Epistles (written)

Wednesday, 29 July 2020

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; Jude -12

Jude now turns from biblical examples of comparison about the perverted people he has been discussing, and he now makes comparisons to them from nature. In this verse, he will use three of them – spots, clouds without water, and late autumn trees without fruit. And so, he begins by saying, “They are spots in your love feasts.”

This is actually an unfortunate rendering which follows the error of the KJV. In a comparable passage found in 2 Peter 2:13, it says, “They are blots and blemishes.” There, he uses the Greek word spiloi. One can think of spilling something on clothes. That is an entirely different word than is used here. Rather, the Greek word spilades is used. It means “reefs” or “sunken rocks.”

What Jude is saying is that these people are like underwater obstructions that tear easily through a moving ship, causing it to be rent and destroyed. The symbolism is clear – a congregation which isn’t on guard against these types is doomed to share in their same fate.

As Jude ties them in with the “love feasts,” he is certainly saying that their conduct, during the time of fellowship and communion directed by the Lord (see Luke 22:14-22 and 1 Corinthians 11:17-26) will turn into an unholy gathering. They sneak into the congregation and turn this sacred time into a time of drinking and other perversion. This was evident at the time of Jude, and it is now found in countless major denominations and local churches today.

Jude then says this is all done “while they feast with you without fear.” They enter into the love feasts, they treat the entire occasion without any fear of God, and they introduce unholiness and ungodly practices into the rites of the church. There is no shame in their conduct, no care about what is passed down in Scripture, and no fear of the God who deemed it necessary to send Christ to die for sin, indicating that He is truly angry at sin.

Jude next says, “serving only themselves.” The word translated as “serving” signifies “shepherding.” In other words, there is no care for the flock, but rather they feed themselves, provide drink for themselves, and they ignore the others as they enter into debauchery and illicit conduct. They do not have the shepherding heart of the Lord, and they have no heart for the Lord as well.

Jude then says, “They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds.” In the arid regions of the world, or in any place that has sustained a long drought, this is easily understood. Long times of rainless skies cause the land to crack and moan for water and shade. Along come the highest wispy cirrus clouds which tempt the poor souls below with the prospect of shade and maybe even rain. But they provide neither. Instead, like these clouds, these unholy people look as if they will provide spiritual increase, but instead they are useless mirages, blown easily by the wind. They change their doctrine to suit their unstable souls, they have no substance, and they deprive those they instruct of any true spiritual invigoration.

Jude then calls them “late autumn trees without fruit.” Late autumn is when the trees are expected to bear fruit and yet they have none. Instead, they are barren of anything nourishing. Just as one tree will look like another, these people come in and appear to be bearers of fruit. But eventually, when it is too late for those who listen to them to find another source, it is discovered that nothing of value has been produced by them.

In this state, Jude then adds on another descriptor. When inspected more closely, it is determined that they are “twice dead” because their roots are already decayed. Any leaves were simply left over as the tree itself died away. After the autumn harvest, it is expected that the trees will lose their leaves and appear dead until spring comes again. But these people had no life in them all along. They aren’t just appearing “dead” after a fruitful harvest, they are already dead, and thus the final state of such a tree is to be “pulled up by the roots.”

It is a rejected plant that will burn in the fire because even its wood has suffered the decay of rot. Such will be the case with the refuse of sexually immoral, unrepentant souls who never believed the truth in Christ. They invade and corrupt the church of the Living God. Hell is their final destination.

Life application: In today’s world, saying words such as Jude has used would be considered “offensive.” Calling out sin results in the one who does so being called a bigot, a homophobe, or some other term intended to shut him up. But Jude sets the example here. He is direct and explicit in his condemnation of such people. As this is what the Bible conveys, it is what we are to also convey when faced with such people.

If a teacher is teaching immorality, heresy, or that which diminishes the reliability of the word of God, he is to be called out – even by name if necessary. This is not simply a matter of holding fast to the integrity of the church and the word for the sake of harmonious conduct. It is a matter of saving souls from the grasp of wolves. The people in such a congregation, if not alerted to the false nature of what is being presented to them, may never come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. It is the duty and responsibility of those who see such conduct to call it out when the circumstances permit.

