 While reading in the book of Jude one day it struck me that this very short book was not only a letter of instruction from God's Word but also prophesy; warning of a specific time in which conditions described are to be recognized. What first caught my attention was at some future time evidence of historical Biblical events would be revealed to counter modern false teaching. Physical evidence of the Biblical exodus of the Jews out of Egypt and the remains of supernatural destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah are explicitly mentioned to become known again and serve as examples. I already knew these sites had been discovered with Mount Sinai first explored at great peril to those initially involved. These sites have produced evidence that perfectly align with the Biblical narrative and are now physically verifiable and over the last thirty years have continued to produce ever increasing evidence withstanding scrutiny and criticism. This stimulated me to study Jude in earnest. The message this book conveys appears to be for a time sequenced just before Revelation the last book of the Bible. As I recognized the conditions described matching those of today, I found there was sequencing to the verses as well. Also, conditions in the church today appear to parallel the last two church ages in the book of Revelation. The church of Philadelphia parallels the Greatest Generation that saw the parable of the fig tree (Israel) come to pass and Jesus stated that generation would not pass away until the signs of his coming were revealed. Those holding fast to the faith from this church age are delivered from a time of great tribulation upon all the world. The final church of Laodicea parallels the church today described as lukewarm in an apostasy of riches and need of nothing not realizing it is " wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked" and is rebuked and chastened to be zealous and repent. There have been recent incredible changes taking place in the Middle East opening up Saudi Arabia making the evidence of the Hebrews journeys out of Egypt and in the land of Midian more accessible and visible. This has allowed for recent media and full feature documentary movies to be presented. Also, reconsideration of the traditional timeline in Egyptology from newly discovered evidence aligns with a strong pre-Exodus Hebrew presence in Egypt. "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." (1 Corinthians 10:11,12) In Paul's first letter to the Corinthians he speaks about the Exodus events and how they happened to the patriarchal fathers; some of whom were destroyed through unbelief. He tells how these events were ensamples to be learned from. The word ensample would appear to be an antiquated word for example from the King James Version of the Bible and is changed as such in modern versions. However, it has specific meaning in the Bible for being an example that can be physically seen. And now Paul says these same ensamples are written for our admonition and by stating believe can fall away. Jude's prophesy that the Lord would at some time reveal this Biblical event for the recognition of believers demands consideration of the evidence and the message it proclaims "upon whom the ends of the world are come" also confirms the time for their being revealed. It is a warning that, whether it is those confessing Christianity without discernment or who do not truly. A synopsis of the twenty-five verse sequencing of Jude will help explain why I believe it is prophesy for today as a last call for believers to recognize the time and know that God "is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." [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: [2] Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied. First, the target audience for whom the book is directed is identified. Unlike many of the epistles it is directed to all believers sanctified by God the Father and preserved in Jesus Christ to whom Jude gives salutations and blessings for delivering the timely message to follow. [3] 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. Those that make up the true church are called to action for this time. Reminding of the common salvation implies a common source for the knowledge of the original faith; the Word of God. Many today rely solely on teachers for their Biblical knowledge without verifying scripturally and in doing so have been taught out of God's directions for repentance and subsequent spirit led obedience. How can this happen? [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. False doctrines, undermining God's patriarchal, sacrificial and covenantal absolutes reinforced by recent textural criticism producing corruption of scripture have produced a morality of social justice carnality and a shallow understanding of God's sovereign ways and will for his people. [5] 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. [6] 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. [7] 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. Physical evidence of the Exodus is revealed for this time proving God's word and historical narrative is true. The Exodus is therefore put into remembrance for countering the more appeasing and malleable doctrines of the false teachers. Rebellious angels are revealed as reserved for their unleashing in the coming time of judgment. The cities of the plains are given for examples of the ease of well watered riches turning to pride resulting in lawlessness and perversion for recognition of these same conditions today. [8] Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. [9] 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. [10] 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. [11] 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. [12] 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; [13] Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. The state of many falling away in apostacy are starved by heretical teaching of a grace tolerant of willful immorality and celebratory of lasciviousness. This further develops into a reprobate social justice mentality causing railings against God's defined morality and his anointed and is also described in the last church age in Revelation as lukewarm to be spewed out. Woes are given for them and are due to unfruitful behaviors in the traditions of men. They are warned by the Biblical examples named for their characteristics of Cain's rebellion, Balaam's greed and Korah's desire for prominence. [14] And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, [15] 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.) Enoch is used as example to the saints for a right relationship with God. "Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him." This attribute of Enoch is also an example of translation or deliverance coming before judgment. Enoch's prophesy also verifies the church in Heaven by the Lord returning to earth with all of the saints for a time of judgment on the ungodly world of sinners. [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. [17] But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; [18] How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. [19] These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. The ungodly sinners are defined as celebrities, politicians and academia today who walk in their own deceit admired, followed and imitated by those with the same rebellious lusts mocking decency and Judeo Christian beliefs. They have been socially engineered through decades of public and higher education rejecting, purging and disallowing any thought of intelligent design revealed by creation and the Creator's word. [20] But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, [21] Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. [22] And of some have compassion, making a difference: [23] And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. The message to believers is to diligently seek God in faith and prayer for the urgency of evangelizing through meeting needs and exposing error for repentance in these last days. [24] 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, [25] To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. Jude finishes with a prayer of praise and of glorifying the sovereign God of creation, the author of life and Savior providing for joyful life eternal in his presence. Just before John the Revelator is called up to heaven by the voice of a trumpet the final instruction to the church of Philadelphia is "Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown." Jesus offers in the final age of Laodicea, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom and thus discernment. Our nation has been granted a few years respite from successful attack on religious freedom, the sanctity of life, Judeo Christian morality and the cursing of Israel. What has been done with that time may soon be revealed. |