God's Condemnation of Apostasy and False Teachers
by Cooper Abrams
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The Salutation (Jude 1)
The writer identifies himself as Jude, the servant of the Jesus Christ and the brother of James. The New Testament mentions four men by the name Judas. In Acts 9:11 Ananias is told to go to Judas' home and seek to Saul of Tarsus. Another Judas is mentioned in Acts 15:22 who bore the surname "Barsabas" but nothing beyond this statement is know of him.
There were two Apostles named Judas, Judas Iscariot (Matt. 26:14-16) and another Judas who was know as Lebbeus and Thaddeus. (Matt. 10:3). Luke 6:16 and Acts 1:13 identifies this Apostle as "Judas the brother of James" and it was he would wrote this small Epistle.
Some have questioned who was the James that was Judas' brother. There are several James's mentioned in the New Testament. One was the Apostle John's brother and there was the son of Alphaeus. (Luke 6:14-15) Jude in identifying himself as the "brother of James" stated his relationship with his well known brother James who was the half brother of the Lord Jesus. Judas was a very common name and in noting himself as the brother James the Lord's half brother, those who read the Epistle would know who he was and accept his letter.
Like Jesus's half brother James in his Epistle, Jude does not state his relationship to the Lord. Both half brothers rather humbly simply state they are the "servants" of the Jesus Christ. The word both brothers use is "doulos" meaning a slave. It refers to either an involuntary or one who was voluntary bond slave having sold himself into slavery or servitude to a master. Clearly in this case they sold themselves into the Lord's service voluntarily when they believed and received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Jude states that he is addressing the letter to those who are "sanctified by God the Father." The word sanctify means to make holy or to purify being set apart for God's use and special service. Many things in the Bible were said to be sanctified. The Sabbath Day was sanctified by God, meaning set apart for special service (Gen. 2:3). The Tabernacle and its furniture was set apart as the place of God's presence and for worship (Exod. 29:43, Lev. 8:10). Jesus was sanctified by the Father (John 10:36); food is sanctified when offered in prayer (1 Tim. 4:5). The believer is instructed to sanctify God in his heart (1 Pet. 3:15). Sanctification does not mean to purify or to make sinless, but to set apart something for God and for His service.
In relation to the Christian, sanctification refers to being set apart unto God from sin. There are three distinctly different aspects of this sanctification which refer to time. The believers has past, present, and future sanctification. Every Christian can say, "I have been sanctified; I am being sanctified; I will yet be sanctified."
The State of Believers in Jesus Christ
"Preserved" (Jude 1)
Jude states that believers are also "preserved" in Jesus Christ. The word used is "tereo" which is an interesting word. It denotes a continuing (aorist) action of watching and guarding and keeping one's eye something. Vines says, "The aorist tense regards the continuous "preservation" of the believer as a single, complete act, without reference to the time occupied in its accomplishment." 1
This stresses the absolute security of the believer in Jesus Christ. We are assured by the Lord that we are forever His and have received eternal life. Twenty six times in the New Testament God states the believer has eternal life. An additional ten times this word is translated "everlasting life" stating the believer is assured of an unending salvation. The word is aionios and means something that perpetual or without end.
The book of Jude was written in the period of 70-80 A.D. near the end of the First Century. At lest three decades had passed since the Lord Jesus returned to heaven. It has been said that the Book of Acts described the beginning of the institution of the local church and Jude deals with the ending or the end of the Church Age. The whole of the book deals with apostasy and a turning away from the faith. Thus the subject of the Book of Jude is extremely serious and must be carefully studied.
In Luke 18:1-8, the Lord Jesus told a parable of a woman who persistently appealed to the ruling judge to avenge her of an adversary. This unjust judge being wearied by the widow's pleading, finally agreed to avenge her. Jesus then said "And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:7-8 ). This refers to the state of truth at the end of the coming seven year Tribulation which ends with the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Although innumerable people will be saved during these seven years, most will be martyred by the forces of the Antichrists and the False prophet. Jesus' reference though is the fact that only a remnant of true believers will remain alive at His Second Coming. There will be great religion on earth, lead by the False prophet, but because of the growing apostasy religion will be devoid of truth.
Paul warned Timothy that there was coming a time when people would not abide sound doctrine. Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:1-5 "I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry." Thus Paul speaks of the trend towards apostasy which means that once sound churches will turn from God's turn unto false doctrine. This apostasy will be marked by people who turn from the true worship of God to a worship of carnality. In other words these church change from preaching God's word and edifying the Body of Christ to one of satisfying the "lust of the flesh." These churches and people, "heap" meaning to magnify, to themselves smooth (itching ears) talking false teachers compromise and then abandon God's word to please the people. Without question we in 2005 are seeing the results of the trend that began many years ago. The Charismatic/Pentecostal movements have rejected sound doctrine and have changed the worship of Almighty God into a show where people coming in to services that are akin to ungodly rock music concerts.
Mainline Protestant denominations who in the past held some semblance of truth have totally abandoned God word and teach the heresy of a works plus grace salvation. Many of these denominations are ordaining women preachers in clear violation of God's word. Even worse they are meeting in order to vote on whether they will allow homosexuals and lesbians to officiate as pastors and their priests. With growing furor this trend has already destroyed many churches and without question in a short time will render these group devoid of any biblical truth.
Jude lastly states that believers are "called." The word Jude uses is kletos and refers to one who is invited or summoned. 1 Corinthians 1:9 says "God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord." Jesus in Revelation 3:20 states that He stands knocking at our hearts door seeking to save us from our sins. Revelation 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Luke 19:10 states, "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." Thus God has called all men to come and receive the salvation through Jesus Christ the Lord. The calling is the preaching of the Gospel, the Good news that Jesus the Christ has come and He suffered and died for our sins and was resurrected on the third day, victorious over sin and death. Thus because of His atoning work, a man by simple faith in Jesus Christ can be forgiven of their sins and received eternal life.
The Source of Strength in the Christian Life
Jude 2
The believer receives salvation by the mercy of God. This is the result of God's love for us as His creation. There is no more profound truth in God's word than the fact of the love God has extended to man. Yet, all men to do not reap the benefit of His love because they separate themselves from God. He offers totally forgiveness of sins and eternal life, but He does not force it upon us. Many a child has broken the hearts of their parents by rejecting their love and rebelling against them. This is the same thing that most men do. God offers His love freely and generously, however few accept His love and the resulting benefits His love brings.
God's love is limited by His the fact He is also just in all things. The sin debt man owes the Lord Jesus Christ has paid. However, the payment can only be applied to those who will accept it. If a person rejects God, he rejects the only mean there is to pay for his sins. God's only requirement for a man is to believe Him when He says He is our Savior and that He suffered and died for our sins and that He arose from the dead and defeated both sin and death for us.
Jude in his salutation extends his well wishes for those who would read his epistle by first wishing for them that they have experienced the wonderful mercy of God. Mercy is only needed by those that are guilty and have experienced sin. The word "mercy" addresses need for relief from the misery that sins causes. All sin has a destructive effect in our lives and Jude is wishing that believers would experience God's comfort from sin. This would naturally apply to the believer, but it would also apply to those around us. Other men's sins effect us also. Sin makes a victim of the one committing the sin and also those to whom come in contact with the sinner.
Jude continues by stating his desire that their peace and love be multiplied. The peace of God is available to the one who believes and puts their trust in Jesus Christ. (See John 14:27) Romans 5:1-2 states this truth, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." That peace is something that the unsaved man cannot understand.
Paul said in Philippians 4:6-7 "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." God gives the Christian a new nature which can experience this unexplainable peace that comes with salvation. The child of God knows that whatever his circumstance his will always be in God's family, brought and paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ. He has the assurance that God will keep him and see him safely to heaven.(See 2 Tim. 1:12, 1 Peter 1:3-4) This is especially meaningful because we know that we are all sinners and prone to fail. Yet, we have God sure promise never to forsake us. (See Heb. 13:5)
Though we have the peace of God in our hearts it does not mean that we automatically experience the comfort that peace brings. Paul explains this in Romans 8:6 "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." There is not peace for the person who is carnally minded whether they are a Christian or not. In Galatians 5:22 the Lord says that one of the fruits of the Spirit is peace and verse 25 states if a believer is in fact saved and living in the Spirit, we ought also to walk in the Spirit. Clearly, a believer can live apart of the Lord and that is why Ephesians 5:18 says, "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit." Therefore the word of God reveals that every child of God has the ability to fully experience God's peace in their lives. His is also true that sin will cause us to lose our peace. By receiving the mercy of God we can be cleansed of our sinning and know God's perfect peace. (See 1 John 1:9) Peace then is multiplied when one who knows the Lord lives their lives obediently and purely for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Love too is multiplied by the same process. Loving others is not automatic but is based on a person's conscious commitment to desire and work for the welfare of others. Ephesians 5:2 presents this encouraging us to ". . . walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour." Both peace and love come from the quality of one's walk in Christ. Both grow in the fertile soil of a contrite heart which directs the believer in obedience and commitment to God.
No one can serve God apart from serving others. The one who has experienced God's love and is grateful for it, will then past the love they received on to others. Biblical love, (Agape love) is the sincere desire for the well being of others that is placed into action.
Judas' Purpose in Writing this Epistle
Jude 3
No pastor or teacher likes to dwell on the negative, but rather prefers to exhort or uplifting his hears. It is much more cheerful to talk about the positive things in God's word, and a positive message is more likely to please the audience. But in reality the Bible has more negative things to say than positive. Jesus spoke more about hell than He did about heaven. The largest percentage of His teaching was in warning against sin and disobedience to God. When Jesus began His ministry of teaching and performing miracles great numbers of people followed Him. His theme was of the coming kingdom God had promised the Jews. It along with His feeding the people was well received. However, when He began to rebuke the Jewish leaders and people of their sin and hypocrisy they began to leave Him in mass. The religious leaders even began to plot to kill Him. His message, like ours should be today, was one of hope, salvation and also warning them about the people of consequences of sin.
Jude states his heart's desire was to write on the subject of their common salvation in Jesus Christ. However, because many were turning away from the faith there was a great need to bring to their remembrance the growing apostasy and challenge them to earnestly contend for the faith.
