Warning - The Lord Is Coming - Jude 14-19

INTRODUCTION:

            We have been going through the book of Jude and this morning is our third look at what Jude has to say to us.  Next Sunday we will depart from Jude to celebrate Village Missions Sunday and then the following week we will return to Jude and finish it up and that will bring us into December and we will focus on the incarnation of the Lord Jesus.

            Last Sunday in our study Jude gave us some of the characteristics of the false teachers that are slipping into the church so that we would recognize them as we contend for the faith, the true faith once for all handed down to the saints.  This morning in our passage Jude is going to give us three warnings concerning the false teachers and along with those warnings we are going to learn a few more characteristics of these false teachers.  The first warning will be from an ancient prophecy; the second warning will be of imminent judgment; and the third will be in the form of a remembrance for us.

            Let’s pray and then get into our passage of Scripture for this morning.

--PRAY--

SCRIPTURE:

            Turn in your Bible’s again this morning to the book of Jude.  This morning we will be looking at verses 14-19, but let’s begin reading in verse 12 to pick up the context.  Please stand as I read God’s Word and follow along as I read.

     Jude 12-19,

            “These are the men who are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, caring for themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted; wild waves of the sea, casting up their own shame like foam; wandering stars, for whom the black darkness has been reserved forever. It was also about these men that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, ‘Behold, the Lord came with many thousands of His holy ones, to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.’ These are grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts; they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage. But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, that they were saying to you, ‘In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.’ These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit.” (Jude 12–19, NASB95)[1]

AN ANCIENT PROPHECY (Jude 14-15)

            Jude’s first warning to us has to do with an ancient prophecy, we do not have a record of it being said by Enoch, but Jude affirms that it belongs to Enoch by inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  Jude says that this was a prophecy made by Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam.  Jude identifies him this way so that we do not mistake him for the son of Cain that was also named Enoch, or for any other Enoch that we find in the Old Testament.  We do not know a whole lot about Enoch, but this morning we are going to read all that was written about him in the Old and New Testaments.  We have already read one of the three passages that mention him.  Let’s first turn to Genesis 5 where he is first mentioned and see what is said about him.  If you remember Genesis 5 is the genealogy of Adam through his son Seth.  If you count from Adam to Enoch including Adam as the first generation you find that Enoch is the seventh generation from Adam.  Let’s begin reading in Genesis 5:18-24, “Jared lived one hundred and sixty-two years, and became the father of Enoch. Then Jared lived eight hundred years after he became the father of Enoch, and he had other sons and daughters. So all the days of Jared were nine hundred and sixty-two years, and he died. Enoch lived sixty-five years, and became the father of Methuselah. Then Enoch walked with God three hundred years after he became the father of Methuselah, and he had other sons and daughters. So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.” (Genesis 5:18–24, NASB95)[2] This is the first mention of Enoch and we read that at the age of sixty-five he became the father of Methuselah and then we are told that for the next 300 years of his life he walked with God, he believed the promises that God had made about the Deliverer who would come to save us and he believed this in a world that was becoming more and more sinful and walking further and further away from God.  Because in just three generations from Enoch we have the generation of Noah when God judges the earth with a world-wide flood.  What does this mean that “Enoch walked with God and he was not, for God took him.”   Turn to Hebrews 11 our second passage on Enoch and let’s begin reading in verse 5 and see if we understand a little more about Enoch and what it means that God took him.  Hebrews 11:5, “By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God.” (Hebrews 11:5, NASB95)[3]  We learned that Enoch walked with God and here in Hebrews we learn that his walk was by faith, because he believed in faith in the promise of God to send a Savior and he lived his life with that belief and he obtained a witness, those who knew him knew what he believed and this was pleasing to God.  Because of his faith in God he was translated and did not see death, God just took him up to heaven.  Enoch is a type of all who will be raptured when Christ returns for the church.  Remember that before the Tribulation begins the church will be snatched up to heaven, those who died in the faith will have their bodies resurrected from their graves to be reunited with their spirits and those still living will be snatched up to the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  We will be removed from the earth just before God begins to pour out His wrath on the earth in the Tribulation, just as Enoch was snatched from the earth before the judgment of the flood.  Noah and his family were saved through the flood, Enoch was saved from the flood, just as the church will be saved from the Tribulation.  Going back to Jude we also learn that Enoch was a prophet and he prophesied in his day and that prophecy is still yet future.  He said, “Behold, the Lord came with many thousands of His holy ones, to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.”  Enoch prophesied that the Lord is coming, so sure is this coming at the end of the age that Enoch says that he came, as if it already happened.  This is a statement of fact that it is so sure that it is stated in the past tense as if it already took place. Not only is Jesus coming, but He is coming with many of His holy ones.  This phrase can refer either to the saints who are with Him in heaven and we return with Him at the end of the Tribulation at His second coming, or it can refer to angels who will return with Him.  I’m of the belief that it includes both.  Enoch was not the only one to make this prophecy.  Listen to what Daniel said in Daniel 7:10, “A river of fire was flowing And coming out from before Him; Thousands upon thousands were attending Him, And myriads upon myriads were standing before Him; The court sat, And the books were opened.” (Daniel 7:10, NASB95)[4] Daniel’s prophecy also speaks of Jesus coming to judge all.   Jesus also spoke of this coming day when he would return to execute judgment on all.  The day is coming and those who have not believed in faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will stand before Him.

