Keeper of All! (Jude 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—

               

THE STUDY:

           Jude continues on with the second example of how the people were familiar with the scripture. Jude refers to the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling. One early interpretation of this story appears in the apocryphal 1 En. 6–16. There “some angels plot and rebel against God and his good angels, and descend to earth where they introduce all kinds of sinful behavior among humans.” Since Jude clearly quotes from 1 Enoch in vv 14–15, it seems probable that he has 1 Enoch in mind here as well.

          The angels possessed positions of authority (archēn: rule)—“a position of heavenly power or sphere of dominion, which the angels exercised over the world in the service of God.” Despite their former status, the angels turned away and left their proper dwelling by rebelling against God.

          Jude’s description of the evil angels contains an unmistakable touch of irony. Although these angels did not keep (tērēsantas) - stay within - their positions of authority, but disobeyed and abandoned their rightful home, God has kept (tetērēken) them chained in darkness awaiting final destruction. “Here we find a negative counterpart to the situation of the righteous, whom God ‘keeps’ (v 2) and who are therefore to ‘keep’ themselves in God’s love.” Even though the intruders masquerade as true believers, they, like the evil angels, will ultimately receive the punishment they deserve.^[1]

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away this morning with the understanding that God is the “KEEPER OF ALL!” Later, Jude will urge his readers to “keep yourselves in God’s love” (v 21). There are two sides to Christian perseverance. Through Christ, God faithfully keeps his followers. But it was the followers’ task to keep themselves in the love of God. Believers face many challenges and trials as they follow Christ. Jude reminds them of God’s promise to watch over them at every moment, protecting them in and through Jesus Christ.^[2]

CONCLUSION:

           We live in a world that appears to be out of control. Evil seems to be ruling all around us. What we have to have faith in is the fact that our God is in control. What appears to be chaos will soon become victory. God is the keeper of all and will reward the righteous while at the same time punish the unrighteous.

          Let today be a day we see God’s sustaining grace and trust that through Christ evil will get its just reward. Let God be the KEEPER of you today!

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Powers, D. G. (2010). 1 & 2 Peter/Jude: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (274). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.

^[2] Powers, D. G. (2010). 1 & 2 Peter/Jude: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (261). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.