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| JUDE ~ IMMINENT APOSTASY *~*~* In the New Testament Church there were two Judes: Judas, one of the Twelve Apostles (Luke 6:16) and Judas, the brother of Jesus (Matthew 13:55). The latter is commonly regarded as the writer of this Epistle. Eusebius relates that Dominitian, in his Persecution of Christians, A. D. 96, looking up the heirs of the Kingdom of David ordered the arrest of the Grandsons of Jude the Brother of Jesus. They told the Emperor that they were farmers, and lived by the toil of their hands, and that Christ's Kingdom was Not a Kingdom of this World, but would be manifested when He Comes in Glory at the End of the World to Judge the Living and Dead. PLACE AND DATE The similarity of the situation to that mentioned in II Peter suggests the possibility that this Epistle may have been addressed to the same Churches, which it seems from II Peter 3:1, were the same as those to whom I Peter was addressed, which were in Asia Minor (I Peter 1:1) Probably about A. D. 67. OCCASION OF WRITING Evidently Jude had been planning to write a more general statement about the Gospel to this group of Churches, when news of the sudden appearance of a Devastating Heresy prompted him to dispatch this stern warning (3, 4)~ Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. THE FALSE TEACHERS (4-19) Jude minces no words as to their nature, The frightful epithets ( or eggheads) which he uses to refer to certain Leaders Within the Church, Ungodly Men (4). Turn the Grace of God into Lasciviousness. (4) Deny Christ(4) ~For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. Like Sodom, given to Fornication (7). In their Dreamings Defile the Flesh (8). As Brute Beasts Corrupt Themselves (10). Sports in your Lovefeasts (12). Shepherds that Feed Themselves (12). Clouds without Water (12). Trees Without Fruit (12). Raging Waves of the Sea Foaming out their own Shame (13). Wandering Stars for whom the Blackness of Darkness has been Reserved Forever (13). Murmurers (16). Complainers (16). Speaking Great Swelling Words (16). Mockers Walking after their Own Ungodly Lusts (18). Sensual (19). Not Having the Spirit (19). Show Respect of Persons for the sake of their Own Advantage (16). And make Separations. (19). These false teachers had already crept in (4), yet were spoken of as appearing in the last time. While primarily referring to some particular class of men that belonged to Jude's day, it may possibly be a general characterization of the whole body of false teachers who, through the centuries, would, from within, corrupt the Church, and thus thwart the redemptive work of Christ. Those who are acquainted with Church History know well how the Church has suffered from such men. THE FALLEN ANGELS, 6 Here and in II Peter 2:4 are the only Scripture references to the Fall of the Angels (Revelation 12:9 seems to refer to their later defeat ~And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Some think this is an allusion to Genesis 6: 1 - 5, where the sons of God intermarried with the daughters of men. More probably it refers to an earlier event when Satan led certain of the angels in rebellion against God. MICHAEL'S CONTENTION WITH THE DEVIL, 9 Michael is mentioned in Daniel 10:13, 21 as a chief prince; and in Revelation 12:7 as leader of angels, but only in this passage is he called the the archangel. Moses burial is told in Deuteronomy 34. But Michael's dispute with Satan about Moses' body is not there mentioned. Origin says that Jude's statment is a reference to a passage in the apocryphal book.The Assumption of Moses which was written about the time of the birth of Christ, only a part of which book is now existing, and which existing part has no such passage. Jude may have had knowledge of the incident from other sources. Josephus says God hid Moses' body lest it be made an idol . Possibly Satan wanted it to tempt Israel into idolatry. Jude's use of the incident seems to sanction its authenticity. It served as an example against the sin of railing( speaking violently against); even the Archangel, highest of creatures, did not rail at the Devil, the most degraded of creatures. THE PROPHECY OF ENOCH, 14, 15 This is the only Scripture allusion to the prophecy of Enoch. The brief story of his life is told in Genesis 5: 18 - 14, but there is no mention of any of his words. Jude's quotation is from the apocryphal Book of Enoch, which was written about 100 B. C. He evidently regards it as a genuine word of Enoch. Thus while Adam, founder of the race, was yet alive, Enoch (contemporary with Adam for 300 years) prophesied of the eventual Coming of the Lord, with his angels, to execute judgment upon the disobedient race. Jude's Sanction of one passage in the book does not Sanction the whole book. Compiled by Shirley Barr December 3, 2005 References used: King James Bible Halleys Bible Handbook No Copyright Infringements intend |
