Remember the Judgment on the Angels (6)
As Jude continues to demonstrate how to contend for the faith, once delivered to the saints, he encourages his readers to remember those who fell and were judged in the past.
He has used the example of Israel deviating doctrinally and now he uses the example of the angels.
The Rebels with Satan
The first group of angels that deviated devotionally was of course those who took sides with Satan against God. The angels, according to Job 38:4-7, were created early and witnessed the creation of the earth. When Satan chose pride over obedience (Isaiah 14:12-14) he pulled together a cohort of angels to fight for him. Immediately, they were cast out of the presence of God but a final judgment still awaits them. Some are free to roam the earth, but others have already been constrained in Tartarus (2 Peter 2:4-6; Jude 1:6).
In 2 Peter 2, verses 4-10 form one long sentence. Peter reveals that they did not keep their proper place (domain, or estate). This was an event that took place before the flood and before Sodom and Gomorrah. Something they did was so abhorrent that while others still roam free, they are imprisoned in the abyss. Their final judgment will come as described in Matthew 25:41.
The Angels Deviated Devotionally
In indulging their own will they perverted God’s purpose for their existence, which was unwavering obedience and devotion. Their devotion was meant to be pure and beautiful, but they turned it into something vile and ugly.
In Matthew 18:10 Jesus describes the angels in heaven as always beholding the face of the Father. To best protect the “little ones” they do not watch the little ones, they watch the Father. In His perfect knowledge, God will give His angels a command and they can fly to the aid of the little ones. To best serve the little ones, they devote themselves to God.
When we are 100% devoted to God we are best positioned to glorify Him and help others.
Israel deviated doctrinally. The angels deviated devotionally. Both were judged. And in their judgment both brought dishonor to God’s name and lost the possibility of blessing others.
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