Jude 17-21

Jude 17-21
Jude 17
(Jude 1:17 KJV) But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;

In Jude 17, we are given an excellent bit of advice which is applicable to every situation we may encounter on this earth. “Remember ye the Words!” We see this biblical mandate in 2 Peter.

(2 Pet 3:1-2 KJV) This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: {2} That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

Jude is telling us that we are to remember the Words of Scripture. It is the greatest piece of advice that we can ever have. Here are ten truths about the words of Scripture:

Cleanses Our Walk
(Psa 119:9 KJV) BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

The word of God is the only true word that teaches and tells us in no uncertain terms how to keep our life on the straight and narrow. The Bible points out to us the areas in which we need to be strengthened so we will not be kept under bondage to any sin.

Gives Us The Message To Proclaim
(Psa 119:13 KJV) With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.

We are to proclaim the message of the Scriptures without any additions or embellishments of man’s words which tend to decrease the severity and awesomeness of God’s Word.

Guides Our Walk
(Psa 119:19 KJV) I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.

Every true believer is a stranger and pilgrim in a hostile environment of sin, and there are many subtle ways that the world can trip us up and get us to walk in its way, instead of the way of the Lord

Prepares Us For Opposition
(Psa 119:23 KJV) Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.

Here the Scriptures teach that there is going to be opposition to our message and person. The moment we have received salvation, we then began to walk opposite the world and we became thorns in the flesh of unbelievers. Opposition is probably the greatest challenge Christians will have on earth.

Teaches Us Distinction Between Our Ways And Gods Ways
(Psa 119:26 KJV) I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.

One of the most dangerous episodes which can take place in the believer’s life is the failure to distinguish between God’s ways and ours. Sometimes we go our own way intentionally thinking we know more than God. That is a mistake when we believe that we can run our life better than God can. Each Christian needs to adopt the ways of God written in Scripture and not try to devise methods of living which only lead us into problems. It is a question of living a profane or holy life, that is the issue.

Gives Us Daily Strength
(Psa 119:28 KJV) My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.

God’s Word brings strength to us. This is why it is imperative that we either read the Bible or hear it. When going to and from work, having good KJV Bible tapes will strengthen us for the day to come and help take the rough edges off our commute to home. It is hard to make hand gestures to someone when you have the Word of God on your tape deck or CD. This world can drain our strength and God’s Word can replenish that strength we need.

Has A Liberating Effect On The Believer
(Psa 119:45 KJV) And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.

The Word of God liberates the soul of the believer and delivers us from all the works that many churches and organizations place on their adherents for salvation. God’s word frees us to do His work in that we do not have to reach any specific spiritual plateau since the Word of God equally distributes truth to every believer. While the ministry of each believer may differ, the Word of God keeps us all in perspective by keeping our eye on the same goal. Every true ministry has the same goal, Glory to God and salvation of the Elect.

Gives Us Hope
(Psa 119:49 KJV) ZAIN. Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.

The Word of God brings hope to the believer since every Word that God has spoken will come to pass or has already. There is nothing in Scripture which has ever failed anyone. The promises that God has made to His children are as if they have already been fulfilled. In the midst of the darkest valleys, God’s Word always sheds a ray of hope on any situation we may face.

Comforts Us
(Psa 119:50 KJV) This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.

Sometimes when we face real rough situations, we feel so depressed but it is God’s Word that makes us fell alive again. It rejuvenates our spirit and brings about a new perspective even when we are in the valley of trouble. God’s comforting word can bring a flood of peace into a situation of turmoil.

All Truth
(Psa 119:151 KJV) Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.

There is never a fear that anything we read in our King James Bible is an addition of man’s ideas. God’s Word is pure and they are all truth. Many books that are written about the Bible are loaded with untruths and theories that the author holds. They will write them and then try to take a Scripture verse and apply it to their thoughts as their proof texts. With the Scriptures, we have the mind of God in our hand which means that God is always near to His children, especially at the times when He seems far away.

Jude 18
(Jude 1:18 KJV) How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.

