When a prophet named Balaam was headed somewhere the Lord didn’t want him to go God sent an angel to block his way. The beast on which Balaam rode was apparently more sensitive to spiritual things than he was. Because the animal kept turning out of the way to avoid the angel, Balaam became frustrated and started beating her.
“And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?” (Num 22:28)
Notice first of all (1) something is speaking that shouldn’t be. 2Peter 2:16 says this “dumb (mute) ass” was speaking “with a man’s voice.” This is not the 1st time you find an animal speaking in the Bible (the serpent spoke to Eve in the Garden) but this is interesting. Notice also, Balaam’s ass was a ‘she’. In the average charismatic church, I’d say, women do 90% of the tongues speaking. Paul was dealing expressly with the gift of tongues when the Holy Ghost moved him to write:
“Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.” (1Co 14:34-35)
Paul knew it was the will of God for the “women to keep silence in the churches” when it came to the matter of tongues. But Paul was also a realist. He knew that people do not like being told what they can and can’t do. Paul knew that later on liberal scholars would rise up out of the crevices of Hell and downplay what he had just written. Accordingly, some argue that the prohibition against women speaking in tongues here in 1Corinthians 14 and the qualifications of a pastor in 1Timothy 3 are all just Paul’s “opinion.” Paul anticipated all of this and wrote verse 37 for everyone who tries to justify their charismatic grandma or one of their friends who happens to be a woman preacher. In an almost sarcastic manner, he says:
“If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.” (1Co 14:37)
Paul knew many folks don’t care what the Bible says. So he writes in verse 38: “But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.” (1Co 14:38)
Secondly, (2) this unnatural behaviour didn’t appear strange to Balaam. Any sane person would have found this event beyond bizarre. But remember, Balaam is not right with God. People who are out of fellowship with the Lord are frequently and strangely comfortable in unusual circumstances. For instance, when Jonah was running from God, the Lord sent a storm that nearly destroyed the ship he was in. The heathen sailors were calling on every god they could think of! (It’s just natural to pray when you’re going thru a storm.) “…But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.” (Jon 1:5) In his backslid condition Jonah seemed immune to his problematic surroundings. If you have the slightest knowledge of the Bible you should know the Holy Ghost won’t make you act like a complete fool. If you see nothing wrong with men and women foaming at the mouth and babbling on like idiots, then there’s something wrong with you (you’re spiritually retarded).
The Mosaic Law demanded that God’s people (the Jews) abstain from unclean meats. Many of the Jews continued to observe these dietary laws even after they were converted. They did this more out of habit than necessity. But, in their defense, there was no verse in the Old Testament that said, “After you become a Christian you can eat whatever you want.” So in their minds, certain things like pork were still taboo. When Gentiles started getting saved, because of their eating habits, many of the believing Jews were uncertain whether or not they should fellowship with them. (It was hard for them to believe God would bless someone who ate bacon.) On one occasion, because of this mindset, God revealed to the Jewish companions of Peter that He did indeed pour out His spirit upon Jew and Gentile alike.
“While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,” (Ac 10:44-46)
Again the Bible says they spoke with “tongues” (plural) and not with an “unknown tongue” (singular). Tongues were necessary since, as 1Cor 1:22 says, “The Jews require a sign.” Until the New Testament scriptures were complete, the sign gifts were necessary for unbelieving Jews. Mark 16:20 indicates the Apostles had been commissioned to confirm (authenticate, backup, or validate) the Gospel with signs. The purpose of tongues was to confirm that God had indeed stretched out His saving arm to the Gentiles.
The word ‘tongue’ in Scripture refers to either: a language or an actual part of the body known as the tongue. As far as the Bible is concerned, the gift of tongues was the supernatural ability to speak in a language not previously learned. For instance if I was suddenly endowed by God with the ability to speak and understand Japanese, that would be similar to the gift on Pentecost. 1Corinthians 14 gives instruction concerning the utilization of this gift. Many of these rules are violated and completely disregarded in charismatic circles. However, the utter confusion, which “they” refer to as ‘speaking in tongues,’ is NOT that gift described in the Bible. Tongues, such as in Acts 2 and 10, were known languages and not ecstatic, unintelligible, gibberish.
Some say that “speaking in tongues” is evidence of being filled with the Holy Ghost. Some go even further, saying that you’re not even saved if you don’t speak in tongues. I strongly disagree. Take Jesus for example. Can you think of anyone more sanctified and Holy than the Lord Jesus Christ? None would ever accuse Him of not being Spirit filled. Yet in my Bible, I never find a single instance where Jesus ever spoke in tongues. If “tongues” is the evidence of having the “baptism of the Holy Ghost“, why did the Lord not leave us that example in His life as He did with water baptism and communion? Moving on…
“For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.”(1Cor 4:2)
The word “spirit“in this verse islowercase. It refers to our spirit and not God’s Holy Spirit. Notice, the word “unknown’ here is italicized, and the word ‘tongue’ is singular. ‘Unknown tongue’ refers to any language not understood by others. We are told not to forbid people to speak with ‘tongues’ (plural) in 1Cor 14:39. However, the Bible does NOT say “Forbid not to speak in the unknown tongue” (singular) this is Bible Doctrine, not merely my opinion.
And as Forest Gump once said, “That’s all I got to say about that.”
Reading George Bush’s new book Decision Points, I was shocked to read Billy Graham’s answer to Bush Sr.’s question. He basically asked, “Is it essential to be born again?” You’ll have to read this for yourself…Its unbelievable!
In the summer of 1985, we took our annual trip to Maine. Mother and Dad had invited the great evangelical preacher Billy Graham. Dad had asked him to answer some questions from the family after dinner. That was typical of Dad, always willing to share.
It would have sent a signal of importance to have had Billy to himself, but that is not George H.W. Bush. He is a generous man, devoid of a big ego. So there we sat, about thirty of us—Laura, my grandmother, brothers and sister, first and second cousins —in the large room at the end of the house on Walker’s Point.
