Opening Scripture
Jud 1:8-16 Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. (9) Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" (10) But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves. (11) Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. (12) These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; (13) raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. (14) Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, (15) to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him." (16) These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage.
As we learn from verse 4 Jude has been talking about false prophets. They had a gnostic belief.
Gnostic Beliefs
Gnosticism is a heresy which is made up of a diverse set of beliefs. It is the teaching based on the idea of gnosis (a Koine Greek word meaning "secret knowledge"), or knowledge of transcendence arrived at by way of internal, intuitive means. While Gnosticism thus relies on personal religious experience as its primary authority, early "Christian" Gnostics did adopt their own versions of authoritative Scriptures, such as those found at Nag Hammadi in Egypt.
What we know about Gnosticism comes from Irenaeus who studied twenty of the most influential Gnostic writers and defined and criticized their beliefs. Other early church fathers, such as Tertullian and Origen also provide information regarding Gnostic beliefs. Lastly, many Gnostic writings were discovered at the Nag Hammadi Library. Nag Hammadi is a town in Upper Egypt near ancient Chenoboskion and 13 codices were discovered about 1945.
General beliefs
The following information is taken from Olson, The Story of Christian Theology, p. 37.
Matter or materiality - Dualism
Gnostics believed that matter, whether it be the physical universe or the humanly body, is evil. It is obvious that there is a great tension between spirit and matter. This effects many of their beliefs and especially the way they perceive(d) the world and God's interactions with it.
God
God is wholly transcendent, that is, he is far removed from his creation. He did not create the material universe because it was instead created by an evil or lesser God, sometimes called a "demiurge". God is thus too perfect and pure to have much to do with the evilness of the material universe.
Humanity
Gnostics believed that human beings were "sparks" or "droplets" of the very same spiritual substance (or essence) that God is. Somehow we we became trapped in our physical bodies from which we are to escape.
The Fall
All Gnostics agreed that The Fall was identical to the fall into matter. In other words, creation and The Fall coincide. "As long as spirits are trapped in physical bodies and materiality, they will be subject to sin, which is caused by ignorance of their true nature and home."
Salvation
Gnosticism commonly held that "salvation is to escape from the bondage of the material existence and travel back to the home from which souls/spirits have fallen." God initiates salvation because he wants to draw back the stray bits and pieces of himself, and so he sends forth an emanation of himself - "a spiritual redeemer" - who comes down from heaven and gives an attempt to teach some of the "divine sparks of Spirit" what their true identity is and where their real home lies. Once they are awakened by this redeemer they can then begin their journey back home. "Salvation is by knowledge - self-knowledge."
Jesus
Lastly, as far as most scholars know, Gnostics considered themselves Christians and saw Jesus as a heavenly messenger. However, they rejected the idea of God becoming incarnate (God becoming a man), dying and rising bodily. "These beliefs were considered unspiritual and against true wisdom because they entangled spirit with matter." Most Gnostics believe that whoever entered Jesus at his baptism left him before he died on the cross.
These gnostics had “crept into the church unnoticed”.
Two issues:
“who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ”
In the verses we read Jude gives a description of who they are. Why is this important? Over the years there have been many false prophets who have risen up and followed. I believe you will see some of the same characteristics today.
Illustration: Artificial lights. Salt that has no flavor.
Jude 1:8-16 Likewise also these dreamers (interesting title, Acts 2 tells us that there will be people who are in the church that will “dream dreams” but just having a dream does not make you godly) defile the flesh (this is an issue, over and over again they indulge in sin, 1Pe 1:13-16 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; (14) as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; (15) but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, (16) because it is written, "BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY." ), reject authority (do their own thing), and speak evil of dignitaries. (speak down to the leaders)
(9) Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!"
Jewish tradition teaches that Michael the archangel contended for the body of Moses. In one sense the devil has a right to the body because he is death. But notice this here.
What did Michael do when confronted by the devil. Instead of having a big show and calling out, he said, “The Lord rebuke you!”
Luke 10:17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”
18 And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but [f]rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”
(10) But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves.
They speak evil of things they do not know or understand but what they do know (should be natural or common) they corrupt themselves. They miss the point. Add onto what is wrong.
(11) Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.
“way of Cain” - Anger – Genesis 4:3 - 7
Genesis 4:3-7 And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. (4) Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering, (5) but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. (6) So the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? (7) If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it."
“If you're angry with your spouse, bitter toward your boss, unforgiving of your brother, you have gone the way of Cain. Watch out for anger, gang. It'll pull you away from the place where you just enjoy God's love. It will draw you away from the spout where the blessings come out.” – Courson on Jude
“error of Balaam” – Money Numbers 22, 25
You know the story of Balaam. He was the one who had the donkey talk to him. He was a prophet of God who was enticed by money. God told him not to go, but I believe he saw his heart. Balaam goes but could only speak blessings. He encouraged Balaak to allow his prostitute women to sleep with Israel, this caused sin.
Why? After all he had seen and experienced. For money.
Timothy, “love of money is the root of all evil”
“rebellion of Korah” – pride, rebellion – Number 16
Questioning God’s authority.
These will pull you away from the Love of God.
Overall description
(12) These are spots in your love feasts (these were feasts before communion), while they feast with you without fear (no consideration for the judgement or fear of God for their sin), serving only themselves (selfish). They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds (my wife and I came home the other day and saw a few drops of rain. She said,” Good we need some rain”. Sadly it really never rained good. I looked up and saw “rain clouds with no rain”); late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; (they are dead with no fruit and dead with no root) (13) raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame (raging at the world but embarrassing themselves); wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. (wandering from one church, movement to another but there is a place for them. God will take care of them)
This is not new
(14) Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, (15) to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him."
This is an interesting passage. There is some debate. For some it seems to make reference to the book of Enoch. The book of Enoch is a book that was written that is not contained in scripture. For others it seems to refer to Deuteronomy 33:2. A mention of the Lord coming back with “10 thousand of his saints”
(16) These are grumblers, complainers (doing a lot of fussing but bearing no fruit.), walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. (they say the right things to no avail)
Conclusion
Two warnings
#1 To recognize false prophets in our society. With the social media advances, everyone can have a platform. But not everyone needs a platform or following. Be careful who you follow. Do your research.
#2 Evaluate what is drawing you from the Love of God.
Is it anger? Anger toward someone or situation. If it is ask God to help you to love.
Is it money? Is money pulling you away?
Is it rebellion, pride or jealously.
