JUDE - A TRUTH WORTH FIGHTING FOR

JUDE

A TRUTH WORTH FIGHTING FOR

Tuesday Morning Bible Study

February 19, 2019, the year of the Lord

Pastor Carolyn Sissom

Most scholars agree that Jude who wrote the Epistle was one of the sons of Joseph and Mary and thus a younger brother of Jesus.  If so, his brother was James the Just, who was the pastor and leader of the Jerusalem church.

  Do we also consider he is the apostle Jude, one of the twelve?  In Matthew the apostle Jude is called “Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus (Mt. 10:3).  In the Gospel of Mark, he is called “Thaddaeus” (Mark 3:18).  Luke refers to him as “Judas” (Jude) the son (brother) of James (the Great).  Jude, the Apostle, would then be the grandson of Zebedee.

  This would indicate the Epistle was written by Jude, the brother of Jesus.

Jude 1-2: “Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and the brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.”

Jude 1-3: Passion Translation: From Judah, a loving servant of Jesus, the Anointed One, and brother of James.  I am writing to the chosen ones who are wrapped in the love of Father God-kept and guarded for Jesus, the Messiah.  May God’s mercy, peace and love cascade over you!

The Apostle James was the elder brother of John the Beloved.  With John and their father, Zebedee, he plied his trade as a fisherman in the Sea of Galilee.  He is one of the three men who appear to comprise the inner circle of the Apostles—Peter, James and John.  James and John were given the surname, Sons of Thunder (Boanerges). 

The Apostle, James the Less, was the son of Alphaeus, who was called “Less” or sometimes “Younger.”  All we do know about James the Less is that he was a brother to Matthew; Joseph an early Christian; and Salome, an unknown woman. 

James the brother of Jesus was not named as one of the twelve apostles, but was known as a very just and righteous man.  Tradition and history gives him the status of James the Just.  Mt. 13:55:  Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And his brothers James, Joses, Simon and Judas?

So, the obvious conclusion is the Epistle of Jude was written by Christ’s brother, Judas. Judas was a common Aramaic name during the time of Jesus.  There were two apostles by that name as well as the brother of Jesus.  However, some scholars believe the epistle was written by the Apostle Jude.

The purpose of the Letter was to counter certain heresies which were arising inside the churches.  The false teachings were of an antinomian character.  This persuasion viewed all matter as evil, and everything of spiritual nature as good.  They therefore cultivated their own spiritual lives, while allowing their flesh to do just as it liked, with the result that they were guilty of blatant immorality of all kinds.  The false teachers had perverted the message of Grace as a license to commit immorality.

“Jude carries the message there is a truth worth fighting for.  It is not only written to you, as one who loves the truth, it is also entrusted to you---to preserve, defend, contend and struggle for the truth.” (P.T.)  His warning to persevere in both believing in our faith and living out our faith is timeless---for the church has always had to contend with false teachers who have tried to pervert the message of God’s grace and distort the nature of our salvation.

Jude describes himself in a truly humble way, recognizing himself as a servant of Jesus Christ, and as insignificant in comparison with his brother, James.  He does not name those to whom he wrote; he describes them as called, loved and kept.  This is a reference to a Christian’s past, present and future.  His wish for them is that God’s mercy, peace and love may be theirs in increasing measure.

Jude 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 you 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.”

Jude wanted to write to believers about our amazing salvation, bu t“the faith” is in danger; by faith, he means the whole body of the truths of the Gospel.  Faithful Christians must always defend these truths vigorously against dilution or perversion. 

The chief enemies of the truths from the earliest days of the church were men who wormed their way in though inwardly opposed to the gospel and all it implied, men destined for condemnation, not salvation.  Such false brethren were characterized by immorality.  Jude regards such an antinomian attitude as equivalent to a denial of Lord Jesus Christ.

Antinomianism:  relating to the view that Christians are released by grace from the obligation of observing the moral law.  We can also consider this is the name of a demonic strong man.

Jude 5-7: “I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. The angels who kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.  Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.”

