It was foretold that in the latter days false prophets and teachers would rise to prominence, corrupting the faith that was delivered to the saints through Jesus Christ. Even in the days of the Apostles, there were already wolves in the church posing as brothers. These depraved men exhibited a form of godliness and an outward appearance of righteousness while exalting themselves as men of God and gathering followers for personal gain.

2nd Peter 2 is devoted to exposing false teachers who were redeemed by Christ and washed in his blood, but afterward they turned from the holy vocation given them to pursue personal interests by exploiting those who followed them.

Exposing these deceivers, Peter points back to the false prophets in Israel, warning that there would likewise be false brothers in the church who would subtly bring in damnable heresies to draw others after them.

Peter said it was better for them to have never known the truth than to return to their old ways after being cleansed from their sins by Christ’s blood.

“After they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome; the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than, after they had known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it happened unto them according to the true proverb: “The dog is turned to his own vomit again, and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire” (2 Peter 2:22).

Likewise, Jude devoted his epistle to addressing the same infiltrators who turned back from the LORD while remaining involved in the congregation to feed themselves on the flock. Using the same terms as Peter, Jude describes them as ungodly men who turn the grace of God into lasciviousness, preaching doctrines of grace while walking after their lusts and enticing others to take part with them in their sins.

“These be they, who separate themselves.” God did not fail or forsake them; they separated themselves from God, hardening their hearts to indulge in their lusts. God said, “My spirit will not always strive with man.” Despite providing them with a period for repentance, God abandoned them to indulge in their lust.

Warning against doctrines of eternal security, Jude brings to mind examples of those who were at one time servants of the LORD but were later destroyed after departing.

“I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. Likewise, the angels who left their own habitation, he has reserved in everlasting chains of darkness unto the judgment of the great day.” (Jude).

Jude said they were “twice dead, plucked up by the roots,” meaning they couldn’t be restored. Nonetheless, they remained in the congregation after they had fallen. Others have come after them who followed in their path, even to this day.

Centuries of false doctrines and heresies have been passed down, leading to the splintering into countless denominations, spin-offs, and cults that identify as Christians but reject scripture. Each group naturally imagines its beliefs are correct. Thus, the great falling away foretold includes not only those who abandon a Christian identity but also the apostate condition of individuals who accept the corruptions present in their specific version of Christianity.

Elisha was following Elijah, hoping to inherit his mantle; he refused to abide with the sons of the prophets in their places of contentment. He continued following Elijah, who, unlike the sons of the prophets, was a prophet. Like Elijah, Elisha desired more than a casual relationship with God that was handed down through men. Elisha desired to receive directly from God rather than traditions passed from others.