The first question was from Dad. He said, “Billy, some people say you have to have a born-again experience to go to heaven. Mother [my grandmother] here is the most religious, kind person I know, yet she has had no born-again experience. Will she go to heaven?”
Wow, pretty profound question from the old man.
We all looked at Billy. In his quiet, strong voice, he replied, “George, some of us require a born-again experience to understand God, and some of us are born Christians. It sounds as if your mom was just born a Christian.” (Pgs. 48-49 of the Ebook)
Hopefully, Bush misremembers Graham’s exact words. Otherwise, this is compromise of the nth degree!
Jesus said, “…Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3) It’s imperative. It’s essential. There’s no getting around it. “…Ye MUST be born again.” (John 3:7)
Does the new Health care bill provide funding for abortion at the expense of taxpayers? The answer would have to be “Yes” regardless of what promises Obama made to Bart Stupak. If you’ve not read the bill yet (who has?) you can find a copy of it here.
On pg. 591 it appears they are going to use tax dollars to give “postpartum” counseling to women who abort their babies. I mean, that’s what it looks like to me. The dad blame thing is over 2000 pages long and there could be something amending that language but, that’s how I read it. These people are sick in the head. They’re going to make us pay to kill babies then provide counseling if the woman feels bad about it! Talk about adding insult to injury!
While I probably wouldn’t use the same language as John Boehner, I can still understand his anger and frustration.
(Read the rest of the passage for yourself. I’m going to park on that last point.)
More than 42 million unborn babies have lost their lives since the US Supreme Court decided on January 22, 1973, that women have a constitutionally protected right to have an abortion On average, 3,836 pre-born babies have been routinely eliminated every day for thirty years. That means since 1973, unwanted babies have had their lives ended at an average rate of 2.5 per minute, 160 per hour, and 1,400,000 a year.
To those that claim the name of Christ, don’t even pretend to care about this issue unless you are registered to vote. If you’re not doing everything you
can to get these bunch of fag-loving baby-killers out of office, you should be ashamed to call yourself a Christian.
Closing Remarks
In conclusion, if you are a woman who’s had an abortion, as horrible as it is, God still wants to forgive you. If you’re not saved, there’s a God in Heaven Who’s not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Two thousand years ago, God sent His only-begotten Son down to this sin-cursed world we live in. He didn’t come to be worshipped necessarily; He came to be a sacrifice for all mankind. After all, someone has to pay for your sins. That’s why Christ died. He died in our place, suffered our shame, and bore our sins. If you reject Christ’s offer to put your sins under His blood and hide them from Holy eyes of our God, you will spend eternity in Hell. How do you come to Christ? You come with a simple, child-like faith. “Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Find out what God’s Word says, then call on God the best way you know how – Repent of your sins – and put your faith in what Jesus did on the cross! (2Cor 5:21) After you get saved, join a local, Independent, fundamental, Bible believing, King-James-only, soul winning, Baptist Church. I highly recommend my home Church: Tabernacle Baptist
Burned by the saline solution used to abort her, this precious 4-½ month (2nd trimester) old baby girl lies dead. Slaughtered and chemically cooked alive at the hands of a money hungry, Godless, doctor.
Does the new Health care bill provide funding for abortion at the expense of taxpayers? The answer would have to be “Yes” regardless of what promises Obama made to Bart Stupak. If you’ve not read the bill yet (who has?) you can find a copy of it here.
On pg. 591 it appears they are going to use tax dollars to give “postpartum” counseling to women who abort their babies. I mean, that’s what it looks like to me. The dad blame thing is over 2000 pages long and there could be something amending that language but, that’s how I read it. These people are sick in the head. They’re going to make us pay to kill babies then provide counseling if the woman feels bad about it! Talk about adding insult to injury!
(Read the rest of the passage for yourself. I’m going to park on that last point.)
More than 42 million unborn babies have lost their lives since the US Supreme Court decided on January 22, 1973, that women have a constitutionally protected right to have an abortion On average, 3,836 pre-born babies have been routinely eliminated every day for thirty years. That means since 1973, unwanted babies have had their lives ended at an average rate of 2.5 per minute, 160 per hour, and 1,400,000 a year.
To those that claim the name of Christ, don’t even pretend to care about this issue unless you are registered to vote. If you’re not doing everything you can to get these bunch of fag-loving baby-killers out of office, you should be ashamed to call yourself a Christian.
WOULD YOU CONSIDER HAVING AN ABORTION IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SITUATIONS?
There’s a preacher and wife who are very, very poor. They already have 14 children, and now she finds out she’s pregnant with the 15TH. They’re living in tremendous poverty. Considering their poverty and the excessive world population, would you consider recommending an abortion?
The father is sick with a bad cold; the mother has tuberculosis (TB). They have 4 children. The 1st is blind, the 2nd is dead, the 3rd is deaf, and the 4th has TB. She finds out that she’s pregnant again. Given this extreme situation, would you consider recommending an abortion?
A white man has raped a 13-year-old black girl, and she became pregnant. If you were her parents, would you consider an abortion?
A teenage girl is pregnant. She’s engaged but her fiancé is not the father and now he’s thinking about calling off the marriage.
Would you consider an abortion under any of these circumstances? If you said yes to the first case, you just killed John Wesley, one of the greatest evangelists of the nineteenth century. If you said yes to the second case, you killed Ludwig van Beethoven. If you said yes to the third case, you killed Ethel Waters, the great black gospel singer. And, if you said yes to the fourth case, you killed Jesus Christ.
Closing Remarks
In conclusion, if you are a woman who’s had an abortion, as horrible as it is, God still wants to forgive you. If you’re not saved, there’s a God in Heaven Who’s not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Two thousand years ago, God sent His only-begotten Son down to this sin-cursed world we live in. He didn’t come to be worshipped necessarily; He came to be a sacrifice for all mankind. After all, someone has to pay for your sins. That’s why Christ died. He died in our place, suffered our shame, and bore our sins. If you reject Christ’s offer to put your sins under His blood and hide them from Holy eyes of our God, you will spend eternity in Hell. How do you come to Christ? You come with a simple, child-like faith. “Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Find out what God’s Word says, then call on God the best way you know how – Repent of your sins – and put your faith in what Jesus did on the cross! (2Cor 5:21) After you get saved, join a local, Independent, fundamental, Bible believing, King-James-only, soul winning, Baptist Church. I highly recommend my home Church: Tabernacle Baptist
Delivered on Wednesday Night October 28, 2009 as part of a Bible Study at
Tabernacle Baptist Church in Gaffney South Carolina.
