Jude 1: Divine Judgment
When and how do you think Jude became a believer?
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John 7:3–5 Jesus’ brothers said to him, “You should go to Judea, where more of your followers can witness your miracles. You cannot become well known by hiding what you do. You should let the whole world know.” His own brothers did not believe in him.
Jude 1:1 From Jude, James’s brother and Christ’s servant, to those who are called by God the Father, their lives secure in Jesus.
King James
John 7:3–5 His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. For neither did his brethren believe in him.
Jude 1:1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:
Why was Jude compelled to write?
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Jude 1:2–3 May God richly bless you with peace, love, and mercy. Dear friends in Christ, in writing about the way of salvation, I urge you to defend the message that has been given to the children of God.
King James
Jude 1:2–3 Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied. Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
How can ungodly people become part of a church fellowship?
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Jude 1:4 Some ungodly people have slipped into our fellowship and turned God’s unmerited favor into something to be earned, denying our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ.
King James
Jude 1:4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Why do we need to be reminded of God’s judgment?
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2 Peter 3:9 The Lord isn’t slow in keeping his promise, not like some people think. He is patient, not wanting anyone to perish, giving time for everyone to repent.
Jude 1:5–7 Remember what happened to the Israelites. God saved them from Egypt’s bondage, yet later on, he destroyed those who would not believe. Some of the angels didn’t keep their relationship with God, but they left their place in glory. With unbreakable chains, they are bound in darkness until the great Judgment Day. Because of its sexual perversion and immorality, Sodom, Gomorrah, and the neighboring cities were destroyed, a warning of God’s fiery eternal judgment ahead.
King James
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Jude 1:5–7 I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
How much respect should we have for authorities?
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Ephesians 1:21 In all domains he now stands far above every ruler, authority, and power, his name carrying more weight than anyone in the present age and in all times yet to come.
Ephesians 6:12 Our struggle is not with people but with the forces that influence our desires. We are pressured by spiritual wickedness in high places of authority—social prejudices, government leaders who tell people what they want to hear, and the media that filters, distorts, and spins the “truth” to suit their agendas.
Colossians 2:15 Christ stripped rulers and authorities of their power, exposing them for who they are, rising victorious above them.
Jude 1:8–10 In the same way, some people are pursuing fantasies of pleasure, despising God’s authority and scoffing at his leaders. Even the archangel Michael dared not bring a personal accusation when he contended with Satan over the body of Moses, but he said, “The Lord rebukes you.” These people who speak evil of Christ don’t know who they are insulting, and they will bring destruction upon themselves.
King James
Ephesians 1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Colossians 2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Jude 1:8–10 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.
Why do people become their own worst enemies, bringing destruction upon themselves?
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Jude 1:10–11 These people who speak evil of Christ don’t know who they are insulting, and they will bring destruction upon themselves. They are in real trouble, killing their brother like Cain did, seeking personal gain like Balaam, and rebelling against God’s leaders like Korah.
King James
Jude 1:10–11 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
Why did Jude use so many illustrations of deceptive messengers?
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Jude 1:12–13 When these people have fellowship with you, they contaminate the love you show others. They are clouds with no rain, just wind. They are trees pulled up by their roots, doubly dead, with no leaves and no fruit. They are boisterous waves that leave nothing but worthless foam on the shore. They are wandering stars that forever shine darkness instead of light.
King James
Jude 1:12–13 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
How did Enoch know so much about the last days?
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Genesis 5:24 Enoch had a daily walk with God, and then he disappeared from Earth to be with God all the time.
Jude 1:14–15 Enoch, of the seventh generation after Adam, prophesied about these people, saying, “Look! The Lord is coming with an innumerable multitude to bring judgment upon the ungodly for their evil deeds and false accusations.”
King James
Genesis 5:24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
Jude 1:14–15 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
What is the difference between being self-centered and God-centered?
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Jude 1:16 These people grumble and complain when they don’t get what they want. For personal gain, they make eloquent, appealing speeches.
King James
Jude 1:16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.
Why was prejudice against Jesus so strong?
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Jude 1:17–18 My dear friends, you need to remember what the special messengers have said about our Lord Jesus Christ. They told you to expect scoffers in these last days, people in pursuit of selfish desires.
King James
Jude 1:17–18 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
What determines whether a person is led by the flesh or the Holy Spirit?
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Jude 1:19 Led by the flesh, not the Holy Spirit, they create divisions among you.
King James
Jude 1:19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
If we benefit from communion with the Holy Spirit, why don’t people do it more?
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Jude 1:20 So you must strengthen one another in the faith, dear friends, through prayerful communion with the Holy Spirit.
King James
Jude 1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
What does it mean to “remain in God’s love”?
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Jude 1:21 Remain in God’s love, anticipating the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, our source of eternal life.
King James
Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
How might we identify people who are weak in their faith?
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Jude 1:22 Help those who are insecure in their faith.
King James
Jude 1:22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
Why are appearances important? Why are they not important?
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Jude 1:23 Rescue the fearful from a fiery judgment, hating even the appearance of evil.
King James
Jude 1:23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
If the Lord guides our steps, how can we ever stray?
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Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to keep my feet from stumbling, a light that shines before me to show the way you want me to go.
Proverbs 16:9 People want to map their entire journey, but God shows them only the next step.
Jude 1:24–25 Praise the Lord, who will keep you from stumbling and will lift you into his glorious presence, blameless and full of joy. To our only wise God and majestic Savior be glory, power, and authority, both now and forever. Amen.
King James
Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Proverbs 16:9 A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.
Jude 1:24–25 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.