He begins by addressing them as "beloved." The term refers to people loved by God and also by the writer. It is a term of special endearment used of people one is close too and has a special relationship. The word carries the meaning of someone deeply caring for another person. Using the title authenticates the importance of what the writer is about to say in the letter. The word says, "Following is a message that comes from the heart, shows my concern for you and is one of great importance."
He reminds them of the need to "contend for the faith once delivered unto the saint." It is a sad fact that as time progresses professing Christians and churches abandon their heritage and the truth they once held. They buy into the idea that, the things which were done in the past is of little or no value today. Truth and doctrine become "old fashion" and modern self proclaimed intellectuals belittle their biblical heritage with their new ideas they claim are better. They promote the idea that everything in the past is outdated and has been made ineffective by time. For example, the hymns of the faith, based on the word of God that, nourished and uplifted the saints of God for decades is now boring. So these new "leaders" lead their congregation to sing catchy entertaining two or three line choruses that do not present Scripture, but are rather only little religious clichés. In most cases the first thing to go is spiritual discernment which is followed by a decline in the church's music and is accompanied by weak water down preaching. Thus the pulpit becomes a stage for the preacher to entertain his audience and by this time God has long ago left the congregation. God will not be a party to apostasy and a watering down of His word.
Barnes makes an excellent statement concerning the men who come into churches and lead them astray. "The apostle (Jude) now gives a reason for thus defending the truth, to wit, that there were artful and wicked men who had crept into the church, pretending to be religious teachers, but whose doctrines tended to sap the very foundations of truth." 1 The fact these false teachers were able to creep into a church shows the shepherd of the church and/or the people had let their guard down. They clearly were complacent and content watchmen sleep on the job.
The word "ordained" means it was "fore written." The Lord Jesus warns us of these "wolves in sheep's clothing:
Paul also warned of this coming turning from the faith:
Churches are rarely destroyed from outside. It is the Devil's cunning trick to send in a uncalled man who is poorly trained and equipped for the ministry. The "hirelings" having no call of God rather aspire to the ministry as a profession. They are smooth talkers and trained often well versed in modern psychology. There message is weak and watery and contains no meat. In order to hold the crowd they turn to music and emotion.
It behooves every church of God that loves the Lord and His word to be on guard. Satan has such a man readily and available to move and take over every sound biblical church. These outward charismatic preachers change the grace of God into lasciviousness which means something indecent, wanton and without restraint. 1
Can anyone deny that we can see this every day on the show called "Christian TV Networks" on which the TV evangelists hawk their false health and wealth gospel. These evil men are well received by the public, which is attest to by the millions of dollars they receive. They have disgraced the word of God and the Lord's wonderful grace and turned it into a con to make riches for themselves. Many of these are women who blatantly take the position of a preacher of the gospel in defiance of God's stated word that He never calls a woman to be a preacher.
The acts of leading God's people away from the truth means they deny the Lord and Jesus Christ. They clearly have no fear of God and trample on God's word as if it were dirt. Their hearts are seared as if with a hot iron to the acceptance of biblical truth. They use the Bible stealing from it familiar phrases and passages which they twist into tools to aid their deception. Most of the all the while speaking in glowing terms of how much the love the Lord.
In Paul's instructions to Titus he admonished him to hold fast to God's truth. Titus 1:9-11 "Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake."
The last phrase of the above verse gives the main motive these people in the name of God actually deny Him. They do so for the sake of "filthy lucre" or money. They have sold their souls to the Devil and they reward is filthy money.
The Pretenders - the Apostate False Teachers
Jude 4
As Jesus warned in Matthew 7:15 there are men, who are false teachers and the actual enemies of God who will come into a congregation of God's people to destroy them by corrupting God's truth. Jesus said they are wolves who come in sheep's clothing to disguise their true identity and intent.