May we never be timid in our words when it comes to such things. Pray in advance for the internal strength to speak out, for wisdom in what to say, and then open your mouth and speak when the time is right.

O God, Your word presents a clear and unambiguous reminder that You will not tolerate sexual immorality in Your church. Those who sneak in and proclaim that they are free from the moral underpinnings of Your character are deceivers. Please alert us to such people who creep into the fellowship and attempt to infect the congregation with their immorality. May they be kept away from where we attend so that we can live holy and pure lives to You. Amen.

Tuesday, 28 July 2020

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. Jude -11

Jude continues to speak about the “dreamers” of verse 8. In order to explain what they are like, he will reach back to some concrete examples from the Old Testament Scriptures. First, he begins with, “Woe to them.” The word “woe” is a primary expression of grief which is used many times by Jesus in the three synoptic gospels. It is used once by Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:16. However, it is in the noun form there when he says, “Woe is me.” It is used by Jude this one time, and then it is found 14 times in Revelation. Jude is using it as it is normally used, which is as an imprecation.

From there, he says, “For they have gone in the way of Cain.” Cain, the first person ever recorded as being born to humanity, killed his younger brother because God accepted the offering made by Abel but not his. Why? Hebrews 11:4 tells us it is because Abel’s offering came through faith, something Cain’s lacked. But, Hebrews 11:6 then says that without faith, it is impossible to please God.

These people are like Cain. They are faithless, treacherous people. The obvious thought about them is that they would be willing to kill their own sibling in order to gratify themselves. Anyone lacking faith in God will also lack a fear of God. In this, anything goes – even to the slaying of another.

Next, Jude says they “have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit.” The word Jude uses literally means “to pour out.” The Douay-Rheims Bible follows this literal translation, saying, “and after the error of Balaam they have for reward poured out themselves.” It is as if they have spent all their energy, riotously running ahead in order to make a profit. There is no restraint in their conduct, but they rather shamefully press forward for the sake of earthly treasures and earthly pleasures.

Balaam was hired to curse Israel as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. His attempts failed and he was left without a reward by the king who hired him. In an attempt to regain his lost wages, he offered a plan to bring Israel to ruin through sexual immorality and idolatry. Those Jude refers to now are no different. The sphere in which they live is one defiled by the lust of greed, and they will seek new ways in order to fill their desires.

Jude then finishes the thought with, “and perished in the rebellion of Korah.” Here, the word translated as “rebellion” signifies a contradiction, dispute, contention, and so on. During the wildness wanderings of Israel, Korah attempted to usurp the duly established authority of Moses and the High Priest Aaron.

The obvious idea Jude is conveying is that there are scriptural rules of authority that have been established. Christ is the Head, His word has been given through chosen apostles and men of God, and the church is to be obedient to what has been put forth within those parameters as laid out in Scripture. And yet, these people have set out to usurp that line of authority.

As Christ is risen and in heaven, and as all of the authors of the Bible have died, the only remaining authority we have at this time is the word of God, the Bible. But this sacred word is resisted with contradiction and dispute. The authority of the word of God is diminished in order to elevate their own supposed authority. In this dismissal of the word of God, they will perish.

Life application: Concerning the morally twisted people Jude has been discussing – Woe to them! They are self-condemned and doomed. In his words, Jude has cited three Old Testament accounts to express the types of people he is dealing with.

Taken together, we see a trilogy of wickedness – Cain demonstrates unrighteousness; Balaam represents a covetous and deceitful spirit; and Korah reflects a rejection of duly established lines of authority. Individually, or in any combination, these examples demonstrate those in the church who really don’t belong there. Why? Because all three of these examples ultimately lack the necessary faith of the believer. From faith to faith, we are established in Jesus Christ. So, when faith is lacking, a spirit of wickedness and deceit will naturally follow. Hold fast to your faith, which is more precious than gold which perishes.

Heavenly Father, we have all seen people in churches and in our daily lives who lack faith in You, who run greedily after profit, and who resist authority at every turn. For those who have wormed their way into churches, we would ask that You would highlight their deeds so that they may be exposed for who they truly are. Remove them from the lives of Your faithful so that we may be established, kept safe, and become strong in our doctrine. Amen.