The three groups named:

1. The Lord saved the people out of Egypt and afterward destroyed them that did not believe.
2. Fallen angels are in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
3. Sodom and Gomorrah, are suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

Each one of these groups has been highly favored by the Lord.  They had all been guilty of presumption, lack of faith or gross immorality; and they had all paid a dreadful penalty.  The first and third examples are biblical (Numbers 14 and Genesis 19).  But the second them that of fallen angels, is drawn from non-canonical books such as I Enoch (chapters 6-10).  It is my persuasion since it is in the canon of Holy Scripture in the Book of Jude as well as referred to in Gen. 6: 1-4, that this is factual.

The angels who abandoned the heavenly realm came to earth to have intercourse with women in order to corrupt the godly lineage of Seth.  Cain had already gone into the darkness  of sin. The godly line of Seth would one day bring forth Noah, and from his seed (Shem).  Jesus would eventually be born from the godly line of Seth.  The rebellious rank of angels mentioned here had sex with women who then gave birth to the Nephilim.  This sin was one of the significant causes for the flood.  The fallen angels usurped the rights and prerogatives of human beings.  For this special sin of fornication, the angels are now bound in Tartarus. 

The fire which destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, Jude describes as eternal.  This is a description of the fires of hell.  “Even as Sodom and Gomorrah” ---that is, Sodom and Gomorrah who, as the angels did, gave themselves over to fornication, and went after strange flesh, are set forth as examples of eternal punishment.  The sin of Sodom and Gomorrah was that of sodomy, of living contrary to nature.  Here fornication is used of homosexuality sexual perversion.

Jude: 8-9: “Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.  Yet, Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, the Lord rebuke you.”

These corrupt and pollute the natural realm, and reject the spiritual realms of governmental power and repeatedly scoff at heavenly glories.

The phrase “these dreamers” may suggest that these men claimed their actions were justified by dreams or visions they had received.  We certainly believe in the “Seer” gifts of dreams and visions.  However, if dreams and visions do not align with the Word of God and are confirmed by at least three witnesses, we are not to use these to guide our lives.

With their arrogance, Jude contrasts the behavior of the archangel Michael when challenging Satan himself:  Michael would not speak arrogantly even to the devil.

Jude 10-13: But these speak evil of those things which they do not know; but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.  Woe unto them!  for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Korah.  These are spots in your love feasts, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear; clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withers, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots.  Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.”

Attention is again drawn to the licentious behavior of the pseudo-Christians.  Further more, they are identified with Cain, by ungodly motives and avarice like Balaam, and by rebellion against divine authority like Korah.  Balaam’s error, too because of their greedy pursuit of financial gain.   Such men are certainly blemishes, perhaps dangerous.

The term love feast denotes the fellowship meals of the early church, in the course of which the Lord’s supper was often celebrated.  Evidently these men had permeated to the very center of Christian church fellowship, some of them probably gaining positions of leadership.  Feed only themselves literally means shepherding themselves.

The metaphors are self-explanatory.  Twice dead means first dead in sins and after professing conversion still dead to good works.  The final metaphor, “wandering stars means meteors floating about without direction and guidance.  “Clouds without water” do not carry or speak the true refreshing showers of truth.  They are carried away by their passions and licentiousness.  Trees: that are diseased and fruitless.  Raging waves of the sea; foaming out the wickedness and shame like a troubled sea.

Jude 1:14: “And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deed which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”

Jude 1: 16-18:  These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage.  But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts.

1:16: - Passion Translation: These people are always complaining and never satisfied –finding fault with everyone.  They follow their own evil desires and their mouths speak scandalous things.  They enjoy using seductive flattery to manipulate others.

Prophecy given at Elim Summer Bible Camp – New York (1965) by: Stanley Frodshams:  I cannot teach or preach any higher on Jude than this prophecy.

“I warn you to search the Scriptures diligently concerning these last days, for the things that are written shall indeed be manifested.

There shall come deceivers among My people, in increasing numbers, who speak for the truth and shall gain the favor and the hearts of the people.

For the people shall examine the Scriptures and say, "Is not what these men say true?" Then, when they have gained the hearts of the people, then and only then shall they bring out their wrong doctrines. Therefore I say unto you and warn you, 'Oh people, do not give your hearts to men, nor hold people in admiration, for by these very persons shall Satan enter into My people.' Watch for the seducers. Do you think a seducer will brandish a new heresy and flaunt it before the people? No, he will speak the words of righteousness and truth, and will appear as a minister of light declaring the Word.

