Bulletin Articles
WHY “THE LATTER END IS WORSE”
WHY “THE LATTER END IS WORSE”
“For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: ‘A dog returns to his own vomit,’ and, ‘a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire’” (2Pt.2:20-22). In this article, I want to explore this passage in order to learn WHY “the latter end is worse.”
First, let us note that this passage completely refutes the false doctrine of “once saved, always saved.” These people had “escaped the pollutions of the world” (i.e., sin, v.20). This simple fact “necessarily implies” that they were once entangled by those very pollutions. But there is more: Even though they had “escaped” those pollutions, they were later “again entangled in them and overcome” (v.20). Now see the picture: They were “entangled” in sin; then they “escaped” it; and later were “again entangled.” As a result, he also said, “the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.” Then, to top it all off, he said that they had “known the way of righteousness,” then later “turned from the holy commandment delivered to them” (v.21). This does not sound like “once saved, always saved” to me! While we are on this topic, you might want to take a look at these passages: 1Cor.10:12; Ga.5:1-4; Ep.5:1-7; Hb.3:12-19; 6:4-6; 10:28-31; Jm.5:19-20.
Now, we come to our main topic, i.e., WHY “the latter end is worse.” Some say that the latter end is worse because their punishment will be greater than it would have been. While that is a possible interpretation, I believe that it is based on an unwarranted assumption. Are there really “hotter places” in Hell for some than for others? Does not the Bible place the murderer in the very same “fire” as the liar (Rv.21:8)? Does not the Bible put those who merely neglect some duty in the very same “fire” as the Devil and his angels (Mt.25:41-46)? Such facts make it obvious that Peter is not discussing “degrees of punishment,” because there are none. So, WHY is the latter end worse?
The answer is because the man who has known and experienced the blessing of salvation, yet turns his back on it, is nearly impossible to reach. He has tried salvation, but did not like it; at least not as much as he liked living a life of sin. Notice another passage which can shed some light: “For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame” (Hb.6:4-6, NASV). These people have been on both sides of the equation, and have decided that the sinful side is better! Once that occurs, the rest of us have been “disarmed;” WE have nothing with which to appeal to such a one. The only thing we can do is wait for THEM to change their minds about the sinful path they are on.
To clinch this point, notice Peter’s two illustrations: “But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: ‘A dog returns to his own vomit,’ and, ‘a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire’" (2Pt.2:22). Simply put, after “vomiting” up their sin, they have decided that it doesn’t taste so bad after all! And, after being “washed,” they have decided that they like being dirty after all! Once that point is reached, it becomes impossible for YOU to reach them; instead, THEY must have a change of heart before they can ever be reached.
I hope this brief study has helped you to more clearly understand and appreciate the point Peter is making in 2 Peter 2:20-22. If you have any other questions about this matter, let me know!
--Lanny Smith
