The Desires of the Ridiculer

As noted before, the reason for Peter's admonition is that some had begun to scoff at such warnings, even as Israelites of earlier times had mocked Jehovah's prophets.  (2 Chronicles 36:16) Peter explains:  "For you know this first, that in the last days there will come ridiculers with their ridicule, proceeding  according to their own desires."  (2 Peter 3:3)  Jude says that the desires of these ridiculers are "for ungodly things."  He calls them "animalistic men, not having spirituality." - Jude 17-19.

The false teachers who Peter said "go on after flesh with the desire to defile it" are likely among these ridiculers who are without spirituality.  (2 Peter 2:1, 10, 14)  They mockingly ask faithful Christians:  "Where is this promised presence of his?  Why, from the day our forefathers fell asleep in death, all things are continuing exactly as from creation's beginning." -2 Peter 3:4.

Why this ridicule?  Why suggest that Christ's presence may never occur, that God has never intervened in human affairs and never will? Well, by undermining the sense of urgency that permeates the Word of God, these animalistic ridiculers seek to lull others into a state of spiritual apathy and thus make them easy prey to selfish seductions.  What powerful encouragement for us today to remain spiritually awake!   May we keep close in mind Jehovah's day and always remember that his eyes are upon us!  Thus we will be moved to serve Jehovah with zeal and maintain our moral purity. -Psalm 11:4; Isaiah 29:15; Ezekiel 8:12; 12:27; Zephaniah 1:12.

Next time: Willful and Despicable

The Watchtower, 1997