Yesterday we studied several of the metaphors that Jude used to describe the false teachers who were attempting to persuade believers in Jesus Christ about a different way. He wrote, “clouds [they are] without water carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withers, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots.” In other words they were like clouds without rain,windbags, and unfruitful trees who gave great promises, but were without any substance whatsoever. Today Jude continues his metaphoric thoughts about false teachers in verse thirteen. He wrote:
Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
“Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame”. Most of us have seen raging waves like when a hurricane or tsunami strikes. Huge and daunting waves smash against the seashore, and if anything is in their way, it is often quickly removed. Much damage has been caused by the movement of waters from raging waves. These massive waves usually end their crest and fall by leaving bubbles throughout the shore. For a moment an effervescent effect occurs, and bubbles are everywhere. There is no substance to them, but bubbles appear. This is how Jude sees these false prophets. They come in with noise and clamor, but there is nothing to their teaching when lived out. They are full of talk, often loud and boisterous, but their end is usually shame because they are exposed for the frauds and imposters they are.
Jude continues his metaphors with “wandering stars”. These teachers are like stars that wander out of place and travel in erratic patterns. In other words, they are “flip-floppers.” One day they believe this, and the next day they believe that. This teaching is popular today, and it is outdated tomorrow. In other words, they are all over the place and cannot be corrected. No one really knows what they are going to pontificate one day that they might refute tomorrow. This doctrine cannot be trusted, and if they are going to say something one day and refute it the next who in their right mind would want to follow them?
The ending result is a reservation has been made for them according to Jude. He wrote, “to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.” This phrase alone should make anyone who teaches tremble in fear with what they say. No one is without immunity to make a mistake every now and again. We are all human, but as we study the scriptures and listen to solid Biblical teaching when we are out of bounds we will be corrected. However, woe to that person who leads people into being eternally altered because of their teachings. Whatever the “blackness of darkness” is, the horrific result of being a false teacher is ominous and a position none of us should desire.
Jesus said, “But whoever shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and [that] he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” Matthew 18:6. Jude doesn't take false teachers and doctrine lightly and neither did Jesus. We all would do well today to examine our lives to be sure that we are not only in the truth of the Bible, but also that the teaching we do to others aligns with Holy Scripture lest we be a part of the fate of which Jude speaks.
Next time we will continue the study of Jude by looking at the prophecy of Enoch concerning Jesus returning with the saints, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow...there is more...
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