JUDE -
JUDE 1: PART 2….
BEGINS WITH VERSE 5
Verse 5 tells us THREE EXAMPLES THAT SHOW THE CERTAINTY OF GOD’S JUDGMENT AGAINST THESE CERTAIN MEN/WOMEN, WITH THE EXAMPLES OF THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL.
“But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.”
But I want to REMIND YOU, though you once knew this: Jude knew he wasn’t telling them anything new. They were already taught this example, but they needed to hear it again and to apply it to their PRESENT situation.
IN OTHER WORDS, GOD SAYS, I CHOSE THE ISRAELITES. THEY ARE MY CHOSEN PEOPLE. BUT DO NOT THINK THAT AS MY WIFE, THE JEWISH PEOPLE’S BEHAVIOR AND REJECTION AND DISOBEDIENCE WENT UNCHECKED. IF I PUNISH MY WIFE, I WILL PUNISH MY SON’S BRIDE AS WELL.
JUST AS JESUS TOLD THE SADDUCCES AND THE PHARISEES…JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE JEWS, MY FATHER‘S CHOSEN PEOPLE, DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU AUTOMATICALLY GO TO HEAVEN REGARDLESS YOUR CHOICES, REGARDLESS THAT YOU REJECT ME. THERE WILL BE JEWS CONDEMNED TO THE LAKE OF FIRE, JUST AS THEIR WILL BE GENTILES THERE.
Ideally, every Christian would read these allusions to the Old Testament and say, “Yes Jude, I know exactly what you are talking about.” If we DON’T KNOW what Jude wrote about, it shows we NEED TO DEEPEN our understanding of the Bible.
The Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt…Jude IS REMINDING US OF WHAT HAPPENED IN in Numbers 14.
God delivered the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt. They went out of Egypt and without unintended delays came to a place called Kadesh Barnea, on the threshold of the Promised Land. But at Kadesh Barnea, the people REFUSED to trust God and go into the Promised Land of Canaan.
SO WHAT HAPPENED BECAUSE THEY REFUSED TO TRUST AND OBEY GOD?
ALMOST NONE OF THE ADULT GENERATION who left Egypt entered into the Promised Land.
Think of what God did FOR the people of Israel in this situation, and then how they responded to Him.
THEY SAW GOD SEND PLAGUES ONLY UPON THE EGYPTIANS.
THEY SAW GOD FREE THEM FROM 400 YEARS OF SLAVERY.
THEY SAW GOD PART THE RED SEA.
THEY SAW THE COOL CLOUD BY DAY.
THEY SAW THE PILLAR OF FIRE BY NIGHT.
THEY HEARD THE VERY VOICE OF GOD AT MOUNT SINAI. They received His daily care and provision of manna, water, quail in the wilderness.
Yet EVEN AFTER ALL THAT…they still lapsed into unbelief, and NEVER entered into the place of blessing and rest God had for them.
Afterward destroyed those who did not believe…AND EVEN WORSE…Those who doubted and rejected God at Kadesh Barnea paid a BIGGER PRICE than just not entering the Promised Land. They also received the JUDGMENT OF GOD.
Psalm 95:10-11 describes how the Lord reacted to them: “For forty years I was grieved with that generation, and said, ‘It is a people who go astray in their hearts, and they do not know My ways. “So I swore in My wrath, they shall not enter My rest”.
The WARNING through Jude is clear. The people of Israel started out from Egypt well enough. They had many blessings from God along the way. But they did NOT ENDURE to the end, because they DID NOT BELIEVE God’s promise of power and protection.
This example gives TWO IMPORTANT REMINDERS.
FIRST, it assures us that the certain men/women causing trouble WILL certainly be judged, even though they may have started out well in their walk with God. Jude says, “The certain men might have started out well. But so did the children of Israel, and God afterward destroyed those who did not believe.”
SECOND, it warns us that we also must FOLLOW & TRUST in Jesus to the end, and NEVER BE AMONG those who did not believe.
WHAT IS JUDE TELLING US?
The final test of our Christianity is ENDURANCE…ABIDING IN JESUS…COME WHAT MAY. BECAUSE SOME START THE RACE but never finish it.
THERE IS A NEW CHRISTIAN SONG OUT BY BUILDING 429, WE WON’T BE SHAKEN…THE LYRICS SPEAK PERFECTLY TO WHAT JUDE IS SAYING HERE…
This world has nothing for me,
This life is not my own,
I know you go before me and I am not alone
This mountain rises higher, The way seems so unclear, but I know that you go with me, So I will never fear
I will trust in You
What ever will come our way, Through Fire or Pouring Rain, we won't be shaken,
What ever tomorrow brings, together we'll rise and see,
That we won't be shaken, No we won't be shaken
You know my every longing
you've heard my every prayer
you've held me in my weakness
'Cos you were always there
So I'll stand in full surrender
It's your way and not my own
My mind is set on nothing less
But you and you alone
I will not be moved
What ever will come our way,
Through Fire or Pouring Rain,
We won't be shaken, no we won't be shaken
We will trust in you, we will not be moved
We will trust in you and we won't be shaken
What ever will come our way, Through Fire or Pouring Rain, no we won't be shaken, no we won't be shaken.
What ever tomorrow brings, together we'll rise and see, That we won't be shaken
No We won't be shaken
JUDE COULD HAVE WRITTEN THIS SONG FOR US!
Verse 6 gives us the EXAMPLE OF THE ANGELS who sinned.
“And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day;”
Jude’s letter is famous for bringing up obscure and/or controversial points, and this is one of them. Jude speaks of the angels who sinned, who are EVEN NOW IMPRISONED IN CHAINS IN DARKNESS and awaiting a future day of judgment.
THE HOLY BIBLE ONLY GIVES US TWO PLACES where it speaks of angels sinning.
FIRST, there was the original rebellion of some angels against God in Isaiah 14:12-14, Revelation 12:4.
SECOND, there was the sin of the sons of God described in Genesis 6:1-2.
I have given a complete Holy Bible study on both, so I will not revisit it today. Suffice it to say, this unnatural sexual union between the fallen angels & daughters of man…(BETWEEN DEMON ANGELS & HUMAN WOMEN) was so HEINOUS AND DEMONIC AND DANGEROUS TO THE CONTINUANCE OF MANKIND…that it prompted an incredibly drastic judgment of God - a global flood, wiping out all of mankind except for eight people.
