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Jude – Part II
September 4th 2016
Meat
All right, we covered the following verses of Jude last week:
Jude 1:1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:
2 Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.
3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
And our text for today where he continues, says:
4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
5 I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.
6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day
7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
Alright, in verse 3, after his introduction and salutation Jude wrote:
3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
Verse four
4 For (in other words I have instructed you in this way because) there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Without observation, without notice, certain men
“who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men,”
Now, in English we could be tempted to believe that this phrase “who were before of old ordained to this condemnation” is speaking of a condemnatory predestination that fell upon these men from God but that would be a mistake.
How can we say this? The Greek word translated both to “before” and “ordained” are the same – prographo – know what that means – what was written earlier.
All Jude is saying is this was prophesied in earlier writings. When will get to where in verses 14 and 15.
What would these men be like? According to Jude they would be guilty of “turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Apparently these men slipped in feigning to be religious teachers but Peter described them in his address as “privily bringing in damnable heresies.”
The term crept in describes people who had come in by stealth and were not bold in openly preaching their honest beliefs.
In other words while professing to teach and/or believe the tenets of the faith they would quietly deny some of its most fundamental doctrines.
When Jude says damnable heresies he is speaking of teachings and beliefs and practices that damn an individual who has embraced them.
He goes on to give examples of others, in the course of biblical history, who fell prey to such attitudes and practices and these examples include the lot that fell on the unbelieving Israelites (mentioned in verse 5;) the rebellious angels, (verse 6) the inhabitants of Sodom (verse 7) all of whom Enoch prophesied (verse 15).
The phrase “of old” comes from the Greek “pal-ahee” and means a long time ago without specifying how much how much.
Here, Jude is speaking of what will fall upon these men who crept in unawares. What was their particular crime or heresy?
First, they turned “the grace of our God into lasciviousness.”
The meaning is clear – they abused the doctrine of grace so they could indulge in corrupt and carnal action.
There was a group that popped up early in the church who were known as the Antinonomians – meaning those without law. Their whole approach was to indulge in carnal sinful living in order that grace might abound.
Paul sought to offset this view ENTIRELY and addresses it in Romans 6 where he says plainly and clearly (I’m going to read it all)
Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
I had a pastors a few years back get on television and claim that I was antinomian because I called our gatherings ChristiAnarchy. And that since anarchy is defined as lawlessness I was preaching antinomianism.
Nothing could be further from the truth. I believe and preach that as beleivers we are ALL under the law – of Christ – which is love and when agape love abounds sins of selfishness abate.
Paul makes it perfectly clear that the presence of Grace ought NOT translate into acts of sin but that that those who have been freed by the death of Christ ought to live free from the cords of sin.
These guys were apparently relishing in sins of the flesh and justifying it by the presence of grace. And not only this but Jude adds
“And denying the only Lord God, and our Savior Jesus Christ.”
Here we see a delineation between “the only true Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of Man.
It is doubtful that they openly preached against the Only Lord God and the Savior Jesus Christ as they were making pretentions of being Christian so the meaning must be that the doctrines they upheld were tantamount to these denials.
Some, uncomfortable with the phrase:
“of the true God, and of the Savior Jesus Christ” have said it should read:
“denying the only Lord God, even (kai) our Lord Jesus Christ;” but the Greek does not necessarily demand this construction.
Peter in his second epistle, (2 Peter 2:1) only mentions one aspect of their false doctrine–that it denied the Savior – but Jude adds that their ways also amounted to denial of the true God.
That being said the term “despotace theos,” (translated here to Lord God) is a title typically assigned to Jesus.
I can take it any way it comes – God, God and Jesus, God as Jesus – whatever – their false ways were denying them and or Him – whichever Him you want.
So Jude now brings to their remembrance some facts about how God has dealt with others who at one time WERE saved by Him and says:
5 I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.
I will therefore now remind you, though you have all heard these stories before,
(and he introduces his first example of God’s dealings with Egypt and says:
“HOW that the Lord (LISTEN) having saved the people out of the land of Egypt afterward destroyed them that believed not.”
We might put it this way – How God responds to those who have been saved in the past, or who had knowledge, or were protected but willfully turned from Him.
