Jude 14-16

Introduction

Hebrews 10:28

Consider the reality of hell and punishment.

What is Hell?

There is a certain punishment that is awaiting the ungodly. It is described as:

Outer darkness: Matt 8:12; 22:13; Luke 13:28.Weeping and gnashing of teeth: Mt. 13:42, 50Furnace of fire: Mt. 13:42Black darkness: 2 Peter 2:17; Jude 13Lake that burns with fire and brimstone: Rev. 21:3

Hell is a place which was created specifically because of the rebellion in heaven (Mt. 25:41). That place, meant for the devil and his angels, now also becomes the home of the wicked. It is a horrifying place; a dark place; an eternal place.

The apostate, however, will face even more severe punishment in that place.

Hebrews 10:28; "severe punishment." A man or woman who, after understanding and embracing the truth concerning Jesus Christ, then rejects it and in fact opposes it, will face even more severe judgment from Christ.

The vengeance of the Lord is sure, eventual, and permanent. His judgment is righteous, fair, and final.

Matthew 7:15-23;

This scene is the most terrifying in all of Scripture. To stand before the Lord Jesus Christ on the day in which He will either reward you, or condemn you, and to be cast out of His presence forever, is unthinkable. Adam and Eve were driven out of the garden. Men and women who reject Jesus Christ will be cast out of His presence.

The apostate will face judgment. He/she will be condemned by Christ, the very Christ they are denying. They will face trial and sentence for their crimes. So, be encouraged, church, that all the chaos, clutter, and confusion that these people cause will one day be made right.

Today, we are introduced to Enoch, another preacher of righteousness. His prophecy, made in the violent and immoral world of his day, is fitting for today. We have to anticipate the judgment of Christ upon these apostates so that we will not cower in their presence.

Vv.14-16Who was Enoch?He was the seventh generation from Adam: Genesis 5:1-24.1 Chronicles 1:1-3Luke 3:37-38He escaped the sentence of death from the fall (Genesis 2:16-17). He was a righteous man, at least after the birth of Methusalah:Gen. 5:22 Then Enoch walked with God three hundred years after he became the father of Methuselah, and he had other sons and daughters. He walked with God just as Noah walked with God (Gen. 6:9). Peter called Noah a preacher of righteousness (2 Peter 2:5).Thus, it would be reasonable to assume that Enoch also was a preacher of righteousness.

NOTE: The study in contrasts between Noah and Enoch are interesting. Noah preached that the world would be destroyed by water. He also did so as a warning. Enoch did not apparently warn of the coming water or temporal judgment. Rather, he warned of the judgment upon the ungodly. Enoch warned of a spiritual judgment of all the ungodly.

What did Enoch say?Enoch prophesied

“Behold, the Lord came with many thousands of His holy ones,

15 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.”

Where did Jude get this information?Where did Jude get:v.6v.9Where did Paul get:Acts 17:28 (Aratus-Greek poet from 3rd century B.C.).Titus 1:12 (Epimenides-Cretan seer from 6th century B.C. Known for his eccentric behavior, and mythical legends about his sleeping for 57 years, age (157-299 years) etc. He is clearly anti-Christian. However, Paul quotes him. He said that it is true.2 Timothy 3:8-9, "Jannes and Jambres."It would appear that Jude is Scripture. Thus, it is inerrant, authoritative, and true. If a writer wants to quote from a secular source, that writer under the work of the Spirit of God, would have to assert whatever the writer asserts in the use of that information.Therefore, since we are not sure of the exact dating of 1 Enoch, its clearly post-Christian/Bible information contained in that section, incredible references to information that the Bible does not contain, and the need for hyper-sensational stories, it would be best to see 1 Enoch as having plagiarized from Jude. Jude's information was revelation.Jude's information was inspired. Jude's information was authoritative.1 Enoch was not. How do we know?Not recorded in Scripture.Similar statement recorded in 1 Enoch 1:9.Jude 15 (NASB95)

15 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.”

What did Enoch mean? Enoch referred to a time in which God would arrive on the earth with thousands of His holy ones. If Enoch walked so closely with God, that information may have been given.There are other passages, however, that teach the same thing:Deuteronomy 33:2 seems to use the same words.But is different context: Enoch = judgment; Deuteronomy = introduction to Israel.The "holy ones" in Enoch = angels/saints; "holy ones" in Deuteronomy = the midst of Israel.Enoch has God coming from heaven; Moses has Him coming from Paran, Sinai, and Seir, which are all the same thing. Enoch is not using Dt. 33:2. Enoch truly had this information revealed to him. Remember, he walked with God and was a preacher in his generation.

15 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.”

"...to execute judgment upon all," = This is the time when Jesus Christ will "make" judgment upon every person."... and to convict…" = to render verdict, eternal, unstoppable. all the ungodly = Those who reject godliness. of all their ungodly deeds = the acts in which they participate.which they have done in an ungodly way,Manner of committing ungodly acts.and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him = this is blasphemy. This is the slanderous, hateful, and injurious speech which apostates speak against Jesus Christ. Apparently, it was revealed to Enoch that God Himself would enter into this world and judge all those who are ungodly in deed, manner, and words. Of whom would he have been speaking?Genesis 4:16f.Line of Cain.Known for secular seed, i.e. seed of the serpent.Genesis 6:1-9Days of Noah, 1300 years after Adam/Seth was born.

Further description:

Jude 16 (NASB95)

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

Jude 16 (UBS4)

16 Οὗτοί εἰσιν γογγυσταὶ μεμψίμοιροι κατὰ τὰς ἐπιθυμίας ἑαυτῶν πορευόμενοι, καὶ τὸ στόμα αὐτῶν λαλεῖ ὑπέρογκα, θαυμάζοντες πρόσωπα ὠφελείας χάριν.

Jude's further description = Grumblers and finding fault: apostates are hopelessly critical. No one is good enough. There is no grace in their conversation. There is no mercy in their conversation. Why? Because, he who is forgiven much, loves much. Pursuing their own lusts: their own lusts become the object of pursuit. Because of their pursuit, their own lusts rising from within their own hearts, all of their life becomes a tool to attain that lust over and over again. No wonder they are critical.Their speech is critical, based upon their own lusts, and arrogant: they think more highly of themselves than they ought to think. Flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage: with all of the above as the basis for their actions and speech, they enter into the lives of the sheep and seek to usurp them. They attempt to take advantage of them.

Colossians 2:16-23; guard yourself from those who would take advantage of you. 2 Corinthians 11:1-4, 12-15: those angels of light who seek to take advantage of you.These men are ruthless and without conscience.

Conclusion

Jude's warning then is the basis of the next wonderful section of his letter.

He teaches us how to protect ourselves.