And those FALLEN ANGELS OF SATAN ARE EVEN NOW reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day. THIS ALSO CONFIRMS THAT FALLEN ANGELS HAD AND ALWAYS HAVE HAD ((LIMITS)) SET UPON THEM BY ALMIGHTY GOD…
AND IT IS ALSO A REMINDER, If angels WITH SUPERNATURAL POWERS/STRENGTH cannot break the chains sin brought upon them, we are foolish to think that humans can break them. We CAN NOT SET OURSELVES FREE from these chains, but we can only be set free BY JESUS CHRIST, AMEN?
This reminds us that these angels who sinned with an unnatural sexual union are NO LONGER active. With His radical judgment back in the days of Noah, God PUT AN END to this kind of unnatural sexual union. AND WE WHO HAVE STUDIED THESE SCRIPTURES, ARE TOLD AND KNOW, THAT THIS WAS ANOTHER PLOT AND PLAN OF SATAN…TO SO COMPLETELY POLLUTE THE BLOODLINE OF ALL MANKIND WITH DEMONIC BLOOD….IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE MESSIAH FROM COMING.
THIS ALSO TELLS US AND SHOWS US THAT EVEN SATAN HIMSELF AND HIS DEMONS FEAR THE WRATH OF ALMIGHTY GOD.
This example gives two lessons.
FIRST IT ASSURES US that the certain men CAUSING TROUBLE WILL BE judged, no matter what their spiritual status had been & as well ALL THEIR SELF-SERVING “HOLY, HOLINESS, PROPHET, PROPHETESS, EVANGELIST…PREACHER…REVEREND).
AND REMEMBER TOO….that at ONE TIME these angels HAD BEFORE THEIR FALL…ENJOYED AND STOOD IN the immediate, glorious presence of God - and now they are in everlasting chains. If God judged the angels who sinned, He will judge these certain men.
SECOND IT WARNS US that we also must continue walking with Jesus. If the past spiritual experience of these angels didn’t guarantee their future spiritual state, then neither does ours. We must keep walking and be on guard.
Verse 7 REMINDS US OF THE example of Sodom and Gomorrah.
“As Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.”
These two cities (and the cities around them) also stand as examples of God’s judgment. Their sin - which was most conspicuously homosexuality, but included other sins as well - brought forth God’s judgment.
Sodom and Gomorrah were blessed, privileged places. They were situated in a blessed area: it was well watered everywhere . . . like the garden of the Lord in Genesis 13:10.
Jude refers to the account in Genesis 19, where the homosexual conduct of the men of Sodom is described.
Ezekiel 16:49 tells us of other sins of Sodom…“Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.” Sexual depravity was not their only sin, but it was certainly among their sins, and Jude makes this plain.
You don’t have fullness of food, and abundance of idleness if you don’t have material blessings. But despite their great blessing from God and material prosperity, they sinned and were judged. Because EGO, ARROGANCE, THE FLESH TOLD THEM THAT THEY, NOT ALMIGHTY GOD WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THEY HAD.
AND HERE JUDE TELLS US SOMETHING ELSE…Suffering the vengeance of eternal fire means Sodom and Gomorrah were not ONLY destroyed with fire from heaven, BUT THAT WAS JUST THE BEGINNING OF THEIR judgment by fire. Far worse than what happened in Genesis 19, they suffered the vengeance of ETERNAL FIRE…NOT ONE PERSON FROM SODOM AND GOMORRAH AND ITS SURROUNDING AREAS WILL BE IN HEAVEN…THEY ALL SIT IN THE WAITING PRISON OF HELL FOR THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT.
This example gives TWO MORE LESSONS…
FIRST….it assures us that the certain men causing trouble will be judged, no matter how much they had been blessed in the past. Just as Sodom and Gomorrah were once wonderfully blessed but eventually suffered the vengeance of eternal fire, so will it be with these certain men.
SECOND…it warns us that we also must continue walking with Jesus. If the blessings of the past didn’t guarantee their future spiritual state, then neither does ours. ONE ON ONE RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS IS A DAILY WALK…NOT A WHEN WE ENCOUNTER TRIALS, TROUBLES, NEEDS, WANTS OR ONE DAY A WEEK OR JUST DURING CHRISTIAN HOLIDAYS…IT IS AND MUST BE A DAY TO DAY WALK, AMEN?
Verse 8 tells us MORE SINS & THE CHARACTER OF THESE DANGEROUS CERTAIN MEN.
“Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries.”
Likewise also…Jude connected the certain men with the people of Sodom and Gomorrah in their sensuality (defile the flesh) and in their rejection of God’s authority (reject authority).
When Jude pointed out that these certain men reject authority, it meant that THEY WANTED TO BE IN AUTHORITY…THEY ELEVATE THEMSELVES ON EQUAL GROUND WITH ALMIGHTY GOD, THEY BELIEVE, TEACH, AND SAY THAT THEY ARE GOD ON EARTH, HIS PERSONAL MESSENGERS, AND DISMISSED THE AUTHORITY OF ALMIGHTY GOD AND THOSE GOD SENT AND PUT IN AUTHORITY.
SOCIAL AND POLITICAL CORRECTNESS, THEN AND NOW, IN OUR CULTURE…ENCOURAGES THE SODOM AND GOMORRAH MIND SET.
WHAT DO I MEAN BY THIS?
Today, our culture encourages us to reject authority and to recognize I,I,I,I,….ME, ME, ME,…as the ONLY real authority in our lives.
CHRISTIANS CAN DO THIS with the Bible, by choosing to only believe certain passages AND DISMISSING OR REJECTING THE REST.
CHRISTIANS CAN DO THIS with our beliefs, by choosing at the “salad bar” of religion. Or we can do it with our lifestyle, by making OUR OWN RULES and not recognizing the proper authorities God has established, DELIVERED, AND FULFILLED IN HIS SON JESUS CHRIST.
JUDGES 21:25...TELLS US THAT THE “MY OWN RULES & MEISTIC MIND SET IS NOTHING NEW….“In the darkest days of Israel, society was characterized by a term: every man did what was right in his own eyes.”
Today, this is the pattern of all the world and especially Western civilization.