Monday, 27 July 2020

But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves. Jude -10

The word “but” connects the reader back to the preceding verses that refer to speaking evil of dignitaries and when the Archangel Michael would not bring a reviling accusation against Satan but rather said, “the Lord rebuke you.” With that in mind, Jude says, “But these speak evil of whatever they do not know.” “These” refers to those “dreamers” of verse 8 who “defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries.”

Of them, Jude notes that in their evil speaking, they do so in what they do not know. What they speak of is completely beyond their ability to grasp.  This is contrasted to Michael who knew very well that Satan was a fallen angel, that he was guilty before God, and that he had no right to Moses’ body. And yet, with all of that known information, he still withheld any reviling accusation. He is setting an absolute contrast between the two. From there, he continues his thoughts about these vile people by saying, “and whatever they know naturally.”

The translation, following the KJV, is a bit unfortunate. Two different words are translated as “know.” The first speaks of mental comprehension or knowledge. The second of knowledge by prolonged acquaintance. One observes and then understands. Thus, their understanding is based on their own limited observance and instinct. Hence, what they know naturally is “like brute beasts.”

The word phusikós, translated as “naturally,” is found only here. It signifies “by instinct.” In other words, there is no clarity of thought, no reasoning of the mind, no elevating of the person to live beyond the most basic of animal instincts.

It is interesting how different translators describe them – brute beasts, irrational animals, unthinking animals, unreasoning animals, senseless animals, wild animals, creatures without reason, dumb animals, creatures of instinct, dumb beasts, irrational beasts, and so on. Each is an excellent way to biblically define such people. They have the minds of mere animals – unreasoning, sensuous, unclear in thought, and directed to only that which is base and shallow. Jude then finishes with, “in these things they corrupt themselves.”

The idea of these words is that the longer they go without clearly thinking things through, the more debauched they become. Eventually, there is only the instincts of perversion, senseless waste, blind obedience (if a follower of such people), and so on. In the end, there is only a corrupted person not fit for life in a properly functioning society.

It is the state of the people of Jerusalem as described by the prophet Zephaniah –

Woe to her who is rebellious and polluted,
To the oppressing city!
² She has not obeyed His voice,
She has not received correction;
She has not trusted in the Lord,
She has not drawn near to her God.
³ Her princes in her midst are roaring lions;
Her judges are evening wolves
That leave not a bone till morning.
⁴ Her prophets are insolent, treacherous people;
Her priests have polluted the sanctuary,
They have done violence to the law.
⁵ The Lord is righteous in her midst,
He will do no unrighteousness.
Every morning He brings His justice to light;
He never fails,
But the unjust knows no shame.
⁶ “I have cut off nations,
Their fortresses are devastated;
I have made their streets desolate,
With none passing by.
Their cities are destroyed;
There is no one, no inhabitant.
⁷ I said, ‘Surely you will fear Me,
You will receive instruction’—
So that her dwelling would not be cut off,
Despite everything for which I punished her.
But they rose early and corrupted all their deeds. Zephaniah 3:1-7

The roaring lions and the evening wolves of the city, unclear in their thinking and brutal in their actions, led the people astray. The prophets and the priests were treacherous and defiled. In the end, all of the people became corrupted, without shame, and failed to honor the God who established them as a people.

Life application: The people described by Jude are the type that diminish the absolute reliability of God’s word, even when they have no idea of the depth and intricacy of the riches it contains. They may be intelligent by the world’s standards, but they have no concept of the true knowledge which comes from God.

Many modern churches are full of such people. They promote tolerance, inclusion, and perversion. At the same time, they diminish morality, godliness, and holiness. The things they rely on for their doctrine come from the flesh and from humanistic viewpoints. They are like “brute beasts.”

This wouldn’t be so sad if it only referred to those coming off the streets, but by infiltrating the churches and moving into the hierarchy, such people take along precious souls in their corruption. By doing so, they remove the very chance for salvation that these people originally came looking for. Jesus spoke of this type –

“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.” Matthew 23:13

Lord God, how sad it is to think that so much wickedness pervades Your church in this day and age. There is a rejection of your word. In place of it, there is a tolerance for that which is unholy and grotesque. Open the eyes of those who come looking for You that they may see the disgusting and twisted attitude of such people. Help us to keep our eyes on Jesus, our hearts tender toward what is proper, and our lives pure and spotless as we live in Your presence. Amen.

