Rebels In History

INTRODUCTION:

Imagine waking up in the Roman city of Pompeii. It’s a warm August morning in 79AD. The streets are bustling. Markets are open. Children are playing. Life feels secure.

Mount Vesuvius looms in the background, standing in all her glory, captivating all who see her.

Mt. Vesuvius was a dormant volcano who had been silent for years.

17 years earlier there had been a massive earthquake in Pompeii. The city in AD79 had been rebuilt upon those ruins: bigger temples, bigger homes, bigger feasts, greater decadence.

We have archaeological evidence of their

Erotic graffitti

Idols to Roman gods

Lavish feasting areas (wine and cheese)

Statues and symbols of material opulence

Pompeii felt like she was invincible, divinely protected and destined for glory. But things were not as they seemed.

Rumors and grumblings were floating around. Strange events were beginning to happen.

Springs and wells had dried up.

Small tremors shook the region daily.

Animals were becoming restless.

Smoke had been rising from Vesuvius for days.

People were getting nervous. Some left. Most stayed. They stubbornly assumed nothing would ever happen to them.

They went on eating, drinking, living and sinning until one day, suddenly, the sky split open and volcanic fire swept over the city.

The archaeological findings seem frozen in time.

A woman clutching her gold.

A man holding the reins of his horse (trying to flee too late)

A family huddled in a corner (walls collapsing around them)

Banquet tables still set for a meal that never came.

Set the Table

They had been warned. They had the witness of history. They had several signs portending this day.

But they decided to keep living as if judgment would never come.

They died through their neglect of history and it’s warnings.

History is not just a record of the past, it’s a guide for the future.

Alexander Solzhenitsyn said, “To destroy a people you must first sever their roots.”

Gorge Orwell said, “The most effect way to destroy a people is to deny and obliterate their understanding of history.”

“Those who cannot learn from history are destined to repeat it.”

That’s certainly the backdrop for Jude’s warning in our text. We’re continuing to work our way through this short little letter.

Jude had intended to write a “feel-good” sermon but instead he offered a sober warning and challenge.

“Some people” had risen up in the church who were perverting God’s grace and leading people astray.

His call to “contend” begins with a review of history. The record of the past would be their guide for the future.

Jude 5–8 CSB

5 Now I want to remind you, although you came to know all these things once and for all, that Jesus saved a people out of Egypt and later destroyed those who did not believe; 6 and the angels who did not keep their own position but abandoned their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains in deep darkness for the judgment on the great day. 7 Likewise, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns committed sexual immorality and perversions, and serve as an example by undergoing the punishment of eternal fire. 8 In the same way these people—relying on their dreams—defile their flesh, reject authority, and slander glorious ones.

Memory & What Matters

Jude begins this section with an expression of his purpose, “I want to remind you.”

The call to “remember” was a staple in Jewish life.

From Feast Days to the sabbath it was woven into their cultural fabric.

Even today Jews will weave a blue cord on the end of their garments to help them “remember all of the commandments of the Lord.” (cf Numbers 15:37-41)

They have the Mezuzah on their door post (small case with the Shema Deut 6:4-9)

They wear Phylacteries (Tefillin) on their hands and foreheads. (Deut 6:8)

There’s an entire book of the Bible called the Psalms that puts the history of Israel into memorable singable form.

Jude offers these historical reminders “even though they were already known.”

Why? It’s easy to forget the things that matter most.

The “these things” points forward to three OT examples of God’s judgement in the past.

From childhood, these events were the focus of nightly bed time stories or temple worship sermons. (think of how your kid remembers their favorite Disney movie.)

The problem with stories we know “really well” is we forget WHY they “really matter.”

Jude is saying, “You’ll mismanage this threat if you neglect these lessons of history.”

GOD’S JUDGEMENT & OUR REBELLION

With today’s sermon I’d like us to explore this Old Testament history.

Some of you know these stories. Some of you don’t. Those who know will know some better than others.

He choses three stories: one pre-flood, one post-flood and one after the Exodus from Egypt. (none of them are in chronological order)

Each of the three describe God’s judgment against a rebellious spirit.

The first example is God’s judgment on his own people, Israel.