These dreamers…Jude REMINDS US THAT THEN AND NOW the certain men were out of touch with reality & CLAIMED TO HAVE PROPHETIC DREAMS/VISIONS/VISITATIONS/WORKING MIRACLES which were nothing more than SELF DECEPTION INTENDED TO ELEVATE THEIR OWN IMPORTANCE BEFORE MEN AT BEST…AND DECEPTIONS OF SATAN AND HIS DEMONS AT WORST.
Speak evil of dignitaries…Probably these dignitaries were the apostles or other leaders in the church. Their rejection of authority was connected with their speaking evil of dignitaries.
VERSES 9 GIVES US A POWERFUL EXAMPLE TO CONSIDER AND FOLLOW. Michael the archangel as an example of someone who would not speak evil of dignitaries.
“Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him (SATAN HIMSELF) a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”
Michael the archangel . . . the devil: Jude mentioned two kinds of angelic beings. Michael is among the angelic beings faithful to God, who are the servants of God and man. The devil is among the angelic beings rebelling against God, who are the enemies of man.
THE BIBLE TELLS US THERE ARE INVISIBLE, angelic beings all around us. There are THE MINISTERING SPIRITS sent by God to assist us, and THE DEMONIC SPIRITS SENT & WHO want to defeat us.
The devil can’t unsave a saved person; but through his deceptions he can corrupt and defile a Christian who is supposed to walk in purity and freedom. To the devil, CHRISTIANS WHO LOVE JESUS CHRIST, are time bombs, ready to wreck his work – bombs that he would like to defuse and make ineffective.
Many people today, even THOSE RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS AND CULTS don’t believe the devil exists, but the Bible says he does. Or, if they believe he exists, they think of him in funny images created in the Middle Ages.
Back then, miracle plays were a chief form of ENTERTAINMENT. They were sort of a pageant where religious stories were acted out on stage.
DID YOU KNOW….The audience learned to look for ONE character that was always dressed in red, wore horns on his head, and had a tail dangling behind him. His shoes looked like cloven hoofs, and he had a pitchfork in his hand. The audience was amused by this silly characterization of Satan, and got the idea that he was sort of a comical character AND HARMLESS. The devil doesn’t mind being thought of this way. HE WANTS MANKIND TO DISMISS HIM OR TO THINK HIM HARMLESS…AND THEREFORE APPROACHABLE…WHEN THE BIBLE TELLS US TO FLEE FROM ALL EVIL.
Michael the archangel: This angelic being is mentioned by name in four passages of the Bible: Daniel 10, Daniel 12, Revelation 12 and here in Jude. Every time Michael appears, it is in the context of battle or readiness to fight. He is an archangel, which simply means a “leading angel.”
AND UNDERSTAND THIS….SATAN AND THE WORLD STRIVE TO PUT JESUS AND SATAN AS OPPOSITES ON THE SAME LEVEL…SAME RANK.
BUT THAT IS A LIE. THAT IS THE IGNORANCE OF LOST MANKIND AND ARROGANCE OF SATAN HIMSELF.
If the devil has an opposite, it certainly isn’t JESUS CHRIST.
It is Michael the archangel – another high ranking angelic being.
When he disputed about the body of Moses: This is another obscure reference by Jude. The last we read about the body of Moses is in Deuteronomy 34:5-6:.. “So Moses, the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord. And He buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth Peor; but no one knows the grave to this day.”
JUDE DOES NOT TELL US WHERE OR FROM WHOM HE received his information about this dispute, BUT KNOWING OUR JESUS CHRIST, JUDE WAS GIVEN A UNIQUE REVELATION DURING THE WRITING OF THIS LETTER.
AND WE LEARN SOMETHING ELSE….MEN DID NOT BURY MOSES….ALMIGHTY GOD DID HIMSELF!
THE BIBLE DOES NOT TELL US WHY THERE WAS A DISPUTE ABOUT MOSES BODY, BUT HAVING READ THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT…IT IS MOST PROBABLY ANOTHER ATTEMPT OF SATAN TO STOP AND DERAIL THE PLANS OF ALMIGHTY GOD.
WHY?
BECAUSE THE BIBLE TELLS US IN MATTHEW 17:1-3, THAT MOSES APPEARED IN BODILY FORM, LONG AFTER HIS DEATH, at the Transfiguration with Elijah (whose body was caught up to heaven in 2 Kings 2). Perhaps also Moses and Elijah are the TWO WITNESSES of Revelation 11, and God needed Moses’ body for that future plan.
But for Jude, the MAIN POINT IS NOT WHY MICHAEL was disputed, but ON HOW MICHAEL DISPUTED SATAN.
“The Lord rebuke you!” The manner of Michael’s fight is a model for OUR spiritual warfare. First, we see that Michael was in a battle. Second, we see that he battled with the Lord’s authority.
NOT HIS OWN….ONLY USING JESUS CHRIST AUTHORITY.
THIS ALSO ANSWERS AN OLD DEBATE…AND PROVES THAT Michael is NOT Jesus, as some heretical groups have thought. Jesus rebuked the devil in HIS OWN AUTHORITY, but Michael did not.
The point of contrast is that Michael could not reject the devil’s accusation on his own authority.
AND NEITHER CAN WE…WE SEE EXORCISTS & DEMON HUNTERS SEEKING TO DESTROY AND CAST OUT DEMONS IN THEIR OWN AUTHORITY AND POWER…I have seen documentaries where THESE SELF-SERVING EGOCENTRICS…EXORCISTS SAY….“I REBUKE YOU, I COMPEL YOU TO LEAVE!” For hours on end. THAT SHOULD TELL US, AND SHOW US, THAT they have NO PART OF JESUS CHRIST IN THEIR TRUE HEART OF HEARTS!”
ALSO WE SEE…Michael dared not bring against him a reviling accusation. Michael did not mock or accuse the devil. God hasn’t called us to judge the devil, to condemn the devil, to mock him or accuse him, but to battle against him ALWAYS USING AND IN THE POWER AND AUTHORITY OF JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD, AMEN!
JUDE: PART 3.…
BEGINS AT VERSE 10.…
Verse 10 gives us MORE OF THE BAD CHARACTER OF CERTAIN MEN..
“But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves.”
