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An Elder Speaks
Warnings From Jude
By Ronald Thompkins
August 24, 2003
Jude, who described himself as the brother of James, Jesus'
brother, was not a prophet, but gave very similar warnings and
promises to God's people of his day.
Although this name was quite a common name of its day the
author is presumed to be the same person as Thaddaeus (Matthew
10:3).
By way of biblical comment, for those who vigilantly labor as
evangelists, bear in mind Jesus' brothers did not become
converted till after The Resurrection (I Corinthians 15:7).
To those who subscribe today to the notion that once saved
always saved, Jude reminded the Christians of their ancestor's
sins and resulting punishment by God. First were the
Israelites (Jude 5), second were the angels Jude 6), and then
the wicked of Sodom and Gomorrah (Jude 7). Jude began by
reminding them that although God saved them from the slavery
and bondage of Egypt, because of their disobedience and
disbelief he destroyed them (Jude 5, also Paul and the Hebrew
writer mentions this event: I Corinthians 10:1-12; Hebrews
3:13-19). Even some of those who were once part of the same
heavenly host we long to be an everlasting part of, angels,
have found themselves awaiting the judgment of God, because of
their transgressions (Jude 6).Finally, Jude mentions what is
becoming a politically incorrect warning today, and that is to
denounce homosexuality as a sin (Jude 7).
Jude pointed out the false teachers who had infiltrated the
ranks of the Christian Church. In typical Jude fashion he
points out three specific sins of these false teachers. First,
he identified them as dreamers (possibly similar to those of
today he professed to be still receiving messages directly
from God). Do these people ever consider if it were true God
still talks to them directly, and then what was the purpose of
Christ coming to earth, establishing His Church, training the
apostle to evangelize and continue His work after the
Ascension, and the Apostles reducing this divine knowledge to
a Bible? Jude even added they defiled the flesh (Jude 8).
Second, they rejected authority established by God.
Reminiscent of Korah-the man who rebelled against Moses and
Aaron, and as consequence he, his followers and their entire
families were swallowed by an earthquake hole (Numbers
22:5-41).
Third, they spoke evil of God's Dignitaries (translated as
angels). These were agents of God sent to do His work on
earth.
These same warnings are applicable to us today. At a time when
some even in the Church of Christ are debating whether the
Bible contains an overarching principle which allows them
certain rights as a man of God, and to those outside the body
of Christ who contend once saved always saved, and those who
have the audacity to say "you can be saved by faith alone. Woe
unto you.
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