Introduction

Good morning, dear family in Christ. It's a joy to gather with you today, not in a spirit of solemnity, but with hearts brimming with anticipation. We're here to engage with the Word of God, to allow it to shape us, to challenge us, and to draw us closer to our Creator.

Today, we turn our focus to an intriguing passage from the book of Jude, verses 14 and 15. It reads, "And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all the hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him."

In our time together, we will be juxtaposing Jude and the Book of Enoch, judging the inconsistencies in the Book of Enoch, and justifying the rejection of the Book of Enoch. As we approach this study, let's remember the words of Charles Spurgeon, one of the most respected preachers in the history of the church. He once said, "Visit many good books, but live in the Bible." It's a reminder that no matter how many other texts we read, the Bible is our home. It's where we find our truth, our comfort, and our guidance.

Let's bow our heads in prayer. Heavenly Father, we come to You today with open hearts and open minds. We ask that You guide us as we study Your Word. May it be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Help us to understand the truths that You have for us today. May we not just be hearers of the Word, but doers also. We ask this in the precious and powerful name of Jesus. Amen.

So, dear friends, are we ready? Are we prepared to grapple with the text, to wrestle with its complexities, and to emerge with a deeper understanding of God's truth? I believe we are. Let's embark on this enlightening endeavor together, with the Holy Spirit as our guide, and God's Word as our compass.

Juxtaposing Jude and the Book of Enoch

In his letter, Jude makes a reference to Enoch, the seventh from Adam. This reference is intriguing because it seems to quote directly from the Book of Enoch, a non-canonical Jewish text that was popular during the Second Temple period. The Book of Enoch is filled with apocalyptic visions and prophecies, and it tells the story of the fallen angels who mated with human women and produced a race of giants, the Nephilim.

Now, let's look at the specific verses in Jude that mention Enoch. Jude 14-15 says, "And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all the hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him."

Now, let's turn our attention to the Book of Enoch. This book is not included in the canonical Bible, but it was widely read and respected by many early Christians. The Book of Enoch is filled with visions of the end times, and it provides a detailed account of the fall of the angels. It also includes a prophecy about the coming judgment, which is similar to the prophecy mentioned in Jude.

Despite the similarities between Jude and the Book of Enoch, there are also significant differences. For example, the Book of Enoch includes many fantastical elements, such as angels mating with humans and producing a race of giants. These elements are not found in Jude or in any other book of the Bible.

Moreover, the Book of Enoch presents a dualistic worldview, with a clear division between the forces of good and evil. This is in contrast to the biblical view, which acknowledges the existence of evil but ultimately affirms the sovereignty of God over all things.

The use of the Book of Enoch by Jude raises several questions. Why would Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ, quote from a non-canonical text? Does this mean that Jude considered the Book of Enoch to be inspired scripture? And if so, why is the Book of Enoch not included in the Bible?

It's important to remember that the early Christian community was diverse and dynamic. They did not have a fixed canon of scripture, and they read and respected a wide range of religious texts. It's possible that Jude quoted from the Book of Enoch because he found its prophecy about the coming judgment to be relevant and compelling. However, this does not mean that Jude considered the Book of Enoch to be on par with the books of the Bible. The fact that Jude quoted from the Book of Enoch does not necessarily mean that he endorsed all of its teachings. It's also worth noting that the early church fathers, who were responsible for determining the canon of scripture, did not include the Book of Enoch in the Bible.

Before we move on to our next point, consider some of the sources that Paul quotes. Titus 1:12 says, “One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, the Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.” Is Paul saying that this prophet or poet should have his writings in the Canon of Scripture? Of course not. There is much truth even in the realm of the unbelieving world. Perhaps you’ve heard the phrase “a broken clock is right twice a day.” So it is with the book of Enoch. It obviously contains some biblical truth, but that does not mean it should be in the Canon anymore than the poet Paul quotes in Titus 1 should be.

Transition. The relationship between Jude and the Book of Enoch is complex and intriguing. While there are similarities between the two texts, there are also significant differences. The use of the Book of Enoch by Jude raises important questions about the nature of scripture and the process of canonization. However, Jude's primary concern was to encourage his readers to stand firm in their faith and to warn them about the dangers of false teaching. This is a message that remains relevant for us today.

Judging the Inconsistencies in the Book of Enoch

In our study, we've seen that the Book of Enoch presents a narrative that, at first glance, seems to align with the biblical account ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO