile. (5) "Dig a hole through the wall in their sight and go out through it. (6) "Load the baggage on your shoulder in their sight, and carry it out in the dark. You shall cover your face so that you cannot see the land, for I have set you as a sign to the house of Israel. (7) And I did so, as I had been commanded. By day, I brought out my baggage like the baggage of an exile. Then in the evening I dug through the wall with my hands; I went out in the dark and carried the baggage on my shoulder in their sight. (8) And in the morning the word of the Lord came to me, saying, (9) "Son of man, has not the house of Israel, the rebellious house, said to you, 'What are you doing?' (10) "Say to them, thus says the Lord God, "This burden concerns the prince in Jerusalem, as well as all the house of Israel who are in it." (11) "Say, 'I am a sign to you. As I have done, so it will be done to them; they will go into exile, into captivity.' (12) "And the prince who is among them will load his baggage on his shoulder in the dark and go out. They will dig a hole through the wall to bring it out. He will cover his face so that he can not see the land with his eyes. (13) "I shall also spread my net over him, and he will be caught in my snare. And I shall bring him to Babylon in the land of the Chaldeans; yet he will not see it; though he will die there. (Jere 39:7) (14) "And I shall scatter to every wind all who are around him, his helpers and all his troops; and I shall draw out a sword after them. (15) "So they will know that I am the Lord when I scatter them among the nations, and spread them among the countries. (16) "But I shall spare a few of them from the sword, the famine, and the pestilence that they may tell all their abominations among the nations where they go, and may know that I am the Lord. (NASB)
We find in this passage that God continually told Ezekiel to do these things in their sight. His purpose was to get them to ask questions. He was hoping that they would ask Ezekiel what he was doing so that he could tell them and they would repent. He was also showing them that He is the sovereign Lord of the universe who calls forth loyalty and obedience and that He could in no way let justice go on perverted. He had to judge them unless they repented. However, they refused to repent. They didn't even ask or seek God as to what was going on. They were completely rebellious.
Gal. 6:7 "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap." (NASB) Their state of heart was rebellion towards God. However, God is not mocked. They were about to reap what they had sown. Israel for so long had sown to the flesh. It was time for them to reap the destruction they had brought upon themselves because of their own rebellion. Before they went into captivity however, God sent them prophets to warn them to turn from their wickedness. God did not want to have to judge them. He did not want to see his beloved go into captivity but they refused to listen to Him. They turned a deaf ear to each prophet He sent them. Ezekiel 12:17-20 "Moreover, the word of the Lord came to me saying, (18) "Son of man, eat your bread with trembling, and drink your water with quivering and anxiety. (19) "Then say to the people of the land, "Thus says the Lord God concerning the inhabitants of Jerusalem in the land of Israel. "They will eat their bread with anxiety and drink their water with horror. Because their land will be stripped of its fullness on account of the violence of all who live in it. (20) "And the inhabited cities will be laid waste, and the land will be a desolation. So you will know that I am the Lord." (NASB)
God tried to show them their fate for their rebellion, but they refused to heed His words. Thus they were swept away into the Babylonian captivity which God moved upon King Nebuchadnezzar to carry out.
Ezekiel Also Feels the Mockers Sting
Ezekiel 12:22-25 "Son of man, what is this proverb you people have concerning the land of Israel, saying, "The days are long and every vision fails'? (23) "Therefore say to them, thus says the Lord God, " I will make this proverb cease so that they will no longer use it as a proverb in Israel." But tell them, "The days draw near as well as the fullfillment of every vision. (24) For there will no longer be any false vision or flattering divination within the house of Israel. (25) "For I the Lord shall speak, and whatever word I speak will be performed, it will no longer be delayed, for in your days, O rebellious house, I shall speak the word and perform it," declares the Lord God."
God was aware of the house of Israel's every thought and heard every word they uttered against Him. Ezekiel felt the abuse of the people daily. They mocked him and told him he was crazy. They told him that everything he said would not come to pass. But God responded with a word that the judgment would no longer tarry. It would now be fulfilled. And so it was! His words were no longer a proverb in their mouths but a reality. And it happened just as He warned them it would. Ezekiel believed God and obeyed Him by declaring His word to a rebellious people.
Ezekiel 12:26-28 Furthermore, the word of the Lord came to me saying, (27) "Son of man, behold, the house of Israel is saying, "The vision that he sees is for many years from now, and he prophecies of times far off.' (28) "Therefore say to them, 'Thus says the Lord God. "None of my words will be delayed any longer. Whatever word I speak will be performed, "declares the Lord God. (NASB)
Listen to God Not the Mockers
The promises found in God's word to us, his people, are true! He continually watches over His word to perform it. Whatever task He has given you, whatever ministry He has called you to, He will fulfill it if we continue to trust in Him. Do not listen to the voice of the mockers. Listen instead to God's Word. Judge everything by His Word. Keep your faith in what He has told you.
