JUDE

Part Two

Survival in the Day of Apostasy

By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.

© God’s Breath Publications

JUDE 8-12a

 

8 In the very same way, these dreamers pollute their own bodies, reject authority and slander celestial beings.

 

9 But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”

 

10 Yet these men speak abusively against whatever they do not understand; and what things they do understand by instinct, like unreasoning animals — these are the very things that destroy them.

 

11 Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion.

 

12b These men are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm — shepherds who feed only themselves.

 

In verses 8 through 12b of the book of Jude we continue to see additional warnings of the false teachings of sinful individuals that are sneaking into Christian fellowships. Jude shares a triad of descriptions of the character of the false teachers that are attempting to creep into the local churches. In verse eight he states, “In the very same way, these dreamers pollute their own bodies, reject authority and slander celestial beings.”

 

Here Jude tells us three things about these false teachers.

 

First they pollute their own bodies because they dream up their own ideas of what is true to justify fulfilling their lustful desires. They know all the warnings in scripture for rebellious acts but because they are spiritually blind they manufacture their own doctrines to fit their lifestyles. They let their ungodly reasonings interpret the scripture rather than bow to the authority of the Bible and the influence of the Holy Spirit. This leads to sinful ungodly behavior.

 

Secondly, they reject godly authority. They reject the authority of God, Holy Scripture, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, the Apostles and any local elders or leaders within the local fellowship of believers. They bow to no one and seek to lead others astray as they live sinful lives of rebellion and wanton lust.

 

Thirdly, they slandered celestial beings or angels. One of the characteristics of Gnostics and Docetists of the time was a lack of respect for angels. We would easily agree with Jude that we should have respect for the “good” angels that God has created, but Jude goes even further than this. In verse nine he gives an example from the apocryphal book of “The Assumption of Moses.”

 

“But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”

 

You should understand what an “apocryphal” book is. There were various books that were written in the early centuries after the death of Christ whose authenticity was questioned. These books spoke about Jewish and Christian doctrines, mentioned various characters from the Old and New Testaments, but had questionable stories and accounts that caused them to be rejected from being included in the Holy Bible. While not accepted as divinely inspired, many Jews and Christians still read them for enjoyment.

 

In verse nine of Jude he mentions an account of Michael the archangel arguing with Satan over the dead body of Moses. This story is nowhere in the Bible but is found in “The Assumption of Moses.” Jude is referencing this apocryphal book to illustrate his point using reading material that was familiar to many first century Jews and Christians. He is not trying to validate this apocryphal book as divinely inspired, just simply trying to make a point as he relates to his contemporary audience. His point is that Michael the archangel did not disrespect Satan in their argument, he simply said, “The Lord rebuke you.” Even though Satan was evil and the ultimate rebellious creature, Michael the Archangel respected him and simply put him in the hands of God for judgment. So Jude is saying that the behavior of the false teachers in their disrespect for angels whether good or evil, is not appropriate and he substantiates his point by quoting from an apocryphal book. We also gain some instruction as to how to deal with demonic forces. We should respect the fact that they are angels, even though they are evil, and rebuke them in the power and name of the Lord.

 

Jude continues with more observations about these false teachers in verse ten.

 

“Yet these men speak abusively against whatever they do not understand; and what things they do understand by instinct, like unreasoning animals — these are the very things that destroy them.”

 

Here he states that these false teachers speak derogatorily about things they do not understand. They are talking about issues of faith and doctrine of which they have no comprehension. Again because these false teachers were very likely influenced by Gnostic beliefs they lived according to their fleshly passions. While they claimed to be full of knowledge, their lifestyle revolved around instinctive desires for lustful living. Jude is saying that they lived according to their animal instincts. They lorded themselves over others with their “super-spirituality,” but what ruled their lives were animal passions of sin and lust. This behavior Jude says; will be their downfall and it will destroy them. He is implying that if the Christians allow themselves to be influenced by these sinful false teachers, they will also end up with the same fate.

 

In verse eleven Jude gives three examples from the Old Testament that represent the lifestyle, mindset and character of these false teachers.

 

“Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion.”

 

“Woe” denotes denunciation or condemnation on the part of Jude concerning these evil men that are sneaking into the churches.

 

His first example is that of Cain (Genesis 4). Cain was the first murderer and Jude is comparing these false teachers to Cain because of their selfish desires. Cain slew Able because of selfishness and jealousy. These false teachers could be called “soul killers” for because of their self-centered motives they were destroying the faith of those in the local churches.

 

Balaam is the second example (Numbers 22, 23, 24, 31). Balaam was a greedy prophet and was easily influenced by his desire for power and wealth. Eventually he died a horrible death because he was instrumental in leading many Jews into practicing ungodly acts of fornication. Jude makes this comparison because very likely these false teachers are using their influence to gain wealth or possessions. Because they were “lording it over” other Christians and claiming they were spiritually superior; they very often would migrate from church to church to obtain whatever money and resources they could for selfish gain.

 

Finally Jude gives the example of Korah (Numbers 16). Korah was a man who desired power and would not respect the authority of Moses. This rebellion was not only against Moses, but also against God who had ordained the chain of command and structure of the priesthood. For his disrespect and rebellion, Korah and those who followed him, were destroyed by the Lord.  Jude is using this example to illustrate that these false teachers are rebelling against God by attempting to set themselves up as the religious authorities of the local Christian church fellowships. He is implying a similar fate awaits them as Korah.

 

All three of these examples are meant by Jude to inform Christians in these churches not only the punishment that will be placed on these men for their lifestyle of rebellion but also anyone who follows after them and listens to what they are teaching.

 

Now in the first part of verse twelve Jude brings even more examples to drive home the point of how worthless the teachings of these false apostate Christians are.

 

12a “These men are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm — shepherds who feed only themselves.”

 

The NIV calls these men “blemishes” while other versions translate this as “dangerous or rocky reefs.” Whichever translation you accept, the intent is not good. Blemishes communicates that these men were stains or tainted spots that brought dishonor to the fellowship gatherings among Christians. The “love feasts” were either potluck fellowship gatherings or they could be occasions of celebrating the Lord’s Supper. Whatever the case, these unholy men were an eyesore at these fellowship meetings. The meaning of “dangerous rocky reefs,” implies that these men are faith killers. Much like ships which can run aground on rocky coral reefs in the shallow ocean; these false teachers could wreck the faith of Christians if they were to associate closely with them or listen to what they had to say. This is indicated by Jude’s inference that they are shepherds that feed only themselves. The reputation of a good shepherd was that he protected the flock of sheep. He would risk his life to save just a single lamb. He put his flock first and would endure hardship to make sure they were fed and safe from harm. These false teachers attempt to appear as good shepherds of the Gospel, but they serve only themselves and are more like predatory wolves in sheep’s clothing, Matthew 7:15, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.” Such men would allow and possibly even encourage danger to God’s flock, His church, if it would serve their selfish purposes for evil. Their definition of a shepherd is that the flock exists to serve them, not the other way around. This is the last person you want looking out for your spiritual well-being. So there is a warning here to stay away from these false shepherds and very likely Jude is implying that they should also be run out of town. This is why Jude is commanding the Christians in this case to contend for the faith.

 

In the next portion of passages we find Jude continues his merciless attack on the character of these false teachers with even more analogies and examples. This demonstrates the critical danger such evil, sinful and unholy individuals represent to a person’s faith. Jude’s message was a critical one for first century Christians, but it is also vital to us today, for false teachers are prolific in our country, not just on television, but also in our communities and even in some of our churches.