Jude tells us what conditions in the world will be like just before the Lord comes. It is a warning to us to “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (v. 3). “Once” means “once and for all,” — not to be repeated. God has provided everything to maintain us in this life. But we are tested. Here God points out the dangers. When a person hears the truth and, without accepting it, turns away from it, he is in a very serious condition. He heard it and then gave it up. It is called “apostasy.” Today we are living in a very dangerous and difficult time. Christianity is quickly disappearing and this shows us how important this Book of Jude is for us now.
V.1, 21 “Preserved” and “kept” are from the same root word. The first one is what God does, and second, what we are to do. Often, we pray that the Lord might keep us! What is verse 21 saying to you?
V.5 Three examples of this (1) Although the Israelites were all taken out of Egypt by God in the days of Moses, some did not believe God and were destroyed.
V.6 (2) Some of the angels disobeyed, and today they are in chains waiting for their punishment.
V.7 (3) Sodom and Gomorrah, great cities, were both destroyed because they turned to immorality.
V.8-10 The wicked people in the world then, were creeping in amongst the believers. Evil starts very gently. We can see all this filth today, filling the news — giving up all the respect for authority and insulting the truth of God.
V.11 Here are three ways in which people slip away; (1) “the way of Cain.” This is a picture of the old nature, the will of a person in hatred against both God and believers. (2) “The error of Balaam for reward.” This is a picture of religious evil. Being religious for gain. (3) “The gainsaying of Core;” a picture of rebelling against God and His Word (See Num. 16).
V.12-13 These are like people in our land today.
V.17-23 We are living in loose days, the “mockers” of the truth for believers, are all around us. We are told here to: build up ourselves on (Read those words carefully); pray; keep ourselves in; look for; unto. How we need these warnings!
V.24-25 How sweet, touching and assuring an ending. He is able to keep us (present) and present us faultless before God (future).