Jude 1:1-16
Q.1. Who was Jude? To whom was he writing? What prompted him to write? What distinguished the false teachers Jude addressed? – (Jude 1:1-4)
Jude (Judas) was the brother of James, who led the Jerusalem church. They were both half-brothers of Jesus (Jude 1:1 c.f. Mt.13:55; Acts 15:13; Jms.1:1). Jude was writing to establish believers in their – common salvation (Jude 1:3). However, the overriding reason for the letter was to expose false teachers, and – 3 … to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. 4 For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ (Jude 1:3-4). False teachers do not carry a sign identifying them. They usually believe that their interpretations are right. They are plausible and devious. For that reason, a believer must maintain vigilance against their destructive influence. God knows who they are and has already assigned a place for them.
Q.2. How do the illustrations about the Israelites, the angels, and Sodom and Gomorrah highlight lawlessness? What point was Jude making? – (Jude 1:5-7)
Jude illustrated the damage that could be caused by these perverters of the Gospel of grace to … (i) The generation God redeemed out of slavery in Egypt who were destroyed by Him in the wilderness (Jude 1:5). (ii) Even fallen angels – who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day (Jude 1:6). (iii) Sodom and Gomorrah, whom God destroyed because of their gross immorality (Jude 1:7). They were all judged because of presuming on God’s grace and were blatantly overtaken by immorality.
Q.3. How is the archangel Michael an example of submission to God? What do Cain, Balaam, and Korah have in common with false teachers? – (Jude 1:8-13)
Satan, Michael, and Gabriel are identified as archangels with great authority in heavenly places (Jude 1:9 c.f. Job 1:6, 2:1; Is.14:12-14; Ezk.28:12-15; Dan.8:16-17; 9:21-23; 10:13, 21; 12:1; Eph.3:10; Rev.12:7-9). Though Michael and the angelic hosts successfully expelled Satan from Heaven, nevertheless, he only opposed Satan under the authority of Christ (Jude 1:9 c.f. Rev.12:7-9). Those who carelessly take on a ministry against the unseen forces of evil are without understanding, contrary to their bold claims (Jude 1:8-10). Cain refused to control his passions, though warned by God (Gen.4:5-7). The false prophet, Balaam’s attempts to curse Israel were arrogant and contrary to God’s will for His people (Num.23:8), 19-21). Korah stirred up a rebellion against God’s anointed, by claiming authority not granted by God (Num.16:1-3). They all acted treacherously against those who were appointed by God. Similarly – 12 These are the men who are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, caring for themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted; 13 wild waves of the sea, casting up their own shame like foam; wandering stars, for whom the black darkness has been reserved forever (Jude 1:12-13). False teachers operate deceitfully but will be exposed and judged by the Lord.
Q.4. Why did Jude remind his readers of the Lord’s return with His holy ones? What kind of people will God condemn? – (Jude 1:14-16)
Enoch was the seventh in the line of Adam and was taken to glory without dying (Gen.5:21-24). Some have questioned the validity of Jude’s prophecy – “Behold, the Lord came with many thousands of His holy ones, 15 to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.” (Jude 1:14-15). However, this particular prophecy in the Book of Enoch was based on Old Testament prophecies. They were further confirmed by Jesus in the Gospels. The prophecy was previously given by the Old Testament prophets. Zechariah 14:5 – Then the Lord, my God, will come, and all the holy ones with Him. As Paul told the Thessalonians – 6 For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, 8 dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marvelled at among all who have believed—for our testimony to you was believed (2 Thes.1:6-10). Jude’s insights were given under inspiration of God.