I went to my 10 year high school reunion Saturday night. I knew they were going to have a bar there but I figured it wouldn’t be any worse than going to Applebee’s or some other bar and grill. Boy was I wrong! About 95% of them were drinking if not outright drunk.
To be fair, most of them were not acting up. I guess you could say they were respectable drunks, if there is such a thing. But just to give you an example of the atmosphere I found myself in: one of my old buddies kept putting his beer on the table in front of me, trying to take a picture of “the preacher” drinking.
Don’t get me wrong, I thought it was funny the first few times he did so but he went on to ask for my testimony and then told everybody in hearing distance that they were going to Hell if they didn’t believe the King James Bible because Jason Elder (that would be me) said so.
Now, I have never believed that, much less ever stated it. I do believe the King James Bible is the Word of God and those who read from other versions are working at a great disadvantage but I do not believe reading an NIV will send you to Hell. That’s ridiculous.
Anyway, after having several drinks spilled and almost spilled on me I became disgusted and decided it was time to go to the house.
But when I sat down at the house I got under such conviction that I had to put my clothes back on and go back up there. On the way there I stopped by my church to pick up a stack of tracts which I passed out at the party, before leaving again.
That was it; I wasn’t going to say a word. But that night a young lady posted a message on Facebook expressing her displeasure in the event as well. People jumped all over her because they thought she was talking about them.[1]
They said they had a good time and couldn’t understand why people were complaining. Another implied that those who were complaining were “haters.” Others said they were offended by “…the ones that can’t let loose and have a good time.”
It got to the point where the young lady was contemplating deleting her account because of all the criticism.
What stuck out in my mind was the fact that people could not seem to understand why a Christian person wouldn’t enjoy being around a bunch of drinking, dancing, and drug using. One of the girls who organized the event, supposedly a good Christian girl, said she had a ball and was definitely thinking about a 15 year reunion.
Do people really not know that it’s a sin to drink alcohol? The answer is apparent (just read the comments) and that’s why I brought this lesson.
In chapter one John the apostle gave a brief account of the nature rather of Jesus Christ. In chapter 2 we read about the miracle working power of our Lord.
John 2
1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:
2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.
That’s good to know; Jesus isn’t opposed to people getting married. The Bible never records Him attending a divorce proceeding but he did go to weddings
3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
You should mark this verse down for your Catholic friends. This is the only command Mary ever gave. She said, “Listen to Jesus!”
6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.
9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.
The common practice in that day was to serve the best wine first and then gradually water it down. And you know, that’s still the strategy of the world. They’ll show you all the good first get you hooked, and wean you off the good stuff. The world hasn’t changed, but I thank God, the Lord Jesus hasn’t changed either! He’s still saving the best for last!
This passage presents a certain dilemma.
Every drunk in Cherokee County knows that Jesus turned water into wine and they bring that up to justify their condition. They really don’t care what the Bible says. So usually when they make that statement I make them a deal. I offer to drive them to the local YMCA which houses a huge swimming pool. I tell them if they can turn that water into wine, just like Jesus did, I will drink every drop of it. But you know what? I might have one heck of a stomach ache but I’d still be sober as a judge because the wine Jesus made was non-alcoholic. Maybe “sober as a judge” isn’t the best terminology given recent events in Cherokee County but you get my point.
Class of 1999 – Very Cosmopolitan!
How Do I Know The Wine In John 2 Was Non-Alcoholic?
(1) Because Habakkuk 2:15 says, “Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also…” If Jesus had provided alcoholic averages to these people in John chapter 2, he would’ve gone against the word of God.
How Do I Know Jesus Didn’t Drink Alcohol Himself?
(1) Leviticus forbids priests from drinking: “Do not drink wine nor strong drink….” (Lev 10:9-11) and Jesus is our “…high priest…” (Heb 2:17)
(2) The Book of Proverbs says, “…It is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:” (Prov 31:4) and Jesus is, “...KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Rev 19:16)
How Do I Know It’s Sin For Christians To Drink Alcohol?
(1) As shown above its sin for kings and priests to drink and Jesus has made us “…kings and priests unto God and his Father…” (Rev 1:6)
If Jesus really did make water into wine, why does it grieve my spirit to hear a so-called preacher point to John 2 and call Jesus “The First Bartender?” And, why do we use grape juice for the Lord’s Supper instead of Mad Dog or Boone’s Farm?
I’ll tell you why; it’s semantics. “Wine” meant something a little bit different to people 2000 years ago than it does to us today. When we hear “wine” we naturally assume it’s got alcohol in it. Otherwise we would call it grape juice.
But you won’t find the term grape juice in the Bible because whether it’s fresh grape juice or fermented grape juice they called it all wine.
To prove that Isaiah 65:8 says “Thus saith the LORD, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it…” Wine in the cluster is not talking about a six-pack. It’s talking about the juice in grapes that haven’t been picked yet. In other words, the Bible says you can find wine inside a fresh grape.
So it just stands to reason if they called the juice inside a cluster of fresh grapes “wine,” they must used “wine” as a generic term referring to just about any liquid related to grapes. So when Jesus turned water into wine, it wasn’t the kind that got you drunk.
Drinking The Same As Overeating?
Someone has said that over eating is just as big a sin as drinking is. But when you’re traveling down the highway, which would you rather meet, an overweight driver or a drunk driver?
Who has Emotional, Social, and Physical problems?
“Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? (Emotional problems) who hath contentions? who hath babbling? (Social problems) whohath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? (Physical problems)” The answer is: “They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.” (Prov 23:29-30)
Proverbs 23:33 lists some of the effects alcohol has on people “Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.” You’ve probably heard that song; “…Don’t all the girls get prettier round closing time?” Those lyrics are so funny because they are so true. Alcohol makes bad things look a little bit better. But you know a whole lot of homes have been broke up because of that very thing. Like Billy Sunday said “Drinking has drained more blood, hung more crepe, killed more children, blinded more eyes, twisted more limbs, broke more hearts, and dug more graves than any plague that ever swept across this world.”
List of Hell-Bound People
In first Corinthians Paul lists several types of people who will not make it to heaven.
“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor DRUNKARDS, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Cor 6:9-10)
And if he stopped right there we’d all be in trouble.but thank God he goes on to say, “And such WERE some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Cor 6:11)
And if you’re struggling with alcohol or drug addiction I have good news, there is a God in heaven Who specializes in hard cases. My friend, if Jesus can’t help you, I don’t know who can.
[1] That is called conviction. When you throw a rock into a pack of wild dogs, the one you hit is the one you’re going to hear from.
Holding a “sin-burning” (as some would call it) is nothing new. However a Bible is the last thing you would expect to see thrown in the fire! Nevertheless, as crazy as it sounds that is exactly what one North Carolina church is doing.
The church also plans to burn religious books by such eminent authors as Billy Graham, Rick Warren, John McArthur, James Dobson, Charles Swindoll, John Piper, Chuck Colson, Tony Evans, Oral Roberts, Jimmy Swagart, Franklin Graham , Bill Bright, Tim Lahaye, T.D. Jakes, Benny Hinn, Joyce Myers, Robert Schuller, Mother Teresa , and The Pope!
Tapes and CDs which contain what the pastor considers ungodly music are also on the list.
Needless to say it has sparked a firestorm of controversy. In fact the church’s website was down for some time, perhaps after being overwhelmed by visitors. But can it really be as bad as it sounds? After all, they don’t plan to burn every kind of Bible… just everything that is not the King James. Versions like the NIV, ASV, NASB, etc.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t burn Bibles of any kind. But I kind of feel bad for the poor old boy… He is trying to draw attention to the issue of Bible versions… a fact that the media glosses over with ease.
What if, next Sunday morning you attended a church where the preacher stood up and, reading from “the Bible” said, “You SON OF A BITCH?“ Well that’s exactly what he would say if he was reading from one of the first editions of the Living Bible.
In 1Samuel 20:30 the King James Version reads: “Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman…” But Kenneth Taylor’s Living Bible says, “…You son of a bitch…”
Being a Christian, I hate to even type that out but that’s exactly what it says. The editors of that version have since changed the wording because of complaints, but I kid you not, that is exactly what the Living Bible says.
Knowing that, would you still fault him for burning a Living Bible?
I’m not trying to defend Mr. Grizzard’s publicity stunt (which is all this amounts to). If I was the host of such an event I certainly wouldn’t give an interview to a reporter in my overalls like this Pastor did! I do wish he would have spell checked his flier at least before he sent it out, its littered with misspelled words.
Nevertheless, Christians should be alerted to the issue of Bible versions.
Take the NIV for instance, if you’re an avid reader, you must have noticed that it removes entire verses in some places.
Also in John 1:1 the King James Bible says, “…the Word was God.” Those of you familiar with the Bible know that “the Word” is a reference to Jesus.
The deity of Christ (Jesus being God in the flesh) is one of the most basic Bible doctrines. But the New World Translation says,”…the Word was a God.” Thus the NWT, a ‘translation’ put out by the Jehovah Witnesses, denies the deity of Christ.
There are many other examples I could list but time fails me. I simply want to say that this man who has been slaughtered by the media, might have his heart in the right place even if his methods are questionable.
WWJD?
Again, I wouldn’t do it myself; but when we ask WWJD, let’s not forget we’re talking about the same Jesus who, when He saw the commercialism in the Temple, “…made a scourge of small cords…” and then “…drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves,Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.” (John 2:15-16)
Overview: George Lockaby calls this book an inspired commentary on liberalism.
Chapter 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:
As previously stated, the writer was a man by the name of “Jude.” The question is: “Which Jude?” Jude is a form of the name “Judas” (which means ‘praise’) and we know there were at least two men by this name who were associated with Jesus.
When Jesus visited His hometown, the people said, “Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?” (Matt 13:55)
So Jude was quite possibly the halfbrother of Jesus. On the other hand, he could have been an apostle. In addition to Judas Iscariot, there was also an apostle named “…Judas the brother of James…” (Luke 6:13-16).
Personally, however, Jude 1:17 leads me to believe that Jude was not an apostle in the proper sense. In verse 17, Jude speaks of apostles in the third person as though he was not an apostle himself.
2 Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.
We have peace because we obtain mercy and now have the love of God shed abroad in our hearts.
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.
Jude mentions “the common salvation.” Our salvation isn’t common because it’s cheap but because we all get saved the same way. There is not one way for the rich and another way for the poor. We all must come by way of the cross. “Jesus saith…I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)
Jude started to write of this common salvation but the Spirit moved him to write about apostasy instead. Apostasy is a departure from the faith once delivered unto the saints (Acts 2:42). And Jude is the only book in the Bible completely devoted to this subject of apostasy.
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.
Sadly, it doesn’t say that these apostates will creep in – the Bible says they “crept in” (past tense) and they did so “unawares.” They didn’t come in boldly proclaiming heresy. (If they had, they wouldn’t have been let in to begin with.) No, they sneaked in.
Jesus said, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing.” (Matt 7:15) He did not say ‘Beware of false prophets who come to you wearing T-shirts saying “Warning! I’m a False Prophet.”’
Notice that these men are “ordained.” While that simply means that God has appointed them to judgment, the word “ordained” brings the “clergy” to mind. Satan has his ministers as well and he would much rather run churches than close them down. Thus, apostates don’t work from outside the church, they are on the inside. They are often “ministers.”