The phrase "before of old ordained to the condemnation" means their appearance and sinful work was predicted. The Greek word "pareisduno" translated "crept in unawares" is a unique word only used this once in the New Testament. It describes the use of cunning words and clever deceptions. In extra biblical use in the First Century the word was used of a criminal who secretly slipped back into the country after being expelled. It literally means to "go down into and alongside." So these "certain" men who are cunning deceivers secretly slip into a church and clever begin to destroy it. Jude uses the term "lasciviousness" to describe the acts of these men who pervert God's grace. The word "lascivious" means to be wanton or lustful in nature. These false teachers engage in shameless conduct. Some years ago ABC's Prime Time Live investigated Robert Tilton, TV evangelists and healer. I have the program on tape in my library. I watched him go to the front row of the audience and pick up a walking crane and held it high in the air. He looked down and told a man sitting there he was healed and to get and run to the back of the church. He did as he was told running down the aisle to the back of the church. The congregation went wild! Tilton shouting told the people to see what God had done. When interviewed at the back of the church a few minutes later by the reporter the man was asked about he apparent healing. The man said "Mam, I wasn't healed, that cane belonged to the woman sitting beside me!" Dianne Sawyer asked him then, "Why did you run to the back of the church?" The man answered, "Well, he told me to so I did it." This was a demonstration of the lasciviousness God says is the nature of these evil people. Further the word is used to describe a person who is lewd or sexually sensual. These are undisciplined, unruly, ungodly people who are hard to control. Clearly today these traits are very apparent in the pulpits and congregations of the modern contemporary churches and the televangelist. Paul repeatedly warned against these people who creep into churches and destroy them. When he left Ephesus he gave them stein instructions. It was a serious matter for the Apostle. " Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears" (Acts 20:28-31). These false teachers present themselves a being wonderful people who love the Lord, all the while denying the God and the Lord Jesus by their false doctrines and practices. They come as nice, intellectual, and caring people. Yet, as 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 says they are the agents of Satan. "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works" (2 Corinthians 11:14-15). Satan is not some hideous red creature with horns and a pointed tail, and he comes as an "angel (messenger) of light." He comes with some new teaching that tickles the ears of his hearers and he leads unwary people astray. Note what Paul said about them to young Timothy. "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away" (2 Timothy 3:1-5). They appear to be godly sincere people who have a form of godliness. These are not outwardly evil people, but people who are very religious and have a charisma about them that disarms people and causes people to follow them. As pastor, several times in my ministry I have had such people in the church I pastored. In the first church I was involved with planting, the man who had been holding services before I got there was spiritually weak and untrained in God's word. He was not discerning and allowed a couple from a false church to join this church. They have been a thorn in the side of that church ever since. They clearly and openly do not hold to the biblical doctrines on which the church was founded. Yet, they have a lot of money and generously gave to the church this endeared them to the congregation. They are outwardly a nice couple which made it impossible for me as the pastor to remove them from the membership. I had no support from the congregation who were completely deceived by this couple who appeared to be "ministers of righteousness" all the while corrupting God work there. They knew I saw them for what they were and clandestinely they lead a campaign against me the six years I was there and finally were responsible partly for my leaving. Jesus wanted us to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees in Matthew 16:6. Leaven in the Bible represents an evil influence that permeates the congregation. It perverts God's truth and work and effectively limits God's ability to work. The effect of having this element in a church is that it prevents God's blessings and work. The Devil knows that God cannot bless false teachings and practices and those that compromise. His word mixing truth and error. Therefore Satan sends in those who are unbelievers . . . as Jude says "denying the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ" by their actions. Understand that openly these deceivers are very subtle in how they deny the Lord. They will outward claim to love God but actually be apostates who do not believe God's word. The gambit of apostasy goes from those who profess Jesus as their Savior but deny. Him by the lives they live, to those who openly denying even. His deity. In a real sense, a person who claims to be a Christian and does not live for the Lord is, in truth, denying Him. Such people do not fear God and have no appreciation for His person and righteousness. They live with a false sense of immunity from God's judgment of sin, which marks them as being unbelievers. The warning should not fall on deaf ears. Pastors and congregations should be diligent in discernment ever watchful for Satan's attempts to corrupt God's truth and destroy His work. They should be supportive of their pastor who God has called to lead the flock and protect them from the wolves who come in sheep's clothing."I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire" (Jude 5-7).
Jude uses several examples of God's actions in past history as a reminder that God is a just God and will judge sin and disobedience. When God delivered the Children of Israel from Egypt, He did so with many miracles. Israel was crying out in their bondage and asking God for deliverance from Pharaoh (See Exodus 2:23-25). God then graciously brought them out of Egypt and promised to protect and care for them. Many believed God, but others, although physically having been delivered from Egypt really did not believe God. That was apparent by their murmuring and disobedience. At Kadeshbarnea God brought them to the threshold of their new land, a land of milk and honey. He promised to fight for them and as He had when He delivered them from Egypt. God promised that He would deliver them also from the Canaanites. Yet, when the spies returned from shying out the land only Joshua and Caleb showed themselves to be believers. The rest did not believe God's promises and refused to move into Canaan on faith trusting in God. Their unbelief caused God to not be able to bless them. He cannot bless when people will not in faith believe His word. So God condemned them all, except Joshua and Caleb, to wander in the desert for forty years until every adult in Israel had died that had not believed God.God's past blessing does not assure that He will continue to bless when people follow false teachers and go into apostasy and reject God by their unbelief. At Kadeshbarnea, God's man, Moses, told them of God's plan and of His promise to give them the land. But the people listened to the nine faithless and unbelieving spies. Rather than believe God's word, delivered to them by Moses, who was without question God's prophet, they followed the ungodly spies who denied God.
This is the warning of Jude. God's people must be discerning and believe God or suffer the consequences. With God's people it is not a matter of not knowing God's will and truth, because we have God's word which clearly instructs us. However, the problem is that faithless men ignore God's promises and allow themselves to be deceived. Today there are many faithful men in God's pulpits preaching God's truth and warning their congregations of sin and disobedience. Yet, often comes along a "nice" more impressive leader and with eloquent speech cunningly leads the people astray. The result will always be the same as it was with Israel. God destroyed not only the unrighteous spies, but all the unbelievers in Israel and this is a solemn warning that He will do so whenever people reject Him.
