Evaluation of the Book of Jude

In the Bible we find two mysteries:

1. The mystery of iniquity (2 Thessalonians 2:7)
2. The mystery of godliness … God manifest in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16)

For some reason, humanity finds it easy to believe that Lucifer did in fact rebel. Exactly how he came to reason that he should rebel remains a mystery. But we still find it easy to believe that he did what he did, without our consent.

On the other hand, we seem to find it difficult to believe that God also actually did something without our consent. He sent His own Son, in the likeness of sinful flesh, to condemn sin. Exactly how He could do that also remains a mystery. All the same we still find it hard to believe that He did what He did, without our consent.

This problem of unbelief is not new to us. Jude, the brother of James (possibly one of the brothers of Christ - maybe Judas - not Iscariot - Luke 6:16) recognized the problem of unbelief as he wrote in his day.

It would be well for you to have your own Bible open to these passages as you read this study. If you don't have a Bible, click this link to read online.

1. Salutation
2. …
3. The necessity of writing to clear the misconceptions that had arisen concerning universal justification. (Romans 8:29-33 "If God be for us, who can be against us?" "It is God that justifies.")
4. There were some who, after hearing the doctrine of universal justification, had twisted the truth to mean something which had never been taught by Christ nor the apostles—cheap grace.
5. Returns to their history and the experience of their deliverance. Even unbelievers were delivered in the "mixed multitude."
6. It was never intended for man to be lost. We are predestined to salvation by the blood of Christ. Destruction is reserved for Satan and his angels who have already judged themselves to be in absolute rebellion against God.
7. Sodom and Gomorrah are given as examples of people who have chosen to remain attached to their sin in rebellion against God.
8. These "ungodly men" refused to believe that faith could actually work. They refused to believe that sanctification is part and parcel of a correct understanding of universal justification.
9. Christ did not confront Lucifer as God (which Christ always was and still remains), but as Michael the archangel, Lucifer's peer. He did not commit blasphemy ("a railing accusation") by the use of His deity. He confronted Lucifer on his own terms, and said "the standard of Righteousness rebukes you." It was the Law, the character of God that Lucifer attacked, and it was the Law of God which placed judgment against him.
10. These "ungodly men" take it upon themselves to be God. They commit blasphemy. (Thou shalt not have any other gods before me) by denying the power of God. They walk contrary to counsel thinking that just because we have all been legally justified and all things are legal, they also wrongly believe that all things are expedient. They believe they can do as they please without regard to the infinite cost of the cross. (DA 309, 310).
11. What was:

• the way of Cain?
  • transgressed "thou shalt have no other gods before Me"
  • denied the way of the sanctuary and the sacrifice
    • refused to believe how good the Good News really is.
    • refused to believe the doctrine of universal justification - "common salvation" (v. 3)
  • unbelief (in contrast, by faith Able ... Hebrews 11:4)
• the error of Balaam? (Numbers 22:5-24:25)
  • loved injustice (2 Peter 2:15)
• gainsaying of Core? (Numbers 16:1-3)
  • pride - "Seek ye the priesthood also?" (v. 10) (Ezekiel 28)

12. Characterizes these people as clouds without water—all talk, dry theology with no evidence that the universal justification that is already theirs is doing anything in their lives.
13. …
14. Enoch testified that the same problems being addressed by Jude were seen even in his day; (lovers of pleasures; more than lovers of God - 2 Timothy 3:4)
15. They talked a lot, wrote a lot of books, accused him of teaching all sorts of heresy.
16. But they were trying to sooth their own guilty consciences, admiring themselves and their own wisdom.
17. Admonished again to return to their history — "Remember the words of the apostles …"
18. They were told that they would be mocked by those who professed to believe the gospel of the grace of God which was purchased at infinite cost, but who were in fact indulging in "cheap grace."
19. By resistance of the Spirit, these "ungodly men" commit the unpardonable sin —they choose to separate themselves from God.
20. Continue to look to the cross. Hold to your sacred conviction. Pray under the guidance and with the power of the Holy Spirit.
21. Always stay where you can see the cross. Don't look anywhere else, for at the cross is where you will find mercy and life.
22. Be patient with those who doubt. Continue to gently direct them to the cross:
23. There are some who need a more direct approach. They must learn that under grace, there will be conformity to God's standard, His Law, so as not to cheapen that grace.
24. The sacrifice of Christ is the only thing that is powerful enough to keep us from sinning, and it is His blood presented in your behalf that allows you to stand boldly in the judgment in the very presence of God without fear.
25. …

Main Themes of the book of Jude