A Lesson From Jude—The Little Book With a Big Message!

Some people think of Bible prophecies as millennia-old warnings for the ancient people of Israel, but they were actually intended for a far wider audience—including Judah, many Gentile nations, and even we who are alive today. The ancient prophets, Christ’s apostles, and even Jesus Christ Himself gave prophecies about the end times, but few have heeded their warnings. The New Testament epistle of Jude, though one of the shortest books in the entire Bible, contains a very important prophetic message.

The Epistle of Jude was written at a time in the first century A.D. when the Church of God was growing against much opposition. Just as Jesus Christ had warned His disciples, false apostles were quickly appearing to mislead Christ’s followers with heretical teachings. Jude wrote this epistle because he “found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 3–4). The word translated “lewdness” in verse 4 is a Greek word referring to a lack of legal or moral restraints, especially sexual restraints. The Greek word translated “deny” means to contradict, reject, abnegate, or refuse. Jude’s message is noteworthy, especially in light of the decisions being made by governments and churches today. Far too many are utterly contradicting and refusing to uphold what the God of the Bible clearly says is sin, succumbing to and embracing post-Christian ideas that clearly go against His word. How can leaders in these institutions believe they have the authority to contradict God and allow what God prohibits and even calls “abominations”?

Certainly, the all-powerful Creator does not look favorably on those who deny His clear instructions. How can people try to put words in God’s mouth? Presuming to approve what God has condemned—or condemn what God has approved—will bring severe consequences, and Jude then reminds his readers of those consequences.

Just as the Lord brought His people out of the land of Egypt, He later had to destroy “those who did not believe.” Israel should have heeded God’s instructions (v. 5). Jude then gives another example: the angels who rebelled against God, followed Satan, and became demons, who along with Satan are “reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day” (v. 6). The third reminder of consequences for disobedience is that of Sodom and Gomorrah. They had “given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh” and “are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire” (v. 7).

Jude rebukes those engaging in these actions for rejecting God’s authority, speaking blasphemies, grumbling and complaining, mocking, and causing division in order to pursue their own lusts (vv. 8–19).

Jude tells God’s people to have faith, pray, and keep themselves in the love of God. The Apostle John defines the love of God as keeping His commandments (1 John 5:3). We would be wise to heed Jude’s lesson and always be on guard against the morally perilous influences of our time.

To understand more about the dangerous trends facing society today, and how you can avoid them, be sure to watch the telecasts “The End of Morality?” and “Morality Without God?” Also be sure to order your free copy of the study guide Prophecy Fulfilled: God’s Hand in World Affairs or read it online today.