Many a church because of following false teachers has gone into apostasy and should have the name Ichabod written across it doors meaning that the glory of the Lord has departed. (See 1 Sam. 4:19-22) Rarely, if ever does a church that abandons God's truth ever repent and return to God. The little foxes spoil the vines, which means small seemingly insignificant compromises in God's word are the leaven that destroys the lump. God forbid that any true pastor or child of God become complacent and give an inch of ground to the wolves that are ever circling our congregations ready to devour. Jude in verse six gives another example of God's unwavering justice. Satan rebelled against God and lead a fourth of the angels in heaven to disobey God. (See Ezekiel 28:12-14, Isaiah 14:12-15) God, however did not spare them and has reserved "everlasting chains under darkness" to be eternally punished and condemned in the Lake of Fire. These angels committed a terrible atrocity by willingly rebelling against God and following Satan and God confined them in a special place and they are there today. Note too that the statement "under darkness" is added to further describe their plight. The Lake of Fire is represented as permeated by fire, yet this fire produces no light. The place is in utter or complete darkness. There is not contact with others in the darkness of the Lake of Fire and this verse seems to imply the inhabitants are in complete isolation. It is vital that we understand that the angels chose to leave "their first estate." With the full knowledge of God and who He is, they willingly refused to believe Him and thus rebelled and condemned themselves. In the same way, Jude is warning people who know of God, even with a head knowledge of His existence which all men have, that if they reject God they too put themselves beyond God's mercy and into His wrath. Peter also uses the same examples in presenting the truth of the judgment of God against those who reject God's truth. "And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly" (2 Peter 2:3-6). At this point it needs to be emphasized that those that went into apostasy were not saved people or angels. The angels were untried and when the test came of whether they believed and honor God or not a portion of them rejected Him. Those in churches that lead apostasy are not saved born again people. They are people who have "religion" but do not have the new birth. They give some intellectual accent to the existence of God, but it is not from the heart and they have not submitted themselves to Christ in faith. The true believer who puts his faith in Jesus Christ which a heart felt faith are saved as Romans 10:10 states. It is true that a believer can turn from following the Lord. 1 John 5:16 states there is sin a Christian can commit which will leads to his physical death. (See 1 Corinthians 11:28-31, Hebrews 12:6-10) The true child of God cannot fall away from God's grace and be lost, but he can fall into sin. Hebrews 6:4-11 explains that it is impossible for one who is born again, receiving the Spirit of God to be lost. The impossibility of a Christian being lost is shown in that if it were possible Christ would have to be crucified again. In verse seven, the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha are presented as a further demonstration that God will judge and punish sin. Jude says the Sodomites gave themselves over to the gross sin of homosexuality. In other words they willing chose the lifestyle they knew was wrong. God destroyed both cities and its inhabitants in judgment for their blatant sin. Here the extent of the judgment is stated in that their judgment was the "vengeance (punishment) of eternal fire."A professor of mine told the account of a young woman who attended the same Christian college he did. She was the epitome of a Christian. She dressed right, talked right, lived right and was in the limelight as the perfect example of a born again young woman. Several years later it was learned after she left the school she was found on Bourbon Street in New Orleans working as a stripper. She is a perfect example of an apostate. She knew the truth and even lived for a time by God's principles, but she willingly turned her back on God and went the way of Satan.
Jesus in the parable of the sower described the seed that fell by the way side. The Lord speaking of these seed said in Mark 4:15-17: "And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended." Clearly Jesus is saying that although God's word was received initially with gladness they never allowed to take root in their lives and what they learned of God did not affect their salvation. When something came in their lives that distracted them the Lord no longer, appealed to them. In verses 5-7 Jude warned about past apostasies in the Old Testament and of its consequences. God judged those who turned from God's truth and He "in like manner" (verse 8) will continue to do so with all who reject Him today. Jude calls these false teachers "filthy dreamers." The word "filthy" correctly added by the King James Bible translators explains the state of these apostate teachers. It emphasizes the seriousness and degree of sin they commit. Paul describes them in Romans 1:21-23."Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen."
Jude associates the sin of these false teachers using three Old Testament characters. Each one of these mentioned had a particular sin that marked their lives in opposing God and misleading God's people.
