False Teachers Judged, Part 4 Jude 12-13

False Teachers Judged Part 4

Introduction

In the first part of his letter, Jude has been warning his readers of the dangers of false teachers who had infiltrated the Church. While not giving specific information regarding what they had taught, it is evident that they had corrupted the gospel. They had denied the Lordship and authority of Jesus Christ, as well as turning the gospel of grace into a lifestyle that allowed for freedom to live however you choose (verse 4). Because of such teaching, they were going to be judged.

In verse 11, Jude had compared their teaching to the likes Cain in the Old Testament, as well as Balaam, a prophet who had tried (and failed) to bring a curse on Israel. In verses 12-13, he is then shows what the false teachers have done by the use of five metaphors. So we ask this question while looking at these verses: How can we describe false teachers?

Dangerous

“hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, caring for themselves” Reefs that were under the water posed a serious danger to ships as they came close to shore. They would rip holes that could doom a ship, its cargo, and its passengers. That was temporal danger, but the false teachers, with a false gospel, would present eternal danger to the churches where they were accepted.

The love feasts were something common in the early church, and this is the occasion where false teachers would enter and introduce themselves as someone who could be valuable in the ministry of the church. But in truth, they were only taking care of themselves (the word “care” coming from the word that means shepherding or pastoring), rather than being concerned for the church as a whole.

Worthless

“clouds without water, carried along by winds” In an agricultural economy, rain was important, so when clouds that promised rain were seen, yet no rain came, those clouds were useless to the crops. Just so were these false teachers. They might promise great things with their teaching, but nothing would come of it. They have nothing to offer.

Fruitless

“autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted” The next metaphor expands on the clouds. Trees were usually designed to produce fruit (rather than be ornamental). But a tree without fruit gave no benefit to the one who owned it or grew it. They were doubly dead, perhaps meaning totally dead. They are trees that have been uprooted, pulled out of the ground and therefore unable to produce any fruit, signally the fact that they were ready for judgment.

Harmful

“wild waves of the sea, casting up their own shame like foam” This metaphor was designed to be an advance of the previous one: not only was their no benefit to these false teachers, but they actually did damage to their hearers. The waves that crashed on the shore left behind a dirty type of foam that detracted from the beautiful shoreline. To people who are exposed to their dangerous message, there is great harm being done. And that harm is multiplied as it is passed along by them to those who are “evangelized” by them.

Lost

“wandering stars, for whom the black darkness has been reserved forever” This final metaphor serves to finalize the judgment of the false teachers. Stars that wander in space, perhaps “falling stars” (meteors). The idea of “wandering” comes from a word that means leading astray. As people may follow the stars or planets for guidance, these teachers are stars that lead people astray and therefore their doom is certain. It has been reserved for eternity, a play on words from where believers are described as “kept” for Jesus Christ (same word as “reserved” in this verse).

Conclusion

False teachers may be attractive in their message and method, but there is nothing attractive in the outcome. They are to be rejected and removed. Consider the truth of the gospel message and whether it is being heard when you read or hear from such teachers. Then, do not be hesitant to call them out so as to warn others of the danger and damage of following them. MacArthur summarizes these verses saying this: “False teachers are hypocritical deceivers, immoral sinners, materialistic hedonists, and, as a result, spiritual terrorists.” Stay away!

Application:

What specific signs do you see in some of the popular false teachers in Christian circles today?