5 “Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day— 7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.” (Jude 5–7 ESV)
We live in troubling times. Christianity is under incessant attack and the attacks are intensifying. Political correctness, post-modernistic thinking, which elevates tolerance of everything as the highest of all virtues, continues to grow. Moral and social problems continue to rise. Truth is attacked, as are all who hold to objective, Biblical truth.
In the midst of all the swirling seas of moral ambiguity and embraced immorality, Christians are often on the defensive. Believers are scorned for their faith; biblical truth is attacked by the insidious tactics of false teachers who twist the Scriptures to say what they want it to say, and sin is embraced in all of its forms. A systematic indoctrination of immorality is marketed as alternative lifestyles and sensitivity training. To resist this trend is tantamount to breaking the law.
In the fallen worldly culture surrounding us, this pattern of heresy would be bad enough. However, this pattern of apostasy is infiltrating the church of Jesus Christ. The battle is not only in the outside world, but it is also within the church of Jesus Christ.
“Jude wrote with a heart of love and understanding, and with a note of concern and authority. He wanted to write on a joyful theme, ‘about the salvation we share’ (vs. 3) but was compelled to write a much more somber epistle. His love for believers who he saw endangered by encroaching adversaries move him to turn from the more pleasant theme to sound solemn warning” observes Dr. John Walvoord
“The predominant theme and warning Jude sounds in his epistle is that all believers need to avoid the pitfalls of denying Christ’s lordship, living immorally, rejecting authority, being divisive, and living for self.”
Jude provides biblical and historical examples of apostasy. Apostasy is a departure from the truth and revelation of God. Jude’s first example of apostasy was ancient Israel. His second example are angels. Who, or what, are angels and why did God create them?
Angels are created spiritual beings (Neh. 9:6, Col. 1:16) They exercise God’s moral judgment (2 Peter 2:4), possess intelligence (Matt. 28:5, Rev. 4:11), and are spirits without physical bodies (Heb. 1:14, Luke 24:39). Since they do not have physical bodies, they are not visible unless God permits (Num. 22:31, 2 Kings 6:8-20, Luke 2:8-12, 26-38). Sometimes they temporarily take on bodily form (Heb 13:1-2).
Biblical names for angels include Sons of God (Job 1:6), Holy Ones (Ps. 89:5, 7), Spirits (Heb. 1:14), Watchers (Dan. 4:13), and Thrones, Dominions, Principalities, and Authorities (Col. 1:16). Other names for angels include Cherubim (Gen.3:24, Ps. 18:10, Ex. 25:22), Seraphim (Isa. 6:1-7), and Living Creatures (Eze. 1:5-14; Rev. 4:6-8). God only identifies two angels by name. They are Michael (Dan. 12:1; Jude 1:9; Rev. 12:7-8), and Gabriel (Dan. 8:16, Luke 1:18-19).
Angels occupy only one place at a time (Dan. 10:12-14; Luke 1:26). There are thousands of angels (Deut. 33:1-2; Psa. 68:17; Heb. 12:22; Rev 5:11) and perhaps individual guardian angels (Psa. 91:11-12). Angels do not marry (Matt. 22:30, Psa. 103:20, Eph 1:21, 2 Peter 2:11, Heb 2:7, 1Co 6:3). Angels are powerful (Psa. 103:20; Eph. 1:21; 2 Peter 2:11; Heb. 2:7; 1 Cor. 6:3). Who is the Angel of the Lord? Sometimes it is God Himself (Gen. 16:13; 31:11, 13; Ex. 3:1-6) or a God sent angel (2 Sam. 24:16; Psa. 34:7; Luke 1:11).
God created angels before the seventh day of Creation (Gen 2:1, Ex. 20:11), perhaps on the First day? (Job 38:6-7). Angels rebelled before the Fall (2 Peter 2:1-4, Judges 1:6; Gen 1:31).
What do angels do? Angels display the greatness of God’s love and plan. Humans are more like God than angels because God created humanity “in the image of God” (Gen 1:26. Believers in Christ will have authority over angels (1 Cor 6:1-3). Angels cannot bear children (Matt. 22:30) and God does not save angels (2 Peter 2:4, Heb. 2:16, Rev. 5:9). The existence of angels reminds us the unseen world is real (Acts 23:8, 2 Kings 6:17; Heb. 12:22). Angels are examples for us (Matt 6:10; Rev. 5:11-12), they carry out some of God’s plans including Messages (Acts 8:26), Judgment (2 Chron. 32:21; Matt. 16:27), Patrolling Earth (Zech. 1:10-11) Warring against demonic forces (Dan. 10:13), and Proclaiming Christ’s coming (1Thess. 4:16; Rev. 18:1-2 5). Angels directly glorify God (Rev. 4:8; Psa. 103:20; Isa 6:2-3; Luke 15:10, 1 Peter 1:12).
What is the believer’s perspective to be regarding angels? We should be aware of angels in our daily lives (Dan. 6:22; Psa. 91:11-12; Act 12:7- 11). We should emulate their heavenly worship (Isaiah 6:1-7; Heb 12:22-23; Rev. 4-5). Believes should beware of receiving false doctrine (Gal. 1:8; 2 Cor. 11:14; 1 Kings 13:18-19), to never worship, pray to, or seek angels (Col. 2:18, 1 Tim. 2:5).
We will examine Jude’s reference to angels when next we meet. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
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