Blaspheming the glorious ones---what's that?

"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 2:10-11

Q. What is this about?

My Bible notes say that the 'glorious ones' are demons. I would've thought this is a reference to kings or government authorities - didn't kings and Caesars of that time try to make themselves out as gods? How exactly do you blaspheme a demon?

A. Both you and your bible notes are on to something. The point is that all authority over 'kingdoms' on earth is given by God.

Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. John 19:11

And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. Luke 4:6-7

Therefore to speak evil of that authority is to speak evil of the one who grants all authority.

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. Rom 13:1-2

A similar thought is seen in Jude:

Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. Jude 1:8-9

The flow of authority stems from God..He is sovereignly in control as he ordains authority.

Earthly authorities play checkers while the spiritual authorities behind them play chess. The Alpha and Omega who ordains all authority over the kingdoms is playing multi-dimensional chess and controls the board.

So, anything we say about those in authority over us should be tempered by the 'big picture'---lest we seem to indicate that God doesn't know what he's doing. That's the bottom line in this particular instance of 'blasphemy'!

Steve