Certain Judgment

The world has a somewhat confused and distorted view of the afterlife. For many, heaven, if it exists at all, is where the majority of people will end up since everyone is basically good. The only ones who won’t get to heaven are the really bad people, which varies as to who they are depending on the time in history and who’s playing the judge.

Unfortunately, hell is basically overlooked and most people don’t even want to consider the hell of the Bible as a possibility. Interestingly, even in many churches, to talk about hell is almost like speaking about the most negative and depressing concept and shouldn’t even be mentioned. Yet, if there were no hell, then why would there be any discussion about heaven by anybody? Furthermore, for those who speak of Christ and eternal life in salvation through Him, why would that even be necessary if the alternative is not hell?

Peter and Jude, along with the majority of the other New Testament writers, plus Jesus, Himself, spoke about hell as a very real place and something which God doesn’t want anyone to experience. However, for those who reject Jesus, that is the only option available. The Bible is quite clear about Christ returning and executing judgment upon sinful humanity.

Rather than speaking about all the specifics and the order of events, let me just remind us, as Jude did his readers, that God’s judgment will be very real and there will be no further opportunities for people to change their mind and their ways.

Judgment is not just for those whom we think deserve it. It is based on God’s perfect law and His righteousness and holiness. His judgment is without error. Jesus even pointed out the judgment that was in store for those who were the religious leaders, those who proclaimed falsehood and error, those who rejected the Son, and on and on. Many people would never have considered the religious leaders as people who would never see heaven. Likewise, Jesus also pointed out that salvation was for all who would believe in His Name, regardless of how good they may have been or how evil they may have been.

Today, we’ll be looking at the judgment warnings for the false teachers. They may have appeared to be nice, but they made false claims of speaking for Christ, which they were not. Even today, they willingly and happily misrepresent the Gospel so badly, that others who are lost do not hear the plain and simple message of salvation through Jesus Christ. It is as though the false teachers fit perfectly into the description of those whom Jesus spoke when He stated that it would be better for a millstone to be hung around their neck and they be drowned in the deepest sea because of misleading little ones.

As Christians, we are assured that our Lord is over all and will accomplish His purposes according to His plan.

Ungodly are Guilty - 14-15

Just as Jude went clear back to a prophecy made centuries earlier by Enoch which verified what was going on in his time, we also can look to the ancient times, as well as to Jude’s writing and see the relevance to our own time.

Jude 14–15 NASB95

It was also about these men that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord came with many thousands of His holy ones, to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.”

Who are these men that Jude mentions that Enoch spoke about? It’s the false teachers who have inserted themselves in the midst of God’s people, hoping to raise chaos. It’s those individuals who say there won’t be a judgment and that everyone should just go on doing whatever they’re doing. What we ought to find unique is that even before the flood, Enoch prophesied that God was going to judge them. This quote is not actually found in the Bible, but in historical writings. However, it is trustworthy, because the Holy Spirit caused Jude to write it in his letter. Jewish historians have pointed out that this was commonly taught among the Jewish people.

We might wonder why Enoch was mentioned and what’s so special about him. If you recall, he is in the same highly respected category as Elijah. Neither one of them died on their earth. We read about him in Genesis 5. It is commonly known that all humanity lives and dies; except Enoch and Elijah. If we also consider that Enoch lived during the time just before the flood, it is amazing that he lived a godly life while the world was rejecting God.

Genesis 5:24 NASB95

Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.

Hebrews 11:5 NASB95

By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God.

When you think about this prophecy which Jude writes about, it refers to the fact that God is coming back. This is what Peter spoke of in his second letter and what the false teachers were stating wasn’t going to happen.

This was showing the absolute certainty that what God had promised, would come to fruition. We also see in this quote a promise of the Lord’s returning. In addition, it seems that when judgment happens, it will most likely be with the Lord’s angels assisting Him. Now when we hear about judgment, it is helpful to know who is going to be judged. We know from other Scripture that it involves all those who’ve rejected Christ. We’ve already seen that Jude referred to the false teachers. Now in verse 15, he spells it out even more so.

To execute judgment . . . upon all the ungodly, carries some powerful thoughts. It seems that a main purpose of the Lord com[ing] is to administer His perfect judgment on everyone who has ignored or rejected God’s commands. The word convict is to expose, or prove guilty. We already know this will end up in sentencing to eternal hell. The purpose, as found in the language, is to decide a legal question, having the judge make a decision and pronounce a verdict, which we know will be guilty.

