Monday, February 3, 2014

Jude 6; II Pet. 2:4

The next example is used by both Jude and Peter. "And the angels, which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day." "For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment..." Between the two authors a clear picture is given. They speak of the original rebellion of Lucifer and his third of angels that fell with him (Rev. 12:3-9). The writers give this example because it shows the effects of a rebellious life against God. The first and natural estate for these angels was to be with God. But they chose to leave that. Therefore, with their rebellion, God did not spare them, but cast them into Hell and put them in chains of darkness. Not only are they in the darkness, but Jude makes the point of saying UNDER darkness. To the certain men is reserved darkness (v. 13), but the rebellious angels are put under darkness. This is due to the nature of their rebellion. Any man that rebels has to ignore all the signs and facts he sees that God exists. But these angels were put in the physical presence of God to worship Him. Man rebels or believes by faith, but these 1/3 angels rebelled by SIGHT. Hence their punishment is even greater. They are reserved unto the judgment of the great day, when God will judge all who have had the choice to choose Him or reject Him. At that time, we believers will judge angels (I Cor. 6:3). How much glory does it give God that while some have rebelled by sight, others have believed by faith? Nevertheless, this is again a warning that these certain men are without excuse just as these angels were. Everything- nature, their conscience, science, the Holy Spirit- is telling them that they are in error and God should be magnified. If they choose to rebel, they and whoever follow them will face God's judgment. We must tread carefully.

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