2 Peter 2:17: These Are Waterless Springs And Mists Driven By A Storm. For Them The Gloom Of Utter Darkness Has Been Reserved.

2 Peter 2:17

[17] These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. (ESV)

For those who lived in the Middle East, where many of the recipients of the Apostle Peter's letter lived, finding spring of water would be a significant thing. Imagine traveling for many miles, struggling with intense thirst and finding a spring. Imagine the disappointment of discovering that the spring was completely dried up. The promise of water was a false promise.

This is one of the ways that Peter has described the false teachers. They prey upon people who are spiritually dying of thirst. They offer refreshing water to those who are in desperate need. They talk about spiritual water. They claim to know where to find such water. They even have books they can sell you all about water. Only one problem. They have no water.

A similar illustration that the Apostle Peter gives is mists that are driven by a storm. Again, we need to consider that the culture of Peter's time was far more agricultural. If a farm did not have rain there would be the destruction of crops. The sky might grow darker. Perhaps there was the smell of coming rain. Yet, again, there was no water. The storm clouds blew the water past the area that needed it.

What is going to happen to these false teachers who promise a refreshing message of spiritual rain, but have nothing to offer? Will they simply be scolded?  Peter says that the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved for them. This wording sounds similar to the angels who had sinned against God. In 2 Peter 2:4 he says that the fallen angels were committed them to chains of gloomy darkness.

The Lord is not ok with those who preach and teach, but do not give people the life transforming truth of the Gospel. Mark well those who teach falsely, and do not follow them.