Charlatans Condemned

The dictionary defines a charlatan as: a person who pretends or claims to have more knowledge or skill than he or she possesses; quack. The first antonym or opposing word was listed as: honesty.

As Jude continues writing about the character traits of the false teachers, we find ourselves almost appalled at their apparent lack of concern about their own lives in relation to God, who created them and can provide eternal life to all who would believe, while refusing to understand that God will sentence them to eternal punishment in hell if they choose to rebel and not believe.

Last time I spoke, I spoke about terrorism a bit and described the false teachers as spiritual terrorists. Just like the terrorists which promote and use violence, while hiding themselves until they attack, often infiltrating peaceful groups; the false teachers are pretty similar. They are described by Paul as angels of light in 2 Corinthians 11:14. Mathew writes, quoting Jesus in 7:15, that they are wolves in sheep’s clothing. Warring terrorists also have no concern for themselves, thus, suicide bombers, etc. They are quite willing to die for their cause and take as many people down with them. And just like our nation in 2001, September 11, we had been somewhat oblivious to the possibility of terrorists attacking on our own soil; the church can easily become lazy and apathetic in standing firm in our defense of the Bible. Remember how Jude had stated that these false teachers had crept in unnoticed. The false teachers, or the spiritual terrorists, are so self-deluded that they end up participating in their own spiritual deaths.

As we study these few verses today, we might find ourselves a bit uncomfortable as to how Jude portrays their character traits and how he firmly condemns them. We’ll also sense some repetition from 2 Peter. Like all good teaching, repetition is sometimes the best way for something to stick.

As believers, we must be so in tune with the Bible, that we will easily recognize those who would attempt to terrorize Christ’s Church.

Rejection of Authority - 8-10

As Jude begins this section, he clearly writes in a way that lets us know that he is going to go further into details about the false teachers, or apostates, by showing their rejection of authority.

When I went to Moody Bible Institute, I had left a grain/cattle farm of about 6,000 acres. My wife and I had been married for 4 years. I felt fairly independent and self-sufficient. I knew what it was to be in charge of large equipment, irrigation, and carry responsibility. At the time, MBI had quite a few restrictions and guidelines, to help prevent its students, faculty, and staff from getting caught up in the world. Personally, I thought they were a bit too strict for a married person who was obviously not straight out of high school. But when I expressed that to the registrar, Phil VanWynan, he responded with a very godly statement which I have never forgotten: A person cannot be a leader or an authority unless they are willing to submit to authority. For me, that meant that while at Moody, I would submit to their leadership and authority, while also submitting to God’s authority. I responded to the registrar with appreciation for his answer and that I would be happy to do so.

Just like the three Old Testament examples he gave previously, these false teachers are just like them. The first description is a unique one, dreaming. This is not speaking about the nighttime entertainment that goes on in ones subconscious. This word which Jude used is found only twice in the New Testament, the other time being when Peter spoke in Acts 2. These false teachers were claiming that they were receiving dreams from God. After all, it’s hard to argue with that. However, this dreaming was just the false teachers own creations and imaginations which were perversions of the truth of God’s Word. When a similar word was used in the Old Testament, it was usually connected with false prophets.

The next phrase, defile the flesh, is actually talking about the literal physical body and not the sinful nature of man. The complete phrase speaks to moral defilement, which becomes physical, and often includes sexual sin. In refusing to submit to God, they felt free to be disobedient and live like they wanted.

They reject authority which ought to be obvious, since they practice that which is contradictory to a follower of God. This phrase is a direct reference to their refusal to surrender and submit their lives to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. They may have looked and sounded spiritual, but they were not at all what they may have seemed, to the less discerning.

They also revile angelic majesties. Jude reminds his readers of the absolute arrogance of these false teachers as they slander or speak evil of that which is far beyond them. He uses the term for angelic majesties with one Greek word, doxa. It literally means glory. When we consider what Peter wrote in his second letter, it makes sense to translate it angelic majesties; plus with what follows in Jude.

