Commentary on The Book of Jude

                                         

Intro
Jude is the brother of James – the author of the Book of James, and the half-brother of Jesus Christ. Jude initially did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah until he rose from the dead (John 7:5; 1 Cor 15:6). Scholars declare this book was written around 68-70 A.D. before the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans. No specific audience is identified, but we know that Jude is addressing believers because in his salutation he says, “Those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ (vs.1).” This can only make reference to believers.
Jude’s letter was to discuss our common salvation, but the Spirit of God guided him in another direction.

What Jude had to discuss to his readers
Jude had to warn his readers to contend earnestly for the faith once and for all delivered unto the saints. To contend earnestly means to wage war. To be a combatant for the truth. This is a truth war. Why? Because of evil men, false teachers have perverted the grace of God into a word we do not use in everyday language, licentiousness. It is a word that means without moral restraint. These evil doers were dragging the grace of God underfoot as an occasion to do evil. Jude goes on to describe them in great detail:
1.      They defile the flesh - this means they are sexually deviant. They are likened to Sodom and Gomorrah who God destroyed for their immorality. They are also likened to those who were delivered from Egypt but died in the wilderness due to unbelief. Also, they are like the Angels that sinned in Genesis 6 by not keeping their first estate. God has consigned them to eternal bonds of darkness (vv 5-7).
2.      They also do not respect authority – they are rebellious. To despise human authority is to despise God who created human authority (Romans 13). Jude gives a cosmic example of the situation regarding the body of Moses. Michael the archangel and Satan disputed about the body of Moses. Why was this dispute taking place? Some believe that if the children of Israel knew where Moses’ body was buried, the site would become an object of worship which is idolatry.  Pretty much what many people do today when they visit the gravesites of their loved ones. They talk to the site as if the dead can hear them. Michael did not rebuke Satan himself but declared, “The Lord rebuke you! (vs. 9).” Although Satan is the arch enemy of God, Michael knew his place and called upon the Lord to rebuke the devil.
3.      They blaspheme what they do not understand – to blaspheme is to use derogatory or profane language against someone. Of course, the worst kind of blasphemy is against the Lord. An apostate is someone who falls away and rebels against the truth are spiritually inept and ignorant. Usually people like this talk arrogantly about what they do not know. Especially when the subject is spiritual matters.
4.      They are prophets for hire – They are like Balaam who sold himself for money. They are also like rebellious Korah who challenged Moses’ authority and perished and all those with him. (Num 16:34). Also, Cain who displeased the Lord by presenting an unholy offering. They are unholy pseudo-spiritual prostitutes.
5.      They are hidden reefs or blemishes – you have to be careful regarding these people. They sit in your worship services and they appear as legitimate saints when they are not. Eating with you so they can pretentiously befriend you so they can ultimately take advantage of you. Jude goes on to further describe them as: clouds without water which is an oxymoron. We all expect clouds give us a rain which feeds the earth and causes it to flourish and grow. Apostates once again show their hypocrisy by appearing to be something they are not.  Trees without fruit, doubly or twice dead, uprooted. Jesus cursed the fig tree that didn’t have any fruit when he was hungry. The next day it had withered and died (Mark 11:20). Why did He do this? Because the tree was fruitless and useless. So were these false teachers Jude describes. Wild waves of the sea casting up their own shame. This description speaks to the instability of these individuals. Wandering stars whom the black darkness has been reserved forever. Their destiny has been determined because of the unwillingness to submit to the truth they have been exposed to.

Enoch’s Prophecy
Jude by inspiration of the Holy Spirit declared that Enoch the seventh from Adam prophesied long ago about these apostates stating, “Behold the Lord will come with many thousands of His holy ones to execute judgment upon all and convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him” (vv 14-15).“ We have no codified record of this, but there is an apocryphal[i] pseudepigraphal[ii] work entitled “The Book of Enoch”. The author(s) of this book placed this prophecy in their writings to perhaps convince their readers that their work was authentic. Apparently, Enoch’s prophecy was passed down through millennia until it reached the second century B.C. when this book was written. The prophecy of Enoch is real, but the book bearing his name is not. Once again, the Holy Spirit moved Jude to declare Enoch’s prophecy. Jude did not quote from the Pseudepigraphal Book of Enoch.

Jude continues to describe these wicked people as grumblers, finding fault following after their own lusts. They also flatter with the tongue in hopes of trying to take advantage of people (vs. 16). This should come as no surprise Jude says because the apostles of the Lord said in the last days mockers would rear their ugly heads. They are of the spirit of the antichrist (1 John 4:3; 2 John1:7). They cause divisions in the church. They are unsaved, worldly minded and devoid of God’s Spirit.
What we are supposed to do
Jude said for us to edify (to build up as a strong fortress) ourselves on our most holy faith praying in the Holy Spirit. This does not mean pray in an ecstatic, unintelligible speech which many call tongues. But rather praying by the leading of God’s Spirit (vs. 20).
We are to anticipate anxiously the mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ which of course is eternal life. We are also to have patience with those who doubt the truth. It does not mean they do not believe, but they are not fully convinced. Their belief is not solid, so they need undergirding due to perhaps an immature faith in God. It’s there but not strong where it is a rock solid, unmovable faith (vv 21-22). Trusting God fully will take time. Teaching consistent sound doctrine is loving and will cast out doubt and fear. One MUST always expose themselves to Biblical truth so that faith will come (Romans 10:17). They can easily fall away if they listen to false doctrine – causing them to forget and abandon the truth they knew. The Bible calls that shipwrecked faith (1 Timothy 1:19).

The last group need the gospel so desperately that it’s described as “snatching them out of the fire”. If the apostate’s unfortunate followers do not receive the gospel, they will certainly perish in hell. They are totally polluted with sin and must receive the gospel with haste due to the apostate’s filthy doctrine. They are also in dire need of God’s mercy, the apostate, and those defiled by their filthy teaching and ways. Jude says we are to do this with fear even hating the clothing defiled by the flesh (vs. 23). Filthy garments in scripture are symbolic of an unrighteous life. When we are blood washed by the lamb (John 1:29; Rev 1:5), the Bible says we are wearing white clean robes which symbolizes righteousness (Revelation 3:4,5,18). These are given to us. We never earn them.

Jude ends his letter doxological letting us know that God will keep us from falling (into apostasy) He will preserve us until the end and present us blameless with great joy. Here’s a profound truth: Jude says to the only God (meaning there is only one God in the universe) through Jesus Christ our Lord be glory, majesty and dominion and authority forever (bold italics added for emphasis).  Jude is declaring to God the attributes that already belong to Him. It is to our advantage to ascribe these virtues to our God so that our lips bear fruit in praise to His glorious, and matchless name [Hebrews 13:15(vv 24-25)].
Amen.





[i] Apocryphal is the adjective version of the noun Apocrypha which means hidden.
[ii] Pseudepigraphal is the adjective version of the noun Pseudepigrapha which means false writings

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