Who was Jude? First, in Hebrew, the name Jude was aka Judas. Jude is a half-brother of our Lord, Jesus. (Read Mark 6:3, Matthew 13:55) Mary, Jesus’ mother knew who Jesus was, but up until the resurrection his family did not, and that included Jude as well. (Read John 7:1-9) The book of Jude is not long. It is the 4th smallest book of the Bible but is powerful in exposing errors and false teachers. It is a great book to study.
The Book of Jude is an important book for us today because it is written for the end times, for the end of the church age. The church age began on the Day of Pentecost. Jude writes that evil works are evidence of apostasy. He cautions us to contend for the faith, for there are cheats (tares) among the wheat. False prophets are in the church and the saints are in danger.
At the time Jude wrote this book there was no scarcity of doctrinal and moral error in the church. What was happening was that the church was mixing a lot of error and false teachings in. It was not then that there would come false teachers within the church, but that false teachers were already within the church, and false teachers are still (even more so today) within the church.
Then take into account, that while this is going on, the church then was also under persecution from Rome….and…. also from the Jewish leaders of the day. Jude wrote to fight against what was going on within the church. Many had departed from the faith, but then were those ever really part of the faith at all? In today’s society, around the world, we still have apostate churches. There has never been a time that the church was not under attack. False teachers snuck in, and they are still sneaking into our churches today. Because of this, these false teachers are perverting the gospel and leading people away from God and not to Him.
Jude 1:3-4 “I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”
As we look around at churches today, we see the evil that has crept into the church. Many a church has a buffet-style approach to the gospel. They do all they can to distort the word of God. They take things out of context, they try to tell you that God is now okay with sin, that the Bible is outdated, and that God will even let you into heaven even if you are sinning and not confessing those sins to God, nor repenting from them (change of direction). These false/fake teachers do not work for God Almighty…they are doing the devil’s work and doing it quite well in a lot of churches today. Many churches don’t even know or understand that evil has crept in…after all many of these churches are what are being called-mega churches, run by millionaires and a few billionaires who tell you to give to them and you will be rich (prosperity gospel…but the one getting rich is that pastor who doesn’t work for God). They live in fancy homes, drive fancy cars, and some have their estates and airplanes to show you how rich they are. They pervert the gospel and because they are rich and famous many think they are doing God’s work…but quite the opposite!!!
Jude also talks about the Coming Judgment. No one wants to hear this part now, do they? Jude 1:6-7 “And the angels who did not stay within their position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day— just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.” These “angels who did not stay in their place of authority” are the fallen angels (demons) that were so wicked that God had to take them out of the world and place them “in eternal chains…until the judgment of that great day” (Rev 20:10, 15) when they will be cast into the lake of fire. I’d say that was pretty drastic, wouldn’t you? If they could be kicked out of heaven for doing this then what do you think will happen to those today who are not on the side of God? What do you think will happen to false teachers? What do you think will happen to you if you continue to follow them and don’t learn the truth for yourself? We, as Christians, have a responsibility to learn the truth, follow the truth, and expose corruption and evil within the church. There are some in the church who that believe no matter what they do, they are okay and that is a lie right from the pit of hell. You can’t stay living in sin and think you are okay.
What about within the church saying that God is now okay with the killing of innocent babies within the womb? What about living together and not being married? What about gay sex, transgenders, cheating, disobeying your parents, this woke crap, telling our kids it is okay to change genders, what about the gender id’s they say we have to call people, lying, stealing, committing crimes, rape, murder, abuse, deception, corruption, fraud, and so on? It is not okay and if you remain doing these things and don’t confess them to God, don’t repent, and if Jesus is not your Lord and Savior…………….you will miss getting into heaven. But of course, you get to choose whom you shall follow: Jesus who loves you, or the devil who wants to destroy you. The devil is a liar, a thief, a murderer, a corrupter, etc. You get to choose your destiny, but it better be done this side of your last breath. Don’t put off deciding for one second after death is one second too late. Since you don’t know when that last breath will come…you just might want to decide now. Oh, don’t worry…if you choose the devil over God then God will honor your decision. But also know this, God doesn’t want anyone in hell. That choice comes from the very ones who believe the devil over Him. This has always bothered me because God is love, good, and trustworthy, and why wouldn’t you want Him in your life? Why would anyone choose evil over the love of God?
In today’s society, we have these so-called pastors that teach prosperity teachings but all they are doing is lining their own pockets with money. They promise the members of their church to donate to “their” causes but it is “their causes”. These pastors have reservations for the eternal outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth that Jesus so often spoke about (Luke 13:28).
Jude had a lot to say in this short, but powerful, book. He talks about discontent, greed, and even pride.
Jude 1:14-16 “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him. These are grumblers, malcontents, following their sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain an advantage.”
If you are in a church teaching anything else but Jesus as the main reason for being there…you are in the wrong church. If you are being told that sin is now okay…you are in the wrong church. If you are told that you need to give to them for “their means”…you are in the wrong church. RUN! But listen…all churches need money to stay there, and that is not what I am talking about. You provide for the church you are in…but you don’t provide for the greed of a pastor to further himself.
Your destiny is up to you to find out the truth. It is not about the programs the church has, it is about the message given. You can’t have a half-truth! You can’t have a church if Jesus is not the center of the church. The church belongs to Jesus…it is His church!
Jude even talked about Doubters within the church. Jude 1:17-19 “But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.”
Jude showed them and is showing us, as well the need to show love, and mercy, to those that are doubters. We have all doubted at some time in our life. I have. Does, God love me, am I saved, has God forgiven me? Have you ever even doubted if God is real and exists? You are not alone!
Jude tells Christians that God “can keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen” (Jude 1:24-25).
Listen carefully here to your choices: Either He (God) will present you to God in glory and you will have great joy or you will be “undergoing a punishment of eternal fire” (Jude 1:7). The choice is up to you.
We live in an exceptional time in history and this little book can help equip us for the untold challenges of living in the end times. Today’s Christians must be on guard for false doctrines which can so easily deceive us if we are not well-versed in the Word. We are responsible to search the scriptures so that we know if we are being told the truth or a lie. We need to know the Gospel—to protect and defend it—and accept the Lordship of Christ, which is evidenced by a life change. Authentic faith always reflects Christ-like behavior. When we ask Jesus into our life we are pretty much a baby in the faith. We need to learn from Him and do as He says to do. Because we are each at a different point in our walk with God…don’t put people down who are not as far along as you are. Our life in Christ should reflect our very own heart-knowledge that rests on the authority of the Almighty Creator and Father who puts faith into practice. We need that personal relationship with Him; only then will we know His voice so well that we will follow no other.
Last…study this powerful book. It is filled with gems to help you along your walk with the Lord. Most pastors are great people doing all they can to follow the Lord and teach you the truth…but you also need to be aware that some have come into the church to harm your walk with God. Beware of what you hear at church, online, on TV, in books, etc. People can lie and look good. You can know the truth. Pick up your bible and search out what you hear. Now, may the God of heaven bless you, keep you, give you His peace, provide for your needs, and give you people in your life to love and who love you. God bless you.