Text

It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones,

Observation/ Meaning

According to the Genealogy in Genesis 5:18, Enoch was the seventh in the line of Adam. Enoch was recorded in Gen 5:24 that he walked with God and God took him. 

“Holy ones” here likely refer to angels (Mar 8:38) who will participate in the execution of the judgement (2Th 1:7-10) on false teachers and unbelievers.

Application

Knowing that God is a just God and He has with him a legion of angels to execute his judgement, how does that make you feel?

My Reflection:

“On the one hand, it gives me comfort to know that I am on God’s side and that judgement will fall on those who reject Christ and not me. On the other hand, it also drives me to empathy and urgency to share the good news as I do not want such a judgement to befall my friends and family who are not in Christ. 

This Christmas, I pray that the celebrations do not drown out the true Gospel that Jesus Christ came to preach and that sinners will turn towards Him and be reconciled to God through Him!”

How about you?

I utilize the COMA method in my Bible Studies.

Jude Book introduction by Grace to You

Text

These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted;

Observation/ Meaning

Jude continues with his graphical metaphors of false teachers. Wild waves suggest something highly visible and impactful yet they diminish quickly. Wandering stars, possibly a metaphor for shooting stars, are also beautiful to watch for a moment and it  dies off into the darkness. Jude wants us to understand that these  false teachers can bring about great “movements” in the church but ultimately will come to nought when they are not built on the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Application

Do you find yourself motivated by the God revealed in scripture or by psychological hype?

My Reflection:

“We all have attended non-religious, secular motivational talks and somehow, they were able to stir us up to work smarter, aim higher and strive harder. Sometimes, I have heard sermons that drive me to do the same, then realized that none of it was based on God’s word. 

We need to discern in our hearts if we are riding the high of a shooting star or a wild wave that is doomed to end in darkness. Or are we truly driven by the never-ending living water and bread of Jesus Christ? May Christ grant us this spirit of discernment!” 

How about you?

I utilize the COMA method in my Bible Studies.

Jude Book introduction by Grace to You

Text

These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted;

Observation/ Meaning

Jude again emphasizes what he started off by saying in Verse 4 that they crept in unnoticed. He says that they are hidden, they are eating among us. 

Jude goes on to characterize them by a series of metaphors. They are waterless clouds (as opposed to what we know that clouds are made up of water!), fruitless trees (we know in autumn, the trees are full of fruit). The other metaphors are in the next verse. But it is clear enough that Jude is saying that these false teachers appear to be something that they are not. They appear to be clouds but are waterless, and they appear to be trees but truly are dead.

Application

This should make us reflect on our relationships. Are they truly point us to Christ? Or could they subtly point us away from Him?

My Reflection:

““You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with,” a quote attributed most often to motivational speaker Jim Rohn. 

Similarly, Jude wants me to be careful. Are the people that I am having my “love feasts” with truly drawing me to Christ? Are they pulling me away from Christ and toward myself or even towards them as “leaders”? It can be subtle, but Jude is clear, may our eyes be fixed on Jesus Christ.”

How about you?

I utilize the COMA method in my Bible Studies.

Jude Book introduction by Grace to You

Text

Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam’s error and perished in Korah’s rebellion.

Observation/ Meaning

Jude, again condemns the false teacher, citing again 3 Old Testament examples to illustrate the enormity of their sins. 

1. Cain did not shed blood but instead came to worship with his own fruits of his labour, against God’s prescription (1Jo 3:11-12)
2. Balaam used his gifts of prophecy from God to make money (Deut 23:3-9)
3. Korah led a rebellion against Moses (Numbers 16)

All three are characterized by the worship of self over God and his authority. Similarly, false teachers use what God has given them to build themselves up. As such, they will also be met with the same outcome – condemnation.

Application

Here we see 3 examples from the Old Testament of people who, instead of worshiping God, used their gifts for their own benefit. How are we living for ourselves and not for God?

My Reflection:

“It is easy for me to forget 1Cor 4:7 – what do I have that was not given to me by God? This is a comprehensive statement that encompasses everything in my possession. This includes my relationships, time, and finances. This verse reminds me to steward these gifts wisely, not for my own advancement but for that of the Kingdom of God!”

How about you?

I utilize the COMA method in my Bible Studies.

Jude Book introduction by Grace to You

Text

But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively.

Observation/ Meaning

“These people” refer to the false teachers who do the opposite of Archangel Michael. Jude compares them to unreasoning animals who act by instinct and not in the Spirit. They assume that they have the power to cast out demons and strongholds when in actuality, they do not. In our struggles, we need to remember that the power is in Christ and in Christ alone.

Jude reassures the sheep once again, that even though they may seem to have thriving ministries, they will be destroyed at the end.

