Hello
Friends!
Welcome
to an all-new Encouraging Concepts
Bible study series focused on the powerful little “epistle” of Jude written by our “Lord
Jesus Christ’s” younger half-brother –
“Continue CONTENDING!”
The
Epistle of Jude REVISITED: Continue CONTENDING! (Verses 8-13)
8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile
the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. 9 Yet Michael the
archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses,
durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke
thee. 10 But
these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know
naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. 11 Woe unto them! for they
have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for
reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. 12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they
feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water,
carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead,
plucked up by the roots; 13 Raging
waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is
reserved the blackness of darkness for ever – Jude 8-13
OPENING POINTS TO PONDER: Just as the New Testament book known as the “Acts of the
Apostles” is a first-century historical narrative of the “Apostles” of our “Lord
Jesus Christ” Himself, the “Epistle of Jude“
could be appropriated as the “Acts of the Apostates”
sent from “Satan” himself! Incidentally,
this is the ONLY excellent “Epistle”
written with the expressed purpose of exposing “false teachers,” their “false doctrines” and their hellish “heresies” of which were leading “believers” avidly AWAY
from the ONE and ONLY Biblical – Gospel of
Jesus Christ!
ANATHAMA of Apostates!
In
this next stinging section of “scripture”
this HUMBLE man of “God”
named “Jude” courageously continues
to correctly “contend” with the TYPICAL tirades of these “apostate” malingers of Holy writ:
Likewise also these filthy
dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. Yet
Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the
body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The
Lord rebuke thee. But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but
what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt
themselves – Jude 8-10
Here
we find THREE common activities of these “filthy dreamers” from God’s PERFECT perspective:
ONE: They “defile
the flesh” through their – Sinful
rebellion!
TWO: They “despise dominion”
established rightly – By God!
THREE: They “speak
evil of dignities” by bringing “reviling
accusations” against heavenly ORDER
on high – Angelic majesties!
Here
in this most INTERESTING passage, “Jude”
also refers to “Michael the archangel”
as he is “contending” with the “devil” about “the body of Moses” itself. At this point
in our discussion, you might be asking: “What in the world is Jude talking about here?”
And that is indeed a very Good question!
Actually, this quote referenced by “Jude”
is NOT found anywhere in the 66 books of the “Holy
Spirit” inspired Bible! Rather, “Jude”
is simply referencing comments made in the
non-canonical Apocryphal book entitled “The Assumption of Moses” written
during the Intertestamental period of the 400-year
timeframe between the Old Testament and the New Testament respectively. And within this peculiar
book, there are indeed some historically accurate points
made. However, there are also MANY
points that are NOT at all – Biblically ACCURATE!
POIGNANT POINT: Incidentally, the Apocrypha itself is a collection
of rogue “Jewish” writings of which
are NOT inspired by “God” Himself. In fact, the “Jews” themselves had NEVER accepted it as such nor did they include
it in the Canon of the Old Testament itself. And as appropriate, the
first-century
faithful “Christians” in kind NEVER accepted these writings – As INSPIRED Text!
It
is also IMPORTANT to note that “Jude”
does NOT refer to this Apocryphal narrative
as “Scripture” nor does he precede
it in typical fashion with “It is written"
as when introducing an INSPIRED
Sovereign reference. Rather, here “Jude”
is simply referring to a popular literary source of
HIS day that everyone would
have recognized
as such. Thus, his readers would have indeed promptly “considered” these EXTR-BIBLICAL
writings as a partial source of history or general commentary in kind. Therefore, “Jude” simply quotes another available source of text
much like one might consider in their personal research – Today!
BIBLICAL BACKGROUND: Although this particular approach was NOT a common literary practice
in the first-century New Testament
era, it WAS indeed applied
aptly on THREE
separate occasions through Divine INSPIRATION
by the “called” compassion of the – Apostle Paul!
ONE: In the book of Acts we find the “Apostle
Paul” powerfully preaching to the “philosophers” on “Mars Hill” located in the city of “Athens” proper:
“For in
him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets
have said, For we are also his offspring” – Acts
17:28
Here
the “Apostle Paul” is quoting various “poets” of his
day along with a pagan philosopher by the name of Aratus who
wrote this comment in his literary work known as – “Phenomena!”
TWO: Then in the book of 1 Corinthians the great “Apostle
Paul” proclaims concerning the “carnal”
chaos ensuing within that “deceived” congregation:
Be not deceived:
“evil communications corrupt good manners” – 1 Corinthians 15:33
Here
again the “Apostle Paul” is quoting a pagan
writer of his day by the name of Menander of whom
was yet another – Greek
poet!