In this verse Jude completes his warning to people concerning what we are to remember. Jude warns us that there are going to be mockers in the last days. The Lord reminded us so that we may keep that situation right before us and filter what people say through it. The word “mockers’ carries with it the meaning of “scoffer or deceiver.” In fact the word is used only twice in the New Testament. In 2 Peter 3:3, the word is translated “scoffers” and gives the same context as in Jude.

(2 Pet 3:3 KJV) Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
These scoffers or mockers are those who want to deceive us. They need not only be those in authority positions but they could be friends or family. Satan will use those people we are more familiar with to more easily deceive us since our guard will generally be down.

Then both verses go on to say that these false teachers are walking after their lusts. The word “lusts” carries with it the meaning of “longings or cravings.” Remember what cravings the false teachers had? They had a desire to be in authority over people and to rule. We must also look at this on a smaller level. Whenever we come under the teachings of another, we are in essence, under their authority. This is true especially if we begin accept their teachings, then we begin to go under their authority in a greater fashion until we are totally taken in by it. Jude is basically giving us a double warning. Look out for those who are craving authority positions in a church and look out for those who are craving authority in your life.

The word time in this verse is the Greek word “chronos” which carries with it the meaning of “an exact time of an event” or “an extended or shortened” period. What is in view here is the entire New Testament period. The last days began at the cross and Jude is pointing out that these last days are going to be filled with much deceit concerning the true teachings of Christ. As we near the end of time, these deceits are going to increase in severity and variety. God’s word will be under the most vicious of all attacks. Once you can adulterate the root of any tree, you will be able to corrupt the entire tree, until it is dead. The following are some of the heresies I have encountered in the 30 years I have been saved: Satan does not exist; Angels do not exist; Devils do not exist; There is a way to get out of hell once you are in there; Theistic Evolution; Six days of creation are really individual long periods of time; Urantia Book; Signs, wonders, and tongues; The Church Age is Over; Satan rules the local church; The Lord is returning in 1981, 1988, 1989, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2011; Baptismal regeneration, and there are probably others I forgot. The binding cord of these is that these were all presented to me by Christians not cultists. So don’t look beyond your own church or circle of friends for heresy, it will eventually make its way to you but Jude is warning us to be on the lookout for it.

Jude 19
(Jude 1:19 KJV) These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

In our verse we are reading that not only were these false teachers the mockers of the true Gospel, they are the ones who were causing the divisions. They separated themselves in that they would lead astray all those would follow their pernicious ways. Normally, these false teachers would take their followers away from the rest of the congregation so there would be no chance of them going back to their true assembly. If one can separate themselves from the those who bring truth, there is a better chance that the followers will remain in darkness under the authority of the false teachers.

We also see that these false teachers are unsaved. If a person does not have the Holy Spirit indwelling in them, then they are unsaved as these false teachers are.

(Rom 8:9 KJV) But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Jude is telling us that those who are unsaved cannot be under the authority of the Holy Spirit, which means that these false teachers can create some outrageous teachings which may captivate the fleshly desires of the hearers. Normally, those who are saved will almost instantly know, by hearing their teachings, that this group is unsaved and should be avoided, however, there are exceptions. Sometimes true Christians may follow them thinking they have some new insights into Scripture and the false teachers may embellish them which make them sound like true doctrines, when in essence, they are so far off base. Always be on the look out for the silver-tongued person who feels they have greater insight into the Bible than everyone else that came before them.

In Jude 10, we saw the Bible’s description of these false teachers as “brute beasts.” An unsaved person and an animal have something I common, they neither have the Spirit of God in them. Have you ever watched an animal show where you see a stronger animal literally ripping apart a weaker or smaller one? That is what happens when the stronger false teacher intellectually rips apart those who follow them, so they can rebuild them according to their own belief system. This way they will be a convert, then a staunch follower and the false teacher will have attained their desire by having people depend on them to interpret the Bible, of course, according to their own demented beliefs. Let us stabilize our beliefs in the Scriptures, so when these false teachers come into our presence, we will instantly know of what spirit they are.

Jude 20
(Jude 1:20 KJV) But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

Here Jude begins to make a strong distinction between the unbelievers that he described in the past 19 verses and the believers. He has been telling us that the false teachers are tied to the sensuality of this world. Here Jude challenges the believers, to avoid at all costs, the same snares that the false teachers and their adherents fell into.