Lewis Batchelor once said, “It was a sad day in my life when I realized everyone who said they were a preacher, wasn’t.” Oliver B. Green spoke of the same crowd when he said,
“…The dirtiest gang of thieves this side of Hell are the Gospel-denying, compromising liberals and modernists who deny the verbal inspiration of the Scriptures and preach to please people instead of preaching the Word as it is laid down in the Bible. . . There is no need to blame Hollywood and the liquor crowd for the mess in which we find the world today. The blame lies at the doorsteps of sissy, compromising, back-scratching, ear-tickling, “denomination-pecked” preachers who know the truth yet refuse to preach it for fear that they might hurt someone’s feelings.” (1)
“…Turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness.” Apostates manipulate and twist the doctrine of Grace to suit their lifestyle. “Lasciviousness” means looseness; irregular indulgence of animal desires; or lustfulness. (2) As Christians we have liberty, but lasciviousness is wallowing in sin and claiming that the Grace of God gives you permission to do it. We’re not to use that liberty as a license to sin or a “Get out of Jail Free” card.[1]
“…Denying the only Lord God…” There’s more than one way to deny the Lord. We think of denying being something you do with your mouth. But Paul spoke of people who “…profess (verbally) that they know God; but in works they deny him….” (Titus 1:16). What a person does, speaks much louder than what they say.[2]
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.
God saved Israel out of Egyptian bondage, gave them bread from heaven while they were in the wilderness, and then brought them to the brink of the Jordan River. Just on the other side of that river was a place called Canaan. It was the Promised Land. But before Israel crossed over they sent twelve men across to spy out the land. These men all came back saying “It’s just like God told us; a land flowing with milk and honey!” but then ten of them spoke up saying, “There’s just one problem fellas. The people of the land are giants. We’re just like little grasshoppers in their eyes!”
After hearing this, though they had been delivered out of Egypt with a strong arm, Israel did not believe God could deliver the land into their hands.[3] Collectively, they decided not to cross over Jordan and because of their unbelief God made them wander in the wilderness one year for every day the spies spent in Canaan.
Furthermore, God promised that every adult in Israel would die within that 40-year time frame. The only ones God did not kill were Joshua and Caleb. They were the two spies who believed God was able to do everything He said He would do.[4]
Somebody calculated that it took 40 deaths per day to kill off all that generation which came out of Egypt. So their days were spent in sorrow; weeping, wailing, and wandering in the wilderness. Imagine living almost a half century knowing that you will never get to where you’re supposed to be.
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.
Most, if not all commentators suggest that “strange flesh” really means “same sex.” In these last days, there sure is a lot of that going on but is that really what the writer meant? I in no way want to let the sodomites off the hook. Personally, however, I believe “going after strange flesh” may have something to do with interracial relationships and I will tell you why.
According to Webster’s 1828 Dictionary “strange” means: foreign; belonging to another country. Also, while I’m no Greek scholar, Strong says “strange” comes from the Greek term heteros (as in heterosexual). A form of that word, meaning “other” or “different,” appears nearly 100 times in the Bible.
Now, I said it came ‘from’ heteros but the exact form of the Greek word is heteras which occurs only twice. The only other place is found in Hebrews 7:13[5] where it is translated “another tribe.” I encourage you to do word study and look at every instance where the word “strange” appears in the Bible. Do this and you may still disagree with me but I think you will also find it odd that no other commentator comes within 100 miles of even suggesting this verse condemns interracial relationships.
Since I can’t leave well enough alone let me add this. Even if the Scripture doesn’t condemn interracial marriage, does it matter what the couple’s parents think? I was talking to a precious young lady the other day who was the mother of a mixed baby. She complained that preachers told her that she was living in sin because she dated a black man.
I told her as far as society is concerned it is still frowned upon but I couldn’t show her a single verse of Scripture that says it is sin for a Gentile to marry outside their race. However, I pointed out, that she wasn’t married and sex outside of marriage is fornication which is sin. Also, suspecting that she had parents like mine I mentioned that it would be sin for me to marry outside of my race. Jesus said, “Honour thy father and thy mother…” (Matt 19:19) and if I brought home some Nubian goddess, mom and dad would have a heart attack.
8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
“Dreamers” are those who don’t live on planet reality.
There are several ways to “defile the flesh.” Tattoos and touching an unclean thing. Most Christians don’t even know that the Bible says something about tattoos. But it states very plainly in the book of Leviticus: “Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you...” (Lev 19:28)
“Speak evil of dignities” these are protesters perhaps like Jeremiah Wright or those who hate the police.
(Jude 8): Jude’s use of “dreamers,” enupniazoµmai (Strong’s number 1797) may signify that false teachers are given to dreams, visions, or revelations which disclose some “new way” or “higher knowledge” than the truth of the gospel. (Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormonism, and Christian Science all began in this way.) The title also may indicate that the deceivers are lulled to sleep by their lusts and oblivious to God’s judgment upon them. [1]
9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
Many commentators say Jude obtained this account from an apocryphal story called The Assumption of Moses. Wherever Jude acquired this information the Holy Ghost put His approval on it.
10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.
“…Brute beasts…” They are like animals.
11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
“…The way of Cain…” characterizes a religious person who denies he is a sinner or denies the blood more specifically.
“The error of Balaam” is preaching for money or preaching the truth but not the whole truth. Apostates will be identified in the last days not by what they say but what they don’t say.
“Gainsaying” means contradicting; denying; opposing. It’s the same word used in Hebrews 12:13 “For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself….” (Heb 12:3)
“The gainsaying of Core” Core was the one who contradicted Moses and intruded into the priest’s office. Sounds like a deacon to me.
12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
“Spots” These professing Christians are the ones who stick out like sore palms whenever the church meets. They’re kind of like that nightmare of a relative who shows up at all the family get-togethers. You wouldn’t dream of asking them to leave but you have noted several good locations to place a sniper. You know a relative or coworker like that don’t you? When you see them coming you smile but it’s more of a nervous grin. Meanwhile you’re silently praying that they don’t say anything too off-color or embarrassing.
