You would think with it only being 25 verses in total it couldn’t be that difficult to understand, but when you start adding stories of Michael fighting over Moses’ body and Enoch prophesying, things get interesting.
Anyway, as I was preparing for the second week of our study, I was translating verse 6: “and angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their own dwelling, He has kept in eternal chains under darkness until judgment of the great day.” (my translation)
It brought me back to seminary, because I feel like at some point every seminary student has to write a position paper on who the “sons of God” are in Genesis. Are they fallen angels who lust after women, and have superhuman babies with them? Are they corrupt people from God’s holy line of Seth or some other human, perhaps kings or rulers?
(One of the two shelves in my office of books I had to read for Seminary)
I remembered all the basic arguments over this issue from seminary, and my own conclusions, but I recently received a new commentary, and I decided to check it out for any new insights.
While I think the commentary does a great job explaining the issue and providing a good Biblical framework for its interpretation, studying this topic got me all worked up. Not because I think this topic is the linchpin of my faith, but because I had just read a thousand plus words on who the passage was referring to, that contained a whole two sentences on why Jude even included it.
I feel this has always been my experience with this passage.
At least once a year one of my middle school students comes up to me with a question about this passage. And every time it is the same, “Does the Bible really teach that there were superhuman half-angels, half-man?” People are fascinated by the idea, but they seem to care less about the application of Scripture to their lives.
Take a step back and look at Jude’s point. He assumes his readers know exactly what he is talking about, and he really doesn’t explain it.
It is like me saying 9/11 was a sad day. I really don’t need to explain why it was sad to anyone who was over 8 or so in 2001. Instead, Jude is building a list of examples of false teachers that are destined for eternal punishment because they have turned the grace of God into an opportunity to fulfill their own desires (v. 4). He is imploring them to reject those who have snuck in with their self-serving lies. God’s judgment is real, and they will not get away with their sins. Even angels will be subject to God’s judgment.
My simple point is this: if we are going to spend hours of our lives trying to figure out what a passage means, we should make sure we are also spending the appropriate time determining how that Scriptural truth applies to our lives (note that you must hear the Word and act upon it to be a wise builder – Matt 7:24). This is kind of the whole point of the optical lumberjack theme.
So let's reflect this back at me?
Where in my life have I let the voices creep in telling me that I can do whatever I want because it is all covered by God’s grace? I mean a little porn isn’t that big of a deal is it? God still loves me.
You know I just need a little more “me” time where I can ignore my responsibilities as a dad and a husband. God’s grace covers me being a selfish jerk sometimes, right?
Instead, do I honestly go before the Lord, and say “God where I have taken liberty with your grace? Where am I believing the lies of this world? Search my heart, Oh God! Help me not deny you and your calling on my life in the name of self. Help me discern the deceptions of this world.
I may not face eternal judgment for these actions, but I am a fool to think I will face no judgment or consequences for my actions. Even angels are currently in chains in total darkness awaiting their judgment on that great day. Praise the Lord, that God made Christ who had no sin to be sin for me, so that in Him, I might become the righteousness of God (2 Cor 5:21).
