In the introduction of his letter, Jude writes that he is the brother of James, so he is also a younger brother of Jesus: « Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ, but a brother of James, to the called ones who are loved by God the Father and preserved for Jesus Christ: 2May mercy and peace and love be increased to you » (verses 1 and 2 ; Matthew 13:55 « Is not his mother called Mary, and his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? »).
The purpose of the letter of Jude is to warn against the infiltration in the Christian congregation, of individuals with twisted behaviors perverting the spiritual purity required by God and his Son Jesus Christ: « Beloved ones, although I was making every effort to write you about the salvation we hold in common, I found it necessary to write you to urge you to put up a hard fight for the faith that was once for all time delivered to the holy ones. 4My reason is that certain men have slipped in among you who were long ago appointed to this judgment by the Scriptures; they are ungodly men who turn the undeserved kindness of our God into an excuse for brazen conduct and who prove false to our only owner and Lord, Jesus Christ » (Verses 3,4).
The infiltration of these individuals pretending to be Christian was prophesied by Jesus Christ in the illustration of the seed of wheat sown by him, and weeds sown by Satan the devil (Matthew 13:24-30,36-43). This infiltration of bad individuals started very soon after the beginning of the Christian congregation. For example, the apostle Paul had already mentioned the presence of people who began to mistreat the herd, posing as superfine apostles (2 Corinthians Chapter 11). The apostles were a rampart against such malicious men, but as Jesus Christ said in the prophetic illustration, after their death, the infiltration of these individuals would be increasing, by the fact of Satan the devil, during several centuries: « I know that after my going away oppressive wolves will enter in among you and will not treat the flock with tenderness, and from among you yourselves men will rise and speak twisted things to draw away the disciples after themselves » (Acts 20:29,30).
Currently, in Christian congregations in the world, there are wheat sown by Jesus Christ, Christians who sincerely endeavor to make the will of God, with the mind of brotherly love: « I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples—if you have love among yourselves » (John 13:34,35). At the same times, there are obviously, in some Christian congregations, bad slaves, weeds, mentioned by Jesus Christ who beat with their tongue, their Christian fellow slaves, acting as oppressive wolves: « But if ever that evil slave says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying,’ and he starts to beat his fellow slaves and to eat and drink with the confirmed drunkards, the master of that slave will come on a day that he does not expect and in an hour that he does not know, and he will punish him with the greatest severity and will assign him his place with the hypocrites. There is where his weeping and the gnashing of his teeth will be » (Matthew 24:48-51).
Some of these malicious people « turn the undeserved kindness of our God into an excuse for brazen conduct », saying that God is so good, whatever we do, God will always forgive because he is love. The mention of « brazen conduct » alludes to the works of the flesh written in the letter of the apostle Paul: « Now the works of the flesh are plainly seen, and they are sexual immorality, uncleanness, brazen conduct, idolatry, spiritism, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, dissensions, divisions, sects, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and things like these. I am forewarning you about these things, the same way I already warned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s Kingdom » (Galatians 5:19-21). Those who practice the works of the flesh will not get everlasting life (1 Corinthians 6:9,10).
The apostle Paul showed how these voluntary sinners betrayed Jesus Christ, who sacrificed his life on earth for the everlasting salvation of humankind: « For it is impossible as regards those who have once for all been enlightened, and who have tasted the heavenly free gift, and who have become partakers of holy spirit, and who have tasted the fine word of God and powers of the coming system of things, 6but who have fallen away, to revive them again to repentance, because they impale the Son of God afresh for themselves and expose him to public shame » (Hebrews 6:4-6).
« Although you are fully aware of all of this, I want to remind you that Jehovah, having saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those not showing faith. 6And the angels who did not keep their original position but forsook their own proper dwelling place, he has reserved with eternal bonds in dense darkness for the judgment of the great day. 7In the same manner, Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them also gave themselves over to gross sexual immorality and pursued unnatural fleshly desires; they are placed before us as a warning example by undergoing the judicial punishment of everlasting fire » (verses 5-7).
Jude reminds that it is not because Jehovah God delivered his people from Egypt that he never exempted them from making an accounting of their serious sins. For example, shortly after the people got out of Egypt when they were at the foot of Mount Sinai, they made a golden calf. So, God has severely punished those responsible for this serious sin of idolatry (Exodus chapter 32). Jude gives another example of rebellious behavior, regarding spiritual creatures. Angels in the heavens took the human form, without divine authorization. They went down to the earth to have sex with the daughters of men, which constituted an immoral and « unnatural fleshly desires » (Genesis 6:1-8). Regarding the narrative of the judgment and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, it happened due to a shameful and revolting conduct of all of these inhabitants (Genesis chapter 19:1-29). The everlasting fire is the destruction by sulphur and fire of Sodom and Gomorrah, which is a definitive destruction of the inhabitants because of their bad behavior.