We already know that all the ungodly includes the false teachers. Not one person who has rejected Christ will escape this horrible judgment. Therefore, these self-righteous false teachers were certainly not going to get a free pass. And as you read further, it is interesting to see how Jude keeps using the word ungodly. In fact, in just verse 15, it is used four times. It’s very clear that these people were godless or ungodly, though they may have tried to look as though they were godly. The false teachers lived in a way totally contradictory to the Lord. They spoke in a way totally in opposition to the Lord. What they did (deeds) was ungodly. How they lived and what they taught (which they have done) was ungodly. What they said to and about God (all the harsh things . . . they have spoken against Him) were ungodly. This has to be judged; all that they have done and all that they have said. Everything they did and said was going to be evidence against them.

Grumblers for Personal Gain - 16

We see that the false teachers’ words is the focus. After all, their teaching in the church and what they spoke was quite dangerous. Behavior and actions were also ungodly, but when their teaching was used to justify wrong living, while verbally encouraging others that it was acceptable, that is the subtle deviousness of these false teachers. This is what could make those who were not well-grounded to blindly follow along, destroying their testimony.

Jude 16 NASB95

These are grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts; they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage.

These refers to the false teachers who had infiltrated the church and everyone who has set themselves against Christ, while pretending otherwise. This verse is dealing specifically with what they were saying and teaching, not their evil actions.

Grumblers is a term that is actually used only once in the new Testament, but several times in the Old Testament Septuagint, the Greek translation. Interestingly, it speaks about how Israel grumbled or murmured against God when they wanted things their way. It has been stated that whenever a person loses touch with God, that individual will begin complaining about something.

Alongside that, Jude says they were finding fault, which means they were complaining and trying to present what they thought would be better options. God’s ways and purposes are perfect and altogether holy, whether or not we understand them. The false teachers wanted to put blame on God for things not being as they felt it should be. They would often ascribe problems to a literal interpretation of Scripture, then offer up their ideas. They would complain about not caring for or liking what you have, then complain about what you don’t have. They were presenting what they would describe as better ways and ideas. You recall that Jude has compared these false teachers to all those people who were not following the Lord and who opposed God in the Old Testament. We also remember what it was like when Moses was leading the Israelites out of Egypt. Remember how a select few co-opted a larger group to publicly oppose Moses, God’s leader of choice. If false teachers can cause Christians to become dissatisfied with their pastor, their church, their family, their lot in life, then they can easily move into leading a weak Christian into false doctrine.

This can be seen even today in so many ways in various churches. We see this when lifestyles and church doctrines are adjusted for the times because certain people begin to reason that this is what God would want for our times right now. Even though it is contrary to what the Bible says is right or wrong, there is a willingness to adjust. Women are now put forward as senior pastors, by quoting Scripture about spiritual gifts, while ignoring other passages which make it clear this to be a role for godly men. Marriages are being performed for couples of the same gender, while refusing to acknowledge the marriage is for a man and a women. Excuses are given to justify having another lover while being married, while ignoring what the Bible says about marriage being one man and one woman, as well as prohibiting adultery. Social justice becomes the battle cry and mantra at the expense of biblical truth and the need to present the gospel of Jesus Christ for salvation.

Why is this? Regardless of what time period the church finds itself, there is a seeming desire by some to improve on God. Jude states they were following after their own lusts. The NIV refers to this as follow[ing] their own evil desires. This is a phrase that is used when referencing those who are unsaved.

They speak arrogantly, using elaborate and oftentimes confusing, intellectual-sounding words. One translation states: They speak huge words. I found the New Revised Standard Version even more descriptive: They are bombastic in speech. They spoke with words that might have been difficult for the average person to understand, but it was meant to be impressive. They used language that sounded spiritual and caring, but was and is completely devoid of God’s truth. It was also used in Daniel 11:36 for arrogant speech against God. The same is true for today.

They were too busy flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage. Whatever would appeal to those listening, they would say, in order to twist and manipulate the people to get what they wanted. Proclaiming the truth of God’s Word to help people to grow and mature in Christ was not what they were doing. They were willing to show partiality to get what they wanted.

Gleanings

What we’ve been studying is not unique to the Old Testament or to the New Testament. As we’ve noted, these traits and characteristics are true even today. The reason is that this is what humanity is like without Jesus Christ ruling lives. Without Jesus, people want to focus on their own personal rights and power and freedom. However, in Christ, these old nature traits are to have been crucified.

Even though I have reworded this, I want to share some ideas I’ve gleaned from Warren Wiersbe, who describes the judgment of the ungodly, those who do not follow Jesus Christ. John 5:22 reminds us that Jesus Christ will be the judge, but there will not be a jury. For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son . . . There will be a prosecution, but no defense, since Romans 3:19 tells us that every mouth will be silenced. Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.

When the sentence is given, there are no options for an appeal. After all, God’s court is the highest court there is. The reason that this will all be fair and just is because the righteous Son of God shall be presiding.

However, for those of us who have chosen to follow Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are comforted by 2 Peter 3:13:

2 Peter 3:13 NASB95

But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

As Christians, we are assured that our Lord is over all and will accomplish His purposes according to His plan.