The Book of Jude

~ Apostates In The Last Days ~

Few books in the canon of Scripture are more relevant to our day than the book of Jude! The book is about apostates of the last days. The Biblical concept of “apostasy” includes a turning away from the faith, a falling into a lifestyle of sin, and even outright rebellion. Perhaps the best word picture of apostasy is “spiritual adultery,” a theme found throughout the Scriptures. 

Outline of the Book (a single chapter of 25 verses)

1-3  Introduction

4-11  Apostasy Described (Danger)

12-16  Apostasy Denounced (Danger)

17-25  The Believer’s Diligence (Duty)

Purpose in Writing  ~  “Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ: mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ” (verses 1-4). 

There are seven apostates specifically mentioned in the Book of Jude.

Disbelief in Israel  ~  The first apostasy mentioned is a national apostasy. A major sin of the nation was idolatry. “But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe” (verse 5). In summary the issue was Israel’s Infidelity.  

             

Disobedience of Angels  ~  The second apostasy mentioned is an angelic apostasy. A major aspect of the angels’ apostasy included daring the Divine. “And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day” (verse 6). In summary the issue was Angelic Anarchy. 

Defilement of Sodom  ~  The third apostasy mentioned is a city apostasy. A major sin of this city was sensuality. “As Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire” (verse 7). In summary the issue was Sodom’s Sins.  

Debasement of Gomorrah  ~  The fourth apostasy mentioned, like the third, is a city apostasy.  A major sin of this city was degradation. “As Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire” (verse 7). In summary the issue was Gomorrah’s Godlessness.  

Displeasure of Cain  ~  The fifth apostasy mentioned is the apostasy of an individual. A major sin of Cain was the pride of self will. “Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. 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!’ But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves. Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain” (verse 8-11a). In summary the issue was Cain’s Callousness.

Duplicity of Balaam  ~  The sixth apostasy mentioned, like the fifth, is the apostasy of an individual. A major sin of Balaam was the pride of self interest. “Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit” (verse 11b). In summary the issue was Balaam’s Barter.  

Defiance of Korah  ~  The seventh apostasy mentioned, like the fifth and sixth, is the apostasy of an individual. A major sin of Korah was the pride of self importance. “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” (verse 11c). In summary the issue was Korah’s Konivery.  

Conclusion of the Matter  ~  “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; raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, ‘Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.’

“These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.  

“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen” (verses 12-25).

How about you? Are you conscious of the pull of apostasy in the Last Days?

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW