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Jude Chapter 1 verses 7 and 8
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.
We find in verse 7, that God delivered judgment upon the Israelites and upon the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. The rule of Satan over the people will always cause great destruction and defeat. Just as Satan led the angels against God and certain ones of them fell, Satan leads men and women today against God and some fall.
Jude 1:7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, 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.
"Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities round them," this speaks not literally of the cities but of the people within the cities. All these people had turned their back on God. They had all listened to false teaching and found joy and satisfaction in the lust of the flesh and things of the world. And Jude is saying this is what can happen to the people now if they do not put themselves in remembrance of these things and turn from these false teachings. The cities, which gave themselves over to fornication, unnatural lusts are set forth as an example. It is not just the “cities” it is the people within the cities. The city itself can do nothing, the people within her though can. And this is what happens by following Satan—eternal fire.
False teachers are dreamers. They are the ones that defile and harm the soul of the believer. These teachers of false doctrines are of a mind of Satan and have a spirit of heaviness upon them. These teachers have turned from the ways of God and have forgotten the power that God holds. They once ordained are now led by the world. Only God ordains true power and grants true salvation.
"Romans 13:1 let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Romans 13:2 whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation."
Jude 1:8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
These dreamers defile the flesh, despise order, and speak ill against authority. Almost sounds like Jude is speaking of things today don’t it? Jude is saying to the people, look around you; look at the foolishness, the ignorance, and the teachings that do not line up with that which you once knew to be true. Jude is prodding the people to wake up and see what is happening around them.
John spoke of it in Revelation and we find it in 2 Peter.
Revelation 2:15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
Revelation 2:16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
Revelation 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
2 Peter 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
2 Peter 2:10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
2 Peter 2:11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.
2 Peter 2:12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;
Jude is warning the people that if they continue to listen to the false teachings they will surely perish in their own corruption. It is their choice, their decision to make; will they follow truth or lie?
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