Fallen Angels: Jude 1:6
“6) And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day, 7) just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire.” Jude 1:6-7
The second historical illustration of Satan planting evil agents to deceive and seduce humanity is mentioned in Jude 6. It relates to “angels that did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode.” Verse 7 indicates they indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh similar to what happened in Sodom and Gomorrah. So what is Jude talking about? Buckle your seat belt, the following discussion will most likely stretch you.
When you do a quick cross reference to 2 Peter 2:4-5, it seems that a select group of fallen angels did something so diabolical that it resulted in the eventual judgement of the world by the flood in the days of Noah. Something so evil and immoral unfolded that God responded with a universal judgement. This was not a minor conspiracy.
Many scholars trace this back to the biblical record of Genesis 6:1-12. The biblical record says that the “sons of god” had relations with the daughters of men. This unnatural union resulted in some very evil and distorted offspring. The Nephilim were on the earth in those days.
So why do scholars scholars connect the “sons of God” with angels? That comes from the book of Job. It should be observed that Job was most likely written prior to the flood. He twice used the phrase “sons of God” to refer to angels. (See Job 1:6-8; 2:1-2)
Also, in Jude 1:14-15, Jude refers to a prophecy made by Enoch. According to Genesis 5:21-24, Enoch was the father of Methuselah who walked closely with God. As a result, God suddenly “took him” with no reference to physical death. Ironically, the book of Enoch from which Jude quoted goes into great lengths describing these fallen angels and the havoc and evil they caused in the pre-flood world.
This vile and wicked conspiracy was the reason the book of Genesis gave for God judging the world with a flood. If this theory is correct, the flood served as a reset to keep the DNA of humanity pure for the eventual birth of the Messiah as promised in Genesis 3:14-15.
The point is that Satan perpetrated something so evil and diabolical that it prompted God to step up with an extreme judgement. He destroyed that whole world with a universal flood and used Noah and his family to preserve pure DNA for all mammals on earth as originally created by God in Genesis chapters one and two.
Jude uses this historical example to support his argument that Satan takes extreme measures to exploit and destroy everything that God created, especially humanity. Preventing the Messiah from being born was Satans preoccupation in the Old Testament. Recruiting or destroying Jesus Christ was his goal when Jesus walked on earth. Distorting and confusing the Gospel has been his focus for the past 2,000 years.
Though not specifically mentioned by Jude in his discussion about fallen angels, the book of Revelation records another previous conspiracy by Satan that resulted in 1/3 of the angels joining him in rebellion against God. They were subsequently cast out of heaven and thrown to the earth. (Read Revelation 12:3-17)
John 10:10 suddenly takes on significant meaning; “10) The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.” From the time of his own fall as recorded in Ezekiel 28:12-19 and Isaiah 14:9-21, Satan has set out to steal, kill and destroy the plans and glory of the Almighty.
Satan is not a good guy! Though he and his workers can disguise themselves as angels of light, they have very evil plans. (2 Corinthians 11:13-15) His end game is lethal and deadly. He targets every human being, including you and me. (See Ephesians 6:12)
Though time and space restrict us, let me emphasize that the Bible presents a radically different picture of reality than modern evolution and naturalism. You and I are part of a cosmic battle much bigger than our very small and limited perspective. And yet every believer is important to God. We are part of His future plan that is more glorious than words can describe. (Read Revelation 20-22) Jude wrote to contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. (Jude 3)
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global