2 Peter 2:4 & Jude 6
"And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day."
If you assume the angels spoken here are spiritual creatures we have some interesting questions to ask.
The Greek word "aggelos" translated "angel" means
"messenger, agent" and is used of both human and divine messengers. It is used of humans in the following places: Matt. 11:10; Luke 7:24, 27; Luke 9:52; and James 2:25.
Did you know this?
If you say they are spiritual angels then their evil power is restrained, because they are "reserved in everlasting chains"? All these so called fallen angels are chained and can do no more evil! They are in chains reserved for some future judgement.
Well that was easy!
Chained = powerless, imprisoned, waiting to be judged, can do no more harm etc.
No, the angels in this passage are human, not divine angels. This is easily proven by the following:
- "The wages of sin is death." (Rom. 6:23).
- If divine angels were sinners, then they would die.
- But Jesus said angels do not die. (Luke 20:36).
- Therefore, the angels which sinned were human, not divine angels.
The scriptures cannot contradict itself – the answer is always present but one must look and ask the right questions, before one can be provided with the right answers.
Actually, you might go on to ask the question if not heavenly angels, then who?
Well, we have 250 princes of Israel's congregation who were led in rebellion by Korah, Dathan and Abiram. (Num 16).
They were "aggeloi" (angels) since they were assigned to "minister" to the congregation. (Num. 16:9).
Their "first estate" or "principality" (Jude 6 ) was that of "princes" or "leaders" R.S.V. (Num. 16:2).
They left this "former estate" when they sought to overtake the priesthood. (Num 16:10).
They were delivered into "chains of darkness" when they were swallowed alive by the earth. (Num. 16:31-33)
They were "sinners" in taking to themselves the priesthood. (Num. 16:10, 38).
The judgment is that which will be administered by Christ. (2 Tim. 4:1).
Surely makes more sense than the mystical notions of supernatural being tormenting souls in everlasting darkness.
Alethos