Bible Study of Jude – Part Two

In this Bible Study of Jude – Part Two, we will look at the second half of the book or epistle, Jude. As I mentioned in part one, most scholars agree that Jude was the brother of James and Jesus. I will refer to Jude as the brother of James and Jesus – the sons of Mary. In this portion of Jude, we hear about the judgment that will come to false teachers, how to defend yourself against a false teacher, and then a final doxology.

Jude

Again, Jude was probably written after 70AD, with many scholars placing the time frame between 60-80AD. Jude wrote the letter to an unknown local church, probably in Israel. No one knows the exact location because Jude did not mention the church’s name or location. In my Bible Study of Jude – Part One, Jude wrote asking the church to earnestly contend for the faith because error and false teachers were infiltrating the church. He shared false teachers’ characteristics and their fate for teaching lies. Today, we will study the rest of the epistle. So, join me in this Bible Study of Jude – Part Two – a little letter with a powerful message.

Jude 14-16

“And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, 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. 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.”

In these first few verses, Jude gives an example and prophecy concerning the coming judgment of false teachers. Jude qualifies his knowledge of the subject by sharing that Enoch was the seventh patriarch after Adam. Enoch also co-existed with Adam because of Adam’s longevity. Speaking of the prophesied messiah, Enoch said, “Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all,” and to bring to light the sins committed by the ungodly. This scripture can be found in Daniel 7:10.

These mutterers, whiners, follow their own lusts. They may speak in utterances like those that “speak in tongues” or complain that they don’t get to do all the lusty, sinful deeds of the non-Christians. They provide lengthy, pontificating speeches that declare their thoughts, ideas, and desires while ignoring what God actually revealed in His Holy Bible. These deceptive practices persuade many to deviate from the lessons of God’s Word and give false prophets an advantage. The advantage is a following of people who either don’t know and understand the scriptures or would rather ignore them to continue sinning. We know God will judge these people because of how the false prophets are addressed in scripture and the prophecy of final judgment at the Great White Throne Judgement described in Revelation 20.

Jude 17-23

“17 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.”

Jude implores the readers of this epistle to remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ taught them. He reminds them that many of the apostles described people who would be mockers. In other words, people who would reject Christianity and act upon every lust of their hearts – or at least the lusts that they think they can get away with. These people are the ungodly, not just non-Christians, but those of other religions, atheists, agnostics, and professing Christians. These unregenerate, godless “professing Christians” are false Christians who “talk a good game” but do everything according to their own will instead of according to God’s will. If you are not doing God’s will – per Biblical scripture – you are not a Christian!

Then, Jude reminds the readers to build themselves up in the holy faith. In other words, read, study, and obey God’s will as presented in the Bible, not according to some pastor, preacher, or evangelist, but in obedience to God’s Holy Word. Jude also recommends staying in prayer, loving God, and giving your life to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Accepting Christ’s free gift of salvation, repentance, and obedience to God’s Word leads to eternal life, which are the earmarks of a true Christian.

We should have compassion for those who are walking in sin and try to show them the proper path. We should share the final judgment with them so that fear of that judgment might change their behavior. In other words, “pulling them from the fire.” We are to hate their sin but love them enough to tell them the truth about the judgment from God that awaits them if they don’t repent and submit in obedience to God.

Doxology Jude 24-25

“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.”

Per the Webster’s Dictionary of 1828, a doxology is “In Christian worship, a hymn in praise of the Almighty; a particular form of giving glory to God.”[1] The doxology starts by describing Him, who can keep you from falling and present you as faultless. This statement clearly describes Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Savior. Only Jesus can present us faultless (justified) in the eyes of God the Father and keep us from falling through the indwelling Holy Spirit. So, as Christians, we enter God’s presence with exceeding joy.

Jude continues his doxology by saying, “To the only wise God our Savior.” The God of the Bible is the only wise God. All other gods are false gods – manifestations of human thought, literature, and artistry. Literally, no other God exists – Isaiah 19:19. To our wise God and Savior, Jesus Christ, Jude proclaims glory, majesty, dominion, and power now and forever! Amen!!

Lessons from this Bible Study of Jude – Part Two

Jude shared from his heart lessons for all the saints of God. This Bible Study of Jude – Part Two shared several imperative truths.

1.      We learn about the judgment that will come to false teachers – Eternal condemnation and, per Revelation, an eternal home in the Lake of Fire.

2.      We learn how to defend ourselves against a false teacher – Know the scriptures so that you cannot be deceived, and don’t follow someone just because they’re charismatic or sharing what you want to hear. We must be in obedience to God’s Holy Word, the Bible.

3. The final doxology teaches us to always praise, honor, and glorify our Lord Jesus because He is the only one worthy of dominion and power over our lives and His Universe.

Reference

[1] Webster, N. (1828). Webster's Dictionary 1828. Webster's Dictionary 1828. https://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/Doxology