3 July
Jude was the brother of James, hence the brother of Jesus. However, in his short letter, he did not identify himself as such, but rather he described himself as a servant of Jesus. It is indeed ‘miraculous’ that the brothers of Jesus who initially did not believe in him, but after the resurrection, not only believed, but they were committed to serve Jesus as the Son of God.
Jude initially wanted to write about the salvation of God’s people, but he felt compelled instead to write and urge the believers to contend for the faith that the Lord had entrusted to them. The situation for the church then was precarious, for false preachers and teachers (probably itinerant preachers) had infiltrated the church with distorted and false teachings. These were ungodly individuals who perverted the truth, using the grace of God as a licence for immorality and they rejected and denied the Lord Jesus (recall that the brothers of Jesus also rejected him previously, and now, ironically, they not only accept him but also defend his lordship and sovereignty). Perhaps, this is a reminder not to give up on those who rejected the gospel.
But what was subverting the church then is now also very active in our current context. What were the warnings Jude communicated to God’s people? Jude pointed out that among the people God delivered from Egypt in the great exodus, God destroyed those who did not believe. It is a stern reminder that privilege does not guarantee freedom from God’s judgment; God’s goodness and grace should not be taken for granted. Those destroyed in the wilderness were those who rebelled against God and his leaders (Moses and Aaron); they were among those who murmured and complained against God for the lack of meat, water, and they turned to build a golden calf to worship as their god. They also spoke of stoning Moses and they wanted to return to Egypt, forgetting their bondage and suffering, but longing for the onions and leeks they could partake in Egypt (Egypt representing ‘slavery, bondage’ and the ‘the world’).
Is this not similar to our current situation – many believers turn back to the world and the prince of this world (Satan) when they encounter setbacks and ‘sufferings’ in their Christian walk and in the church? Many refuse to submit to God and his Word; their loyalty and commitment to God is like ‘chaff’ that is easily ‘thrown to and fro’ by the wind.
Jude went on to say that even angels who rebelled against God would meet with severe judgment – kept in darkness and bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day of judgment. Sodom and Gomorrah who gave themselves to sexual immorality and perversion suffered the punishment and destruction – they serve as an example of punishment of eternal fire.
Jude further described the ungodly people as those who pollute their own bodies, reject authority and heap abuse even on celestial beings; they were grumblers and fault-finders, following their evil desires, boasting about themselves and flattering others for their own advantage.
Surely, this is an apt description of many who have infiltrated God’s church; these are not wheat but tares and on the day of judgment, they would be shown to be what they really are. Let us not belittle the honour and glory of God; do not wrongly console ourselves that God will not unleash his wrath against all ungodliness and evil. It is indeed a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the wrath of God.
The encouragement and exhortations from Jude:
Do not be ‘rattled’ by those who are scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires – they are those who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have God’s Spirit.
Instead, build ourselves up in our most holy faith, and, praying in the Spirit, keep ourselves in God’s love as we wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus to bring us eternal life.
Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; show mercy, mixed with fear, lest we too are stained by their corruption/
Finally, the ‘famous’ doxology:
“To him who is able to keep you from stumbling (falling) and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy – to the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen”.
(B) 4 July
The final judgment will demonstrate and finally vindicate the perfect justice of God. In a world of sinners, in which God has allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways (Acts 14:16), it is to be expected that evil is rampant and that doubts arise as to whether God is sovereign and just.
But for God to judge justly is his glory, and the Last Judgment will be his final self-vindication against the suspicion that he has ceased to care about righteousness (remember the letter of Jude).
In the case of those who profess to be Christians, review of their actual words and works will have the specific point of uncovering the evidence that shows whether their profession is the fruit of an honest regenerate heart (Matt. 12:33-35) or merely the parrot cry of a hypocritical religiosity (Matt. 7:21-23).
Everything about everyone will be exposed on Judgment Day (1 Cor. 4:50, and each one will receive from the Lord God according to what he or she really is. There is no way to hide; God sees all things and all motivations of the heart and there is no avenue to excuse oneself or to seek to justify one’s wrongdoings.
Note: those whose professed faith did not express itself in a new lifestyle, marked by hatred of sin and works of loving service to God and others, will be lost (Matt. 18:23-35; 25:34-46; James 2:14-26).
Fallen angels (demons) will be judged on the last day (Matt. 8:29; Jude 6), and the saints will be involved in the process (1 Cor. 6:3), though Scripture does not reveal their precise role.
Knowledge of future judgment is always a summons to present repentance. Only the penitent will be prepared for judgment when it comes. Also, for those who suffer unjustly for Christ’s sake, such a knowledge gives the assurance that God would put all things right. There is no way that wickedness and evil can get away from God’s fiery eyes of judgment. Truly, it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the God of judgment!!
Hence the call for transparency, and truth, in our hearts and lives!