After his opening, in which he identifies himself, but not his readers, Jude launches into a powerful attack against the Gnostic heretics. He had been planning to offer some lengthy discussion of his half-brother's teachings, but that task was diverted by the utter necessity of pointing out a dangerous heresy. He refers to the teachers of this nasty stuff as infiltrators who had completely missed out on spiritual birth, and were marked for damnation long ago. They can be identified by their perverting the gospel message into an excuse for lascivious conduct, and by denying that Jesus was the human Son of God.
Neither the lawless complainers of the Exodus, nor the fallen angels were destroyed. Just so, these Gnostics are permitted to live. It took quite awhile before the doom of Sodom and Gomorrah fell, too. All of these are symbolic of the Gnostic heretics. His point is they are arguing with God about the order of things. Their heresy twists the Two Realms as an excuse to pursue human lusts. Even Archangel Michael knew his place when disputing with Satan over the body of Moses. Satan was hoping to use it as a fake magic talisman to distract the Israelites. Jude compares them to Cain for his shame against Abel, and Rebellion of Korah. In each case, the sinners were rejecting God's established order of things.
They were like hateful blots showing up at love feasts, storm clouds with wind and lightening, but no rain. They were all froth and noise, stars falling from the sky in a brief flash which ends in nothingness. Jude refers to the same oral sources from which we have today's Book of Enoch, how so soon after the Fall, the ancient patriarch warned The Lord would return to judge the likes of these Gnostics in the company of His true believers. These Gnostics talked a good game, but talk was all they had.
Jude cites a warning from Jesus there would be liars during this last Age of the Church. You can pick them out by their moral weakness, and their complete lack of sorrow for it. Jude warns his readers to further distinguish between those who are caught in a single mistake versus those who struggle with everything. None of us is free from sin, so we should always keep an eye on our own selves.
The letter is closed with a gracious hymn of benediction, recalling how God alone gives the power to overcome sin.
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By Ed Hurst
26 November 2011
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