Assurance for Daily Living

Devotional Reading: II Corinthians 4:1-12

Background Scripture: Jude 17-25
Print: Jude 17-25

Key Verses
Jude Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the
1:24 presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
Jude To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now
1:25 and for ever. Amen.

Objectives
Upon completion of this lesson, the students should know that:
1. The appearance of doubters and scoffers should not be a surprise to modern-day
Christians.
2. There is no substitute for pure doctrine.

Introduction
- There are five epistles called the Jewish Epistles that were written especially to deal
with needs and specific issues facing Jewish believers. These Epistles are: Hebrews,
James, I Peter, II Peter, and Jude.

- Jude was probably written between AD 67 and AD 68.

- The Acts of the Apostles is the beginning of the church, but Jude prepares us for the last
times (verse 18) where he addresses the acts of the apostates.

- Jude is the only book in the New Testament that is devoted almost entirely to the
subject of apostasy. There is a sense of urgency when it comes to dealing with apostates.

- Jude shows meekness as he opens his letter, because this is the Jude that is believed to
be the half brother of Jesus and brother of James, but he introduces himself as the servant
of Jesus Christ.
Mark Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda,
6:3 and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.

Matthew Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his
13:55 brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and JUDAS?
- James shows us that works is evidence of your faith. Jude shows us works that are
evidence of apostasy. Good works are evidence of faith, and evil works are evidence of
apostasy.

- Judas is Greek for Judah and was a very desirable name during the life of Christ, but
because of Judas Iscariot the betrayer.

- Both Jude and James did not become believers until after the resurrection of Jesus
Christ. During the life of Christ, Jesus’ brothers were mockers.
John After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the
7:1 Jews sought to kill him.
John Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand.
7:2
John His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples
7:3 also may see the works that thou doest.
John For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known
7:4 openly. If thou do these things, show thyself to the world.
John For neither did his brethren believe in him.
7:5

- Jude opens with assurance for the Christian, and Jude closes with assurance for the
Christian.
- Jude salutation was mercy, peace, and love. There are at least 14 uses of triads (sets of
threes) in this book.

- Even though Jude talks about the apostates, he is not speaking to the apostates, he is
speaking to the Christian; to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in
Jesus Christ, and called (Verse 1). This is not an evangelical letter.
I Corinthians But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are
2:14 foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually
discerned.
I Corinthians But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
2:15
I Corinthians For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have
2:16 the mind of Christ.

- Jude said 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.
needful: 318
ἀνάγκη Anagke (an-ang-kay');
Word Origin: Greek, Noun Feminine, Strong #: 318

1. necessity, imposed either by the circumstances, or by law of duty regarding to one's

 advantage, custom, argument

2. calamity, distress, straits

Jude was divinely forced to write these things. The urgency of the word “needful” in
verse three can be shown by looking at that same word in Hebrews 9:16.
Hebrews For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
9:16
Hebrews For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all
9:17 while the testator liveth.

- The challenge is that we earnestly contend for the faith. The word “contend” is an active
military word. Remember to always keep on your whole armour of God.
contend: 1864
ἐπαγωνίζομαι Epagonizomai (ep-ag-o-nid'-zom-ahee);
Word Origin: Greek, Verb, Strong #: 1864

1. to contend

- Jesus asks the question:

Luke And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he
18:7 bear long with them?
Luke I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh,
18:8 shall he find faith on the earth?

Jude gives us a look into the unseen world

For example:
- Men of old ordained to condemnation that have crept in the church unaware and
secretly trying to tear down the church. (Verse 4)
John Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?
6:70
John He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being
6:71 one of the twelve.
- There were fallen angels that left their own dwelling place who are kept in chains in
darkness until the Day of Judgment. This is most likely referring to the angels in Genesis
chapter six. (Verse 6)
- Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of
Moses (verse 9)
Quiz question: What is the oldest prophecy recorded in scripture given by a prophet, and
where can it be found?
Answer: God gave the very first prophecy in Genesis 3:15, but the oldest prophecy
recorded in Scripture and given by a prophet of God is the prophecy of Enoch about the
second coming of Christ:
Jude And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord
1:14 cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
Jude To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their
1:15 ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which
ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
- The prophecy of Enoch is the first prophecy uttered by a prophet, yet it is not recorded
in scripture until the New Testament. Also note that the first bible prophecy given by a
prophecy was about the second coming of Jesus Christ. (Verse 14)

Warning Against Scoffers: Jude vs 17-19

Jude But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord
1:17 Jesus Christ;
Jude verse 17 reminds us of what was already written. II Peter was
written before Jude
Jude How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their
1:18 own ungodly lusts.
• THE WICKED INDULGE IN MOCKING AGAINST
o The second coming of Christ
2 Peter 3:3-4
o The gifts of the Spirit
Acts 2:13
o God’s threatening
Isaiah 5:19; Jeremiah 17:15
o God’s ministers
2 Chronicles 36:16
o God’s ordinances
Lamentations 1:7
o Saints
Psalms 123:4; Lamentations 3:14,63
o The resurrection of the dead
Acts 17:32
o All solemn admonitions
2 Chronicles 30:6-10