« Despite this, these men too are indulging in dreams, defiling the flesh, despising authority, and speaking abusively of glorious ones. But when Michael the archangel had a difference with the Devil and was disputing about Moses’ body, he did not dare to bring a judgment against him in abusive terms, but said: “May Jehovah rebuke you.” But these men are speaking abusively about all the things they really do not understand. And in all the things that they do understand by instinct like unreasoning animals, they go on corrupting themselves » (verses 8-10).
The archangel Michael is obviously the angel who was going to come to earth as Jesus Christ. Archangel means chief of angels. In Revelation 19:11-21, in the description of King Jesus Christ, in verse 14, it is written: « Also, the armies that were in heaven were following him on white horses, and they were clothed in white, clean, fine linen ». This text demonstrates that it is the King Jesus Christ who is the head of the heavenly armies, the archangel. In Matthew 25:31, Jesus Christ announces that shortly before the great tribulation, he will come to judge the nations: « When the Son of man arrives in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit down on his glorious throne ». The expression « and all the angels with him », shows that he has all authority, as chief of the angels or archangel Michael. In 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17, it is written that Jesus Christ will use an archangel’s voice to raise the dead: « Because the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a commanding call, with an archangel’s voice and with God’s trumpet, and those who are dead in union with Christ will rise first » (1 Thessalonians 4:16). Therefore, there is no doubt that the leader of the angels, Michael, is King Jesus Christ.
The information given by Jude concerning the difference of the archangel Michael with Satan, is very strange because there is no data in the Holy Scriptures of such an event linked with the burial of the body of Moses. It is probably an information given by Jesus resurrected to Jude, when he was still on the earth. In 1 Corinthians 15:7, it is written that Jesus Christ resurrected appeared to his younger brother James. There is no reason to think that it did not appear also to Jude and as well as to his other brothers and sisters. The fact that Paul mentions only James is probably due to the fact that he was the best known among all the Christian congregations (in acts 15, it is written that James (brother of Jesus) presided over the Council of Jerusalem). It was probably during these times of the short presence of Jesus resurrected on earth, by conversing with Jude and James (and maybe with his other brothers and sisters), that Jesus Christ could have given this information.
The substance of the teaching of this example given by Jude, is that if the archangel Michael did not dare to bring a judgment against Satan, it is advisable not to murmur against the members of the Christian congregation, particularly against the administrators of the Christian congregation (despising authority, and speaking abusively of glorious ones). Even if it could be justified (as it was the case against Satan the devil). If a Christian had to be the victim of an injustice (according to him (true or not)) and could not be resolved within the framework of a healthy communication, then it is advisable to rely on the justice of God and his Son Jesus Christ, who will be exercised for sure, but later. In the meantime, the wisest way is to endure evil, by keeping silence, being waiting for Jehovah God: « Good it is to wait in silence for the salvation of Jehovah » (lamentations 3:26). « But as for me, it is for Jehovah that I shall keep on the lookout. I will show a waiting attitude for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me » (Micah 7:7; Isaiah 66:5).
Those who would persist in these continual murmurs within the congregation, would manifest an earthly, animalistic and demonic wisdom: « These men too are indulging in dreams, defiling the flesh, despising authority, and speaking abusively of glorious ones » (verse 10). Disciple James, his brother, taught a similar idea in order to exhort to have a mind of peace within the congregation: « But if you have bitter jealousy and contentiousness in your hearts, do not be bragging and lying against the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above; it is earthly, animalistic, demonic. For wherever there are jealousy and contentiousness, there will also be disorder and every vile thing. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, reasonable, ready to obey, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, not hypocritical. Moreover, the fruit of righteousness is sown in peaceful conditions for those who are making peace » (James 3:14-18).
Jude gives three others examples of bad people in the biblical history, as a warning against those who are murmuring in the Christian congregation: « Too bad for them, for they have followed the path of Cain and have rushed into the erroneous course of Balaam for reward, and they have perished in the rebellious talk of Korah! 12 These are the rocks hidden below water at your love feasts while they feast with you, shepherds who feed themselves without fear; waterless clouds carried here and there by the wind; fruitless trees in late autumn, having died twice and having been uprooted; 13 wild waves of the sea that cast up the foam of their own shame; stars with no set course, for which the blackest darkness stands reserved forever. 14 Yes, the seventh one in line from Adam, Enoch, also prophesied about them when he said: “Look! Jehovah came with his holy myriads 15 to execute judgment against all, and to convict all the ungodly concerning all their ungodly deeds that they did in an ungodly way, and concerning all the shocking things that ungodly sinners spoke against him.” 16 These men are murmurers, complainers about their lot in life, following their own desires, and their mouths make grandiose boasts, while they are flattering others for their own benefit » (verses 11-16).
The first example of bad behavior is that of Cain. It is written in Genesis that Cain became jealous of his brother Abel. So, Jehovah God warned him not to continue in this murderous jealousy: « Then Jehovah said to Cain: “Why are you so angry and dejected? If you turn to doing good, will you not be restored to favor? But if you do not turn to doing good, sin is crouching at the door, and its craving is to dominate you; but will you get the mastery over it?” » (Genesis 4:6,7). However, Cain did not take into account the divine warning and murdered his brother Abel (Genesis 4:8).
