4. They are dreamers (verse 8). Not sure where the word “filthy” (KJV) came from, but it is not in the original Greek. The phrase is “these men, dreaming…” Could it be that they actually believed they were hearing from God in their dreams when they came into the church with their perversions? As their doctrines were filthy, we assume that their dreams were also, since these men lived in the flesh, not the Spirit. A man who is not on guard spiritually is indeed subject to the possibility of dreams that do not line up with God’s truth. Carnal men have dreamed everything possible. And if a man is being used by Satan to destroy a church, we cannot even imagine what his dreams might have looked like. Beware church! Men in our own generation will feed their dreams to you as though they were all of God. This is not to say that a godly man might not have a godly dream, but a godly man will know better than to foist his dream on the church as some new revelation that the church is to follow. Oh for discernment!

5. They defile the flesh (verse 8). Two of the three examples he gives above have to do with sexual immorality bringing the judgment of God forth. It is no surprise here that these false men are, based on their dreams, using sexual means to infiltrate the church. Paul talks about using the grace of God to promote lasciviousness. To say that “anything goes” now because of God’s grace, is what is meant. These men are loose sexually themselves, boasting no doubt of their “freedom in Christ”, and therefore they are encouraging the church to be the same. One thinks immediately of naked Israel under Aaron’s watch, as the man of God was on the mountain

.6. They reject authority (verse 8). Pastors, elders are trying to tell them their teachings are off base, but they continue on? Their teachings fly in the face of apostolic letters already being circulated, and apostles themselves? They are even perverting the Old Covenant Scriptures, perhaps denying their authenticity? In other words, the liberals of the day have already invaded and caused the people to doubt God’s true men.

7. They speak evil of “glorious ones” (worthies, dignitaries, glories). Are these angels? Perhaps they make light of angelic beings, doubt their existence (as the Sadducees)? Or are they rulers in the church, i.e. apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, men worthy of the honor of the church, men who are to be the very glory of the church? Some suggest these are civil rulers. “The powers that be are ordained of God.” We are to fear governmental leaders, respect their authority, never speak evil of them. But these men do not have a high regard for anyone’s position except their own. Dangerous, dangerous attitude, and this too is in the modern church. How we must be careful!