In contrast to Michael, who would not even speak evil of the devil, these certain men spoke evil, especially when they rejected authority and spoke against dignitaries.
The certain men DID NOT EVEN KNOW the things or the people they spoke evil about. Their evil speech was made worse by their ignorance. THIS REMINDS US OF THE BLACKNESS AND DANGER OF EGO…SELF…ME…I…WHEN WE BEGIN TO REPLACE JESUS CHRIST SAYS…IT IS WRITTEN….THE BIBLE TELLS US….WITH I SAY….I BELIEVE…I TEACH…I KNOW…we are in SERIOUS SPIRITUAL TROUBLE.
Since they also spoke against dignitaries and rejected authority, these certain men did not know about true spiritual leadership and authority - so they found it easy to speak evil against it.
Whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves…JUDE IS TELLING US THAT THESE MEN PRETEND TO BE GODLY, SPIRITUAL, HEAVEN INSPIRED… but their only REAL knowledge was really natural. Even what they knew naturally, they still used to corrupt themselves with an unspiritual mind. THEY WILLINGLY AND READILY DECEIVED THEMSELVES FIRST…THEN IT IS EASY TO DECEIVE OTHERS.
Brute beasts can be smart or clever in an instinctive way, but they obviously do not have spiritual knowledge. It was the same way with these certain men.
Three BIBLICAL examples of THESE certain men.
Verse 11 tells us FIRST the certain men have gone in the way of Cain.
“Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain,”
The way of Cain: Cain’s story is found in Genesis 4. Each of the sons of Adam and Eve brought an offering to the Lord. Cain (being a farmer) brought an offering from his harvest. Abel (being a shepherd) brought an offering from his flocks. God accepted Abel’s offering, but He rejected Cain’s sacrifice.
Many people WRONGLY ASSUME AND TEACH that because Abel brought a BLOOD sacrifice and Cain brought a GRAIN sacrifice, that the difference between the two offerings was sacrificial blood. But the real difference was between FAITH AND UNBELIEF.
Hebrews 11:4 makes this plain…“By FAITH Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.”
Cain’s sacrifice was probably more pleasing to the senses than the carcass of a dead lamb, but Cain‘s sacrifice was offered without faith, it was DUTY & RITUAL…NOT LOVE, FAITH, AND TRUST…THE GOD WHO SEES read CAIN’S HEART…NOT HIS GIFTS…and therefore it was unacceptable to God.
THIS REMINDS US WE CAN GIVE to God whatever you have or whatever you are, but you must offer it in faith, love, & with a willing joyous heart…NOT OUT OF RITUALISTIC DUTY.
The way of Cain: Genesis 4:5 says that after God rejected his sacrifice, Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. He became angry because he knew he was rejected by God. In a fit of anger Cain murdered Abel, and then he lied about it to God.
1 John 3:12 tells us that Cain murdered his brother because Abel’s works were righteous (by faith), while Cain’s own were wicked. Cain’s lack was not in works, but in faith.
Jude says that Cain typifies a way that the certain men follow in. It is the way of unbelief and empty religion, of pomp, circumstance, ritual…but without a faith filled heart and the “my gift is BIGGER AND BETTER than your gift”….leads ONLY to jealousy, persecution of the truly godly, and eventually to murderous anger.
2 Timothy 3:5 confirms this…“There is no greater curse on the earth than empty, vain religion; those who have a form of godliness but denying its power.” No wonder Paul added, and from such people turn away!
Many Christians are afraid of secular humanism or atheism or the world, but JUDE IS TELLING US that DEAD RELIGION is far more dangerous, and sends more people to hell than anything else. These certain men were in the way of Cain, the way of dead religion.
Verse 11b tells us these certain men are in the error of Balaam.
“Have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit,”
WHAT DOES JUDE MEAN BY THE ERROR OF BALAAM?
Balaam’s story is in Numbers 22 to 25 and 31. During the time of the Exodus, Israel advanced to the land of Moab, after defeating the Amorites. When the Israelites came near, King Balak of Moab sought the help of a Hebrew prophet named Balaam.
Numbers 22:12 tells us in short…The first delegation from King Balak arrived and God told Balaam to have nothing to do with them. God’s initial words to Balaam were, “You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed”.
BUT…After the first visit another, more PRESTIGIOUS delegation came with GREATER riches. Balaam wanted to go with them and God allowed him to go. Balaam LUSTED AFTER THE RICHES & PRESTIGE OFFERED TO HIM OVER GOD…and God gave him over to his own sin.
God warned Balaam to turn back when he was on the way to see Balak. Yet his heart was set on the rich reward King Balak promised and he continued on. Balaam even ignored a talking donkey, sent to warn him to turn back.
Balaam knew that he has done wrong. In Numbers 22:34, he said to God “I have sinned . . . Now therefore, if it displeases You, I will turn back.” EMPTY WORDS…BECAUSE BALAAM DID NOTTTT TURN back. He continued on, refusing to see that when God says no, we must take it as a no. Instead, God gave Balaam what his sinful heart desired.
After meeting with King Balak of Moab, Balaam prophesied over Israel four times. But as he spoke forth God’s word, he did not curse Israel – HE COULD NOT…INSTEAD he blessed them each time. When he was unsuccessful in cursing Israel, Balaam advised Balak on how to bring Israel under a curse. Instead of trying to have a prophet curse them, he should lead them into fornication and idolatry and then God would curse a disobedient Israel.
Balak did just that, sending his young women into the camp of Israel to lead Israel into sexual immorality and idolatry. Because of their sin, God did curse Israel - He brought a plague of judgment upon Israel that killed 24,000. Therefore Balaam was guilty of the greatest of sins: deliberately leading others into sin. Worse yet, he did it for money.
Greedily in the error of Balaam for profit…The greedy error of Balaam was that he was WILLING TO COMPROMISE EVERYTHING FOR MONEY, ICONIC FAME, & SOCIAL AND POLITICAL CLOUT. The certain men Jude warned about HAD/HAVE the same heart.
Many Christians would never deny Jesus under persecution, but might deny Him if offered a large sum of money. There is not a single sin that corrupt man will not commit for the sake of money. Covetousness is such a dangerous sin that it killed Jesus - 30 pieces of silver helped put Jesus on the cross.
