Jump Start # 1331

2 Peter 2:4 “For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment”

  The second chapter of second Peter is a page of the Bible that many do not like to think about. God judges. The warnings of this page are directed toward those in Peter’s days that left the truth and were disturbing the faith of other Christians. The words are serious. The picture of judgment is severe. Peter walks through history, first with angels, then Noah, then Lot and ties it all in with the present. God doesn’t take lightly those who misrepresent Him, distort things, or exploit others with false words and ideas.

There are three historical accounts listed: angels, Noah and Lot. We know about the last two. They are found in Genesis. They are in chronological order. It’s the first one that brings questions to our minds. When did the angels sin? What was the occasion? Why did they sin? If these were all to be in a historical order, then it happened before Noah and the flood. Passages in Nehemiah and Psalms lead us to understand that God created angels when He created the world. Angels haven’t always been. Nor are angels a form of pre-humans that are later sent to earth. Nor are angels departed souls that turn into angels. Our images of cute, chubby babies that are angelic do not fit the picture the Bible gives us. Angels are definitely in. Go to a gift store and you’ll find all kinds of angel figurines. Most are those fat babies or long haired women, not what you find in the Bible. There are two angels we know by name in the Bible, they both happen to be male names. Many conclude that this is where Satan came from. He was an angel that went bad. There is a reference to Lucifer in Isaiah 14 that many think point to an angel being kicked out of Heaven. The arrogant words and rebellion led him to be cast down. There are two problems with this. First, Isaiah 14 is telling us about the king of Babylon, not the origin of Satan. Second, if Satan was an angel who sinned, why was he not cast into the dark pit with the others?

God did not spare angels when they sinned. That statement holds a lot of thought for us.

First, it tells us that God does not play favorites nor has a double standard. Angels dwell with God. We read of angels being sent from Heaven. There is that special expression, “the Lord’s angel,” which may be a special angel or one of unique position. No one seems closer to the presence of God than angels. When they disobeyed, they were condemned. They will be judged.

This ought to tell us that God doesn’t let us get away with wrong things because we are so cute or we are His children. If anything, Peter’s warnings remind us that we too must be obedient to God. Obedience is a word that has dropped off the chart when it comes to religious messages these days. You’ll never hear the popular national preachers talking about obedience. Jesus did. He did often. Obedience was a sign of our love to God. Today, the message is, “Just love.” The Beatles had it with “All you need is love. Love is all you need.” That works in a pop song. It doesn’t fly with God. Love is not an emotion, it’s a choice. You show love by doing what God said. Even angels were sent away when they disobeyed. If the angels couldn’t get away with wrong, you know that we can’t either.

Second, God did not have a saving plan for angels. Jesus didn’t die for angels. He died for mankind. Unlike the angels, God doesn’t send us away and put us in pits of darkness when we do wrong. Had He done that, most of us would have been in those dark pits since we were teenagers. We did wrong early in life. It didn’t take much but we sure were good at it. Most of us have followed that prodigal to the far country. Most of us know the shame, guilt, pain and trouble that has come from our disobedience. Caught by parents, caught by teachers, caught by the police—we know that we very well could have been in those dark pits where the disobedient angels are. Instead, God redeemed us. God gave us a second chance. God did not give up on us. God sent Jesus to save us, rescue us and give us a new life. God has done more for us than He did for the angels.

Third, these words are intended to serve notice to those who are going the wrong way. It’s not enough that they don’t care about their own souls, but they were twisting things and getting some of God’s people to go along with them. These words, these judgments, were a warning siren to startle, wake up and get people to realize what was going on. Some folks are never content with things. They always have to change. They even want to change God. They mess around with God’s word. They twist things, bend things and position God to say things that He never did. This happened then and it continues to happen today. People can read a passage and say, “it doesn’t mean that.” They stuff their ideas, their agendas, their theology into the discussion and before long, the outcome is something very different from what the Bible teaches. Churches take on cultural and social reform rather than preaching the saving message of Christ. Sin is tolerated. Folks are accepted without commitment and without changing. The church doesn’t look like the holy bride of Christ. Instead of changing the people, the message is changed. The wellness and happiness of man replaces the dignity and respect of God. Good times replace the Gospel message. Folks dance with the wolves rather than watching out and avoiding the wolves. Preachers smile. The pews are packed. The money flows in. Church buildings are replaced with stadiums. All is well. However, no one notices that God is no longer smiling. This word, these warnings are pitched aside. Error has filled the hearts and folks are believing a lie rather than the truth. These very words of Peter are not read. They are not taught. They are not understood. Pits of darkness does not make the sermon series. It doesn’t fit well with a happy church that has donuts in one hand and is rock climbing with the other. No time for judgment. No time for warnings. It’s a happy message for a fun people in the neighborhood. That sells. And the crowds are deceived. They are having such a good time how could God not be pleased.

Peter’s warnings remind us. God did not spare angels. God did not spare Noah’s world. God did not spare Sodom. It’s time to tighten things us and get back to what God wants. It’s time to quit playing and start becoming the people of God. It’s time to put down the food and pick up the Bible. It’s time to read every page of that Bible and think about what is being said. It’s time to study. It’s time to know things. It’s time to let God set the course.

Even the angels were judged.

Roger