“Bold and willful, they do not tremble as they blaspheme the glorious ones, whereas angels, though greater in might and power, do not pronounce a blasphemous judgment against them before the Lord.” (2 Peter 2:10b-11 ESV)
In 1711 the English poet Alexander Pope penned the often-quoted phrase, “Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.” It’s an apt description of how people with reckless abandon jump into a situation which any wise person would sensibly avoid. It would be ridiculously foolish to step into the path of a freight train hurtling down the track at 80 mph. The consequences are guaranteed to be fatal.
The apostle Peter identified the bold and arrogant false teachers of his day as that type of fool. They knew from conscience that breaking God’s Law made them subject to His judgment. But it didn’t stop them. They believed they were in charge of their own destiny and could indulge every sinful whim with impunity. They knew of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection–and His promise to return in judgment–but instead of taking the warning to heart, they mocked, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” (2 Peter 3:4 NIV)
These false teachers defiantly stepped into the path of God’s oncoming judgment and dared Him to do something. They dared to “blaspheme the glorious ones.” They stubbornly refused to acknowledge God’s glory and authority. They “rushed in” where even angels fear to tread.
We don’t often think of angels being afraid. After all, they are spiritual beings far more powerful than we are. Yet Peter says they would never dare pronounce judgment against the false teachers, even though it was well deserved. They would never assume the authority to condemn which belongs to God alone. Jude writes, “But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, ‘The Lord rebuke you!'” (Jude 8-9 NIV)
We see the same foolish arrogance in our world today. How many people do you know who read the Bible and believe it to be God’s verbally inspired Word? How many so-called spiritual teachers dismiss the Genesis record of creation as just a myth? God’s design of male and female and His institution of marriage are ridiculed in the belief that humankind can redefine gender and marriage as it chooses.
Not only does the world defy God’s authority directly, it wants nothing to do with the earthly authorities God has established. Disobedience toward parents is lauded as a child asserting his individuality. Defiance of government is seen as justified if one doesn’t like its actions. Has anyone ever expressed to you a fear of God’s judgment? It’s very easy to be swept along with the mindset of self-determination. We have the same old Adam as everyone else. Not only that, nothing seems to happen to those who “rush in” where God says “Don’t go.”
Certain death eventually comes to the one who refuses to budge from the oncoming locomotive. Those who foolishly defame the Lord and His Word will face judgment and eternal death. “God cannot be mocked.” (Galatians 6:7 NIV) “It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10:31 NIV) May we learn from the angels to let God be God, to hold Him in awe, and to trust in the Lord Jesus alone for forgiveness and life everlasting.
is a retired pastor and former president of the CLC. He lives in Phoenix, Arizona.