Have run greedily is a strong picture of excessive indulgence. But Paul also uses the same term for the extravagant way God loves us: the love of God has been poured out in our hearts in Romans 5:5.
Verse 11c tells us of the THIRD KIND OF SIGNS OF A DANGEROUS CERTAIN MEN…in the rebellion of Korah.
“And perished in the rebellion of Korah.”
WHO IS KORAH?
Korah’s story is found in Numbers 16. He was a prominent man in Israel, and one day came to Moses, saying, “You take too much upon yourself, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourself about the congregation of the Lord?”
Korah and his followers RESENTED THE AUTHORITY & LEADERSHIP FAVOR God GAVE Moses.
When Korah said this, Moses fell on his face, knowing God’s judgment would soon come. Moses then proposed a test: each group took censers (for burning incense) and came before the Lord. The Lord Himself would choose which man He wanted to represent Him: Moses or Korah.
SO WHAT HAPPENED?
When they, KORAH AND HIS 24,OOO FOLLOWERS and MOSES came before God, the Lord told Moses to step away.
WHY?
The INSTANT MOSES STEPPED BACK AND AWAY FROM KORAH AND HIS 24, OOO FOLLOWERS, the ground opened up and swallowed Korah and his followers. AND WORSE, BEFORE THE EYES OF ALL THOSE WATCHING THIS, THEN FIRE came down from heaven and burned up all of his supporters. They all perished.
Korah was a Levite, but not of the priestly family of Aaron. As a Levite, he had had his own God-appointed sphere of ministry, yet he was NOT CONTENT with WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN HIM…He wanted the ministry AND the authority of Moses TOO.
THIS TEACHES US ALL…we should work hard to fulfill everything God has called us to be. At the same time, we should NEVER try to be what God has NOT called us to be.
This was also a rejection of God’s appointed leaders, especially God’s appointed Mediator. When the certain men rejected authority and spoke evil against dignitaries, they walked in the rebellion of Korah.
These THREE MEN came from VERY DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS…Cain was a farmer, Balaam was a prophet, and Korah was a leader in Israel. THIS SHOWS US AND TELLS US THAT APOSTASY IS AN EQUAL-OPPORTUNITY DESTROYER. IT IS NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS. AND THAT Apostasy is never confined to one group of people.
JUDE IS TELLING US TO BEWARE…there ARE apostates in the pulpit, in the palace, and in the poorhouse.
What the future holds for these certain men.
Verses 12-13 gives us a VIVID description of the depravity of these certain men.
“These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.”
Spots in your love feasts…WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
The early Christians often met for a common meal, something like a potluck dinner. They called these meals love feats, or “Agape Feasts.” When these CERTAIN MEN came, they were serving ONLY themselves. They ate greedily at the love feasts while others went hungry.
At the Agape Feast, everybody brought what they could - some a little, some a lot; but they ALL SHARED IT together. For some slaves who were Christians it might have been the ONLY DECENT MEAL they regularly ate. The GREED, GUTTONY, AND SELFISHNESS of these certain men spoiled the fellowship.
1 Corinthians 11:17-34 describes a similar problem in the Corinthian church, which PAUL SPEAKS TO SAYS…
Sadly, the Corinthian Christians were ALSO acting selfishly at their common meals. EACH one takes his own supper ahead of the others, and one is hungry and another is drunk. Their selfish conduct at the common meal was DISGRACING their observance of the Lord’s Supper.
In the modern church, the Lord’s Supper is commonly celebrated in an atmosphere of dignity. But the Corinthian Christians were coming from a culture where the pagans would commonly have wild, riotous banquets given in honor of a pagan god. This is how it might not seem so strange to the Corinthian Christians to even get drunk and a church common meal.
Why would some be hungry at the church common meals?
Because among the Corinthian Christians, some were more wealthy than others, and the poorer ones were being neglected (Or do you . . . shame those who have nothing?).
In that day, at common meals, it was expected that the “upper class” would receive better and more food than the “lower class.” This cultural custom was being carried over into the church, and the Christians weren’t really sharing with one another. At the agape feast, the rich brought more food and the poor brought less food; but in Corinth they were not sharing the food fairly.
Ancient culture, much more than modern American culture, was extremely CLASS CONSCIOUS. It was respect of these class divisions which so grieved Paul.
Paul’s message is both strong and plain. “If you want to eat or drink selfishly, do it at home!” Paul makes it clear: I do not praise you is repeated THREE TIMES in this brief section. PAUL WAS NOT happy with the Corinthian Christians at this point!
SO….JUDE IS TELLING US THAT IT ALWAYS RUINS FELLOWSHIP WHEN WE COME TO CHURCH WITH A SELFISH…“I BETTER BE BLESSED BY TAKING THE TIME TO COME HERE TODAY….NO ONE BETTER BE IN MY SEAT, THIS SERMON BETTER SPEAK TO ME…INSTEAD OF WHO AND HOW CAN I BE A BLESSING TO OTHERS HERE TODAY.
JUDE IS SAYING…MANY who would never eat selfishly at a church meal still come to church concerned with serving only themselves.
Serving only themselves: Literally in the ancient Greek this is “shepherding themselves”. In other words, EGO AND ARROGANCE MADE THEM SHEPHERDS BUT ONLY INTERESTED IN SHEPHERDING THEMSELVES.
“Clouds without water, carried by the winds…”
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
THINK ABOUT IT…Clouds without water are good for nothing. They bring no life-giving rain and they only block out the sun. They exist just for themselves. The certain men were like these clouds…EMPTY CLOUDS – good for nothing, carried by the winds, floating on the breeze from one fad to another.
“Late autumn trees without fruit…”
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
THINK ABOUT IT…By late autumn, trees SHOULD HAVE fruit. But these certain men DID NOT BEAR FRUIT even when they should. They were like trees that ONLY TAKE INSTEAD OF GIVE.
“Raging waves of the sea…”
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
For modern man, the sea is often a thing of POWER, WONDER, AND BEAUTY. But to ancient man, especially in Biblical cultures, the sea was an UNMANAGEABLE TERROR & DEMONIC.
Isaiah 57:20 expresses this idea: “But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.”
These certain men were/are BUSY & ACTIVE like the raging waves of the sea, but all it brought was foaming up their own shame.
