The Book Of Jude Part 5 Series

Part 5 (3/6/18)

A Lesson for Today’s believers

The apostasy of these ungodly people was abundantly evident, but Jude urges caution in pronouncing judgment on such ungodliness. Michael, the great archangel, was entrusted with great authority by the Lord Jehovah. According to Jewish tradition found in the book, The Assumption of Moses, Michael was sent to bury Moses’ body, but the devil argued with the angel about the body, claiming the right to dispose of it. Nevertheless, Jude reminds his readers that even Michael, as great as he was, would not rebuke Satan. Instead, Michael said, “May the Lord reprimand you!” This was not Michael’s authority, so he did not presume to exercise judgment on a matter that clearly belonged to the Lord God. Other Scriptures also support the exercise of caution when judging the actions of others. “O Lord, God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, appear!” (Psalm 94:1). “Don’t take revenge, dear friends. Instead, let God’s anger take care of it. After all, Scripture says, ‘I alone have the right to take revenge. I will pay back, says the Lord’” (Romans 12:19). “Angels, who have more strength and power than these teachers, don’t bring an insulting judgment against them from the Lord” (2 Peter 2:11). If even the archangel will not exceed his authority, how much more careful should believers be?

10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.

But these speak evil of those things which they know not: Contrary to Jude’s admonition (v. 9), this precept is not followed by those degenerate sinners. It is natural for unbelievers to speak evil of others, but it is distressing that they speak evil about those things of which they know nothing about. “These false teachers insult what they don’t understand. They are like animals, which are creatures of instinct that are born to be caught and killed. So they will be destroyed like animals and lose what their wrongdoing earned them. These false teachers are stains and blemishes. They take pleasure in holding wild parties in broad daylight. They especially enjoy deceiving you while they eat with you” (2 Peter 2:12-13). These people insult things of which they know nothing because they have not been redeemed and do not enjoy the indwelling Spirit of God. These people know nothing about God, His Son Jesus Christ, or the Holy Spirit. They do not know God’s Holy Word, the Bible, but only know what comes naturally born of their sin nature. Consequently, they themselves will perish in the evil they have pronounced on the children of God. “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:18-31).

The teaching about Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection is foolishness to those who have not been called into fellowship with the Creator and Redeemer by His Spirit. Even the wisdom of the smartest men will one day perish unless that wisdom is founded on the truths contained in God’s Word. The Word of the Lord will never perish. The natural man does not know the things of God. He considers himself as little more than the animals and thus is corrupted with this thought. He does not believe there is eternal life for man any more than for the beast. When he enters the doorway of death, he will be surprised to be under eternal condemnation.