IMMINENT JUDGMENT (Jude 15-16)

            Jude is telling us from this ancient prophecy from Enoch that judgment is imminent, in other words, it can happen at any time, the Lord is patient we are told in 2 Peter not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.  But one day, and it could be any day now that patience will run out and the Lord will come with many thousands of His holy ones to execute judgment on all.  Verse 15 tells us that He will convict all the ungodly.  Jude uses the word ungodly four times in this verse.  Jesus, the righteous judge, will convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way, and all that has been said against Him by ungodly sinners.  The Just Judge of all the earth is at the door and His judgment is going to be soon.  This warning should cause us to pause and examine our own lives and to repent if we find any ungodly ways in our lives.  I am not saying that any of us are these false teachers that Jude is talking about, but it is easy to get caught up in the ungodly ways of the world, it is easy to become complacent about the ungodly deeds of the world and even participate in them.  Jude goes on in verse 16 to give us some more characteristics of these false teachers and if we are not careful it is easy to allow these characteristics to become a part of our life.  Jude says these false teachers are grumblers.  Someone who grumbles is never happy about anything, and they never have a word of encouragement, instead their grumbling and complaining only tears down.  Are you a grumbler or a complainer?  I know that I have been at times and I must stop and confess this ungodly way to the Lord and ask Him to forgive me for it.  Jude goes on to describe these false teachers as ones who always find fault in anything that is done, they do not pitch in and help, but they are always quick to find fault, to tell how they could have done it better; or they find fault in others, never building up, just tearing down exposing the faults and failings of others.  Are you a fault finder, or do you pitch in and share your ideas and encourage and build up instead of finding fault.  Jude goes on to say that they are following after their own lusts.  We often think of this word lust in an immoral, sexual way, but it just means their own desires, as opposed to what God desires, because of this they speak arrogantly about themselves and how much better they are than other people, but at the same time they will use flattery if it gives them an advantage.  Do you speak arrogantly, do you flatter others to gain an advantage?  These are ungodly ways and deeds, behaviors that God condemns.  Instead of focusing on ourselves, we need to focus on producing the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.  Galatians 5:22-23 tells us, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22–23, NASB95)[5]

A REMEMBRANCE (Jude 17-19)