Sunday, 26 July 2020

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!” Jude -9

This verse begins a difficulty with the book of Jude that has called it into question over the years. This is because Jude cites some things that are not recorded in the recognized canon of Scripture. Because of this, they have labeled Jude as spurious. Others have taken what is said here and then turned their conclusions in the opposite direction. By assuming that Jude is inspired, they then take the books where the citations are made and claim they are also inspired. Both of these approaches are unsound. To understand the problem, a short note from Vincent’s Words Studies will explain –

“Here we strike a peculiarity of this epistle which caused its authority to be impugned in very early times, viz., the apparent citations of apocryphal writings. The passages are Jde 1:9, Jde 1:14, Jde 1:15. This reference to Michael was said by Origen to be founded on a Jewish work called “The Assumption of Moses,” the first part of which was lately found in an old Latin translation at Milan; and this is the view of Davidson, so far at least as the words “the Lord rebuke thee” are concerned. Others refer it to Zechariah 3:1; but there is nothing there about Moses’ body, or Michael, or a dispute about the body. Others, again, to a rabbinical comment on Deuteronomy 34:6, where Michael is said to have been made guardian of Moses’ grave. Doubtless Jude was referring to some accepted story or tradition, probably based on Deuteronomy 34:6. For a similar reference to tradition compare 2 Timothy 3:8; Acts 7:22.”

For a more detailed analysis of this issue, the commentary by Albert Barnes will give great insights and proposed resolutions to the issue, or refutations of those scholars whose analyses are flawed concerning this.

Vincent’s (above) touches on why these problems are not that great. First, to deny that Jude is inspired because it cites none canonical sources is a giant error in thinking. The Bible is filled with such references. Vincent’s notes two, but they are found throughout the Old and New Testaments. Books are referenced in the Old Testament that do not exist today, such as the Book of the Wars of the Lord (see Numbers 21:14) and the Book of Jasher (see Joshua 10:13 and 2 Samuel 1:18). (Note: the “Book of Jasher” which is in publication today is a forgery.)

In the New Testament, Vincent’s noted 2 Timothy 3:8 and Acts 7:22. But Paul also cites non-Jewish literature including the writings of Greek poets, proclaiming they are true statements (for example, see Acts 17:28 and Titus 1:12). Therefore, the thinking that Jude cannot be inspired based on this is flawed.

Secondly, to claim that the cited sources of Jude’s words are inspired because they are in his letter is equally flawed thinking. Here, Jude cites The Assumption of Moses. He will also cite the Book of Enoch. Both are pseudepigraphal writings (false writings), but because he cites them, many hold to the Book of Enoch as authoritative. It is not, nor was it ever considered to be such. The Book of Jasher (cited above) and the Greek Poets (cited above) were never considered as inspired, but they were cited. To hold to the inspiration of the Book of Enoch simply because it is cited by Jude is bad theology and it is harmful.

Understanding this, Jude is writing under inspiration. Because he is, what he cites is inspired, even if the source is not (as with the references above). And so, he begins with, “Yet Michael the archangel.” For a quick understanding of the words, we turn again to Vincent’s Word Studies –

“Angels are described in scripture as forming a society with different orders and dignities. This conception is developed in the books written during and after the exile, especially Daniel and Zechariah. Michael (Who is like God?) is one of the seven archangels, and was regarded as the special protector of the Hebrew nation. He is mentioned three times in the Old Testament (Daniel 10:13, Daniel 10:21; Daniel 12:1), and twice in the New Testament (Jde 1:9; Revelation 12:7). He is adored as a saint in the Romish Church.”

Michael, designated here as “the archangel,” continues to be referred to by Jude, saying, “in contending with the devil.” Satan is a fallen angel and what he does is to harm man and attempts to thwart both the overall plan of redemption, and to either thwart the salvation of humans or to destroy their effectiveness as the people of God. In Jude’s words, we see there is a judicial contest between Michael and Satan. Specifically, it is “when he disputed about the body of Moses.”

