Jude: Contend for the FaithSample

Jude moves to the next section by stating that he needs to remind them even though they already know these things. We often need to be reminded of things we already know. In fact, that is the only way to remind someone of something. We must already know it! Otherwise, we are just now learning it. This is crucial for every believer, but especially so for believers in the college age group. You know so much, yet there is still so much more to learn. Either way, Jude says here’s some things you need to know about those apostates we mentioned yesterday.

Their licentiousness seems to be tied to their sexual ethics. He points this out by recalling the angels who left their posts to have sex with women in Gen. 6 and the sinfulness of the men of Sodom and Gomorrah who wanted to have sex with the heavenly visitors to Lot! There is a mystical connection between our sexual expression and our spiritual lives. It is not just physical as some would have you believe. There is more to it when we share that most intimate act.

In addition, these apostates reject authority and even blaspheme glorious ones. This is a tough one to pin down. They were trying to elevate their own authority to the point where they could command angelic beings in some fashion. These included the fallen angels as well or what we most often call demons. Jude points out that in the traditional book of Enoch, even the top angel did not rebuke the devil, but deferred to the Lord’s authority to do so. We would be wise to tread carefully when we are in that arena as well. This includes some current music that seems to say we can call down the angels to take back what the devil has stolen!

These people are like rocks hidden under the water that wreck ships. They are among us and yet stay just hidden enough to do damage. They care only for themselves. They promote their shameless deeds and Jude compares them to wandering stars who don’t stay where they should be. Their end is to be uprooted and cast into utter darkness forever.