The second example is the bad behavior of Balaam. The king of Moab, Balak, hired the prophet Balaam, to curse the people of God. While Balaam went to the king of Moab, Jehovah God warned him not to persist in this bad way. However, the words of Balaam were diverted by God, and became blessings for the people of Israel. But, Balaam gave a treacherous council to push the people of Israel to the fault, for to be punished by God: sending young and pretty Midianites women to young Israelites who fell, at the end, into sexual immorality. So, God punished the people of Israel (Numbers Chapters 22 to 25; 31:15; Apocalypse 2:14). At the end, Balaam has been punished by God by destruction (Numbers 31:8).
The third example is that of the rebellion fomented by Korah. He was a Levite who was part of the prestigious line of the Kohathites. Indeed, Moses and Aaron were grandchildren of Kohath, as well as Korah, who was, therefore, their first cousin. Korah was a prestigious man for the people and among the chieftains of Israel (see Exodus 6:18-24). Jehovah had granted the Kohathites the priesthood, but not for all, only for the house of Aaron (and not to that of Korah). He began to murmur and said that this divine designation of the priesthood given to Aaron was in fact a personal and biased decision of Moses to put his own brother in this prestigious position. This rebellion took serious proportions, because 250 chieftains of the people of Israel, joined Korah, against Moses and Aaron. However, God ended up destroying the rebels and confirming the appointment of Aaron and his house, as a permanent priestly line of the people of Israel (Numbers Chapters 16 and 17).
The disciple Jude gives these three examples of biblical history in order to illustrate that complaining in the congregation can bring fire and destruction from God in the future great tribulation. It is a serious act from the point of view of God and his Son Jesus Christ. Jude compares these individuals infiltrated in the Christian congregation to « rocks hidden below water at your love feasts while they feast with you, shepherds who feed themselves without fear » (verse 12). These people, who are murmuring, apparently have attractive personality, to the point to be invited for a meal. However, what characterizes them is that they do not love their brothers and sisters of the congregation, because they feed themselves (see Ezekiel chapter 34).
The prophet Enoch, is mentioned by Jude as fine example of courage. He was the great-grandfather of Noah (Genesis 5:21-28). This prophet prophesied the fulfillment of the judgments of Jehovah against the wicked generation of that time. He had the witnessing of God that he had his approval (Genesis 5:24; Hebrews 11:5). The fulfillment of the judgment of God, announced by Enoch and Noah, took place during the deluge (Genesis chapters 6 and 7). Jude quotes this example to illustrate the fact that the judgments of God will always be fulfilled against the wicked people, infiltrated in the Christian congregation.
In the conclusion of his letter, Jude writes that this infiltration situation of bad individuals in the Christian congregations, was prophesied by the apostles: « As for you, beloved ones, call to mind the sayings that have been previously spoken by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, 18 how they used to say to you: “In the last time there will be ridiculers, following their own desires for ungodly things.” 19 These are the ones who cause divisions, animalistic men, not having spirituality. 20 But you, beloved ones, build yourselves up on your most holy faith, and pray with holy spirit, 21 in order to keep yourselves in God’s love, while you await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ with everlasting life in view. 22 Also, continue showing mercy to some who have doubts; 23 save them by snatching them out of the fire. But continue showing mercy to others, doing so with fear, while you hate even the garment that has been stained by the flesh. 24 Now to the one who is able to guard you from stumbling and to make you stand unblemished in the sight of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, might, and authority for all past eternity and now and into all eternity. Amen » (verses 17-25).
There is the warning of the apostle Peter, in his second letter: « However, there also came to be false prophets among the people, as there will also be false teachers among you. These will quietly bring in destructive sects, and they will even disown the owner who bought them, bringing speedy destruction upon themselves. Furthermore, many will follow their brazen conduct, and because of them the way of the truth will be spoken of abusively. Also, they will greedily exploit you with counterfeit words. But their judgment, decided long ago, is not moving slowly, and their destruction is not sleeping. (…) First of all know this, that in the last days ridiculers will come with their ridicule, proceeding according to their own desires and saying: “Where is this promised presence of his? Why, from the day our forefathers fell asleep in death, all things are continuing exactly as they were from creation’s beginning » (2 Peter Chapter 2 ; 3:3,4).
This separation between animalistic men, devoid of all spirituality and spiritual men (verse 19) has been described by the apostle Paul: « But a physical man does not accept the things of the spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot get to know them, because they are examined spiritually. However, the spiritual man examines all things, but he himself is not examined by any man. For “who has come to know the mind of Jehovah, so that he may instruct him?” But we do have the mind of Christ » (1 Corinthians 2:14-16).
Jude shows that the good cohesion in the Christian congregation requires encouragement, a mind of brotherly love and patience towards those who have a flickering faith. This encouragement, which build the Christian congregation, are based on prayer, a quality biblical teaching and the fact of testifying to brotherly love towards each other by acts of mercy (verses 20-25; John 13:34,35).
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Achieving Spiritual Maturity (Hebrews 6:1)
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