For example, doubts may be running through your head that tell you God does not love you, but what does the Word of God say? Romans 8:38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, (39) nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Read the Word, know it and cling to it when doubts flood your mind.
As long as we know the Word of God, no one can tell us otherwise. The key is to know it and to know Him! We must be faithful to read it and memorize it. No one will ever be able to make us fall if we are confident in the Word of God and especially not led around by our emotions. We must put our confidence in God's Word and His Word alone.
Christians Will Suffer Persecution
Here is something that we must be aware of. God's Word does not say that we will not suffer persecution. In fact, it warns us that persecutions, trials and tribulations are coming. Life in general is a trial in itself. Good and bad things happen to all of us, the righteous and the rebellious. For whatever reason they come, the point is to be strong during them and to cling to God with all our faith.
Many will come and mock and persecute you when you stand up for the truth. The darkness hates the light. People do not want to have the light turned on and have their sins exposed. It's too painful for them so they would rather stay in the darkness instead of letting God bring healing to them and forgiveness. But because they do not want to give up control, they will go to great lengths to see that their sin is covered up and that includes shutting out the light.
They mocked and treated Jesus with scorn. We too will be treated the same way as we bring the same message to a lost and dying world. We must continue to take a strong stand against unrighteousness and never compromise. John 15:20 Remember the word that I said to you, A slave is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. (NASB)
The world does not understand the things of God. They are under a strong delusion. The Bible says that the god of this world, (Satan) has blinded their minds to the Word of God. 1 Cor. 2:14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 1 Cor 1:18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (NASB)
God Reveals His Plans to His Servants
To those who have surrendered their lives to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and have repented of their sins, they have been given the Holy Spirit of God to dwell in them. Because the Spirit of God dwells in us, we have spiritual eyes to see and hear what God is saying to us. We have understanding of His Word. The world, because they love the darkness, does not posses this understanding and will hate us for it. They will mock and ridicule us. God wants us to know Him and to know His word. Genesis 18:17 And the Lord said, shall I hide from Abraham (my friend and servant) what I am going to do? (AMP) The Lord was about to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah and because God considered Abraham His friend, God let him in on what He was about to do.
Daniel 9:23 At the beginning of your prayers, the Word (giving an answer) went forth, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved. Therefore consider the matter and understand the vision. (AMP) After much prayer and supplication for his nation, the angel Gabriel appears to Daniel and tells him that he was greatly loved by God. God then reveals to Daniel a very important piece of prophecy concerning the end times.
In the New Testament, John was called the disciple whom Jesus loved. John 13:23 There was reclining on Jesus' bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. (NASB) John 19:26 When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, "Woman, behold your son!" (NASB) John 20:2 So she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him." (NASB) John 21:20-22 Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; the one who also had leaned back on His bosom at the supper and said, "Lord, who is the one who betrays you?" (21) So Peter seeing him said to Jesus, "Lord, and what about this man?" (22) Jesus said to him, "If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!" (NASB) Who wrote the book of Revelation? JOHN!
John 15:15 "No longer do I call you slaves; for the slave does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from my father I have made known to you." (NASB) We merit being called God's friend if we obey what He has commanded of us. John 14:14 "You are my friends, if you do what I command you." (NASB)
Other Examples of Mockers in the Bible
1.) Shimei - 2 Samuel 16:1-14
2.) Tobiah and Sanballat - Nehemiah 2:1-20
3.) Eliphaz - Job 4:1-11
4.) Azariah and Johanan - Jeremiah Chapters 42, 43
5.) People of Israel - Matthew 27:28
Responding To Mockers
How does God expect us to react to those who mock us?
1.) We are to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Matthew 5:43-48 "You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' (44) "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (45) so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (46) "For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? (48) "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (NASB)
2.) Rejoice and be Glad. Matthew 5:10-12 "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (11) Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. (12) Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (NASB)
3.) Flee those who refuse to hear the truth. Matthew 10:23 "But whenever they persecute you in one city, flee to the next; for truly I say to you, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes. (NASB) Matthew 7:6 Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. (NASB)
4.) Be patient. 1 Cor. 4:12 and we toil working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure; (NASB)
5.) Glorify God in your suffering. 1 Peter 4:16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. (NASB)
6.) Pray. Matthew 5:44 "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. (NASB)
7.) Hold fast your confession of faith and endure until the end. Matthew 10:22 You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved. (NASB)
Conclusion
Jesus said that in this world we will have tribulation but fear not because He has overcome the world. John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. (NASB)
We are living in perilous times and even greater distress is ahead of us. In the last days, 2 Timothy 3:2-5 states: For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, (3) unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, (4) treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, (5) holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; avoid such men as these. Because of this, we will face great persecution and mockings. We need to hold fast to that which is good and separate ourselves from evil. Test all things and hold on to God's truth. We must stand firm and trust in God to see us through everything as He has promised to do so in His Word. When mockers come to break down your faith, remember what God has already told you in His Word and hold fast to those promises.
Behold He comes quickly, let him who has an ear, hear what the Spirit is saying to the church!
