Bible Topics: Jude chapter 1:13-20

Jude Chapter 1 verses 13 to 20

This epistle, book, is addressed to all the believers of Christ’s gospel. It has some reflections of Peter’s writings in it, which would lend one to believe that Jude was privy to Peter’s writings. The style of writing seems to be one that is designed to protect the believers from false teachings and to lead them back into the truth they once knew. Jude is speaking out against the teachers that have chosen to spread false doctrine in an attempt to take away the importance of Christ in the Church. The teachings that Jude is coming against are ones that have taught a sinful way of life while still giving one the hope of salvation. Jude is saying that these teachings give way to allowing one to believe that they can have the best of both worlds without fear of losing Christ. The message of God through Christ Jesus is one thing only, the world and death, or God and life.

The false teacher shines for a time, his words seem to be light in the darkness but soon they no longer shine. They have no light within and are cast into total darkness. The words, teachings that they are delivering to the people are empty, void of any substance and they destined to forever roam in darkness.

Verses 14 and 15 are found in the noncanonical book of Enoch. Enoch 1:9, the original prophecy was spoken by the same Enoch we read about in Genesis. Jude’s use of this scripture does not validate the book of Enoch as being inspired of God, but simply states that Jude felt this portion to be of importance to this moment in time. Enoch’s life is spoken of in Genesis 5:18-24, and in Hebrews 11:5-6. Jude uses this passage to show that Christ’s coming in judgment was prophesied even before the flood of Noah. How glorious this will be when Christ comes to claim the Godly.

Jude 1:14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,

Daniel 7:10 says, “Daniel 7:10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.”

Jude 1:15 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.

“To execute judgment,” Enoch looked beyond the flood. We could say that he seen all the ungodly, all those that take the Word of God and make it fit what they desire it to fit without concern of whether it is truly God’s direction. False teachers, ungodly ones that seem to have no fear when it comes to telling lies to deceive the people and turn them from them belief.

Jude 1:16 these are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.

Jude says that these people are hard to please and that they wallow in their own carnality never happy, never satisfied. They are the ones that are never happy, they complain always no matter how well they are taken care of or treated. They have fallen prey to their own foolishness and gotten lost in their evil desires to be more than what God desired for them.

These people that Jude speaks of are people that brag of themselves and pat their own backs receiving their own rewards from men. Jude condemns their boastful language and exposes their bitter character and greediness. Jude exposes these people for what they are ungodly people who will praise themselves if no one else will do it for them.

Jude next brings us in remembrance of the words spoken in the midst of the Christ’s Apostles. Jude is not just saying this lightly, he is exhorting them to remember these words, because they are words that tell of the coming of false teachers and ones that will mock and deny God before man and Him. Jude speaks of men and women that will follow their own fleshly desires and ungodly lusts.

Jude 1:17 but, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Jude 1:18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.

So at this day Jude’s world is full of Hedonistic, self-pleasing despisers of God. Men and women who have discarded fear, and cast off every godly thing to please self. Jude is depicting men and women of his day, and of our time presently.

Jude 1:19 these be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

No matter how we view this verse, it will always mean the same thing—they have separated themselves from God—from Christ. The church is God, Christ is the church, we are the church, and so whenever any of us separate from the church, from God, from Christ, that is just what we have done—separated from God, from Christ. For Christ, God and the Church are one together. You have not a church without Christ. You have not Christ without God. So, these false teachers separated themselves from the habitation of God. They stepped out of the protection of His Spirit.

It is only by His Holy Spirit that we receive the renewing or our spirit. Christ before ascending to heaven said that He would send another comforter—the Holy Spirit. And it is only by the Holy Spirit that we receive renewing. Christ grants us salvation, the Holy Spirit grants us constant refreshing. Jude saw the apostasy and felt led to point it out in hopes of restoring Christ to the life of the people. In hopes of restoring God to the church.

Jude 1:20 but ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

Jude says, “but ye, beloved,” He is saying to all that have an ear to listen, “build yourself up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.” Jude implores the people to turn from the false teaching and wicked ways that have been lain down before them and to pray in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the one that is able to build them back up. The Holy Spirit is the foundation lain by Christ Jesus, the Father, Son, Spirit, together as one in faith, hope and love.

Jude is telling the people to build themselves up through Faith. He is telling them to grasp a hold of the faith that they had and still have and build themselves up on that, their most HOLY FAITH. Jude is saying that they must go beyond just thinking, they must actually believe and receive. Romans 8:26 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. Romans 8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. They must go forth in boldness praying in the Holy Ghost.