God has chosen to use His angels to serve His purposes throughout history and the Bible shows that this pattern will continue under God’s authority and direction. In the fact that the false teachers, in their arrogance, have chosen to behave as if they’re above God and show no fear for God’s messengers, His angels, either. Jude gives an interesting example by presenting a situation in which Micael the archangel did not even do what these false teachers did, and many do today. We know from the book of Daniel that Michael is probably the greatest and most powerful of the angels. In fact, it was Michael who was the protector of the nation of Israel. Obviously, God is all powerful and Satan is no threat to Him. It is logical that if God wanted to He could cause Michael to overpower Satan in this situation about the body of Moses. But Michael recognized his role and responsibilities and did not attempt to put Satan in his place, much less go above and beyond what God had called him to do. Instead, he said, The Lord rebuke you!

Just as a sidebar, nobody knows where Moses body was buried, since the Bible tells us that God buried it. Can you imagine the idolatry that would have happened if his body were able to have been found? If the people worshipped a golden calf, what would they have done with the body of Moses. One more thing, I want to state. These false teachers felt it perfectly acceptable to act as though they had power over angels, including Satan. That is one reason why I will never suggest that I can or should exercise authority over demonic forces. I choose to leave that with God.

These false teachers revile the things which they do not understand. That is the picture of arrogance and haughtiness. These individuals were like unreasoning animals, operating on instinct. They could not accurately interpret the Bible because they did not have the Holy Spirit within them to help them to understand. One writer suggested that they could not speak reasonably because they could not reason. As a result, they will have pronounced their own judgment because of their rebellion against God and a refusal to submit to God.

Condemnation of Apostates - 11-13

Jude now takes a bit of time and reflects back to some Old Testament characters who were very much like the false teachers. Then he gives some allegorical examples of what was currently happening. In this we have further evidence of their condemnation.

As of recent times, we are hearing again a quote that was given by a poet, George Santayana, Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. Sadly, in our society, there seems to be a willingness to believe revisionist history rather than the actual historical facts, thinking that things will be different now. However, it’s a rehashing of the old lies that has brought down multiple civilizations. Pretending something didn’t happen, or pretending that something which never happened took place, will not change what will happen if we continue to pursue the path we’re currently following. Jude took time to replay some of Israel’s past in order to help his readers see more clearly the actions and philosophies of the false teachers in his time, and in ours as well.

Interestingly, Jude pronounces woe to them, using the language of the Old Testament prophets, as well as Christ. Scholars suggest that this phrase might be understood as exclaiming as to how terrible it is going to be for the people which are being discussed. So we start out by going nearly back to the beginning with the way of Cain. What exactly was his way? Whether anyone thinks this is fair or not, the reality is that Cain tried to do things his way, instead of God’s way. It was works over obedience. God had made it clear that a sacrifice offered to Him was to be a blood sacrifice. Sadly, Cain took from the produce of what he grew and instead of using an animal and sacrifice of blood, as God had instructed, he thought he had a better idea.

It’s even more clear that his offering was not acceptable by how he responded. He could have humbled himself and sought God’s forgiveness and then did it right. However, Cain was angry and actually murdered his brother, Abel. This incident is so well known, that even the writer of Hebrews, and now Jude, refer to it.

Next we have the error of Balaam. But we don’t want to overlook what Jude mentions that seemed to be at the heart of Balaam’s error. It was for pay. I can honestly tell you, along with multitudes of other pastors around the world, that what a true shepherd does is not for the money. Yes, I am grateful and extremely thankful for the income we receive. Jude points out that these false shepherds are obvious because they are doing what they do for money and prestige. If you recall, Balaam was no different than a mercenary, a prophet that was available for hire like a clown at a birthday party. Doing what God commands is the furthest thing from the minds of the false teachers.