The second example is God’s judgment on heavenly angels.

The third example is God’s judgement on Sodom & Gomorrah.

Rebellion invites God’s judgment every single time.

What comes to your mind when you hear the word “rebellion?” I hesitate to use this word because of it’s cultural connotations.

A three-year old strong-willed child? A political riot or protest? A personal season of immorality?

Sometimes, a rebellious spirit can look like open defiance. Other times rebellion can be more quiet and subversive.

It can come from people you would least expect and in ways you didn’t anticipate. That’s certainly the case of what Jude offers as an example.

If you delivered someone from a terrible situation you wouldn’t expect them to turn on you at the first sign of trouble.

If you had given someone a super important position you wouldn’t expect them to use that authority to work against your agenda.

If a person had every material need met in their life you wouldn’t expect to grow so dissatisfied that they bring about their own destruction.

Yet, though it’s intuitive, we can all think of examples where a rebellious spirit began to manifest in each case.

The rebellious spirit Jude identifies is a spirit of discontent. Each case shows a group of people dissatisfied with God’s boundary line.

At the root of rebellion is a heart of selfish pride.

If you think of rebellion through that lens then we’re all guilty of that sin.

Jude is warning about God’s judgment on that spirit. Whether loud or quiet, rebellion will be judged.

God’s judgment on rebellion is impartial and indiscriminate. God does not “grade on a curve. He’s perfect, just and true.

Since that’s true about God, we should be wary of tolerating rebellion in our own hearts.

What begins as quiet resistance usually leads to open defiance. Though it promises one thing, it usually delivers the opposite.

The Lesson of Israel

So we should take these lessons from history and let them teach us how to live.

The first example by Jude is Israel’s Exodus out of Egypt.

Jude 5 “…Jesus saved a people out of Egypt and later destroyed those who did not believe…”

Some translations use “Lord” instead of Jesus. The manuscript evidence is mixed. Whether “Jesus” or “Lord” a similar emphasis is conveyed.

There’s a two fold emphasis on God’s deliverance and destruction.

In the story of the Exodus there are multiples of each example. Jude may be painting in broad strokes to make a broader point.

God showed mercy to Israel in choosing to deliver them. Even so, they grumbled against the Lord and rebelled against his commands.

This was true of the Israelites even though they were chosen and blessed by God. God had redeemed them and delivered them and still they chose rebellion!

You can possess redemptive privilege and a spirit of rebellion.

Kadesh Barnea

This spirit and God’s judgment culminates in Numbers 14. We know it as the “Rebellion at Kadesh Barnea.”

12 spies are sent into the promised land. They come back with a report: 2 positive, 10 negative.

The negative report won the day and a grumbling spirit began to spread. They tried to kill God’s appointed leader and go back to their life of slavery.

In response, the Lord was going to “wipe them out.” But, Moses interceded and God forgave them. (Num 14:20)

Even so, God judged their rebellion by denying entry to the promised land. Outside of Caleb & Joshua, everyone over 20 would fall in the wilderness. (Num 14:29-30)

To prove he meant business, the 10 negative spies were struck down by the Lord. When the rest saw God wasn’t joking, they tried to repent and take it back.

Foolishly they tried to enter Canaan but were quickly defeated and destroyed. (Num 14:36-45)

In a Pickle

That destruction is what Jude describes with his warning in verse 5. “The Lord later destoryed those who did not believe…”

In the case of Israel, the destruction was one of physical death. For Jude’s original audience, the consequence could be the same.

Either way, rebellion promises safety but leaves you with a problem.

Do you know where our phrase “in a pickle” comes from? It conveys the idea of being stuck in a bad situation. (pickling = soaking it in a bitter brine that acts a preserve) I see that as a beautiful picture of God’s judgment on Israel in the wilderness.

That’s what a spirit of rebellion creates for the people of God.

We might still be forgiven but God will not be mocked. You reap what you sow, more than you sow and later than you sow.

If Jewish Zealots were pushing Christians to join their political revolution, you can see the parallels between that and Kadesh-Barnea.

That community disregarded Moses (God’s leader) and they died as a result. Rebellion against Jesus (God’s 1st Century leader) was going to result in the same.

