Jude was aware believers were being deceived by false prophets, messengers of Satan rather than Christ. These self-serving vipers pose as Christians, but their hearts are not set on God. Though Yahweh still reaps from their harvest, the works of such hypocrites are filthy rags to the Lord, to be counted as sin in His sight.
Judah’s warning about such wolves in sheep’s clothing rings true today as it did in the days when “Agape,” or feasts of charity were common among the land.
“12 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; 13 raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.” (Jude 1:12-13)
Described as “spots” on the festival of love, on the church, false prophets roam freely among believers. Because these deceivers are masters at manipulating the truth, they are rarely exposed for what they are, fruitless and spiritually dead beings to be cast out in the lake of fire.
Judah warns of eternal darkness for those who choose to further Satan’s work by doing evil, rather than advance the truth found in the gospel. Because they have no roots, the deceivers of our time also have no accountability. They hide their sin behind walls they erect at believers’ expense. These vipers dwell where their filth can be hidden, which also prevents the truth from leaking out, or in.
“14 Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, 15 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.” (Jude 1:14-15)
Enoch’s lineage started with the first man created by God, in His own image, Adam, then followed Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, and the seventh, Enoch.
Jude reveals prophecy from the book of Enoch, by which false teachers and prophets were, are and will be ousted by God almighty and “ten thousand” saints for their ungodly ways. By “ten thousand,” from the Hebrew “murias,” Judah prophesies that an infinite number of saints will point out error and warn of judgment upon the wicked leaders that infiltrated Christ’s church, then and now.
Since all believers are biblical saints, God relies on all of us to stand on guard, and armed with the Holy word, to go on the offensive against the hypocrites who lead by deception rather than the truth. Let’s pray!
Father God;
We thank you for your blessings in our lives and for your servant Jude,
We praise you Lord for his wisdom and for his works through this scripture,
We ask you Lord to inspire us to use these verses in our lives
As we grow in you through the teachings of your faithful apostle.
Lord we ask you to strengthen us each day as we endure through battles,
Allow us to praise and love each other through faith in you Jesus,
Shield us from evil through truth, the gospel, salvation and prayer,
Guide us to abide by your word as we spread your gospel to one and all
Becoming examples of faith through our character as we walk the narrow path.
God we pray that you will continue to bless us, to bless our lives and fill us with hope
We ask you Lord to guide our footsteps and lead us to the way everlasting,
Through faith in you Lord we seek salvation and a place with you in heaven
According to your word, your everlasting wisdom and strength.
May your will be done
In our lives, for your life.
We thank you for your love and all you bless us with each day.
Praise God,
Amen!
This message was written by Daniel St.Pierre
Email: danielstpierre@thrivethroughchrist.com
