Jude, Part 13

Today we take a look at vv. 12-23

Verses 14-15: “And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, (15) To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” Wow! Enoch prophesied of the Second Coming of Christ! So did Job in Job 19:25-26 “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:”

Verse 16: “These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.” These apostates find fault and complain. Nothing seems to satisfy them. They have no feelings for others. They want their own selfish will to be imposed upon everyone else. Colossians 2:18-23 says, “Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.” Did you notice what it said about these apostates? They are worshiping their own will. In other words, it’s not about God and what He wants. It’s all about them and what they want. On a personal note, a complainer cannot be right with God. I don’t care who it is. There is something wrong with a person who will complain constantly.

Verses 17-23: “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. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. 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. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” Now we see a contrast. In the first 16 verses, Jude is dealing with "filthy dreamers" or false prophets as he calls them. Now he turns his attention to the "beloved." That’s you and me! - And in these final verses he deals with how we should conduct ourselves. 

First, we should be “…building up yourselves on your most holy faith…" The faith that you have in your heart to believe is the gift of God, not of works, lest any should boast. How do we do this? - By sitting under the teaching of the Word! 

Second, we should be “…praying in the Holy Spirit…" We are to pray with the anointing of God’s Spirit. Only the Spirit can give us the faith that we need to pray the prayer of faith. The Bible tells us that the Spirit of God is our teacher and guide (Rom 8:26-27).

Third, we should "Keep yourselves in the love of God…" We are to keep our minds fastened on things above, not the things below. The way that we do this is by keeping the Word of God close to us…By studying it, meditating upon it, memorizing it, and applying it to our lives. The Bible says that we "are in this world, but that we should not be of this world.".

Fourth, we should be “…looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life" You and I can expect eternal life. It’s as good as done. Why? - Because God has had mercy on us by allowing us the opportunity to put our faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.