Busyness is no mark of correctness. The fruit of these men was like the foam or scum at the seashore. Jude has in mind the ugly shoreline after a storm has washed up all sorts of driftwood, seaweed, dead sea creatures, scum from the ocean floor, and debris.
“Wandering stars…”
WHAT DOES JUDE MEAN?
WANDERING STARS ARE LIKE COMETS…streaking through the sky, these certain men did/do astonish the world FOR A TIME, and then VANISH INTO THE DARKNESS. An unpredictable star was NO GOOD for guidance and navigation. Even so these deceivers were/are USELESS AND UNTRUSTWORTHY.
“Blackness of darkness forever…”
NOT HARD TO FIGURE THIS OUT…RIGHT?
THIS DESCRIBES THEIR DESTINY…THEIR ETERNAL DESTINY… Unless they repent, change their ways, they WILL end up in hell, & from there…THE LAKE OF FIRE - and be there FOREVER.
JUDE IS RECONFIRMING THAT THE PUNISHMENT OF THE WAITING PRISON OF HELL BEFORE SENTENCING TO THE LAKE OF FIRE IS FOREVERRRRRRRRRR, because mere man is paying for his own sins, offering an imperfect sacrifice which must be repeated over and over again for eternity. A perfect man can offer a single sacrifice; but an imperfect man must continually offer a sacrifice.
WHAT JUDE IS SAYING IS OUR obligations to God are INFINITE and can therefore ONLY BE SATISFIED in Jesus, an infinite person. WE CAN NEVER EARN HEAVEN…WE CAN NOT LIVE PURE ENOUGH, GIVE ENOUGH, BE MORAL AND UPRIGHT ENOUGH IN AND OF OURSELVES. WE NEED INFINITE PERFECTION. WE NEEDDDDDDD JESUS, AMEN?
Verses 14-15 tells us the CERTAINTY of judgment upon these certain men.
“Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.”
Now Enoch: Here Jude quoted from Enoch, who is described in Genesis 5 and mentioned in Hebrews 11. The ancient book of Enoch was NOT received as ALMIGHTY GOD ORDAINED Scripture, but PARTS OF IT was highly respected among both the Jews and early Christians.
Jude did NOT quote from Enoch to tell us anything NEW, but to give a vivid description of what the Bible already teaches. The Apostle Paul also quoted non-Biblical sources on at least three different occasions (Acts 17:28, 1 Corinthians 15:33 and Titus 1:12). This WAS NOT to proclaim a new truth, but TO SUPPORT an already established Biblical principle from secular history/man.
AND MAKE NO MISTAKE…Jude’s quoting of the book of Enoch doesn’t mean that the whole book of Enoch is GOD inspired Scripture - ONLY the portion Jude quotes. In the same way, when Paul quoted a pagan poet, he didn’t mean that the entire work of the poet was inspired by God. ONLY THOSE THINGS WHICH YEA AND AMEN THE HOLY BIBLE.
To convict all who are ungodly: In this quotation from the book of Enoch Jude emphasized the words ALL and UNGODLY. God is coming to judge all of the ungodly.
To execute judgment on all: Many people take the judgment of God lightly. But the most important question in the world is “Will God judge me? Am I accountable to Him?” If we are truly accountable to God, then those who REJECT JESUS CHRIST, REFUSE TO SHINE AND SHOW OUR JESUS…better prepare to face that judgment.
Think of someone arrested for a crime, with a date to appear in court - but made absolutely no preparation for their appearance before the judge. That person would be a fool. We shouldn’t be so foolish, and instead take advantage of our court-appointed advocate – Jesus Christ (1 John 2:1).
Verses 16-18 tells us THE METHODS of the certain men.
“These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts.”
GRUMBLERS AND COMPLAINERS . . . they mouth great swelling words, flattering people: Jude noticed that their methods ALL revolved around WORDS. On top of their questionable lives, they were/are essentially a people of deception, departing from the foundation of Jesus Christ, and the apostles and prophets.
These are grumblers, complainers…These people were complainers. It has rightly been observed that whenever a man gets out of touch with God he is likely to begin complaining about something.
FLATTERING PEOPLE…These certain men knew how to use smooth, flattering words to get an advantage over other people. They would say anything - good or bad - to get an advantage.
“But you, beloved, remember…”
JUDE REMINDS JESUS BELOVEDS…WE ARE TO BE DIFFERENT. We are to remember what Jesus and the apostles said, which were spoken by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. The word of God IS ALWAYS THE ANSWER to dangers in or out of the church.
The apostles WARNED US AS WELL….that just these things would happen; and even more so as the day approaches.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 SAYS…“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”
There would be MOCKERS IN THE LAST TIME… Perhaps Jude had in mind those who mock the idea of Jesus’ return. Or he may mean the kind of men who mock those who don’t go along the same path of destruction they travel on.
MOCKERS . . . who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts: Those who live according to their own ungodly lusts love to mock those who WANT AND STRIVE to please JESUS CHRIST. Jude wants Christians to EXPECT this kind of mocking, so they won’t be HURT OR SURPRISED by it.
JUDE--PART 4
BEGINS AT VERSE 19
Verse 19 tells us The spiritual status of these certain men.
“These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.”
Essentially, these men were NOT spiritual; they were carnal and insensitive to the Holy Spirit.
Sensual in this context has nothing to do with sexual attractiveness. It describes the person who lives only by and for what they can get through their physical senses, and they live this way selfishly. Their motto is, “If it feels good, do it” or, “How can it be wrong if it feels so right?” “What I say or do in THE PRIVACY OF my own house is my business, not GOD’S, CHURCH, NOR MANS! ”
Who CAUSE DIVISIONS: These certain men had an instinct to separate themselves and make divisions. “The word, found only once in the Bible, denotes those superior people who keep themselves to themselves - Christian Pharisees.”
NOT having THE SPIRIT: This same description could be written over many churches, or church projects, or evangelism campaigns, or home groups, or even individual Christian lives. The church and the world truly need genuinely spiritual men and women today.
What to do about the danger of the certain men.
Significantly, Jude does NOT tell us to attack the certain men who ARE A DANGER to the church. Instead, he tells us to FOCUS on OUR WALK WITH JESUS, help others affected by the certain men, and to focus on JESUS. We simply are to pay the certain men no attention, except for what is necessary for our warning. God will take care of them.
A REALISTIC EXAMPLE FOR US IS THIS…
When people, who SAY THEY ARE CHRISTIAN STATE:
WE ARE ALL GOD’S CHILDREN. THAT IS NOT TRUE!
THE BIBLE TELLS US THAT ALL MANKIND IS CREATED IN HIS IMAGE…BUT ONLY THOSE WHO LOVE JESUS CHRIST AND CALL HIM LORD AND SAVIOR…BECOME CO-HEIRS WITH CHRIST AND THEN BECOME GOD’S CHILDREN.
OR THEY SAY…I AM A SPIRITUALIST, I BELIEVE IN GOD & ALL PATHS LEAD TO GOD. JESUS CHRIST REFUTES THIS WHEN HE SAYS…I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE, NO MAN COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH ME.
DO NOT ATTACK THEM…USE THE BIBLE AND ITS PROMISES & TEACHINGS TO COUNTER WHAT IS SAID.
IT YOU ARE REALLY A CHRISTIAN, REALLY SAVED, REALLY BAPTIZED…YOU WILL INSTANTLY BEGIN TO SPEAK IN TONGUES AND PROPHECY…THAT IS NOT TRUE!
1 CORINTHIANS 12:11 SAYS… “But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally AS HE WILL.” WE DO NOT PICK AND CHOOSE, WE DO NOT INSTANTLY MANIFEST ANY OF THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT UNTIL HE DEEMS WE NEED IT… THE HOLY SPIRIT DECIDES…NOT MAN.
Verses 20-21 tells us to take a look inward.
“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”
Keep yourselves IN THE LOVE of God…
Romans 5:6 TELLS US…We know that God loves even the ungodly. Therefore Jude doesn’t mean, “Live in such a way to make yourself lovable to God.” Instead, to keep yourselves in the love of God means to keep yourself in harmony with God’s ever-present love.
But we should understand what it means when the Bible says that GOD LOVES THE UNGODLY.
The significance of the idea that God loves us all has been twisted considerably.
THINK ABOUT the sinner who defends his sinful practice by saying “God loves me just the way I am.” His implication is that “God loves me; I must be pretty good.” Actually, the fact that God loves him is a reflection on God’s goodness, not his own goodness. The perspective isn’t, “I’m so great that even God loves me,” but “God is so great that He loves even me.”
EVERY DAY, IN SMALL AND LARGE WAYS, WE SEE THE SUBTLE TWISTING AND PERVERTING OF GOD’S WORD BY SATAN AND BY MANKIND WHO LISTENS TO HIM.
God’s love extends everywhere, and nothing can separate us from it. But we can deny ourselves the benefits of God’s love. People who don’t keep themselves in the love of God end up living as if they are on the dark side of the moon. The sun is always out there, always shining, but they are never in a position to receive its light or warmth.
An example of this is the Prodigal Son of Luke 15, who was always loved by the father, but for a time he did not benefit from it.
Building yourselves up on your most holy faith: This is one way that we can keep ourselves in the love of God. It means to keep growing spiritually, and to keep building up. Jude tells us, “build yourselves up on your most holy faith.” This means that WE are responsible for OUR OWN spiritual growth. It means that we cannot wait for spiritual growth to just happen, a bolt from Heaven to instantly change us or expect others to make us grow.
WE MUST SEEK JESUS….STUDY HIS WORD TO COME TO HAVE A DEEPER AND CLOSER RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS.
THINK ABOUT IT…WHEN WE LOVE SOMEONE…WE GET CLOSE…WE STAY IN TOUCH…WE WANT TO UNDERSTAND THEM…WE WANT TO KNOW THEM ON A DEEP PERSONAL LEVEL, RIGHT?
JESUS CHRIST WANTS THE SAME. HE KNOWS FOR US TO REMAIN STAY, STRONG, AND ENCOURAGED AND HOPEFUL…WE NEEEEEEEED TO PRAY, TALK TO JESUS, AND STUDY…NOT JUST READ IT….BUT MEDITATE ON HIS WORD…TO STRENGTHEN US AND FOR US TO HAVE A BETTER KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF JUST WHO OUR JESUS CHRIST REALLLLLLLLLY IS, AMEN?
Jude has shown us the frailty of men and how deceivers even infiltrated the church. If you ENTRUST your spiritual growth to A PERSON, A RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION, A FAD, A TREND, AN ICONIC IDEOLOGY, TO ANYTHING OR ANYONE BUT THROUGH STUDY OF JESUS WORD, SEEKING HIM OUT, PRAYING ALL THINGS UP INTO JESUS HANDS, it will not only hurt your spiritual growth, but it may also lead you astray.
Others CAN AND MAY help provide an environment conducive for spiritual growth. But NO ONE can make another person grow in their relationship with the Lord.
I HAVE COUNSELED INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES, WHO ARE BROKEN, AND HAVE HAD CHILDREN SAY IN GROUP COUNSELING…MY PARENTS NEVER KNEW ME. I NEVER KNEW I MATTERED…I NEVER KNEW I WAS LOVED. AND THE AGGRIEVED PARENTS COME BACK WITH OF COURSE WE KNOW YOU. OF COURSE YOU MATTERED. OF COURSE WE LOVE YOU. AND I ASK THE PARENTS…HOW DID YOU SHOW THEM? DID YOU TELL THEM YOU LOVE THEM? DO YOU KNOW THEIR FRIENDS? THEIR TEACHERS? WHAT THEIR FAVORITE SUBJECT IS? WHAT ACTIVITIES THEY LIKE? AND SADLY, MORE TIMES THAN NOT, THE PARENTS CAN NOT ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS. AND THEY COME BACK WITH I FED THEM, I CLOTHED THEM, I CAME HOME EACH DAY. I PROVIDED A ROOF OVER THEIR HEADS…I DID NOT SAY THE WORDS…BUT THEY SHOULD HAVE KNOWN IT.
JUDE TELLS US WE AS CHRISTIANS AND ESPECIALLY AS CHRISTIAN PARENTS MUST TELL OUR CHILDREN ABOUT JESUS, WHO HE IS, WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR US… JESUS AND HIS WORD NEED TO BE A VISIBLE, TANGIBLE PART OF OUR DAILY LIVES…AMEN?
