Although the main message of the gospel (the Good news) is found in the four books Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, there are many other powerful and profound scriptures (which were God-breathed) in the other books. Specifically, I am referencing the small books of the Bible.
As I have said previously if God wants to drive something home (making sure that we acknowledge and comprehend His revelations) He will repeat or mirror His inspired message in multiple places. It could be in the same chapter, same book, different books, or in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. This is because we often do not understand what God is telling us the first time, and we need it repeated before the light bulb goes off and we get that rhema knowledge. We could read something 100 times, but it is not until that 101st time that we get what God is telling us which may be a message just for us and not for the general population of saints (logos knowledge).
It is for this reason and the fact that there are so many powerful and important messages in the small books of the Bible, that I chose to study the Book of Jude.
The Bible, in addition to being God’s Operation Manual for us, is like a piece of fabric in that all the scriptures are intertwined. No one scripture stands by itself. I believe that God meant it to be that way so His word would be reinforced.
In studying Jude, I felt in my spirit that there were connections to other scriptures that were not mentioned in the Amplified Version which I used. For instance, in verses 5-8 where it spoke of people refusing to trust and obey God and the consequences that brought and the way that people indulged in gross immoral freedom and unnatural vice, etc., and dreamed that God would not punish them. These also were the people that God gave up to their own lusts in Romans 1.
These things brought to mind 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 where it was written that God has allowed a strong delusion [working of error] that men will believe lies and that those who refuse to believe the truth will be led to destruction. These people evidently don’t want to acknowledge that one day they will have to stand before God on judgment day. They also have not learned the lesson from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah for their immorality addressed in verse 7. And verse 24 is connected to Psalm 55:22 where Christ will not allow the [consistently] righteous to be moved [slip, fail, or fall]; and Heb. 4:14-16 because what Christ has done for us we can now approach the throne of grace with our requests.
The Letter of Jude
Jude was accepted as authentic and quoted by the early church fathers. It is unlikely that the author is the apostle Jude (Lk 6:16), but rather the brother of Jesus and James (called Judas in Mt. 13:55 and Mk 6:3). Where or when this epistle was written is unknown but it was probably between AD 66-80.
Theme: Jude’s letter is hard-hitting, short, and right to the point. False teachers are on the loose in the church and Jude wants to make sure his readers understand the destructive implications of their teaching. He urges Christians to resist these false teachers and to defend the faith and the body of truth received from the apostles that they have come to know and believe. He finishes by reminding them of the hope they have in knowing Christ is coming again.
The Warnings of History to the Ungodly
Verses 1-2 To those who are called (God’s chosen ones, the elect) dearly loved by God the Father, and kept [secure and set apart] for Jesus Christ: May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you [filling your heart with the spiritual well-being and serenity experienced by those who walk closely with God].
(v3) …I was compelled to write to you [urgently] appealing that you fight strenuously for [the defense of] the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.
(v4) For certain people have crept in unnoticed [as if they were sneaking in by a side door]. They are ungodly persons whose condemnation was predicted long ago, for they distort the grace of our God into decadence and immoral freedom [viewing it as an opportunity to do whatever they want], and deny and disown our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
(v5) Now I want to remind you, …that the Lord, after saving a people out of the land of Egypt, subsequently destroyed those who did not believe [who refused to trust and obey and rely on Him]. [Num 14:27-37]
(v6) And angels who did not keep their own designated place of power, but abandoned their proper dwelling place, He has kept in eternal chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day.
(v7) Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and adjacent cities also like these angels indulged in gross immoral freedom and unnatural vice and sensual perversity. They are exhibited as an example in undergoing the punishment of everlasting fire. [Gen 19:1-29]
(v8) Nevertheless in the same way, these dreamers [who are dreaming that God will not punish them] also defile the body, and reject [legitimate] authority, and revile and mock angelic majesties.
(v9) And the archangel Michael when he was disputing with Satan, and arguing about the body of Moses, did not bring an abusive condemnation against him, but [simply] said, “The Lord rebuke you!” [Deut 34:5,6; Zech 3:2]
(v10) But these men sneer at anything which they do not understand; and whatever they do know by instinct, like unreasoning and irrational beasts—by these things they are destroyed.
(v11) Woe to them! For they have gone the [defiant] way of Cain, …
(v12) These men are hidden reefs [elements of great danger to others] …when they feast with you without fear, looking only after themselves; they are like clouds without water, swept along by the winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted and lifeless;
(v13) wild waves of the sea, flinging up their own shame like foam; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of deep darkness has been reserved forever.
(v14,15) It was about these people that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, when he said, “Look, the Lord came with myriads of His holy ones to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly deeds they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh and cruel things ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.”
(v16) These people are [habitual] murderers, griping and complaining, following after their own desires [controlled by passion]; they speak arrogantly, [pretending admiration and] flattering people to gain an advantage.
Keep Yourselves in the Love of God
(v17) But as for you, beloved, remember the [prophetic] words spoken by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(v18) They used to say to you, “In the last days there will be scoffers, following after their own ungodly passions.” [2 Peter 3:3,4]
(v19) These are the ones who are [agitators] causing divisions—worldly-minded [secular, unspiritual, carnal, merely sensual—unsaved], devoid of the Spirit.
(v20) But you, beloved, build yourselves up on [foundation of] your most holy faith [continually progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], pray in the Spirit,
(v21) and keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously and looking forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ [which will bring you] to eternal life.
(v22) And have mercy on some who are doubting;
(v23) save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy but with fear; loathing even the clothing spotted and polluted by their shameless immoral freedom. [Amos 4:11; Zech 3:2-4]
(v24) Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling or falling into sin, and to present you unblemished [blameless and faultless] in the presence of His glory with triumphant joy and unspeakable delight,
(v25) To the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and power, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
CONCLUSION
Jude warns believers to defend the faith and to beware of unbelievers and deceivers who refuse to believe the truth and trust in and rely on God. He gives vivid examples of those who have rebelled against God. There is no escaping God’s judgment and, in the end, everyone will be accountable for their actions.
Are your spiritual eyes open where you can see the immorality occurring around you? Can you spot the deceivers? Are you standing on God’s word and defending the faith? Are you pressured by peer approval? Feel free to comment below with your thoughts.