While we may not face the same specifics the same temptation exists today.

You can belong to a redemptive community and still experience the judgment of God.

Past deliverance won’t prevent God’s future judgment on sinful rebels.

Don’t presume upon God’s grace! Willful unbelief invites future retribution.

Fallen Angels

From his discussion of Israel’s rebellion in the wilderness he moves on to angelic rebellion in the heavenlies.

While most of us are familiar with the Exodus and Sodom, we’re less familiar with this angelic rebellion.

Jude 6 “the angels who did not keep their own position but abandoned their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains in deep darkness for the judgment on the great day.”

Jude does not identify these angels by name but, like the Israelites, they were not content with their established position.

The Israelites weren’t willing to “go” where/when God wanted them to go. The angels weren’t willing to “stay” where God told them to stay.

These angels wanted to experience new but God forbidden territories. Like the Israelites, It began with a few, spread to others and ended up in punishment for many.

As a result of their rebellion they were chained in deep darkness until the day of judgment.

The point? You can have a prominent position and a spirit of rebellion.

The Watchers

Jude’s letter (as well as 2 Peter) are unique in their allusion to non-biblical texts to develop their arguments.

A Jewish man using Jewish texts to appeal to Jewish Christians isn’t that surprising. The language surprises us because we not as familiar. (imagine them making sense out of the Marvel Cinematic Universe!)

While we can’t explore every allusion to second temple literature, the one behind verse 6 is 1 Enoch 6-16.

It describes a unit of angels, “The Watchers” who corrupt the world through their sexual transgression. 1 Enoch develops that story out of Genesis 6:1-4.

(FYI: 1 Enoch wasn’t written by the literal Enoch - who lived 365 years and was then taken up to heaven without dying. It was a later document - before the birth of Jesus - ascribed to Enoch and describing the world before the flood.)

I’m a preacher of the Bible not 1 Enoch so let’s read the biblical reference first.

Genesis 6:1–4 CSB

1 When mankind began to multiply on the earth and daughters were born to them, 2 the sons of God saw that the daughters of mankind were beautiful, and they took any they chose as wives for themselves. 3 And the Lord said, “My Spirit will not remain with mankind forever, because they are corrupt. Their days will be 120 years.” 4 The Nephilim were on the earth both in those days and afterward, when the sons of God came to the daughters of mankind, who bore children to them. They were the powerful men of old, the famous men.

1 Enoch

Some see this as intermarriage between righteous and wicked humans. Others see this as angelic copulation with human women.

The view described in 1 Enoch is angelic copulation with mortals.

Let me read for you an except from 1 Enoch so you can see the difference between it and the biblical record.

Pseudepigrapha of the Old Testament 6

And it came to pass when the children of men had multiplied that in those days were born unto them beautiful and comely daughters. 2 And the angels, the children of the heaven, saw and lusted after them, and said to one another: ‘Come, let us choose us wives from among the children of men and beget us children.

Pseudepigrapha of the Old Testament 7

And all the others together with them took unto themselves wives, and each chose for himself one, and they began to go in unto them and to defile themselves with them, and they taught them charms and enchantments, and the cutting of roots, and made them acquainted with plants. 2 And they became pregnant, and they bare great giants, whose height was three thousand ells: 3 Who consumed all the acquisitions of men. 4 And when men could no longer sustain them, the giants turned against them and devoured mankind. 5 And they began to sin against birds, and beasts, and reptiles, and fish, and to devour one another’s flesh, and drink the blood. 6 Then the earth laid accusation against the lawless ones.

Not only do angels take human women to be their wives. They produce offspring called the Nephilim who bring destruction on the earth. (1 Enoch 7:5)

These “watchers” expose mankind to forbidden knowledge about magic, weaponry and astrology. Their cosmic transgression corrupted the created order.

As a result, God judges these angels and locks them in a pit called “Tartarus” (1 Enoch 10:4-6; 12).