Here he speaks of the COI who were saved from Egyptian bondage (a type throughout scripture for sin) but once they had their liberty they began to murmur and show their faithlessness in the promises of God to be their God.
And as I mentioned last week the scripture here clearly (and once again) takes the time to illustrate to readers (whether they were reading then or whether they are reading NOW) the message of John 15:1-7 where Jesus says:
1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
It was a principle that was true in Moses day, it was a principle that was true in Jude’s day, and I strongly suggest that it is a principle that is true in ours.
Jude decides here to remind his reader that what Jesus said (in principle) remained true to them and while they may have been familiar with these stories he was going to refresh their recollection. And so he first reminds them:
“How that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt afterward destroyed them that believed not.”
Jude’s point seems to be that those who HAD BEEN delivered from Egypt (a type for bondage and sin) were afterward destroyed for their unbelief proving that the mere fact of their being rescued did not prevent destruction from coming upon them.
Likewise these persons who seemed to have been delivered from sin to the point that they had become professed followers of God were no exception to the same end.
Learn from those who came before us, Jude is saying and whether he knew it or not echoes the sentiments of Paul who wrote in 1st Corinthians 10
6 Now these things (written in the Old Testament) were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they (the COI) also lusted.
7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. (A reference to Exodus 32 describing their idolatrous ways)
8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. (A reference to Numbers 25)
9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. (A reference to Exodus 17)
10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. (A reference to Exodus 12)
11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the age are come.
12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
I maintain – and I will always maintain – that while that age did end, the age of Moses, and the Law, and Temples, and Priesthood – over. But I would also maintain that the principles found here in the living word are JUST AS APPLICABLE TO Believers and readers today – that we might say that these things were written for our benefit, as examples, to aid us abiding in the vine.
So in his first example Jude tells “How that the Lord having saved the people out of the land of Egypt afterward destroyed them that believed not.”
For me, the spiritual application is to continue in the faith and from all of my observances, a steadfast continuance includes a steadfast diet on the Word for we can see that even if God has delivered some from the grip of sin and bondage, He will destroy them for unbelief.
I do not for a second believe this principle is any less untrue for our day and age then it was for them and theirs.
What did God withhold from those who failed to rely on Him by faith. They were not permitted to enter the promised land but were “cut off in the wilderness.”
Here, Jude now comes to his second example, saying:
6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
So here is another example of beings, heavenly (rather than human), who seem to have at least at one time been holy or good but willfully chose to abandon their place and were subsequently punished by God. Jude refers to them as
“the angels which kept not their first estate.”
The term, first estate is derived by the Greek word “arche” which means the beginning, the first, the principle, the original, the primary.
In other words these angels did not retain the primary residence or place that they were given by God, their first home, and because of this they were given another one!
We might think that it refers more to their rank and dignity (which the angels had in heaven) rather than an actual estate or primary home. It could refer to either.
But whatever it was – a home with God or a rank of pre-eminence – they did not keep it.
“And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation”
While the second line, left their own habitation could define the meaning of them not keeping their first estate it is not necessarily so. Jude could be saying that these angels lost their pre-eminence due to leaving their own habitation.
The word habitation (oi-kay-tay-rhee-on) is used one other time and refers to our house in heaven so this seems to be the meaning here – these angels left their house in heaven and lost their primary place.
And then, consistent with the lesson that the COI experienced these angles experienced punishment, or (as Jude says)
“he (meaning God) hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.”
Or
“God has kept them in eternal chains in the nether gloom until the judgment of the great day.”
We aren’t sure why they left their first home, but the Greek does seem to suggest that it was a choice, that they found something they wanted more, or they were expecting to be free from heavenly governance – we really don’t know.
However, among the ancient Hebrews there is a teaching that says that some angels left their heavenly home out of love or lust for human women.
Whatever the motive the punishment, according to Jude, was
“God has kept them in eternal chains in the utter darkness until the judgment of the great day.”
Now, a quick clarification. We read in the King James that God kept them in eternal chains in the utter darkness, but the Greek is ever-abiding chains (I ID-EE-OS DES-MON) and from scholars far smarter than me this refers to the darkness being ever abiding NOT the chains. And we know this to be true when we read that “in the judgment of the great day” that hell (the place of darkness) did give up its dead and there was a judgment and those whose names were not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life were cast into the Lake of Fire.