Cain was an arrogant man who knew of God and His truth but willingly rejected Him. Instead of accepting God's word literally as God instructed Adam and Eve, who conveyed it to their two sons, he twisted it to fit his own ideas. Cain had not respect for God. He rejected God's stated instruction about offering an animal sacrifice and as a farmer offered fruit from his field's to God. Cain was the first apostate. God's purpose in giving them the instruction of offering an animal sacrifice was to fore shadow the coming promised Messiah. (See Genesis 3:15) Everything that the Lord has instructed man to do religiously He always explained. Cain and Abe knew the animal sacrifice pre-pictured the coming sacrifice for sin of the Savior. Yet, Cain would not accept giving a blood sacrifice because he had no faith or trust in God. (See Hebrews 11:4) When it was rejected by God Cain showed his rebellion by becoming "very wroth, and his countenance fell." (Genesis 4:5). Sin and evil will away accompany false doctrine. Cain in anger, rose up against his brother Abe and murdered him. Liberal theologians of our day like Cain reject God literal instructions and formulate their own religious practices which deny God. They deny the supernatural, the deity of Jesus Christ and God as our Creator and the Supreme Being of the Universe. When the Bible literally states that Jesus gave up the spirit and allowed Himself to die....they say He wasn't really dead, but only in an unconscientious state. This means is was not really God, nor is the resurrection truth. The purport Jesus was simply a good man whose example we should follow, but He was not the Savior of the word literally...but only a Savior in showing us how to save ourselves. These apostate teachers pervert God's very word and deny what it clearly teaches. In our day literal theologians have concludes that God is not against homosexually. They say the account of God destroying Sodom and Gomorrah was not about homosexually but that the Sodomites were destroyed because they were planning to assault the angels that visited Lot.(See Genesis 19:4-5) The liberals blatantly deny what the words state. The term "know" or "knew" is used in Genesis 4:17 of Cain having relations with his wife and producing a child. It is also used in the same way of Adam and Joseph referring to sexual relations. Clearly, when men stated they wanted to "know" the men angels it meant they wanted to have a homosexual relation with them. This is but one of hundreds of examples of how the apostate "theologians" of our day pervert God word and deny Him. The apostate's actions are also like Balaam's in Genesis 22-25. When Balak, the king of Moab, wanted to defeat Israel he called on a false prophet to aid him. God then visited Balaam and told him not to curse Israel because He had blessed them. Balaam then, fully knowing the will of God having received instruction direct from Him went to Balak and said he could not curse Israel and he left. Balak now satisfied sends more persuasive princes to Balaam and asked once again for his help. Balaam then, fully knowing what was God's will, said he would come if the king would give him "a house full of silver and gold." (See Genesis 22:18). As Balaam headed to see Balak and collect his house full of gold and silver an angel blocked his way. The ass that Balaam was riding saw the angel and refused to go forward. Three times Balaam beat the ass and finally God opened the mouth of the ass and it spoke to Balaam, rebuking him for his actions. God then opens Balsam's eyes so he could see the angel. Balaam falls to the ground and confesses that he has sinned against God. He then goes on to Balak and once again refuses to aid him telling him that God has forbidden him to do so. Balak the king is undeterred and once again seeks Balaam sending him sheep and oxen to entice him to come. Once again God meets Balaam when he offers sacrifices on seven altars. God once again tells Balaam He has blessed Israel and Balaam is not to curse them. He in Balak's presence offers a blessing on Israel. Numbers 31:16 explains that Balaam in spite of what God said advised the women of Moab to commit idolatry and immorality with the men of Israel. They did so and corrupted the men of Israel and brought on Israel God's judgment. Thus the sin of Balaam is of selling one's soul for money and financially gain. These "professional" preachers and theologians fully understanding their sin sell themselves for money. These men are in the ministry for money and they will do everything to get as much as they can. They will lie and misled to please the people, claiming to serve God, but in truth serving for "filthy lucre" or money. (1 Peter 5:2) Peter furthers says in 1 Peter 2:3, they make merchandise of the people. The TV and radio are full of Balaamites, ungodly men of the modern tongues movement who preach a false gospel in God's name deceiving thousands and milking them of their money. The men of Israel were gullible and had a bent toward sin and when the opportunity came the went into idolatry and immorality. Sadly, so many people follow the liberals and false teaches of our day like little puppy dogs, seemingly blind to lies of these false men and women. They are gullible, because they seek health and wealth from God instead of salvation and spiritual conversion. Jude say these false teachers have "perished in the gainsaying of Co're (Korah). The word "gainsaying" means "against the word." (Greek - anitlogia) Korah was Moses' cousin who resented that he was excluded from being a priest. He also in a show of pride envied Moses as being Israel's leader. Koran then lead a rebellion against Moses telling people the false message that they did not need Moses or priests. Over two hundred and fifty in Israel followed him in his rebellion against God and Moses. They rejected God's order of having special appointed priest to minister before Him for the people. The reason for the priesthood was to pre-shadow the coming of the Messiah who would be the One who would be the Savior and Intermediary for the people. Korah told the people they did not need an Intermediary....and could administer for themselves thus denying God's promise of the Redeemer. God dealt with Korah directly and the ground opened up and swallowed him, his family and even their houses and goods. God sent a fire and consumed those two hundred and fifty men who believed Korah and offered a false incense on the altar to God. Korah taught a works salvation that men could save themselves by their own works and in doing so rejected God's salvation. Those that follow in Korah's footsteps deny the need of Jesus Christ and His atoning work on the cross. They preach a works salvation. It is the idea so often heard which says, "We all are working in our way to God, only in different ways and God honors them all." The apostates of today are reflected in the statements of the Billy Graham, the popular evangelist that so many people follow hold in such high regard. An example of his apostasy is found in 1978 in McCall's Magazine. Graham said "I used to think that pagans in far-off countries were lost -- were going to hell -- if they did not have the Gospel of Jesus Christ preached to them. I no longer believe that. ... I believe there are other ways of recognizing the existence of God -- through nature, for instance -- and plenty of other opportunities, therefore, of saying yes to God." How subtle does the apostate Billy Graham deny God's word which says... "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). Graham's an example of a typical apostate is reflected in his statement to Time Magazine in which he denied hell is a place of literal fire. Graham said, "The only thing I could say for sure is that hell means separation from God. We are separated from His light, from His fellowship. That is going to hell. When it comes to a literal fire, I don't preach it because I'm not sure about it. When the Scripture uses fire concerning hell, that is possibly an illustration of how terrible it's going to be -- not fire but something worse, a thirst for God that cannot be quenched." (11/15/93, Time Magazine). Jude explains that the apostate false teacher rebels against God's instruction and makes up his own teachings contrary to what he knows God has said. He is a "hireling" who is in the ministry for the money he can make and he will lie and deceive in order to keep the money rolling in. He degrades God and God's truth. He teaches a works salvation perverting what he has been clearly taught.