THREE: And finally in the book of Titus we find the “Apostle
Paul” speaking to the “Cretan”
people by acknowledging a “prophet”
his day poised from “their own”
kind:
One of
themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, “the Cretians are alway liars,
evil beasts, slow bellies” – Titus 1:12
And
here again the “Apostle Paul” quotes yet
another secular source that was “said” in his day by a popular – Cretan poet!
Incidentally,
“Jude” is also considering the highest
level of the ANGELIC
order in this passage, both GOOD and EVIL.
This “reviling” against the “dignitaries” is something to be very carefully
considered! WHY? Because to “speak evil” of the “holy angels” by rankly rejecting
God’s wonderful “Word” and His
loving “Law” of whom are its GUARDIANS is quite serious
indeed! In fact, the “Apostle Peter”
also had this to say concerning this “self-willed”
matter:
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… But
chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise
government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak
evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring
not railing accusation against them before the Lord. But these, as natural
brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that
they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption – 2 Peter 2:4 & 10-12
And
the main
point being made here is VERY
powerful as “Jude” says “Michael the archangel” (name means “who is like God“) is himself a “holy angel” and protector of the
nation “Israel” and the “Jewish” people. Thus, he “dared not bring” a “reviling accusation” against the “devil” (Satan) of whom was a REBELLIOUS fickle “fallen angel” himself. Therefore, “Jude” powerfully proclaims – “The Lord REBUKE you!”
Therefore,
even “Michael the archangel“
has the Biblical discernment to know there are limits to even his
power and authority
under Creator “God” Himself! And yet, “these” dangerous “dreamers” and belligerent “brute beasts” of whom “Jude” refers to here will in like
manner sordidly “speak evil of
whatever they do not know” and boldly berate even the “holy angels” of Heaven – A Cosmic CORRUPTION!
THEOLOIGICAL THOUGHTS: The “angels”
– both “holy” and “fallen” – are NOT at
all Omniscient nor Omnipotent… They are “God’s”
own “created” beings and as is
true of human beings, do NOT
possess these Divine attributes
that alone belong to “God”
Himself! However, the “holy angels”
were indeed ordained to properly protect
and gallantly guard the
wonderful “Word and Law of God”
itself. Conversely, the “evil”
fully “fallen angels” seek to corrupt
and contaminate them fully. We do NOT
really “know” all that “God” is doing through sadistic “Satan” of whom is also God’s servant. We do NOT
really “know” all that “God” is doing through the “demons” working WITHIN His sweet Sovereign
and wonderful “will” to
accomplish His PERFECT
poignant “purposes” & “plans” for “eternity”
future. Therefore, even the “holy angels”
will NOT blatantly “blaspheme” with a rebellious “reviling accusation” against evil “demons” as such… And – NOR should WE!
These
wicked “men” are VOID of the “truth” of “God”
eternal. No matter how academic, philosophical
or highly educated they are. No matter how many “dreams” and “visions” or “insights”
and “intuitions” they have CLAIMED for themselves, “these man” are NOT
profoundly wise at all. They actually “know” absolutely nothing
and they “live” like
belligerent “brute beasts”
unashamed – Abominable ANIMALS!
Up
to this point, “Jude” ties it all together
by proclaiming
that it would be BETTER to have never
rightly “heard” the “Gospel” than to have
indeed “heard” it, BUT then reject it
outright. It would be much “better”
to have never been rightly “taught”
the wonderful “Word of God”
than to have loosely “learned”
it and then reject it in heart. The “Apostle
Peter” again had this to say concerning “them”
that CHOOSE this “way”
of life:
For if after they have escaped
the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse
with them than the beginning. For it had been
better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they
have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them – 2
Peter 2:20-21
This
is TRUE for the “Jews”
of “Israel” as God’s “chosen” people. This is TRUE for the “Gentiles” of sordid “Sodom and Gomorrah” themselves. And this
is TRUE for the fallen “angels” who did NOT
rightly “keep their proper domain”
in Heaven… All – APOSTATES are ANATHAMA!
Next,
“Jude” cries out “Woe to them!” as a severe indictment
against the EVIL insatiable influence
of an age-old triad comprised of “corrupt men” mined from the HISTORICAL past:
Woe to them! For they have gone
in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and
perished in the rebellion of Korah – Jude 11
Here
we find THREE examples of the “apostates”
evil pronouncements pertaining to “them”
of whom have “gone in the way”
of this “Cain” and “Balaam” and “Korah”
from Old Testament fame:
ONE: Here “Jude”
begins with “Cain” found in
the book of Genesis chapter 4 the
model “apostate” who MURDERED his own “brother”
and thus – DISOBEYED God!
