K07.11.89.htm

THE LETTER OF JUDE.

THE MAIN POINTS OF JUDE IN DEFENCE OF THE FAITH.
After reading the warnings of Jude for those living in this "final age", it would be wise for us to identify those of whom he warns, and their activities. Among them are those who "pour scorn on religion", who "follow their own Godless lusts", who "flout authority" and who "insult celestial beings". (V.8 & 18 NEB).

In like manner to the angels who "forsook their own proper dwelling place" and the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah that went "out after flesh for unnatural use" (V.6,7), paying "the penalty in eternal fire,* an example for all to see" (V.7 NEB), there are certain men today who are abandoning themselves to this fate. (V.4).

The reason for Jude's warning is that "certain men have slipped in who have long ago been appointed by the Scriptures to this Judgement,* unGodly men, turning the undeserved kindness of our God into an excuse for loose conduct and proving false to our only Owner, and Lord Jesus Christ." (V.4). But while these men "are themselves wholly unspiritual", they still seek to "draw a line between spiritual and unspiritual persons" and try to worm their way in among people of God. (V.19 NEB).

Among the popular mainstream religions of today for example, there are men who wear outlandish sectarian garb to award themselves superior rank over the members of their parishes. Sectarian leaders enjoy the outrageous trappings of shameless wealth while doing nothing to alleviate the poverty in the parishes where they practice their form of religion. "They are shepherds who take care only of themselves." (V.12 NEB). Many openly declare themselves homosexual, thereby offering reverence and worship to a created thing rather than to the One True God. (Rom 1:24 27).

Not only do they "follow their lusts", but "big words come rolling from their lips, as they "court favour to gain their ends... proceeding according to their own desires... their mouths speak swelling things, while they are admiring personalities for the sake of their own benefit." (Jude V.16 NEB & NWT). They court the favour of admired personalities to achieve their own selfish ends (i.e.) to gain public approval and status among the people, using these personalities as 'stepping stones' to self-glory not seeking to be a glory of God, but to be treated as godlike themselves. (2 Thess 2:4).

But these men are "dead twice over" (V.12 NEB) for having persisted in perverted sexual and sectarian practices such as these, they have died as to the forgiveness of their sins by God, just as it is written: "For if we wilfully persist in sin after receiving the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins remains: only a terrifying expectation of Judgement * and a fierce fire which will consume God's enemies." (Heb 10:26,27 NEB). Not only is their Adamic sin held accountable against them, but they have lost all hope of a resurrection to everlasting life in the spirit heavens. In this way they have died twice. (Rev 21:8).

7/11/89.