QT 9 Apr 19, Jude 5-6, We need to be serious about our faith and how it impacts our personal lives

[Jde 1:5-6 ESV] 5 Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day--

NOTE: So what is Jude's point, since he uses two examples? One, God took the nation out of Egypt, baptized so-to-speak in the Red Sea, and then destroyed then entire adult population, minus two. In this case, I would argue that many who died did not lose their salvation, but were punished for disobedience. This is the same thing that the writer of Hebrews argues as well. Just being a Christian is no protection from the physical judgment of God in this life. Now, I would also argue that physical judgment in this life does not equate to experiencing God's wrath as will occur in the tribulation (but not to the church). 

The angels started out in the presence of God, but upon exercising their free will, one-third turned from God and followed Lucifer. Some are imprisoned now, some will be released for a time, and all are awaiting their future judgment (lake of fire). Those who did not follow Lucifer are experiencing a creature-holiness based upon their original free-will choice. He did not spare his original creation, but I believe he does spare/protect those who chose to remain obedient to him.

In scripture, there does always seem to be a test, whether you accept a dispensational view of the world or not. Adam had a choice but chose to eat from the tree of life. Cain had a choice but the sin crouching at his door won. The people of Noah's time before the flood had a choice, and behaved wickedly. The people after the flood had a choice to spread out, and chose not. People always have a choice. I'm very simple in my understanding of predestination. I think God's foreknowledge is the key. But all people and beings have a choice.

PRAYER: Father, how I pray we would not neglect so great a salvation that we have. I pray we would not take for granted the incredible mercy that was shown for us. I pray we would recognize the unbelievable cost that was paid for our salvation and the immeasurable grace that is bestowed on us. Oh, we so desperately need to know and appreciate the love of God toward us.