And Cain talked with Abel
his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against
Abel his brother, and slew him… And now art thou cursed from the earth, which
hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand – Genesis 4:8 & 11
TWO: Here “Jude”
continues with “Balaam” from the book of Numbers chapter 22
the model “apostate” of whom INFLUENCED many
other “people” to
wrongly – CHALLENGE God!
And God said
unto Balaam,
Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are
blessed… And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of
the Lord stood
in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and
his two servants were with him… And the Lord opened
the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou
hast smitten me these three times? And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast
mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.
And the ass said unto Balaam,
Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto
this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? and he said, Nay. Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw
the angel of the Lord standing
in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and
fell flat on his face. And the angel of the Lord said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine
ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is
perverse before me – Numbers 22:12, 22 &
28-32
THREE: Here “Jude”
ends with “Korah” found in Numbers
chapter 16 the model “apostate” who led a full REBELLION rivalry fought – AGAINST God!
And Korah gathered all
the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the
congregation: and the glory of the Lord appeared unto all the
congregation… And
it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the
ground clave asunder that was under them: And the earth opened her mouth, and
swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their
goods – Numbers 16:19 & 31-32
And
thus “Jude” correctly “contends” by proclaiming: “Woe to them!” These thrice-eerie EXAMPLES of rank “rebellious”
rabble taken from ancient times mindfully MODEL
the corrupt current contemporary “apostate”
spastic “spiritual” children
of the self-professed so-called “church”
of our MODERN times…
Which have forsaken the right
way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages
of unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking
with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet – 2 Peter 2:15-16
Therefore,
they MUST fully FEAR the
“Lord Jesus Christ” Himself and rightly – REPENT!
To
further contextualize this woeful WARNING
excellently exegeted from his WISE
counsel, “Jude” provides FIVE
caustic COMPARISONS of these
adamant “apostates” to a plethora
of examples found throughout NATURE
itself:
These are
spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves
without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees
whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering
stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever – Jude 12-13
ONE: They are spoken of as “spots in your feasts of charity” which
speaks of their foolish “feeding without
fear” as unseen deeply DOCTRINAL danger
lurking
below to surface – BEWARE!
TWO: They are called “clouds without water” which speaks of
their “false” and fictitious
prude PROMISES of a
so-called refreshing rash of “rain”
to come – NONSENSE!
THREE: They are attributed as “trees without fruit”
which speaks of their “twice dead”
and boisterously pious PROFESSION
made quite evident by their “withered”
lives “without fruit”
revealed – FRUITLESS!
FOUR: They are referred to as “raging waves of the sea”
which speaks of their “own shame”
by the mangled muck and menacing mire that is dankly DEPOSITED on a theological shore of – NOTHINGNESS!
FIVE: They are woeful “wandering stars” which speaks of
their “blackness of
darkness” fomenting “forever” by an alluring AIMLESS course
coming
from and going to absolutely – NOWHERE!
In
other words, “these” appealing APOSTATES are
aimlessly
arid and eternally ejected BY our great “God”
Himself – ANATHAMA!
In closing:
During the magnificent “ministry”
of “Jude” there were MANY frantic “false teachers”
of whom had secretly crept into the “church” and were DISTORTING God’s great “truth” and
thus DENYING the “Lord Jesus Christ” as the ONLY Righteous “redeemer”
alone. And as a REAL result, the most DEADLY assaults against
the all-sufficient “truth of God”
come from INSIDE the “church” itself…
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 – Acts 20:29-30
But there were false prophets
also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who
privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought
them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their
pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
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 – 2 Peter 2:1-3
This
is what the “Scriptures” refer to as “apostasy” and rightly represents an
all-out FULL dastardly defection away from the “truth of God” itself. And the most effective
attacks come from “these men”
who purposely purport to rightly “know”
His tangible “truth” and even
to boldly “believe” His
terrific “truth” eternal. They
worm their way INTO the true “body” of “believers”
themselves. These “apostates”
and “defectors” deceptively “name” the Mighty “Name” of our “Lord Jesus Christ” and even profess
their “belief” in the “God” of the “Scriptures” but are ACTUALLY
His eternal “enemies” being
found secretly embedded WITHIN the true “church”
body of “believers” itself… BEWARE!
REAL REFLECTIONS: Beloved, may God give US the courage and boldness
to “contend earnestly for the faith”
that was signed, sealed and delivered
some – 2000 years ago…
Beloved,
when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was
needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly
contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints – Jude 3
Please begin reading through the excellent book of Jude and
continue CONTENDING for the “faith” once “delivered unto the saints” of God ~ AMEN!
We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!
If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com
I love hearing from you. Keep reading Encouraging Concepts!
Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><
Encouraging Concepts
Truth for Today
"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"
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