Deuteronomy 34 details the death and burial of Moses –

“So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord. ⁶ And He buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth Peor; but no one knows his grave to this day.” Deuteronomy 34:5, 6

What appears to be the case is that though no man knew where the Lord buried him, both Michael and Satan were aware of it. With this being the case, Satan had an objective in desiring to have control over the body of Moses. Why would this be so? The answer is found in the words of Deuteronomy – “but no one knows his grave to this day.”

It is obvious that the Lord did not want the burial place of Moses revealed. If so, one must ask, “Why?” The obvious answer is that it would hinder the plan of redemption. To know the location, or to have control of the body of Moses, would lead to improper idolatry of the body or the spot (just as Roman Catholics do to the bodies, or body parts, or graves of their “saints”).

Further, the premise of Moses dying and being buried outside of the Promised Land is that the law has no part in the inheritance of righteousness by faith (see Galatians 2:21, 3:18, etc. for example). But if Satan could either gain control of the body of Moses (before it returned to dust), or if he could identify the location of the grave, he could then affect the typological picture made of the law remaining outside of the inheritance (symbolized by Moses remaining outside of the promise).

And this, at least in spirit, is what Jews, Judaizers, and Hebrew Root Movement people have done all along. They have attempted to take Moses’ body (in their warped theology) as a means of obtaining the inheritance. The main theme of Jude’s epistle is “contending for the faith.” But the law is not of faith. Therefore, Satan is disputing over Moses’ body in an attempt to thwart those who are “contending for the faith.”

Having control over the body (be it his body, or his grave) is a far more serious matter than it may seem on the surface. In the Bible, typology is of extreme importance because it is given to then reveal what Christ would accomplish. If the typology was disrupted, the understanding of Christ would be marred. The point of Jude’s words, however, continues on another line, saying that Michael “dared not bring against him a reviling accusation.”

The reason for saying this is found in the previous verse where Jude wrote about the dreamers who “speak evil of dignitaries.” In this, Jude is showing that if even a fallen angel is not reviled against by one of God’s archangels, how much more severe is the offense when people speak evil against the dignitaries of both God’s heavenly and earthly stations. It is a warning that our tongues should be kept in check in such regard.

However, Jude shows how and where a proper rebuke is to be made with the final words of the verse. Michael brought no reviling accusation, “but said, ‘The Lord rebuke you!’” This is what occurs in Zechariah 3 as well –

“Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. ² And the Lord said to Satan, ‘The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?’” Zechariah 3:1, 2

The lesson is that when certain rebukes need to be made, we are to elevate them to the Lord. If the Lord chooses to rebuke, He will do so (as noted above in Zechariah 3). If we are wrong in our disagreement, then He will withhold His rebuke. Jude’s intent was that in Michael rebuking Satan, he would be assuming an authority which rightly belonged to the Lord. Michael understood this, and he spoke accordingly.

Life application: As noted, the account in this verse is not a part of the Old Testament. Rather, it is from the pseudepigraphal book The Assumption of Moses. However, Jude shows us that the account is true, and it was probably an oral tradition which was used by the writer of The Assumption of Moses.

The name Michael means “Who is Like God?” It is important to relate here that Michael is the archangel, not Jesus. There are several cults – such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses – that claim Jesus and Michael are one and the same. Only a poor analysis of the Bible could come to such a conclusion. Michael has the roles of defending Israel and opposing Satan elsewhere in the Bible.

As we saw, Michael says, “The Lord rebuke you,” elevating the rebuke to the Lord. However, in Zechariah, the Lord says, “The Lord rebuke you,” to Satan. He is the Lord, and He makes the proclamation. Therefore, it is clear that Michael is not the Lord.

In that case, the LORD (Jehovah) Himself is rebuking Satan as is proper. In our rebukes of others, we should likewise take care in how we do so, considering God’s authority and the hierarchies He has established.

Lord God, give us wisdom as to when we should rebuke another and when it is improper. Also, give us wisdom as we strive to maintain proper doctrine, especially when we should warn against those who lack it and abuse Your word. May we carefully handle Your word, and may we be used as instruments of conveying it and the truths it contains. Amen.

