And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. Jude 6 (NIV).
Example Number Two: the fallen angels.
This site, https://versebyversecommentary.com/2008/03/09/jude-6/, does a good job explaining who Jude was referring to in verse 6. It discussed Genesis 6 in which “sons of God” (meaning angels) chose to fornicate with human beings and produce children who were abnormal by birth (neither fully human nor angelic). This was an abomination of God’s intended order for the world but the sin of the angels is one we are each all too familiar with.
“Me first!”
I’m guilty of this; how about you? If not, did you enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday? What was the best part: the family gathering? The dinner? The day off? The Dallas Cowboys losing? Tell me: did you deserve the good time? I think most of us would say “yes,” and there may even be a hint of truth in it.
Or was it a downer for you? Was your holiday one of the millions affected by the Covid-19 outbreak this year? Did you cancel your gathering, or scale it back? Did you obey a government edict limiting what you could do? Tell me: was it unfair that you couldn’t gather with your loved ones? Again, I think most of us would say “yes” and, again (again) there might be a hint of truth in that.
But be very, very careful here. We’re edging forward on a slippery slope. There’s a thin line between “it’s not fair” or “I deserve that” and simple idolatry.
The fallen angels were guilty of rebellion, insurrection, and revolution against God Himself. But the genesis of their sin (pun intended) was nothing more than simple idolatry. “Me first.” I know better. It’s not fair. I deserve better. Look at me.
Right?
Years ago, some angels revolted against God and perverted the order He intended for mankind. Far-from-innocent mankind did nothing to stop it. The Nephilim of old are thought to be the offspring of women and angels, and they rebelled against God. So God consigned them to a place of darkness, cut off from Him. Jesus is the light of the world, and angels were intended to always walk in His presence. Yet some chose differently and now await final judgment along with all the sins of the world, away from the light, away from life, away from God. That would be terrifying, even for a powerful, immortal being.
That’s pretty heavy for a Monday, but that’s what it is. To lighten the load, let’s put off our ‘me first’ attitude. Let’s use this Monday after Thanksgiving to continue giving thanks, for a Savior, for another day, another set of miracles in our midst.
For further reading: Genesis 6:1-7, 2 Peter 2:4, Jude 7
Lord God, thank You for showing me simple idolatry. Forgive me when I fall for this old sin temptation and help me to walk Your better path.
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Practical Proverbs 