            Jude has warned us through an ancient prophecy that Jesus is coming to judge; we also were warned that this judgment is imminent, that it could happen at any time, and finally Jude warns us by telling us to remember, he gives us a remembrance.  Speaking to his readers, whom for the second time he has addressed as the beloved, he truly is concerned for these believers and wants them to recognize these false teachers who are seeking to lead them astray.  He tells them to remember the words spoken to them earlier by the apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Jude says remember the warning given by the Lord’s apostles, they said that in the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.  Not only were these spoken to them by the apostles, but the apostle Peter had written it to them in his second letter.  In chapter 3 of 2 Peter he writes beginning in verse 1, “This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles. Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.’” (2 Peter 3:1–4, NASB95)[6] Peter had been one of the apostles who had told them to beware of these mockers who would come in the last days, living only for their own desires.  Paul had warned the elders of Ephesus that savage wolves would come in among and even some from among them would rise up and speak perverse things to try and draw people to follow them.  Jude tells his readers to remember this and to not be surprised by it, because the apostles had said that it would happen.  He went on to say that it is these false teachers that come into the church they cause division with their teaching that is contrary to the Word of God, but they cannot teach anything different because they are worldly-minded Jude says.  They are more concerned with the things of this life, then that of the life to come.  They want all they can get in the here and now, and don’t even think about the future.  Jude ends this reminder by reminding of the big difference between these false teachers and those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ.  Jude says these mockers, these false teachers are devoid of the Spirit.  They do not have the Holy Spirit because they have not put their faith in Jesus Christ.  They do not understand that they are sinners condemned to death, to eternal separation from God in the Lake of Fire.  That they can do nothing to make themselves acceptable to God, their only hope is to believe that Jesus died paying the penalty required for their sin, and that by believing that Jesus died and was buried and rose from the dead forever triumphing over sin and death, only by believing this will they be justified before God and indwelt by the Holy Spirit and have eternal life in the presence of God.  But they are worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit.

CONCLUSION:

            Maybe there is someone here this morning that has never taken that step to put their faith in Jesus Christ.  Maybe you thought you could be good enough to be accepted by God, but now you understand that there is nothing you can do to make yourself acceptable to God, you understand that you are a sinner condemned to be separated from God forever.  The Good News is that Jesus Christ, God in the flesh came to this earth and lived a perfect life and went to the cross and died for you, His death and shed blood paid the penalty for your sin and by believing that He died for you and was buried and was resurrected from the dead, you will be forgiven for your sin and you will be justified before God in Jesus Christ.  You will no longer be condemned to eternal separation from God, instead you become a child of God and you will spend eternity in His presence.  Maybe you are here this morning and you have gone to church your whole life, but you have never believed in your heart that Jesus died for you and was buried and rose from the dead.  You can do that this morning in the quietness of your own heart.  If you make this choice this morning I would love to know about it, would you let me know so that I can rejoice with you.

            Maybe you are here this morning and you are a Christian, but you have been flirting with the world, you have been doing some ungodly things or living in some ungodly way and you want to change that and you can by confessing these things or the ungodly way you have been living to the Lord Jesus and He has promised to forgive you and cleanse you from all unrighteousness.  Then we must contend for the faith.  You can do this by praying for our church that we will not be infiltrated by false teachers, and if they do come in that we will recognize them and be able to expose their deception.  We must be students of the Word of God as well and know it so we can spot the counterfeit when exposed to it.  Beloved, contend for the faith.

[1]New American Standard Bible : 1995 Update. LaHabra, CA : The Lockman Foundation, 1995

[2]New American Standard Bible : 1995 Update. LaHabra, CA : The Lockman Foundation, 1995

[3]New American Standard Bible : 1995 Update. LaHabra, CA : The Lockman Foundation, 1995

[4]New American Standard Bible : 1995 Update. LaHabra, CA : The Lockman Foundation, 1995

[5]New American Standard Bible : 1995 Update. LaHabra, CA : The Lockman Foundation, 1995

[6]New American Standard Bible : 1995 Update. LaHabra, CA : The Lockman Foundation, 1995