On your most holy faith…The most holy faith is the same as the faith once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3). Jude wasn’t talking about growing in the most holy faith (though that is a valid idea). Jude is talking about growing on your MOST HOLY FAITH, IS NOT A RELIGION NOR A RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION, OUR MOST HOLY FAITH SHOULD BE IN AND THROUGH JESUS CHRIST AND HIS WORD. We grow on the foundation of the truth FOUND IN THE HOLY BIBLE.
Praying in the Holy Spirit: This is another way to keep ourselves in the love of God. The battle against wrong living and wrong teaching is a spiritual battle, requiring prayer in the Holy Spirit, THAT MEANS TIME FOR PRIVATE PERSONAL ONE ON ONE PRAYER TIME WITH JESUS, JESUS THE GOD who SEES AND KNOWS what we can not….the BATTLE ON THE SUPERNATURAL PLANE.
AND WHEN WE GET ALONE, PRAY ONE ON ONE WITH JESUS, ALL OF OUR PRAYERS AND CONVERSATIONS WITH JESUS ARE SHIELDED FROM SATAN AND HIS DEMONS…THEY ARE NOTTTTTTT ALLOWED TO EAVESDROP.
Many of our prayers are directed by our own needs, by our own intellects, or by our own wishes and desires. But there is a higher level of prayer: Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us. (Romans 8:26)
The Holy Spirit EVEN INTERCEDES FOR US IN PRAYER…JUST AS JESUS INTERCEDES FOR US WITH ALMIGHTY GOD AND PRAYS FOR US ALWAYS.
Looking for the mercy of Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life…This is a third way that we can keep ourselves in the love of God. As we keep the blessed hope of Jesus’ soon return alive in our hearts, this effectively keeps us in the love of God, and helps us to not give away our faith.
Verses 22-23 tell us to take a LOOK OUTWARD, to those around you.
“And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.”
On some HAVE compassion: Jude begins here to tell us what we must do with those who have been influenced by these certain men. We need to make a distinction, based on where they are coming from. Certainly, on some have compassion.
Using wisdom we approach different people in different manners. By being sensitive to the Holy Spirit, we CAN KNOW when we should comfort, and when we should rebuke. Christians should not abandon a friend flirting with false teaching. They should help him through it in love & prayer & GIVING THEM JESUS WORD, JESUS HOLY BIBLE TRUTH, INSTEAD OF SOME MAN-CREATED, TWISTED, REVISED RELIGIOUS TEACHING, OR WORLDLY PSYCHO-BABBLE TREND OF THE MOMENT…GIVE THEM JESUS…SHOW THEM JESUS.
This means No matter how bad a person is, or how misleading and terrible their doctrine, we are NOT allowed to HATE them - or to be unconcerned for their salvation….pray our enemies UP!
Others save with fear: This second group must be confronted more strongly - but in fear, not in a sanctimonious superiority. You may need to pull them out of the fire, but never do it in pride.
This outward look is important. It demonstrates that we are not only concerned for our own spiritual welfare. It proves that we genuinely care about OTHER Christians who are edging towards significant error. GIVE THEM JESUS!
Verses 24-25 tells us to take a look UPWARD to the God of all glory
“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever.
Amen.”
NOW TO HIM…Jude closes the letter with a famous doxology (a brief declaration of praise to God). Jude’s doxology reminds us of God’s care and of our destiny.
Who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present faultless: Jude’s message of warning and doom might have depressed and discouraged his readers. Perhaps they thought that with so much false teaching and immorality around, very few Christians would ever reach heaven. Here he reminds them that the answer lies only in the power of God THROUGH HIS PRECIOUS SON JESUS CHRIST. He is able to keep you, and you aren’t able to keep yourself.
FOR EXAMPLE, JUST AS in mountain climbing, the beginning hiker attaches himself to the expert so that if he loses his footing he won’t stumble and fall to his death. In the same manner, if we keep connected with JESUS CHRIST, we cannot fall. He keeps us safe.
SO WHAT DOES JUDE TELL US….TEACH US….?
By comparing passages of Scripture, we also find out who is really responsible for our safe keeping. Jude began the letter by addressing those who are preserved in Jesus (Jude 1:1).
Then he exhorted Christians to avoid dangerous men and to keep themselves in the love of God (Jude 1:21)
Here at the end he concluded with the recognition that it is ultimately God who keeps us from stumbling and falling. Paul put the same idea in Philippians 2:12-13: “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”
Keeping us spiritually safe is God’s work. But you can always tell the people He is working in, because they are working also. JESUS DOES NOT call us to simply let the Christian life happen to us and He doesn’t command us to save ourselves. He calls us to a PARTNERSHIP with Him.
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy: As God is faithful, we won’t have to slink shamefacedly into the presence of God. We can be presented before Him with exceeding joy.
Who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever: This all reminds us of God’s wisdom, glory, and power. Jude isn’t trying to say that we can or should give these things to God. When we acknowledge and declare the truth about God, it glorifies Him. We aren’t giving God more majesty or power than He had before; we are just recognizing and declaring it.
Both now and forever: This could also be translated “unto all the ages.” This is “as complete a statement of eternity as can be made in human language. Our victory, our triumph in God, is forever.
JUDE REMINDS US THAT THERE IS SERIOUS DECEPTION in the world and often among those who call THEMSELVES/THEIR RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION, THE ONE TRUTH FAITH, THE ONE TRUE PATH, AND STILL CALL THEMSELVES “Christians“.
There ARE enemies of the gospel who have infiltrated the church. Yet despite the greatness of the threat, God is greater still.
He wins, and if we will only stay with Him, we are guaranteed victory also.
Jude is a book full of warning, but it closes with supreme confidence in God. Dangerous times should make us trust, PRESS IN, CLING, AND FOLLOW OUR MIGHTY JESUS CHRIST.
THESE ARE THE LAST DAYS FOR CHRISTIANS (THE CHURCH/THE BRIDE OF JESUS CHRIST)....JUDE WANTS US TO STAY CLOSE TO JESUS....TO DEPEND ON HIM....TRUST HIM....COME WHAT MAY.
AND FOR THE LOST...THE MESSAGE REMAINS THE SAME...CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST NOW...WHILE YOU MAY...
BE BLESSED AND STAY BLESSED IN OUR AMAZING JESUS CHRIST!