“Clouds…without water…”[6] In times of spiritual drought they seem to signal approaching showers of blessing. Unfortunately, they are not what they appear to be and “Hope deferred maketh the heart sick…” (Pr 13:12)
In Matthew 21:19 Jesus became hungry on his way back to Jerusalem and spotted a fig tree in the way. From a distance it looked very promising but upon closer inspection it was completely devoid of fruit. Therefore Jesus said unto the fig tree: “Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.” (Matt 21:19) Such is the destiny of every apostate. He or she is welcomed in the beginning but soon they will become objects for cursing.
They are “….trees whose fruit withereth…” These are the sad individuals who seemed to have begun spirit but ended in the flesh.
“Twice dead…” you would think it’s bad enough to die once but it is said of the believer “and you hath he quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins.” But the lost are doomed to experience the second death. “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” (Rev 20:14) thus the saying: if you’re born once you’ll die twice but if you’re born twice you’ll only die once.
These types of religious professors may appear to of been regenerated but the evidences of spiritual death soon reappear. Such are those who received seed on stony ground. Jesus described them as receiving the word with joy but soon withering because they lack root.
“…Plucked up by the roots…” “…why cumbereth it the ground?” (Luke 13:7) “And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” (Luke 3:9)
13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
“Raging waves…” are a danger and terror to those sailing on the sea of life. “…The wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.” (Isa 57:20)
“Wandering stars…” reminds me of that country song “Lord I was born a rambling man.” Back when this was written all sailors had to navigate by were the stars. If the little speck of light which a sailor used to determine his location was not a fixed point then his vessel would soon find itself off course. Similarly apostates appear to be something they are not.
“…To whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.” These are members of the church who have reserved seats in Hell. Their “…lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.” (Pr 20:20)
14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
There were two Enochs in Scripture but this one is distinguished by being the seventh from Adam.
15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
There will be a judge but no jury. There will be a prosecution but no defense. There will be a sentence but no appeal.[i]
16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words,[7] having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.[8]
“…Complainers…” They blame their lot in life on somebody else. They are angry at everything that happens and try to make you dissatisfied with your life as well. If they can make you disenchanted with your church or pastor etc. then getting you into their church or under their pastor will be that much easier.
“…Speaketh great swelling words…” They will flatter you if they feel it is to their advantage. They will even give you the impression that they are out to help you. They are wordsmiths and addicted to flowery exaggerated language. Being eloquent however does not make you right and just because the water is muddy doesn’t mean it is deep.
Not all liberals are highly educated but all liberals want you to believe they are highly educated.
17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
“Beloved…” loving people will get you a long way in the Ministry. People will never care how much you know until they know how much you care.
“Remember…” Don’t let the arrival of apostasy discourage you. It only proves the Bible is right. How can you be discouraged by fulfilled prophecy?
18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.[9]
You don’t have to separate oil and water they “…separate themselves.” Perhaps this also alludes to those spiritual hobos which bounce around from church to church. You know the type. They would have you believe that they are the best Christians since Peter and Paul but their letter of membership has spent more time at the post office than it ever has in any one church. It seems that no one is ever good enough to pastor them so they “separate themselves.”
They are “sensual” versus spiritual. They focus on the externals. They major on the minors.
20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,[10]
“Building…” Never stop the forward progress. Even if you’re on the right track you’ll get run over if you don’t move.
21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
“Keep yourselves in the love of God…” You can’t stop the sun from shining but you can sit in the shade.
22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
You can try to treat all men the same but not all men are the same. Nevertheless, “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” (Col 4:6)
23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
“Save with fear…” It’s great to have compassion on people, however, some men you just can’t reach with flowery words and soft tones. For a good many people, it’s that turn or burn preaching that puts a dose of reality into their lives. No, the sheep don’t need shearing every week, but what makes you think everyone you’re preaching to is a sheep anyway?
A form of the word translated “pulling them out” is translated “take…by force…” in John 6:15.
“…Hating even the garment spotted by the flesh…”[11] when trying to save others be careful not to defile yourself.
24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
[1] “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” (Gal 5:13)
[2] “Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.” (Prov 20:11)
[3] Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel. (Ps 78:41)
[4] Personally, I believe they were the two who brought the fruit back. “And they came unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff; and they brought of the pomegranates, and of the figs.” (Num 13:23)
[5] “For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.”
[6] “Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.” (Pr 25:14) “These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.” (2Pe 2:17)
[7] “For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.” (2Pe 2:18)
[8] “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.” (2Pe 2:1)
[9] “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 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. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” (Ro 8:5-10)
[10] “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.” (Ro 8:26)
[11] How can a garment be spotted by the flesh? Maybe they had a bunch of sodomites designing clothes back then too!
Jude Commentary
Date: A. D. 66 – 69
Author: The Holy Ghost.
Writer: Jude
Key Verse: Vs. 3
Theme: “Contending for the Faith.” (vs. 3)
Chapters: 1
Verses: 25
Words: 608
Overview: George Lockaby calls this book an inspired commentary on liberalism.
Chapter 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:
As previously stated, the writer was a man by the name of “Jude.” The question is: “Which Jude?” Jude is a form of the name “Judas” (which means ‘praise’) and we know there were at least two men by this name who were associated with Jesus.
When Jesus visited His hometown, the people said, “Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?” (Matt 13:55)
So Jude was quite possibly the half brother of Jesus. On the other hand, he could have been an apostle. In addition to Judas Iscariot, there was also an apostle named “…Judas the brother of James…” (Luke 6:13-16).
Personally, however, Jude 1:17 leads me to believe that Jude was not an apostle in the proper sense. In verse 17, Jude speaks of apostles in the third person as though he was not an apostle himself.
2 Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.
We have peace because we obtain mercy and now have the love of God shed abroad in our hearts.
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.
Jude mentions “the common salvation.” Our salvation isn’t common because it’s cheap but because we all get saved the same way. There is not one way for the rich and another way for the poor. We all must come by way of the cross. “Jesus saith…I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)
Jude started to write of this common salvation but the Spirit moved him to write about apostasy instead. Apostasy is a departure from the faith once delivered unto the saints (Acts 2:42). And Jude is the only book in the Bible completely devoted to this subject of apostasy.
