Jude 1:14-15 - Ministry of Enoch
Text: “Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, 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.” (cf. Deuteronomy 33:2; Danie; 7:10-14; Zechariah 14:5; Matthew 25:31).
Introduction:
Jude now turns to a pre-Flood historical situation about Enoch. We find references to Enoch in Genesis 5:18-24, Hebrews 11:5, and Jude 14-15. His name is referred to three times in the New Testament (Luke 3:37, Hebrews 11:5, Jude 1:14).
Life of Enoch:
Enoch was the son of Jared. His name signifies one "instructed", or "trained up". Enoch was the seventh from Adam in the line of Seth and not from the date of Cain. He was not the seventh man from him that was born into the world, but the seventh generation from Adam. The genealogical count is inclusive, counting Adam as the first, then Enoch as seventh (Adam, Seth, Enosh, Cainan, Mahalalel, Jared, Enoch). The number seven is often used for perfection or completion in the Bible.
We can arrive at the point that he walked with God in a declining culture. Enoch made it patently obvious that God would judge the world. Enoch pleased God by walking with Him and preached to his generation, he lived a testimonial life. He had a very close relationship with God in a world and at a time that was becoming very wicked. We also discover that God took him in the prime of life. 365 years old in his days was equivalent to 35 years old today. He was the father of Methuselah, who was the oldest man that ever lived.
He was translated into heaven. A new concept in those days. He disappeared from the sight of the people. He was not missed out in the jungle, or lost on the way but he was taken up in the sight of the people.
The Arabic writers call him Edris the prophet, and the Jews say that he was in a higher degree than Moses or Elias; they also call him Metatron, the great scribe, a name which they sometimes give to the angel that went before the children of Israel in the wilderness.
Ministry of Enoch:
The preaching of Enoch is quoted by Jude is not from a non-inspired book of the Jewish Literature, the Book of “1 Enoch”. Enoch had amazing spiritual revelations. The Catholic Bible says, "The Book of Enoch is apocryphal. St. Jude does not here approve the entire book, but only this prophecy." Jude's phrasing is significantly different, leading many to suggest that he was either quoting an oral tradition or had been given particular information by the Holy Spirit. Enoch had a prophetical ministry. His preaching was a warning and a call to repentance. Enoch was inspired by the Holy Spirit to reveal the Second Coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ, even before he was promised to Abraham and his descendants.
Enoch prophesied the coming of the Apostates and the coming of the Lord. Jude now undergirds his attack upon these sensual intruders with an appeal to prophecy, showing that their judgment is prophetically established.
Ungodly:
The word “ungodly” occurs four times in this one verse. He said: Ungodly, ungodly deeds, ungodly way, and ungodly sinners. Religionists might be moral but not godly. People may have religions but without God, without the true God. Ungodly deeds are performed by persons who have a form of godliness (2 Timothy 3:5). Dr. Constable says "Every action that proceeds from an unholy, unrepentant heart is an ungodly deed. Satan in Eden and Judas in Gethsemane clothed ungodly deeds in soft words." Ungodly in simple terms describes a lack of interest in the things of God and a behavior and lifestyle consistent with such an irreverent attitude. Living as if God does not exist and with no regard for Him. Ungodly Sinners refers to those who are continually erring from the way, constantly missing God's mark, and living in opposition to His good and acceptable and perfect will. The ungodly teachers have no understanding of spiritual things but act according to their physical instincts, like animals.
Behold:
Spurgeon says "Behold is a word of wonder; it is intended to excite admiration. Wherever you see it hung out in Scripture, it is like an ancient sign-board, signifying that there are rich wares within, …drawing attention to something particularly worthy of observation."
The Second Coming:
The Lord Jesus would come in two stages The Rapture and The Second Coming. At the Rapture, He would come for the saints; at the Second Coming, He would come with the saints. At the Rapture, He would come in clouds, not stand on the earth. At the Second Coming, He would come to the earth itself. The Rapture is to receive the Church unto Himself. The Second Coming is to establish His kingdom on earth. (Revelation 19:11-16, Matthew 16:27, 24:30-31, 25:31, 1 Thessalonians 3:13). The word “saints” we now apply commonly to “redeemed” saints, or to Christians. The original word is, applicable to all who are “holy,” angels as well as men. The word “ten thousands” from which the English myriad. In the plural, it means “ten thousands.” This would mean, minimally, 20,000 (a multiple of ten thousand). The term was often used in apocalyptic literature to represent simply a rather large number, without any attempt to be specific.
Judgment on All:
To execute judgment upon all, and establish justice, it will be universal upon all. Those who are in Christ shall escape and the rest shall receive their awards. The Flood destroyed all who were outside the ark of Noah, and the fire and brimstone destroyed all in Sodom and Gomorrah except Lot and his wife and two daughters.
(Ref: Bibleref.com; Enduring Word; Austin Precept; Bible study tools; Study light)