Application

Are we presumptuous about things we do not understand?

My Reflection:

“It is always a great temptation to act as if I have more power than I have. I must not be presumptuous. Satan is a dangerous enemy and I must be sober and vigilant as I go through this life. It is a great reminder to always go back to God as the sole source of power and authority and not get ahead of myself.”

How about you?

I utilize the COMA method in my Bible Studies.

Jude Book introduction by Grace to You

Text

But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.”

Observation/ Meaning

This verse is difficult to interpret. Michael is the chief angel of God who watches over Isreams and leads the only angels (Rev 12:7). Micheal had to fight Satan at times (Dan 10:13). But the Old Testament does not record this confrontation that Jude mentioned, but we can still glean something from it. The principle here is that even Micheal the lead archangel does not make pronouncements on Satan but defer to the ultimate power of God when dealing with him.

According to John MacArthur’s study bible, this is a supreme illustration of how Christians are to deal with Satan and demons. Believers are not to address them, but rather to seek the Lord’s intervening power against them. 

Application

Are we presumptuous in our approach to our challenges? Is the solution in Christ who dwells within us, or do we think we are the solution?

My Reflection:

“This question is a difficult one even as I wrote it myself. My sick heart finds it difficult to discern the line between flesh and spirit (Jeremiah 17:9), but I know my fleshy tendency is to see power in myself rather than in Christ. This is exposed to me when I find myself attributing my success to my “intelligence” or “skill” but not to Christ. Father, let me find my power in You this Christmas, not in my accomplishments, possessions, or abilities, but in Your finished work on the cross.” 

How about you?

I utilize the COMA method in my Bible Studies.

Jude Book introduction by Grace to You

Text

Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones.

Observation/ Meaning

Jude now connects (“yet in like manner”) the 3 old testament examples to “These people”. Again, it refers to the false teachers as mentioned in verse 4, who crept in unnoticed. Jude now is saying that these false teachers who deny Christ, rely heavily on speaking about their dreams and visions, as opposed to relying on scripture as revealed. 

In Col 2:18, Paul also warns us about people who go on in detail about visions. Paul himself in 2Cor 12:1 stays clear of visions but focuses on Christ and him crucified (1Cor 2:2). 

Application

Are we verifying visions and dreams against the ruler of Scripture as the authority over our lives?

My Reflection:

“This verse is a great reminder for me to be discerning when faced with visions and dreams. Truly, God’s word according to 2 Tim 3:16 is sufficient to make me complete in Him. Taking the advice of Paul and Peter, I will do well to pay attention to the word (2Peter 1:18). It is a great reminder to always judge visions against the objective truth of scripture. If they do not square, I will have to submit to scripture.”  

How about you?

I utilize the COMA method in my Bible Studies.

Jude Book introduction by Grace to You

Text

just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.

Observation/ Meaning

Jude, in this verse, uses another example from the old testament to substantiate his point that those who do not believe will be destroyed by God. The example he raises is from the well-known text in Genesis 18:22 – 19:29. As a result of their unbelief manifested in their sexual immorality, the people of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed.

Application

In the last 3 verses, Jude shows from the old testament, how God is consistent in dealing with unbelievers. How does it feel that God is consistent in his dealings with unbelievers?

My Reflection:

“I think it gives me comfort in knowing that God is consistent. He is not flippant like how we humans are. He can read the hearts of all humans and he will render the appropriate judgement. God being consistent in his wrath for unbelievers gives me confidence that he will also be consistent in his eternal love for those who believe in Him. This Christmas, because of his consistency, John 3:16 will be true eternally. ​​“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.””  

How about you?

I utilize the COMA method in my Bible Studies.

Jude Book introduction by Grace to You

Text

And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day—

Observation/ Meaning

Jude then goes on to use another example in the old testament to explain that false teachers will be destroyed like all unbelievers. He speaks about angels who did not stay within their position. It is likely that he is referring to the fallen angels in Genesis 6:1-4 who cohabited with women. They too, explains Jude, have been kept in eternal chains until the final judgement (Rev 20:10). 

Application

Chew on: How does it feel that God also does not spare angels who go against Him?

My Reflection:

“It really drives home the point that God is all-powerful and all-knowing. Angels can be seen as “one level” above man. But yet, they are also subject to God’s ultimate control. Knowing that God is just, despite the angel’s different “social standing”, gives me confidence that God is a just God and it is not in his character to be flippant in his judgement like us humans. Similarly, Christ’s incarnation, which Christmas celebrates, has been foreknown (1Pet 1:20) and not a flippant decision.” 

How about you?

I utilize the COMA method in my Bible Studies.

Jude Book introduction by Grace to You