Judgement

Jude 14–16 ESV

14 It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, 15 to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” 16 These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.

Let me lay some groundwork for you as we dive into the text...

First Enoch is the book that Jude is understood to be quoting, but it is not a book that is considered part of the Canon for any religious group (Judaism, RCC, Greek/Russian Orthodox, or Protestant).

So for Jude to quote such a text has caused scrutiny about this letter by some early on and over the years.

Let’s sort of put it this way...1 Enoch spoke something that Jude found truthful and significant and maybe even those who were opponents in which we have been discussing may have believed 1 Enoch.

It is not a bad idea to use their own text against them/to prove a point in the way many do when evangelizing JW & LDS adherents.

Possibly in the same way that you may here myself or another pastor quote another person and say they got this right, but that does not mean we trust all that they say or even anything beyond this point.

So, let’s suffice it to say that Jude is using a known/familiar text to take his hearer on this journey and to impact those who are his spiritual opponents.

He is Coming...Know!

Jude 14 ESV

14 It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones,

Let’s pay attention to the words of Enoch as quoted here.

Jude understood, not something wildly far fetched from what we should already, the Truth of what Enoch had spoken.

“Idou” is this word that can mean behold...but we should take it to the fullest —see—look—behold

observe the words that are being communicated.

Jesus is Coming back.

He ain’t coming like He did the first time.

We think about the first time...

John 3:17 ESV

17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

He did not come initially to Judge.

He did not come to condemn

He came to save.

But notice how He is returning...what should we know

Jude 14 ESV

14 ...the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones,

To borrow the words of Jim Shaddix:

“Here He comes to a Crown, not a Cross. He comes to a throne, not a cradle. He comes to reign, not to die.”

In essence, He returns with a Holy army and it will be for victory, not defeat.

He is Coming...Be Ready!

Have you ever noticed the ease with which one looks upon the lack of God bringing judgement upon those we find repulsive.

People will refer to Sodom/Gomorrah and compare those days to today.

They will look at the days of Noah.

They will say “if the Lord does not return quick and bring judgement...”

Look to what Jude says about this...

Jude 15 ESV

15 to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”

Notice the repetition of the singular word: “ungodly”

Jude is soap boxing as he is seeking to draw his readers attention to the veracity of the return of the Lord.

So Jude intends on bringing this to the mind by repetition and by therefore challenging his hearer to respond today.

These folds that he spoke of in our verses last week vs. 11-13. (Cain/Balaam/Korah = to those leading the people away in Jude’s day) (yet also equally wrong are those who would lead away today.)

2 Peter speak of it this way...

2 Peter 2:5 ESV

5 if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;

Notice the use of the word “ungodly” here...those in Noah’s day who suffered the flood...Cain, Balaam, Korah...those in Jude’s day who continue to lead astray.

Also go back to the beginning of vs. 15 and pay attention to the two words “on all”

He will not miss to bring judgement on those who are ungodly.

Here is the issue in our first focal point we said: “Know”

Here we say: “Be Ready”

We know He is coming back...We know He will come with an entourage of His own.

We know that judgement will fall.

Are we ready...are we content that we are where we need to be with the Lord?

We know and are without excuse. But I am reminded even as I consider our partaking of the Lord’s supper this morning:

Paul exhorts his reader at the church at Corinth...to get ready, to be prepared to partake of the table here.

Notice with me:

1 Corinthians 11:27–32 ESV

27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 31 But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.

How much more should we consider the Lord’s table to come.

He is Coming...Be Alert!

The last verse is really just Jude (inspired of the Holy Spirit) communicating a clear knowledge and reminder of what these folks are doing...

Jude 16 ESV

16 These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.

Grumblers

Malcontents

Hedonistic

Boasters

Self-serving

Grumbled - Israel

Psalm 78:18 ESV

18 They tested God in their heart by demanding the food they craved.

Malcontents - Korah

Numbers 16:3 ESV

3 They assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron and said to them, “You have gone too far! For all in the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?”

Hedonistic- False Teachers

2 Peter 2:10 ESV

10 and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority. Bold and willful, they do not tremble as they blaspheme the glorious ones,

Boasters — False Teachers

2 Peter 2:18 ESV

18 For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error.

Self-Serving — Not Like God

Deuteronomy 10:17 ESV

17 For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe.

Walking Away, But In...

Recognize the Lord is Returning

Trust In Him

Be Able to Discern the Right.