The feast that Jude refers to where called "love feast" and are addressed by Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:20-22. The verse is saying these people, who were at their love feasts, were "spots" in their fellowship. A spot normally thought of a is something that has contaminated what otherwise would be pure. Here the word refers to a hidden rock or reef under the sea that could rip the bottom out of a ship. The false teacher is an ever present danger lurking just out of sight waiting to destroy the unwary ship.
The description continues saying they are clouds without water carried about by of winds. A cloud without water can produce no rain on which plants must have. These waterless cloud look like productive clouds but are empty. Further they carried about of the wind. Within the last decade we have seen examples of a number of these teachers who with great fanfare and excitement promote new movements. One of the worst was the Promise Keepers Movement with its unbiblical teachings, which for a time made the founders a great amount of money. Other such empty promotions are the "prayer of Jabez" that made its promoters millions of dollars. It too ignored the context of the 1 Corinthians 4:10 and the situation in which this prayer was prayed and used it to promote the false health and wealth gospel. These movements are promoted as offering great spiritual benefit, but all fail in time because they are not based on biblical principles and in the end leave men spiritually empty. Jude says they are like trees whose fruit withers, have no fruit who are "twice dead plucked up by the roots." Jesus said in Matthew 15:13 "But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up." The analogy is that these apostate teachers are like barren and worthless trees that are good for nothing but to be plucked up and destroyed. False teachers are spiritual dead inside and cannot produce good fruit. Jude says they are "twice dead" which means that like trees in the winter they dead and are devoid of leaves and fruit. Even when summer comes these trees remain dead showing they have no life in them. It is easy to see the anger of Jude in his description of the apostate teachers who secretly invade churches. He recognizes their destructive and evil influence on a local congregation and its ministry and "righteous indignation" rises in him being God's true servant and messenger. Several times the Bible uses a raging sea to describe the unsaved. Like a raging sea which is in turmoil so is the one who does not know God. Jude paints a picture of despair which typifies the life of a man apart from God wandering without true purpose and headed towards the darkness of the final judgment reserved for the sinner who rejects God.It is interesting that Jude mentions that Enoch, who was the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied of the coming of these apostate teachers. Genesis 5:24 say of Enoch, "And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him." He was unique because he pleased God and the Lord took him to heaven directly and he did not see death.
Enoch was the only prophet before Noah the Bible mentions. The Bible only mentions the prophecy of Enoch here and it shows the man of God that Jude was in that God through him revealed this truth that no one else knew. 2 Peter 1:21 says "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." Enoch prophesied of the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus and also of the apostates who would also come. Enoch said, "To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage." (Jude 15-16) Enoch foretold that Jesus would come with "ten thousands of his saints." The word "saints" is translated from the Greek word "hagios" which means a "holy one." The number expressed means tens of thousands or a great number of holy ones. What a comfort and joy it is to know that those who have believed and placed their faith in Jesus Christ will be among this great throng of God's children. We will return to earth after being Raptured at the being of the Tribulation and then standing before Christ in the BEMA judgment (1 Cor. 3:10-15). The born again Christians will return in the Lord's army and will serve Him in His Millennial Kingdom which He promised to Israel and for all eternity. Enoch says that when the Lord returns He comes to execute judgment. This is given as a stern warning to the apostate teachers and predicts their doom. In this present time the false teachers boldly proclaim their false teachings and practice their unbiblical deeds. They by their actions defy Almighty God, but at this time they are called to task. The phrase "convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed" should shake the apostates to their core. The word "convince" means to bring conviction. They denied God in their lives, but at the Second Coming they will no more rebel and blaspheme God's word. No longer will these godless people deceive the people. Their end has come and the Lord begins swift judgment with him. These false and apostate people can be identified by their character. They are murmurers or grippers forever complaining about something. Their lives are marked by pursuing the lusts of their flesh. They are great talkers always having a comment on everything that is brought up and they with "swelling words" meaning with pompous arrogance present themselves as experts on everything. The phrase "having men's persons in admiration because of advantage" is a literal rendering of the Greek text. It means the people use flattery to get the advantage over people. Everyone likes to be complimented and have nice things said about them and it is a power tool for those seeking to dupe other people and control them. These are the "positive" preachers who play up to the audience and preach to please the crowd. They are the leaders of most Protestant denominations who have taken the word "hell" or songs that mention hell from their hymn books. These are men who smile like "Cheshire cats" all the while praising everyone and everything thing. Preaching on hell or warning men of the consequences of sin is taboo with them and they certainly they would not say anything that would offend the sinner or expose his sin. Their's is a social gospel of a false love and good well that waters down God's truth and corrupts it with human psychology that neither saves or comforts the sinner.
If the letter had stopped at verse 16 surely the believer would be left discouraged and frustrated at learning of the power of the apostates in working against truth and the gospel. It is always deserting to know that one's church can be so easily penetrated by those that follow Satan and who disrupt the work of God. On one wants to learn there may be traitors in their group.
However, Jude offers encouragement and reminds the child of God of the words of the Apostles about the Lord Jesus. Jude is saying this is not something that was unexpected, but it was predicted. The Apostles plainly said there would be "mockers" in the last or end times who would be in the churches and who would be living for themselves satisfying their ungodly lusts. These false teachers would separate themselves for God's people and from truth and mislead many. We have to look no further to find the apostate teachers who have formed hundreds of Christian cults, all claiming to be founded by God, but whose doctrines show them to be the servants of Satan. In the mid 1800's after the Great Awakening of the turn of the 19th Century their arose a storm of these false teachers getting to themselves congregations of gullible people who allowed themselves to be mislead. During this period there arose the apostate religions of the Jehovah's Witnesses, the Mormons, the Campbellites and the Church of Christ and a host of other false teachers. Literally millions have followed their ungodly teachings which have damned the souls of innumerable men and women to hell who believed their lies. Once again Jude uses the word "sensual." These apostate false teachers were all exposed to the truth and the word of God, but each of the founders of the cults rejected God's truth and like Cain invented their own religion. These ungodly men thought themselves spiritually higher and superior than the ordinary man. Jude is saying these men present themselves as being great spiritual leaders, but they in truth are totally physical or men driven by sensual lusts. Think of the scandals associated with the founders of the modern cults and of the modern televangelist who hawk their false gospel to line their pockets. Further there are the intellectuals theologians and liberal church leaders who look down their long noses at the fundamentalists and those who believe the Bible literally with ridicule and disdain. With their perceived superior intellect they belittle anyone who is not their crowd. Many are awed by their false superiority and outward charisma, but as Jude said in verse 12 they are barren of life and twice dead. The contrast between the false apostates and those who believe and serve God is without comparison. One is empty, ungodly and devoid any glimmer of anything spiritual or worthwhile. These apostates parade on their stages with great pomp and ceremony offering those who follow them a higher religion than those who are so simple minded that they in child like faith accept God's word. The others is a humble child of God, who has received the very spirit of God, in the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The true and godly believers is growing in the Lord and building their lives on a most holy faith. They are those that are prayer warriors realizing their frailty and dependence on God and are ever praying seeking God's help and guidance for their lives. These godly saints of God by their faithfulness and obedience keep themselves in the love of God, seeking His mercy and salvation through the work of Jesus Christ.
"Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen" (Jude 24-25).
In the face of such powerful forces that are working against the cause of Christ one could become discouraged. It often seems like the Devil is winning all the battles and our efforts to reach the lost are constantly being sabotaged. The false teachers have great resources that use to reach millions of people. Their deceptive message is cunning and it lures gullible men and women. We feel like John the Baptist, a ". . . voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight" (Matthew 3:3). Jude is saying that in spite of the false teachers our salvation is secure in Christ Jesus. He is able to keep us from falling. It is God who keeps us saved and will not allow any of His children to be lost. God says assures us of this say, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" (1 Peter 1:3-5). It is ironic that most of the false teachers teach that believers can lose their salvation. However, they do so in clear denial of God's stated promise. The believer is not in danger of losing his salvation. The false teachers hammer away at their audiences using the threat of a person losing their salvation as one of their cunning devices to keep people loyal to them and sending in the money. The believer is told clearly that he will one day be presented faultless before the presence of the Lord. That will be a wonderful day to see unobstructed the glory of God and experience the "exceeding joy" of finally being delivered from the sin of this world. Most people think that when they meet God it will be a fearful thing and that is true for the unsaved. But to the contrary it will be a joyous moment for the believer who has put his faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ. We will be home! We will see the One who redeemed us and has made us His children. We should take great comfort in the truth of our promised homecoming. We can only in this life understand what a great salvation God has prepared for us. But this we know.......it will be wonderful and beyond our most imaginative expectations. This truth should stir our hearts toward praising and honoring the Him who is our Savior. Yes, all glory and majesty, dominion, and power is His and best of all it is now and forever. The believer has the abiding presence of the Lord now, right now to aid him in his struggles with sin and in the opposition of Satan. When I was in Vietnam, I was stationed a Tan Son Nhut Air Base just outside Saigon. When the VC would mortar the base it was frightening in the first few minutes as mortars began to explode. But I knew that within a few moments those that guarded the base would return fire and I was fully confident that in a few minutes the attack would be over because we were defended by brave and well trained men. In spite of the danger of the moment, my spirit was calm. I trusted our defenders. I knew they were good men. Jude here in the closing words of the small Epistle is offering us calming truth. Our God is all powerful and wonderful beyond our comprehension. He is able and we are in no real danger! Our salvation is secure in the Person of Jesus Christ who is omnipotent, omniscience and omnipresent. He has promised to return and told of many details of His coming final victory. Our task is to be faithful and take our comfort and strength from God's promises and with God's help we will! END NOTES:
2. W.E. Vines, An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, Nashville:Thomas Nelson, 1985, p485.
3. Albert Barnes, Barnes', Barnes' Notes on the New Testaments, SwordSeacher 4.5 Bible software, Jude 4. 4. Vines, p353. December 2005
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