(8) Yet in the same way
These false teachers who have sneaked into the church are just like the angels who did not keep their own domain that we saw yesterday, that were imprisoned in eternal bonds for their gross immorality.
these men, also by dreaming, defile the flesh,
The KJV calls them "filthy dreamers" indicating that they have dirty dreams that they act out, by using their bodies in grossly immoral ways.
and reject authority,
It seems that almost everyone who is worldly thinks that they are their own authority, that they don't have to listen to anyone else, they're smart and can decide for themselves. This attitude is pervasive in every human society. Thinking this way makes us our own gods.
and revile angelic majesties.
This refers to a command given by Moses in a list of commands concerning the laws of human relations. Exodus 22: 28 says,
"You shall not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people" KJV.The "gods" mentioned here is the same word that is used to refer to all the pagan idols that surrounded the Israelites in the land. So it is telling the people to have respect for all authority, whether it is their local governor or the spiritual power behind the pagan god.
(9) But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!"
Michael the archangel is a member of the angelic hierarchy, and is called "the first of the chief princes," and "your prince," in the book of Daniel 10: 13, 21.
This is another glimpse into the spiritual activity that is going on around us all the time. Michael is the "prince" over the nation of Israel, and as such, we are told here, that he argued with the devil over Moses' body when he died. Deuteronomy tells us that the Lord buried him, and that no one knows where the grave is (Deuteronomy 34: 6).
It is commonly believed among theologians that if the people knew where Moses was buried, that they would have worshiped him. So the devil wanted the people to be drawn away from God, as he always does, and Michael argued with him about it.
But Michael had respect for even the devil's authority, and didn't accuse him, but just left him to the Lord to deal with.
(10) But these men revile the things which they do not understand;
These false teachers have no idea of the authority and power these spiritual beings in the hierarchy of the angelic principalities have. They have no respect, and they endanger themselves in their treatment of them.
and the things which they know by instinct, like unreasoning animals, by these things they are destroyed.
Animals have only their physical life, so these men are only looking at the physical, and by using their bodies in grossly immoral ways, they are contracting and spreading serious diseases and disorders, destroying themselves physically as well as spiritually.
God is the Designer and Maker of this universe, and the Earth we live on, and He fashioned it all to run according to His rules, the Natural Laws. And He set in order the moral laws, also, to guide our decisions. Everything in order.
When we take something and use it for what it's not made for, to misuse it, that will damage or destroy it, like using a screwdriver to pound a nail.
We need to see these people for who they are, and not listen to them, or even allow them to remain in our congregations; a little leaven (sin) leavens the whole lump (church) (see I Corinthians 5: 5-6). We have whole denominations today that have been taken over by unrighteous, evil people, who have spread their sinful thinking processes to their whole church.
People of God need to be strong in the Lord and reject these ideas and reasoning. We need to leave these congregations that have fallen.
Come out of her, My people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive of her plagues. Revelation 18: 4We are in the last days, people! My dear brothers and sisters, we must be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might, wearing the whole armor of God! (Ephesians 6: 10-17.) We must be bold to speak out against these damaging and diseased attitudes and ideas.
We walk the line here, beloved. We respect all authority, both good and evil, and we fight the good fight, knowing that our Lord has already won the war!
O my Father, we need Your wisdom in discerning what words we are to say! We need Your strength for the boldness to speak out! We need Your protection in storming the very gates of Hell!
Father, please help us! Strengthen us in our weaknesses, give us success in our failings, grant us Your victories in our losses! Give us Your eyes to see Your spiritual reality in our physical world.
And use us, that our lives of peace and wisdom and gentleness will show Your Love to those in the world around us, to draw them to You, Father, in our Lord Jesus Christ, through His precious blood shed for our cleansing.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus of Nazareth is our Christ Messiah, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!
