“The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished.” (v.9)
Chapter 2 has been described as both a warning and an encouragement by Peter to those he cares about. He warns concerning; false teachers, and the bringing of damnable heresies that deny the Lord (vv.1-2), he warns against those who would make merchandise of God’s people (v.3), against those who live ungodly lives and walk after the flesh (vv.5-6), against those who despise government, and speak evil of dignitaries (v.10), and he warns of the judgment that awaits those who partake of theses things.
But, Peter also encourages his flock that God knows how to deliver the Godly out of temptations, out of judgment, and out of destruction, as He did with Lot and his family, and Noah and his family (vv.5-6). And I believe, along with many others, this also speaks to how God will deliver His church from the great tribulation described in Revelation 6-19, in an event called “The Rapture.” Then, as in times past, “He will pour out His wrath and the unjust shall be punished.”
The Truth: "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)