So we know that everlasting chains must mean the chains are everlasting and not that the angels would be shackled in them forever and ever.
The sense is that the deep darkness always endures – no light will exist for ever within it.
And now Jude gives us yet another example, saying:
7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
Sodom and Gomorrah AND the cities about them in LIKE MANNER (namely Admah and Zeboim according to Genesis 14:2, Deuteronomy 29:23 and Hosea 11:8) which must have taken on similar activities (in like manner) as Sodom and Gomorrah.
What activities. Listen how Jude puts it, they had:
“given themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.”
So we have unbelievers of the COI that perished, we have angels who abandoned their first residence and we have the citizens of Sodom and Gomorrah (et al) who “gave themselves over to fornication and going after strange flesh.”
This reference seems to be to the peculiar sin which, from the name Sodom, has been called sodomy and what we called homosexuality.
Now, in Romans we read Paul address what seems to be people going after strange flesh or sodomy.
He says:
Roman 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did exchange the natural use into that which is against nature:
27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
Paul seems to be speaking of the sin of homosexuality, specifically described as women who
“did exchange the natural use into that which is against nature,” and likewise
“men the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly”
It goes without saying that this was the sin of those in Sodom and Gomorrah and other places.
Again, the punishment that Jude includes to complete the model or form of his examples?
“given themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.”
Now, the Greek here for “eternal fire” is
“Ahee-on-ee-os” and it means the fire that is eternal NOT that Sodom and Gomorrah are burning eternally.
The citizens were exposed to the fire that does not go out – the fire from God.
Additionally the term translated suffering here comes from a word related to extending the hand or lending a listening ear and means to punish or discipline for a period of time.
And here Jude provides us with his third example. Now, before we move on to his point (where he makes clear in verse 8 when he says)
8 Likewise . . . also . . . these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
Let’s talk about the genius of his writing.
Jude has stated that false heretical teachers have crept in unawares and their primary crimes are they have turned the grace of God into lasciviousness and have denied the despotace God and Lord Jesus Christ.
The implication is these were once considered believers or Christians but they have turned from their first love or their primary faith and salvation and desired something else – in their case ideology, philosophy, the lusts of the flesh, freedom from demands on their lives – not sure of all of it.
But let’s look to the board for a minute:
Example
Gift
Surrendered it for
Punishment
Their Crime?
Correlation Jude makes to His day?
COI
Delivery from Egypt
Unbelief and wanting to go back
Destroyed and could not enter the promised land
Murmur their disbelief
3rd Speak evil of Dignities
Angels
First Estate
Something that was less than their primary estate
Chains of Darkness until judgment
In a place of prominence with God did not want it
2nd Despise Dominion
Sodom and G
Natural Use
Opposite sex
Wiped out by eternal fire
Lustful
1st Defile the Flesh
Likewise . . .
8 Likewise . . . also . . . these filthy dreamers (1) defile the flesh, (2) despise dominion, and (3) speak evil of dignities.
Once accepted Christ Jesus and delivery from sin
Lasciviousness
Denial of Him
Blackness of darkness until the end of the age
In other words, in the same way the people of Sodom defile the flesh by TURNING from what was natural, in the same way the COI spoke evil of Moses and turned from what was given them, and in the same way that the Angels despised dominion and turned from what was given to them, these men (who pretend to be Christians) have turned from what was natural and given to them and not only turned to lasciviousness but have denied the Sovereign God and Christ.
The King James calls them “these filthy dreamers,” the word filthy has been added to the original Greek and really all that Jude calls them are dreamers.
Likewise . . . also . . . these filthy dreamers
(1) defile the flesh,
(2) despise dominion, and
(3) speak evil of dignities.
And so to the list of their crimes we now also know that they were polluting themselves, they despised governance or rulers from the mind (probably they set the leadership of the apostles aside) and they speak evil of dignities.
At this point Jude has set the stage and perfectly described the inner heart of these who have willfully discarded their first love – for another.
We will continue next week.
Q and A
