Book of Jude
Part 5
June 9, 2013
“But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts” (Jude 1:17, 18). “Beloved” in this verse means cherished ones, or dearly loved ones of God. Yes, Jude also loved the people and was speaking from his heart to those who would read his letter. Remember, he started out to write a teaching encouraging letter until he got word of what was taking place in the church. I believe the Holy Spirit led him to change direction and write this letter of warning instead.
The things Jude wanted the people to remember were, first, the prophecies that the apostles, namely, Peter and Paul, had given them about false teachers. Second, Jude wanted the Christians to remember that the apostles of their dear Lord told them that there were coming mockers to the church. They were to be on guard against them. The very best way to recognize a false teacher or prophet, or an antichrist that has infiltrated your congregation is to know your Word. When we know what God said, we can identify the lies of the devil.
One of the meanings of the words “mockers” and “scoffers” is false teachers. Jude pointed them out as mockers, and Peter called them scoffers in II Peter 3:3. “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts…” Jude and Peter were apostles that were taught by the living Jesus. Their word was taken at face value and given great respect. Jude was pointing out the fact that the truth of the apostles’ words was coming to pass.
What do mockers or scoffers do in church? They second guess the words of the pastor. They teach false truths associated with the Word of God. They teach that there is more than one way to heaven and that all religions preach the same God, they just use different names. A mocker says there is no hell. He says that Jesus wasn’t sin-free, but He was holy. They also make fun of you and your own strong belief.
These people are driven from their own lust for power and prestige in the congregation. They are most often the people hanging around and loving the pastor to his face while speaking evil of him any other time.
“These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit” (verse 19). Dr. Kenneth Wuest, one of the translators of the New American Standard Bible, said it this way. ”In the last time there shall be mockers ordering their course of conduct in accordance with their own passionate cravings which are destitute of reverential fear towards God. These are those who cause division, egocentric, not holding the Spirit.” (Egocentric means selfish, self-centered, and conceited. Not loving traits of a born-again Christian.) False teachers will be male and female.
False teachers played a role in dividing the original church of Christ so that we have numerous denominations now. One article I read says there are 30,000 denominations of Christians. That’s ridiculous as we are to be one in the Spirit and one in the Lord! I wonder what Jesus thinks of all this separation.
“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (verses 20, 21). Jude admonished the Christians to build themselves up, meaning, get right with God and stay right by reading and studying the Word. That includes all 66 Books of the Bible, not just the New Testament.
Praying in the Spirit is prayer that has depth. It’s not a laundry list of needs for us and others. Holy Ghost prayer in large part should include praise, thanksgiving and worship. Most prayers sound something like this. “God, You are awesome and I love You. Thank You for another day of life.” From there the begging and pleading begins. Where is the thankfulness? Where is the real praise? Where is the worship of the Almighty who is faithful and true and always meets our needs? I believe this is why God put Psalms in the Bible. David knew how to touch God’s robe, but he also knew how to give Him all honor and glory and praise and worship.
“Looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” is praying in the knowledge that we belong to God through salvation in Christ and that no man and no devil in hell can steal our salvation.
Allow me to digress for a moment to make a point. Verse 20 gives us one of the main reasons for church division. Are tongues for today? Many denominations teach that tongues was only for the building up of the first century church. They say tongues are no longer an active ingredient of worshipping. Is that true? Not to me. I believe that what the Holy Spirit gave to the people at Pentecost, He will give to us. Jude says here that you should be, “building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.” Paul said, “I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue” (I Corinthians 14: 18, 19).
That’s where the line should be drawn. If someone in church desires to deliver a message in tongues, allow it only if there is an interpreter so that everyone will benefit from the message. Don’t cut people off at the knees for practicing a gift of the Holy Spirit. Again, Paul said, “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues” (I Corinthians 12:27, 29). The night of Pentecost the apostles spoke in the languages of the area so that everyone could understand the teaching, that’s true. Even nowadays the Holy Spirit will give someone a tongue like that to draw unbelievers of other nations. However, this “tongues” that Jude speaks of here is a private personal prayer tongue. We all can have it.
“And of some have compassion, making a difference:” (verse 22). Christians are to be compassionate toward each other showing sympathy and kindness. We are to demonstrate the love of God toward each other in that we pray for each other, we stand strong together, and we correct each other in love when necessary. We are to stand straight in our faith and be an example that draws Christians out of darkness. If we see a brother sin, we need to point out his error (Matthew 18:15) and work with him to get him back on the narrow path.
Some people in the church and out of the church are confused about the Word and the Christian life. They don’t ask questions because people laugh at them and make them feel foolish. That’s embarrassing. Mature Christians should always be willing to answer any questions with kindness. I know this is true because people have said to me, “Can I ask you a question about the Bible without you laughing at me?” Of course you can!
“And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh” (verse 23). This is why the “fire and brimstone” preaching should return to the pulpit. So many are going to hell because they just don’t know and don’t fear their end result. We need to preach that sin is sin and there is a literal hell and that our loving God won’t choose hell for anyone, but also, as righteous God, won’t hesitate to toss unbelievers into hell. We need to hate their “garment spotted by the flesh” so much that we are willing to help them see why they should take it off, don a new white robe, and walk in the rightness of life through salvation in the Christ.
Matthew 5:14 says, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.” We are to walk as beacons of light in this world that direct the unsaved to the cross.
When the pastor, or prophet, or evangelist preaches the message of the gospel completely, including hell and damnation, even the false teachers (those in garments spotted by flesh) will be saved. Never give up on them, but never give in to them either.
“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” (verse 24, 25). Jesus is the One who is able to keep us from falling into sin. He’s also the One who keeps us from slipping into hell. At His cross we can find salvation and restoration as we are redeemed by His blood.
It is Jesus who will call us home in the rapture. And when we look like Him in our new glorified bodies, He will present us to His Father, our Holy God, as pure unflawed vessels. There will never be another chance for us to fall into sin. We will be holy and blameless as Jesus. God in turn will present us to His Son as the Bride of Christ, and we will rule and reign with Jesus forever. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!
