We have come to our final day of study in the book of Jude, and as a recap, perhaps we should summarize the book of Jude together to revisit its content. Let's begin by remembering by whom and to whom the book of Jude is written. Verse one says:
Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, [and] called:
Jude, who we found to be the half-brother of Jesus, doesn't describe himself in that relationship, but takes on the role of a willing servant to present his message to those who believe in Jesus. There have been traveling itinerant teachers and prophets who have been propounding false doctrines and ways to relate to God, and Jude encourages his readers to “earnestly contend for the faith”. Although Jude desired to write to them about the “common salvation” because of these false teachers, he was driven to warn them instead.
These false teachers were ungodly, lascivious, and deniers of the Lord Jesus. They were unbelieving, rebellious and sinful, and were like the unbelievers who came out of Egypt, the fallen angels, and Sodom and Gomorrah. These false persuaders despised dominions, spoke evil of dignities, and were contentious and rebellious with authority even though not even Michael the archangel would speak evil of the devil but rather said, “the Lord rebuke you.”
In addition, these who would promote themselves, were murderous, jealous, greedy and power-mongers. They were spots in the church's love feasts, and were windbags, fruitless, twice dead, raging waves of the sea, wandering stars, with great promises, but not coming through on them. They shall be the ones upon whom Enoch prophesied that the Lord will come with ten thousands of His saints “to execute judgment upon all”.
Jude characterizes these false teachers as murmurers, complainers who walk after their own lusts, and they speak great words just to take advantage of others. They also mock at the truth, are sensual, separate themselves, and are without the Spirit of God. Of course with all these traits mentioned, we are to be aware of those who would deceive and mislead us from the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ who are like unto them.
As he begins to close this book, Jude encourages we believers in Jesus by encouraging us to build ourselves up in the Most Holy Faith, by praying and keeping ourselves in the love of God while looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. When we do this we should be witnesses of Jesus Christ to others, and our witness to them may be with compassion to some making a difference, and with others we must save them with fear, pulling them out of the fire and hating even the garment that is spotted by the flesh.
Finally Jude gives us a wonderful benediction that includes the encouragement that God is able to keep us from falling, present us faultless before His presence with exceeding joy, and shares with us the wonderful attributes to which God embodies. He is the only wise God our Savior, and glory, majesty, dominion and power are His both now and forever! Oh what an awesome God we serve!
So there we have it. A final summary of the basics of Jude, and as we consider one more time the warning of Jude about those who would deceive us, may we reconsider his words and apply them as needed. Once again remember that it is God Himself who inspired these writers of the Bible, and if we look deep enough we will hear the voice of God Himself as He warns us of false teachers and doctrine. May we ever hear His voice.
Next time we will begin a new study in the Old Testament book of Obadiah. Within this small, one chapter book is a correlation to Jesus Christ and the book of Jude that is very interesting, so if you can find it, read the book of Obadiah, and we shall join together then. If perhaps you cannot find it, look at the contents page in the beginning of your Bible, and it should give you a page number. The Bible is filled with book after book, chapter after chapter and verse after verse of wonderful truths that center around Jesus Christ, so continue with me as we discover the word of God together.
Until tomorrow...there is more...
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