Pseudepigrapha of the Old Testament 10

And again the Lord said to Raphael: ‘Bind Azâzêl hand and foot, and cast him into the darkness: and make an opening in the desert, which is in Dûdâêl,

This is exactly what Peter describes in 2 Peter 2:3-5

2 Peter 2:4 CSB

4 For if God didn’t spare the angels who sinned but cast them into hell and delivered them in chains of utter darkness to be kept for judgment;

Where 1 Enoch uses the word “Dudael” (Hebrew) 2 Peter 2:4 uses the word Tartarus (translated hell). They’re actually both a reference to angelic prisons “Dudael” being the Jewish name and Tartarus being the Greek name.

Freedom for A Prison

I must confess all of this is very fascinating and an extremely long rabbit trail we could chase for hours and hours. (I did so this week!)

Unfortunately, people can get so lost in the rabbit trail they miss the main point of the passage

The book of 1 Enoch shouldn’t be rejected just because it’s not a book of the Bible. As you can see, it’s clearly influencing the thinking of authors like Jude and Peter.

But the book of 1 Enoch, while helpful, isn’t inspired by God and true in the same way the Bible is.

We want to evaluate non-biblical books by biblical truth. Moreover, we want to interpret biblical passages in light of their literary context (not the possible range of things made possible by outside literature)

Jude’s emphasis isn’t on the sexual sin between the angels and human mortals or even the sharing of forbidden knowledge and wisdom.

Jude’s focus is that they abandoned their proper place.

Rebellion promises freedom but will lock you in a prison.

For those in a place of prominence, rebellion offers freedom. “Just let go, have a little fun, you’re always responsible for everybody else…”

Their discontent led them to transgress God’s boundary line. Soon after, they were locked in a prison cell until the day of judgment.

In both cases, what rebellion offered is not what it delivered. It’s the classic “bait and switch.” It was true then. It’s true today.

I wonder what freedom rebellion is promising you? I can certainly testify to similar temptations in my own life.

Sodom and Gomorrah

The last example given by Jude is very well known today. It’s the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Unlike the privileged Israelites or the angels in places of prominence, the people of Sodom and Gomorrah were pagan through and through.

Jude 7 “Likewise, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns committed sexual immorality and perversions, and serve as an example by undergoing the punishment of eternal fire.”

For those of you who don’t remember, the story of Sodom and Gomorrah is found in the book of Genesis. (we covered it not long ago)

It first shows up in a discussion between Abram and Lot in deciding where to relocate. Lot chose the plain of Jordan because it was green and well-watered like the Garden of Eden. (Gen 13:10-11)

First he located himself “near Sodom” because of their great wickedness. (Gen 13:12-13) But, before long, he was “in Sodom” (Gen 14:12) and eventually a leader at their city gates. (Gen 19:1) This gradual slide sheds light on the moral climate in their culture.

The event that Jude focuses on gets recorded in Genesis 19. Two angels visit Sodom to execute God’s judgment. While staying in the house of Lot, the men of the city demand their bodies to gratify their sexual lusts. (Gen 19:4-5)

Genesis 19:4–5 CSB

4 Before they went to bed, the men of the city of Sodom, both young and old, the whole population, surrounded the house. 5 They called out to Lot and said, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Send them out to us so we can have sex with them!”

While Sodom is different than Israel & the Angels in that they’re pagan, they’re similar in that their rebellion is surprising.

Israel, the Angels and Sodom all rebel from a place of abundance.

But you can have great prosperity and a spirit of rebellion.

They were the most fertile region in the area. They had money. They had success. They had power and influence. Even so, “they went after other flesh.”

It’s a lie to think that if you just had more money then all your problems would go away.

One does not preclude the other. Many wealthy and successful people have a spirit of rebellion. It’s a growing discontent with the boundary lines of God.

In the case of Sodom, their appetite was insatiable. Lot tries to offer up his daughters (itself a cowardly act) but the men of Sodom demand sexual intercourse with the angels.

Jude’s emphasis is on the sexual sin of Sodom. He uses two words to describe their rebellion: sexual immorality and perversions.

The word translated “sexual immorality” gets handled differently by different translations (as does the CSB “perversions.”

The word translated “sexual immorality” is used in the LXX and NT to convey the idea of sexual sin. (Any sexual activity outside of biblically defined covenant marriage.)

While this would certainly include the idea of homosexuality (and that’s certainly the focus in Genesis 19) I think Jude’s purpose is to widen the aperture.