And the people’s hearts shall be won over by their words, then, when their hearts are won, they shall bring out their doctrines, and the people shall be deceived. The people shall say, 'Did he not speak this and that? Did we not examine it from the Word? Therefore, he is a minister of righteousness. This that he now has spoken, though we do not see it in the Word, it truly must be right, for everything else he has said is true.'

Jude 1:17:  But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It is worth noting Jude does not here identify himself as one of the Apostles.

1-23: How they you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts.  These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.  But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.  Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.  And on some have compassion, making a distinction.  But others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire hating even the garment defiled by the flesh. 

“Ssek Me continuously, and when these doctrines are brought out, you shall have a witness within your heart that they are not of Me. Fear not, for I have warned you. Many will be deceived. But if you walk in holiness and uprightness before the Lord your God, your eyes shall be opened, and the Lord God shall protect you all the days of your life. If you will constantly look unto the Lord, you will know when the doctrine changes. And you will not be brought into this thing, if your heart is right, saith the Lord. I will keep you. And if you look constantly unto Me, I will uphold you. The minister of righteousness shall be on this wise, saith the Lord: his life shall agree with the Word, his lips shall give forth that which is holy truth, and it will be no mixture in his ministry. When the mixture appears, you will know that he is not a minister of righteousness. The deceivers speak first the truth and then error, to cover their own sins which they love.” (Prophecy – Frodsham)

Fear not, for I have given you power whereby you may tread upon the powers of darkness and come forth victorious. It was on the cross that I triumphed over all things. My life shall flow through you as you enter into these precious truths. Look unto Me and appropriate My life. As your eyes and desires are towards Me, and you know what it is to be crucified with Me, then you shall also know what it is to be resurrected by Me. It was not in My life that I walked upon the earth, but it was in My life when I was upon the cross that I openly spoiled the principalities and powers of darkness

I warn you, that when the glory shall be manifested, the temptations shall be great, until very few that start shall finish the race. First, they shall be offered the great worldly possessions, prosperity and then reviling and unbelief shall overtake them. Consider your purpose in this last hour. At times everyone shall rise up against and try with everything to turn you from that course of holiness. It is written of Me, that I set My face as a flint to go the direction My Father had prescribed for…

So, hear the Word of the Lord, if you are to finish the race with great victory and glory, you must determine to set your face as a flint with great determination. You must walk in the course laid before you…

Many of your loved ones and those who follow with you shall persecute you and even try to turn you from your course. With many words that seem right in the natural mind, they shall try to turn you. Did not Christ rebuke Peter who tried to turn Him off the course that God had prescribed for Him…

 The persecution and the darkness shall be as great as the glory, in order to try to turn the elect and the anointed ones from the path which the Lord God has laid down for them. Many shall start, but few shall be able to finish the course, because of the greatness of grace that shall be needed in that hour to endure to the end. The temptations and the persecution of your Lord were continuous. He was tempted by Satan in many forms through him, and He listened not, but He laid down His life upon the cross…

The Lord must prepare you to be an overcomer in all things that you may be able to finish the course. The persecution shall increase, even as the anointing shall increase. Hear these words, 'My grace is sufficient for you' in that hour. In paths of justice and of righteousness shall the Lord God lead His people and bring them into a place which He has chosen for this time. For the Lord has chosen a place of righteousness. It is a place of holiness where He shall encamp round about them, and all who will be led of the Lord shall be brought into this holy place. For the Lord delights to dwell in His people. The Lord delights to manifest Himself through His people. The holiness of the Lord shall be manifested through His people. Let the Lord lead you into difficult places…

.Jde 1:24 - Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,

Jde 1:25 - To God our Savior,

This is the “keeping power” of the Lord Jesus Christ that we place ourselves under as we follow wholly after Him.

Carolyn Sissom, Pastor

Eastgate Ministries Church

www.eastgateministries.com

This is excerpts only from The Coming Glory and Deceiving Spirits-- a Prophecy given at
Elim Summer Bible Camp - New York in the summer 1965

Now to the one with enough power to prevent you from stumbling into sin and bring you faultless before his glorious presence to stand before him with ecstatic delight, to the only God our Savior, through our Lord Jesus Christ, be endless glory and majesty, great power and authority---from before he created time, now, and throughout all the ages of eternity.  Amen.