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2 Peter 2:11
11 Whereas [hopou] angels [aggelos], which are [on] greater in [meizon] power [ischus] and [kai] might [dunamis], bring [phero] not [ou] railing [blasphemos] accusation [krisis] against [kata] them [autos] before [para] the Lord [kurios]. KJV-Interlinear
11 whereas angels who are greater in might and power do not bring a reviling judgment against them before the Lord. NASB
A stark contrast between man and angel is offered here by Peter.
Man is made of the dust of the earth. With imputed life from God, limited to this planet earth, and with many limitations in life including mans own lifespan, man seems to be more opinionated about life, about history, just about anything, even in the face of no first hand knowledge about most of his own surroundings or history.
Angels, on the other hand have been around for a very long time, and have first hand knowledge as well as experience with just about everything that has ever occurred in history.
The Bible records four distinct beginnings. The first beginning is not really a beginning, but is a reference to eternity past, Gen. 1:1, ‘In the beginning God … See also Psa. 90:2 and Jn. 1:1.
This beginning is eternity past, and God (all three members of the Godhead) was on hand and has been on hand forever since eternity past.
The second beginning was the angelic realm. They witnessed the handiwork of God in the creation of the universe, and therefore since they were witness to the creation of the universe, then they were here prior to its creation, Psa. 8:3.
All of the angels were in harmony when the universe was created, Job 38:4, 5, 6, 7. The technical word for sons of God here is ‘bene elohim’ which is a reference to the angels. There did not exist any rebellion at the time of the creation for the universe. The angels were on hand to witness the actual creation of the universe.
The third beginning is the universe itself, Gen. 1:1, ‘… created [bara – out of nothing] the heavens and the earth.’ We have already studied extensively, the various words used for the several creations including the universe, of man, of woman, and so forth.
The fourth beginning is of man on the sixth day, Gen. 1:26.
Between these beginnings – the universe and man – Lucifer (Satan) rebelled and led one-third of the angels permanently away from God. That one-third remained in opposition to God for all of history, and continue to remain in opposition to God, Isa. 14:12, 13, 14, Eze. 28:12-18, Rev. 12:4.
The important thing to understand here is that God did not make the universe, nor the world, a place that was in chaos. God created it not a wasteland, Isa. 45:18. God created the universe and the earth a perfect place.
But in Gen. 1:2, we read that the earth became null and void, ‘tohu wabohu.’
Therefore, we understand that from the time of the initial creation to the time of the destruction of planet earth, something happened, and that something was the rebellion of the angels. They desired to be like God, Isa. 14:13-14, they revolted, Rev. 12:4, they were judged, Matt. 25:41, they were condemned to this planet, Eze. 28:17-18, and thus the resolution of the angelic conflict began – human history.
The fall of Satan led to the destruction of earth which history occurred between Gen. 1:1 and Gen. 1:2. Note Isa. 14, Eze 28.
The chaos on planet earth is called null and void which reflect the deep destruction and darkness (absence of truth) caused by Satan. Similar descriptions are used in Ex. 10:21-23, Psa. 35:6, Joel 2:2, Matt. 4:16, and Jn. 3:19.
Genesis goes on to account for the restoration from chaos, of the earth in the literal seven day period, for human habitation.
Now, what does all of this have to do with anything?
Well the angels have lived far longer than the entire human race, and certainly far longer than any single individual. The angels have had access to the entire universe. The angels have been witness to all of history. Even when Jesus arrived on this earth in the first advent, the fallen angels (demons) demonstrated respect toward Him. They were not disrespectful, but knew indeed who He was, and that He was their ultimate judge and executioner.
Man knows right from wrong. Man knows his own limitations. But man in his arrogance can be unbelievably presumptuous and disrespectful not only toward God, but to his fellow man. Human history is filled with the power driven lusts of people.
With the vast universe just hanging in the night sky, we can all see how small and insignificant we are, and yet people will ignore the obvious, and fight over the little puddle we call earth. People will hold on to their ideologies, to their beliefs, to their opinions, to whatever it is that they have hung on to throughout their lives, even in the face of documented evidence to the contrary.
Such is mans self imposed barrier preventing him from seeing the truth of life.
That is one of your greatest barriers, preventing your spiritual growth, your stubbornness to listen and to learn.
The Bible proposes many truths regarding history. Information external to the Bible support an extensive history regarding our little planet. Even though there are many interpretations that are ridiculous, like evolution, there is a great deal of evidence that supports sound Christian creation doctrine.
However, Peter points out here that people who lack information, will be more opinionated than angels who possess personal experience with historical information, even the angels that have already been condemned.
Angels, both elect and fallen, respect God and His authority.
Man invents religions, cults, weird ideas concerning life and even his own role in life, all of which are direct insults to truth.
