Reading: “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”—Jude 6
This scripture, concerning the rebellion, and consequent punishment of apostate spirits, will form a solemn meditation. If we humbly inquire what was the nature of their sin, all we can gather of information concerning it is, that it was rebellion against God. One part of scripture indeed tells us, that “there was war in heaven: Michael (by which we understand, Michael our Prince, the Lord Jesus Christ, Daniel 10:21) and his angels fought against the dragon…” Rev. 12:7. By which it should seem, that the cause of this contest of the devil with Christ was personal, and on account of the kingdom which Jehovah gave him. And hence, when these apostate spirits left their own habitation, and were cast out, they set up a kingdom in opposition to the Lord’s.
And from their bitter hatred to Christ and his kingdom, they wreaked all their malice in corrupting and seducing our nature to join in rebellion against God. Hence “that old serpent, called the devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world,” beguiled our first parents, and introduced sin and death into this our world. Pause over the solemn account. Think of the fallen state, into which, by nature and by practice we have been brought by this apostasy.
But think also: meditate on the love of God in the gift of his dear Son, for the purposes of redemption. Contemplate the love of God the Holy Ghost, in condescending, and incline your heart to the thankful belief of it. Mark well the distinguishing nature of that grace, which has left fallen angels in their ruin and misery, re- served in everlasting chains under darkness, unto the judgment of the great day, while bestowing pardon, reconciliation, and favour, upon fallen men, amidst all our unworthiness, sin, and rebellion.
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