First of all, Jude counsels the believers that we are to build ourselves up on our most holy faith. This is done by firmly establishing ourselves in the faith. We are to be built on the following principles to achieve that establishment.

(Eph 2:20 KJV) And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

On of the main things that a believer must do to build themselves in the faith is to achieve stabilized beliefs. This is done only through building a life on the Word of God as is told to us in the above verse. The adulterating of God’s principles with man’s thoughts is what weakens the Christian. The building up of one’s self on the Word of God is the most basic, foundational way of remaining strong all of their Christian walk.

(1 Cor 3:9 KJV) For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

When one begins to build their foundation on the Word of God, the next way we become strong in the faith is to do. We must also labour under the knowledge that we do not do things in an isolated manner but we do them according to the fact that we are in God’s field, planted by Him, and nourished by Him. Evangelism is a team effort and is never a private industry. Our work in the world is always under the authority and blessing of the Lord. We belong to God and must never act like we do not.

(Phil 2:12 KJV) Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

We are also to be obedient in working out the salvation that God has bestowed upon us. We never work for our salvation. God has empowered His children with spiritual gifts to do certain ministries. As we begin to partake in ministries, we begin to start growing in the faith. There is no greater lesson than the actual working out of some type of ministry.

(Col 2:6-7 KJV) As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: {7} Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

Our daily walk is to be in Christ and never to be independent of Him. He is the root of our growth, just as the root of a tree supplies nourishment to the tree, Christ gives us the spiritual nourishment that is needed for growth. We are nourished by Him under both hard circumstances and joyful circumstances. It is walking in Christ that establishes us through being rooted and built up in Him. That rooting will never be broken.

Jude wants the believers, that he is warning, to not only know what the false teachers are doing but he wants to see all the believers built up in the faith so they will be strong and not fall prey to the false teachers.

Jude then goes on to tell us that we are to pray in the Holy Ghost. The charismatic element will tell us that this means we are to pray in tongues. That is definitely not what is in view here.

(Eph 6:18 KJV) Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

We are to pray in concert with the will of God and that petition will be heard and interpreted by the Holy Spirit. By praying in the Spirit, we are asking God for His will and guidance. We are also asking the Holy Spirit to refine our prayers with our true intentions.

(Rom 8:26 KJV) Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Our human weakness disallows us to know what we really need to pray for and how to properly pray. The Holy Spirit truly is a gift from the Lord to His children, because He opens up our true objectives and desires when we pray to the Lord. Since we are still clothed in sinful flesh, it is very hard to do pure spiritual praying and the Holy Spirit allays that problem for us.

So Jude is basically counseling us to not only build ourselves up in the faith, he is also telling us that it needs to be done in concert with much prayer, supplication, and involvement in the Work of God. You cannot build on anything if you do nothing!

Jude 21
(Jude 1:21 KJV) Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

The first part of this verse is teaching us to abide in the love of God. This is not a reference to the hideous teaching that a person can lose their salvation. The love of God is a synonym for the salvation of God. God loves His Elect and hates the unbeliever since they are at enmity with Him.

(Psa 5:5 KJV) The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.

Every worker of iniquity is every unbeliever. Only the redeemed of God are able to perform works of righteousness. The unbeliever is at war with God and wants nothing to do with Him.

When Jude speaks of “keeping ourselves,” he is not speaking of any type of works we do to maintain our salvation. Jude is speaking of keeping ourselves detached from sin.

(2 John 1:6 KJV) And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.

Love needs to be defined by its usage. In 2 John, we see that loving God is keeping His commandments. In other words, the Christian is to stay away from sin and any appearance of sin. We are to walk in the light of God’s commandments which are in concert with the Christian life. Some of us Christians like to see how close we can get to the fire without getting burned. The moment we entertain any thought like that, we have become singed. We must rejoice in the Scriptures and let them be our guide for life, and that way we will stay out of trouble.

The second part of that verse, “looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life,” is basically telling us that we are to be looking for the Lord’s return. If we are disobedient to the Lord, we will not be hoping the Lord will return and find us in sin. If we are living obedient, then we will be happily looking for the return of Christ. The true believer is always seeking the return of the Lord so we may be able to go to our own land eternally.

(Ezek 37:21 KJV) And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land:

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