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.
Sadly, it doesn’t say that these apostates will creep in – the Bible says they “crept in” (past tense) and they did so “unawares.” They didn’t come in boldly proclaiming heresy. (If they had, they wouldn’t have been let in to begin with.) No, they sneaked in.
Jesus said, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing.” (Matt 7:15) He did not say ‘Beware of false prophets who come to you wearing T-shirts saying “Warning! I’m a False Prophet.”’
Notice that these men are “ordained.” While that simply means that God has appointed them to judgment, the word “ordained” brings the “clergy” to mind. Satan has his ministers as well and he would much rather run churches than close them down. Thus, apostates don’t work from outside the church, they are on the inside. They are often “ministers.”
Lewis Batchelor once said, “It was a sad day in my life when I realized everyone who said they were a preacher, wasn’t.” Oliver B. Green spoke of the same crowd when he said,
“…The dirtiest gang of thieves this side of Hell are the Gospel-denying, compromising liberals and modernists who deny the verbal inspiration of the Scriptures and preach to please people instead of preaching the Word as it is laid down in the Bible. . . There is no need to blame Hollywood and the liquor crowd for the mess in which we find the world today. The blame lies at the doorsteps of sissy, compromising, back-scratching, ear-tickling, “denomination-pecked” preachers who know the truth yet refuse to preach it for fear that they might hurt someone’s feelings.” (1)
“…Turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness.” Apostates manipulate and twist the doctrine of Grace to suit their lifestyle. “Lasciviousness” means looseness; irregular indulgence of animal desires; or lustfulness. (2) As Christians we have liberty, but lasciviousness is wallowing in sin and claiming that the Grace of God gives you permission to do it. We’re not to use that liberty as a license to sin or a “Get out of Jail Free” card.[1]
“…Denying the only Lord God…” There’s more than one way to deny the Lord. We think of denying being something you do with your mouth. But Paul spoke of people who “…profess (verbally) that they know God; but in works they deny him….” (Titus 1:16). What a person does, speaks much louder than what they say.[2]
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.
God saved Israel out of Egyptian bondage, gave them bread from heaven while they were in the wilderness, and then brought them to the brink of the Jordan River. Just on the other side of that river was a place called Canaan. It was the Promised Land. But before Israel crossed over they sent twelve men across to spy out the land. These men all came back saying “It’s just like God told us; a land flowing with milk and honey!” but then ten of them spoke up saying, “There’s just one problem fellas. The people of the land are giants. We’re just like little grasshoppers in their eyes!”
After hearing this, though they had been delivered out of Egypt with a strong arm, Israel did not believe God could deliver the land into their hands.[3] Collectively, they decided not to cross over Jordan and because of their unbelief God made them wander in the wilderness one year for every day the spies spent in Canaan.
Furthermore, God promised that every adult in Israel would die within that 40-year time frame. The only ones God did not kill were Joshua and Caleb. They were the two spies who believed God was able to do everything He said He would do.[4]
Somebody calculated that it took 40 deaths per day to kill off all that generation which came out of Egypt. So their days were spent in sorrow; weeping, wailing, and wandering in the wilderness. Imagine living almost a half century knowing that you will never get to where you’re supposed to be.
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.
Most, if not all commentators suggest that “strange flesh” really means “same sex.” In these last days, there sure is a lot of that going on but is that really what the writer meant? I in no way want to let the sodomites off the hook. Personally, however, I believe “going after strange flesh” may have something to do with interracial relationships and I will tell you why.
According to Webster’s 1828 Dictionary “strange” means: foreign; belonging to another country. Also, while I’m no Greek scholar, Strong says “strange” comes from the Greek term heteros (as in heterosexual). A form of that word, meaning “other” or “different,” appears nearly 100 times in the Bible.
Now, I said it came ‘from’ heteros but the exact form of the Greek word is heteras which occurs only twice. The only other place is found in Hebrews 7:13[5] where it is translated “another tribe.” I encourage you to do word study and look at every instance where the word “strange” appears in the Bible. Do this and you may still disagree with me but I think you will also find it odd that no other commentator comes within 100 miles of even suggesting this verse condemns interracial relationships.
Since I can’t leave well enough alone let me add this. Even if the Scripture doesn’t condemn interracial marriage, does it matter what the couple’s parents think? I was talking to a precious young lady the other day who was the mother of a mixed baby. She complained that preachers told her that she was living in sin because she dated a black man.
I told her as far as society is concerned it is still frowned upon but I couldn’t show her a single verse of Scripture that says it is sin for a Gentile to marry outside their race. However, I pointed out, that she wasn’t married and sex outside of marriage is fornication which is sin. Also, suspecting that she had parents like mine I mentioned that it would be sin for me to marry outside of my race. Jesus said, “Honour thy father and thy mother…” (Matt 19:19) and if I brought home some Nubian goddess, mom and dad would have a heart attack.
8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
“Dreamers” are those who don’t live on planet reality.
There are several ways to “defile the flesh.” Tattoos and touching an unclean thing. Most Christians don’t even know that the Bible says something about tattoos. But it states very plainly in the book of Leviticus: “Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you...” (Lev 19:28)
“Speak evil of dignities” these are protesters perhaps like Jeremiah Wright or those who hate the police.
(Jude 8): Jude’s use of “dreamers,” enupniazoµmai (Strong’s number 1797) may signify that false teachers are given to dreams, visions, or revelations which disclose some “new way” or “higher knowledge” than the truth of the gospel. (Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormonism, and Christian Science all began in this way.) The title also may indicate that the deceivers are lulled to sleep by their lusts and oblivious to God’s judgment upon them. [1]
9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
Many commentators say Jude obtained this account from an apocryphal story called The Assumption of Moses. Wherever Jude acquired this information the Holy Ghost put His approval on it.
10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.
“…Brute beasts…” They are like animals.
11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
“…The way of Cain…” characterizes a religious person who denies he is a sinner or denies the blood more specifically.
“The error of Balaam” is preaching for money or preaching the truth but not the whole truth. Apostates will be identified in the last days not by what they say but what they don’t say.
“Gainsaying” means contradicting; denying; opposing. It’s the same word used in Hebrews 12:13 “For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself….” (Heb 12:3)
“The gainsaying of Core” Core was the one who contradicted Moses and intruded into the priest’s office. Sounds like a deacon to me.
12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
“Spots” These professing Christians are the ones who stick out like sore palms whenever the church meets. They’re kind of like that nightmare of a relative who shows up at all the family get-togethers. You wouldn’t dream of asking them to leave but you have noted several good locations to place a sniper. You know a relative or coworker like that don’t you? When you see them coming you smile but it’s more of a nervous grin. Meanwhile you’re silently praying that they don’t say anything too off-color or embarrassing.
“Clouds…without water…”[6] In times of spiritual drought they seem to signal approaching showers of blessing. Unfortunately, they are not what they appear to be and “Hope deferred maketh the heart sick…” (Pr 13:12)
In Matthew 21:19 Jesus became hungry on his way back to Jerusalem and spotted a fig tree in the way. From a distance it looked very promising but upon closer inspection it was completely devoid of fruit. Therefore Jesus said unto the fig tree: “Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.” (Matt 21:19) Such is the destiny of every apostate. He or she is welcomed in the beginning but soon they will become objects for cursing.
They are “….trees whose fruit withereth…” These are the sad individuals who seemed to have begun spirit but ended in the flesh.
“Twice dead…” you would think it’s bad enough to die once but it is said of the believer “and you hath he quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins.” But the lost are doomed to experience the second death. “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” (Rev 20:14) thus the saying: if you’re born once you’ll die twice but if you’re born twice you’ll only die once.
These types of religious professors may appear to of been regenerated but the evidences of spiritual death soon reappear. Such are those who received seed on stony ground. Jesus described them as receiving the word with joy but soon withering because they lack root.
“…Plucked up by the roots…” “…why cumbereth it the ground?” (Luke 13:7) “And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” (Luke 3:9)
13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
“Raging waves…” are a danger and terror to those sailing on the sea of life. “…The wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.” (Isa 57:20)
“Wandering stars…” reminds me of that country song “Lord I was born a rambling man.” Back when this was written all sailors had to navigate by were the stars. If the little speck of light which a sailor used to determine his location was not a fixed point then his vessel would soon find itself off course. Similarly apostates appear to be something they are not.
“…To whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.” These are members of the church who have reserved seats in Hell. Their “…lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.” (Pr 20:20)
14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
There were two Enochs in Scripture but this one is distinguished by being the seventh from Adam.
15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
There will be a judge but no jury. There will be a prosecution but no defense. There will be a sentence but no appeal.[i]
16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words,[7] having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.[8]
“…Complainers…” They blame their lot in life on somebody else. They are angry at everything that happens and try to make you dissatisfied with your life as well. If they can make you disenchanted with your church or pastor etc. then getting you into their church or under their pastor will be that much easier.
“…Speaketh great swelling words…” They will flatter you if they feel it is to their advantage. They will even give you the impression that they are out to help you. They are wordsmiths and addicted to flowery exaggerated language. Being eloquent however does not make you right and just because the water is muddy doesn’t mean it is deep.
Not all liberals are highly educated but all liberals want you to believe they are highly educated.
17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
“Beloved…” loving people will get you a long way in the Ministry. People will never care how much you know until they know how much you care.
“Remember…” Don’t let the arrival of apostasy discourage you. It only proves the Bible is right. How can you be discouraged by fulfilled prophecy?
18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.[9]
You don’t have to separate oil and water they “…separate themselves.” Perhaps this also alludes to those spiritual hobos which bounce around from church to church. You know the type. They would have you believe that they are the best Christians since Peter and Paul but their letter of membership has spent more time at the post office than it ever has in any one church. It seems that no one is ever good enough to pastor them so they “separate themselves.”
They are “sensual” versus spiritual. They focus on the externals. They major on the minors.
20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,[10]
“Building…” Never stop the forward progress. Even if you’re on the right track you’ll get run over if you don’t move.
21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
“Keep yourselves in the love of God…” You can’t stop the sun from shining but you can sit in the shade.
22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
You can try to treat all men the same but not all men are the same. Nevertheless, “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” (Col 4:6)
23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
“Save with fear…” It’s great to have compassion on people, however, some men you just can’t reach with flowery words and soft tones. For a good many people, it’s that turn or burn preaching that puts a dose of reality into their lives. No, the sheep don’t need shearing every week, but what makes you think everyone you’re preaching to is a sheep anyway?
A form of the word translated “pulling them out” is translated “take…by force…” in John 6:15.
“…Hating even the garment spotted by the flesh…”[11] when trying to save others be careful not to defile yourself.
24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
[1] “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” (Gal 5:13)
[2] “Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.” (Prov 20:11)
[3] Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel. (Ps 78:41)
[4] Personally, I believe they were the two who brought the fruit back. “And they came unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff; and they brought of the pomegranates, and of the figs.” (Num 13:23)
[5] “For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.”
[6] “Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.” (Pr 25:14) “These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.” (2Pe 2:17)
[7] “For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.” (2Pe 2:18)
[8] “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.” (2Pe 2:1)
[9] “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 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. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” (Ro 8:5-10)
[10] “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.” (Ro 8:26)
[11] How can a garment be spotted by the flesh? Maybe they had a bunch of sodomites designing clothes back then too!
[i] Wiersbe, Warren. Be Alert. Page 154
August 28, 2009 Posted by Jason Elder | Bible | 1611, 2009, Apostates, AV, baptist, Bible, Book, church, commentary, exposition, expository, Gaffney, George, God, james, Jesus, Jude, king, King James, KJB, KJV, Lasciviousness, Lockaby, of, on, preacher, preachers, preaching, queer, Religion, salvation, Scripture, Version | 1 Comment