The book of Jude, a short yet powerful letter, has long intrigued scholars and believers alike for its urgent tone and apocalyptic warnings. It deals with issues of heresy, false teachers, divine judgment, and a call to ‘contend for the faith.’
The author is believed to be, not only the brother of James, but a half-brother of Jesus. It was probably written between 65-80 A.D. The early church faced internal and external pressures, Gnostic heresies as libertinism began infiltrating congregations, distorting grace into license for immorality. The epistle reflects a community under spiritual siege, warning of apostates who had “crept in unnoticed” (v.4).
A STRONG REBUKE
Jude’s aim is to awaken vigilance against apostasy and to instruct believers how to preserve the true gospel. He warns them that the Lord saved the people out of the land of Egypt, but afterward destroyed those who did not believe. Inferring He could still do the same! (V.3)
He used another example about the angels who left their proper domain, that He has reserved in chains waiting for the judgment of the great day. (V.4). (Genesis 6:1-7)
He also reminds them of Sodom and Gomorrah, and the surrounding cities that suffered the vengeance of eternal fire. (Genesis 19:24)
He also reminds them of those who fail to recognize rightful authority and the consequences of doing that (Jude 9-10, 2 Peter 2:10-11, Exodus 22:28).
Jude compares some of them to the “…way of Cain, having run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.”
DEPRAVED APOSTATES
Notice what he says about them, “…spots in your love feasts, serving only themselves…clouds without water…raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame, wandering stars, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.” (VV12-13)
THE LORD IS COMING WITH TEN THOUSANDS OF HIS SAINTS
But some of these that Jude is talking to will not be happy about it! He is coming “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.” (V.15)
CHARACTERISTICS OF THESE APOSTATES
You will know them by their fruit! They are “grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts, and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage.” (V.16)
Jude reminds his readers what the Apostles preached that there would be “…mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause division, not having the Spirit.” (VV.17-19)
INSTRUCTION ON HOW TO MAINTAIN OUR LIFE WITH GOD
“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.” (V.20) That was good instruction in the first century and continues to be in the twenty-first century!
Jude concludes the letter by saying, “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.