Punishment in History: God punishes sin. This is most certain for false teachers who are leading their hearers into lawlessness. Even if we see them grow in popularity and influence, that should not confuse us as to their end. God has a proven track record of punishing evildoers. Examples of this abound in Scripture. Peter points out three from Genesis: the fallen angels of Genesis 6, sinners of Noah’s day, and the Sodomites of Lot’s day. Make no mistake. God judges sin, and false teachers who dull the consciences of people and lead them away from repentance and holiness will not go unpunished. God will bring His recompense upon the promulgators of false assurance.

Preservation in History: God certainly preserves His people. Peter also demonstrates this from history. Whether it is Noah or Lot,[1] God does not slay the righteous with the wicked (Gen. 18:25). Noah and Lot were righteous in God’s sight. They were not morally perfect,[2] but they were given the imputed righteousness of God in Christ.[3] The same justification is true for New Covenant believers. They are justified by Jesus’ blood and are positionally righteous in God’s sight because God honors the sacrifice of His Son for His people. He will never subject them to a double jeopardy. God will not demand payment for sins that have been paid for by Christ. Those indwelt by the Spirit and are sanctified by Him are justified and kept from the wrath to come.[4]

[1] Other examples include the sealing of the 144K during the tribulation period (Rev. 7:3; 9:4) and the rapture of the church (1 Thess. 1:10; 5:9). Unregenerate Israel was not likewise kept from judgment (Josh. 22:20).

[2] They had an issue with alcohol (Gen. 9:21; 19:32, 35). It goes without saying that the New Covenant saint with the Holy Spirit puts off vices like this: Rom. 13:13; 1 Cor. 5:11; 6:10; Gal. 5:21; 1 Thess. 5:6-7; 1 Pet. 4:3.

[3] Cf. Rom. 3:24-26. Heb. 11:7 also says Noah was an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

[4] Cf. 2 Pet. 3:14-15; Rom. 8:1-14. Rapture precedes tribulation (1 Thess. 4:16-5:9). All who are justified are sanctified (Rom. 6:22-23; Heb. 12:14; 1 John 3:3-9; Rev. 21:27). One without the other is biblical nonsense.