This is evidenced by the next word “perversions” which literally means “different or strange flesh.” While this might describe their lust for angelic beings, we don’t know that the men Sodom knew their nature (only their attractive appearance.)

The idea of sexual rebellion is you’re so driven by your desire that you cast off any restraint when it comes to sexual activity.

We can certainly see evidence of this kind of behavior today. The idea of reserving sex for the marriage bed - much less a marriage that is one man and one woman for one lifetime - is utterly scorned in our sexualized culture.

The Punishment

The warning of Jude is that what began in Sodom spread to the surrounding towns. It had a permeating influence over time.

That’s why God chose to destroy Sodom. Repentance would’ve stayed his hand but not one righteous man remained.

Even Lot hesitated to leave the city and save his family. (Gen 19:15)

The angels show compassion and deliver Lot outside the city. From there the Lord dropped “eternal fire” and demolished the Jordan plain. (Gen 19:24-25)

Not only does Sodom experience death and destruction. Lot relocates with his daughters and the downward spiral continues.

It’s a feature not a bug for those with a rebellious spirit.

Rebellion promises pleasure but brings you needless pain .

The same is true for the promise of pleasure a rebellious spirit gives today. You’re trading immediate gratification for future devastation.

I’ll always remember one of my mentors saying, “30 minutes of the best sex with the most beautiful woman in the world will never be worth the lifetime of damage it inflicts on my wife and my children.

You tell yourself you deserve it. You’re the exception. The rule doesn’t apply to you. But it’s a lie that eventually comes due.

I’ve seen families destroyed by this spirit of rebellion. I’ve seen pastors destroyed and lose their entire ministry (not to mention the reputation of the church.)

What I find interesting is the historical correlation between the prosperity of a people and their inclination towards this sin. (sexual sin is everywhere but the kind of perversion we see today seem grow among wealthier populations)

Don’t be deceived. God’s judgment will fall on that kind of rebellion. It was true then. It’s true today.

Application

These are lessons from history that repeat themselves again and again. You fool yourself to think you’re somehow immune.

The desire for pleasure, safety and freedom are all still with us today. They lull us into discontent and push us to transgression.

While the specifics may look different, the threat remains today. They promise one thing but deliver something else.

The angels had the blessings of Heaven.

Israel had the blessing of grace.

Sodom had the blessing of wealth.

But in their rebellion the angels lost heaven, the Israelites lost Canaan and Sodom with it’s wealth was utterly destroyed.

In verse 8 Jude transitions from history to the present day threat.

Jude 8 CSB

8 In the same way these people—relying on their dreams—defile their flesh, reject authority, and slander glorious ones.

Jude warns: Don't repeat history—contend for the faith (v. 3) by remembering these judgments.

It might be a compelling dream that paints a beautiful future - but if it requires you to reject the Lord it isn’t going to bring about what you think.

You were bought with a price, you are not your own, glorify God with your body.

Don’t trade eternal glories for the temporary pleasure of the moment. Stand strong. Be a contender. Learn these lessons from history.

CONCLUSION

How do we break the spirit of rebellion? If the root of rebellion is a spirit of discontent. We sever the root with a heart of contentment.

The greatest weapon against our pride is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Think about it.

Israel rebelled, Christ obeyed.

Angels abandoned position to satisfy themselves. Christ emptied himself of privilege so he might sacrifice himself.

Sodom pursued lust, Christ resisted temptation and was destroyed in our place.

Jesus bore the judgment our rebellion deserves so that through faith in Him, we are preserved from condemnation.

You cannot hear that Gospel and not be moved to grateful praise. This is exactly how Jude ends his letter!

He begins with lessons from history. He ends with a song of praise.

Battle discontentment with a heart of grateful praise.

Jude 24–25 CSB

24 Now to him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of his glory, without blemish and with great joy, 25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time, now and forever. Amen.

Remember what you've received – Don’t let familiarity dull your awe. You have a God who is committed to keeping you until the end.

Repent of your rebellion. Keep yourself in the love of God by drawing near to the cross of Christ.

Stop relying on yourself to overcome your sin. Allow the grace of the Lord Jesus to strengthen you for what’s next.