Saturday, 25 July 2020

Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. Jude -8

The words here closely parallel 2 Peter 2:10 –

“Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries.” Jude -8

“…and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries.” 2 Peter 2:10

Here, referring to those mentioned in verse 4 once again, Jude says, “Likewise also.” The NKJV fails to translate the word mentoi, or “yet.” It should say, “Yet likewise also.” In other words, in verse 4, he spoke of the people he is referring to now. Then, in verses 5-7, he gave examples of what people like them deserve because of their unbelief, pride, and/or sexual immorality. However, they ignore this. Therefore, he says, “Yet likewise also…”

Yet – despite what God has previously revealed in judgment.
Likewise – they emulate the corrupt people Scripture warns about
Also – they conduct themselves just like them

Understanding this, he then says, “these dreamers defile the flesh.” This is what he referred to in verse 7 where it noted those in Sodom and Gomorrah had “given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh.” Despite what God has previously revealed in judgment, they emulate the corrupt people Scripture warns about, and they conduct themselves just like them.

Jude next says they “reject authority.” This is what was referred to in verse 6 where the angels “did not keep their proper domain but left their own abode.” Thus, despite what God has previously revealed in judgment, they emulate the corrupt people Scripture warns about, and they conduct themselves just like them.

Finally, Jude finishes the verse with the note that they “speak evil of dignitaries.” This is what was referred to in verse 5 where the Lord “destroyed those who did not believe.” The Greek word Jude uses, doxas, refers to any glory which is revealed, especially the divine quality. This is what the people had done. In Numbers 14 this is only a portion of the evil they spoke against the Moses, against Aaron, and against the Lord –

“And all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them,’If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness! ³ Why has the Lord brought us to this land to fall by the sword, that our wives and children should become victims? Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?’” Numbers 14:2, 3

Thus, despite what God has previously revealed in judgment, they emulate the corrupt people Scripture warns about, and they conduct themselves just like them. The rebellion against Moses and Aaron is akin to the rebellion of the angels leaving their position in heaven.

In this, Jude has formed a chiastic structure in order to reveal what he is speaking of concerning those who “have crept in unnoticed” that he spoke of in verse 4. To understand this, the following chiasm is laid out for you here –

Jude 1:5 – 1:8 – Likewise Also These Dreamers
The Just Punishment of the Unrighteous (7/14/2020)

a. the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe (v. 5)
—–b. And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode (v. 6)
———-c. given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh (v.7)
—————x. Likewise also these dreamers (v. 8)
———-c. defile the flesh (v. 8a)
—–b. reject authority (v. 8b)
a. speak evil of dignitaries (v. 8c)

Jude’s words show the train of thought concerning what is going on. Interestingly, it dispels the myth that Jude is tying the angels of verse 6 in with sexual immorality in verse 7 in order to justify angels sleeping with humans in Genesis 6. That is an aberrant ideology not supported anywhere in Scripture, and certainly not from the book of Jude.Rather, the idea of “strange flesh” cannot be equated to angels – which are spirit beings – but rather it speaks only of leaving the natural use between men and women and engaging in either homosexuality or maybe even other strange flesh like bestiality.

Life application: In review of Jude’s words, and how they still apply today, the people he speaks about –

Defile the flesh. The people in the church at Jude’s time, and which are in the church today, act in the same manner. There are perverts who sexually abuse of what God has created. They are defiled and impure.

They reject authority. There are some who cast off those who are trained in proper theology. They dismiss the moral code written upon every heart. And, they reject the word of God as authoritative. Instead, they cling to their own fantasies and the teachings of depraved individuals.

They speak evil of dignitaries. Such people reject not only the positions (authority) but they reject those who fill the positions. But Paul says in 1 Timothy 5:17, “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.” However, in rejecting the word of the Lord, they reject what is contained in the word. They also reject the Lord who gave the word.

Jude warns against these things because the senseless dreamers of religion are prone to each of the aberrant attitudes he mentions. We must be on guard against them, lest we be caught in the same net.

Lord God, Your word doesn’t hold back in its accusation of the immoral and godless – both within the church, and in the world at large. Thus, we shouldn’t either. Rather, give us boldness to stand against the perversion and ungodliness of the world around us and to stand fast in that which is holy, pure, and righteous. Amen.