Then Jude reminds us of Moses’ cousin, Korah. Sadly, I’ve seen this scenario played out in churches over the years. It breaks my heart when it happens. So what took place with Korah? Korah, like Moses and Aaron, were from the tribe of Levi. The Levites were tasked with the responsibility of various activities in the tabernacle. You might say that they were heavily involved in the worship meetings. However, when Korah was not picked to be a priest, he became so angry that he brought along 250 troublemakers and rebelled against Moses. Thus, Jude’s phrase rebellion of Korah. Listen to his pious sounding words from Numbers 16:3-- You have gone far enough, for all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is in their midst; so why do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?

What was the worst part was that when he was rebelling against Moses, he was actually rebelling against God Who had chosen and appointed Moses to be the leader. Jude states that they perished. We find that to be true when we go back to Numbers 16, as we see that God caused the earth to open up and every one of them and their families were swallowed up. But it wasn’t like some sinkhole that opens up like we see today. The Bible tells us that the earth closed over them. The 250 individuals who were offering up incense and were not supposed to be doing so, were also destroyed by fire from God.

You’d think that the Israelites would have learned their lesson. Sadly, just as with modern day false teachers, part of that divisive spirit went out toward many of the others in the nation, who sided with Korah. Even though it was obvious that this was not pleasing to God, people still chose to do what they reasoned was right, since they had been convinced by those who were not truly following God. Sadly, nearly 15,000 people died as a result of a plague which God caused. Lest anyone think that is just for way back then, mark Jude’s words carefully. It seems more than obvious that God has promised destruction to those who are false teachers and want to rebel against what His Word teaches.

To further amplify this, Jude uses some object lessons. The first are the hidden reefs. This would be obvious that these are extremely dangerous because they can cause a ship to sink by ripping open its hull. How are the false teachers like this ? They were part of the love feasts, blending in with everyone else. One can imagine them planting seeds of false teaching and thought, by using leading questions and innuendoes that were designed to cause concerns and questions in the minds of those listening. We have seen this happen on many occasions when questions and comments begin floating around, such as—What do you think about . . . ?; I heard that . . . ; Don’t you think that instead of . . . , we should instead do . . .; I think the leadership is being too rigid or too timid, etc. Do not listen to these types of individuals regardless of how spiritual they may sound. Remember Korah. Remember how the reefs are hidden.

Then there are the clouds without water. We’ve talked of this before. In dry climates, this is especially painful to see. Even the weather forecaster may predict rain, yet none comes. The false teachers would make grandiose promises of spiritual blessings that God would shower upon His people if they would just do what the false teachers suggested. Sadly, that doesn’t happen. The phrase without water is used by Luke, when demons are being discussed. It seems to be the parallel is not by chance, but Holy Spirit intended. The false teachers are working for Satan and his demons.

The last ones seems to be fairly obvious. Every farmer who has orchards would expect fruit towards the end of the fall season. When that doesn’t happen, what disappointment. False teachers produce no real fruit. Not only do they not produce fruit, but they are not rooted in Christ. They are doubly dead, uprooted.

The wild waves of the sea is often seen when talking about individuals who do not know God. Since moving to Maine, we’ve actually walked along some beaches and have seen some pretty ugly things that have been washed up on the shore. Dead things, as well as seaweed, which actually reeks after awhile. The false teachers don’t produce anything of value. The remains are just empty froth and junk which washes up on the shore for no real benefit.

Wandering stars speaks to a shooting star. I think it’s amazing and breath-taking to see a shooting star. But it always seems to disappear into black darkness. False teachers are what many would call a flash in the pan, but there is nothing after the initial firecracker explosion. Whereas, a true believer is like a fixed star upon which others can look.

Conclusion

False teachers are all about themselves. They have no genuine care for Christ’s flock. They don’t even have any use for God or Jesus Christ. The only use they have for the Bible is to use it to manipulate, lie, and deceive. They will do whatever they can to twist the Bible for their own ends, completely misrepresenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There is no humility, except a false form of it, to get people to go to their side (remember Korah and Diotrephes from 3 John).

I know I may sound like a music track or a broken record that keeps repeating itself over and over, but As believers, we must be so in tune with the Bible, that we will easily recognize those who would attempt to terrorize Christ’s Church.