There are thirteen quotations in Jude from the book of II Peter. Peter
wrote about some of the things that were going to happen in the future;
In the book of Jude, some of those things have now come to pass.
II Peter This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your
3:1 pure minds by way of remembrance:
II Peter That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy
3:2 prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
II Peter Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after
3:3 their own lusts,
II Peter And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep,
3:4 all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
II Peter For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were
3:5 of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
II Peter Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
3:6
II Peter But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store,
3:7 reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
The content of the Mockery is very important because it links creation
with the second coming of Jesus Christ. The denial of Creation is a satanic
means to the denial of the second coming.
Article:

Libertyville High School Science Teacher Teaching

Creationism Keeps Job

Updated: Wednesday, 23 Mar 2011, 6:46 AM CDT

Published : Tuesday, 22 Mar 2011, 9:41 PM CDT

FOX Chicago News

Vernon Hills, Ill. - Libertyville High School teacher Beau Schaefer won't be
teaching creationism in his science classroom any more.

On Tuesday night, school officials announced that they weren't going to dismiss
Schaefer, who's apparently been teaching creationism in the class for years.

Administrators said he had cooperated with their investigation.

The uproar came after Schaefer put questions that implied creationist answers on a
quiz, students said.

"Science is based upon theories that can be tested. Supernatural causation cannot
be tested," said former student Luke Wojciechowski.

"He never pressured us to believe one way or the other," said former student Brian
Holzer.

Students told us that Schaefer has been teaching creationism for a number of
years.

http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/education/beau-schaefer-libertyville-high-
school-teacher-science-creationism-20110322

Also in the “last time” God will make it manifest that some of these
ungodly men who crept in unawares were NEVER part of His church.
I John Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come,
2:18 even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
I John They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they
2:19 would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be
made manifest that they were not all of us.
 As sensual brute beast, they can only interpret scripture by what makes
sense to them. Jude gives us incite into the unseen world, but these
mockers won’t believe it if they can’t see it.
Jude These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
1:19
sensual: 5591
ψυχικός Psuchikos (psoo-khee-kos');
Word Origin: Greek, Adjective, Strong #: 5591

1. of or belonging to breath
a. having the nature and characteristics of the breath
1. the principal of animal life, which men have in common with the
brutes
b. governed by breath
1. the sensuous nature with its subjection to appetite and passion
Verse 19 discusses the deeds of the scoffers. They can not control their
natural animal instinct, and their lack of love for one another causes
them to form clicks within the church. Do they have the Holy Spirit? You
will know them by their fruits.
Galatians Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery,
5:19 fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Galatians Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions,
5:20 heresies,
Galatians Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell
5:21 you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such
things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness,
5:22 goodness, faith,
Galatians Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
5:23
Galatians And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and
5:24 lusts.
Galatians If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
5:25
Galatians Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one
5:26 another.
Separation happens when ever those in the church, who belong to a
social club or secret society, are required to be a respecter of persons
and show favor towards their associate; which leads to a perversion of
justice and judgment which is more acceptable to the LORD than
sacrifice.
Proverbs To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
21:3
The beginning of separation:
James My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with
2:1 respect of persons.
James For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel,
2:2 and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
 James And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit
2:3 thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under
my footstool:
James Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
2:4

The Obligations of Believers: Jude vs 20-23

Verse 20 and 21 discuss the obligation of the believer in relations to
themselves:
Jude But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
1:20
But ye, beloved,
Again, this book is about apostates, but it is not written to apostates.
beloved: 27
ἀγαπητός Agapetos (ag-ap-ay-tos');
Word Origin: Greek, Adjective, Strong #: 27

1. beloved, esteemed, dear, favourite, worthy of love

building up yourselves on your most holy faith,
What is the most holy faith? It is the body of teachings revealed to the
apostles by Christ Jesus. The Word of God is the foundation of our faith
on which we are to build on:
Luke And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
6:46
Luke Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will show
6:47 you to whom he is like:
Luke He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation
6:48 on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house,
and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
Luke But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an
6:49 house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and
immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.
praying in the Holy Ghost,
Again, this is spiritual warfare:
Ephesians And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the
6:17 word of God:
Ephesians Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and
6:18 watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Ephesians And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my
6:19 mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
Ephesians For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as
6:20 I ought to speak.
Jude Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto
1:21 eternal life.
Keep yourselves in the love of God,
Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Matthew Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
24:42
Matthew But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the
24:43 thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his
house to be broken up.
Matthew Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of
24:44 man cometh.
Matthew Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over
24:45 his household, to give them meat in due season?
Matthew Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
24:46
Matthew Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
24:47
Matthew But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his
24:48 coming;
Matthew And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the
24:49 drunken;
Matthew The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and
24:50 in an hour that he is not aware of,
Matthew And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites:
24:51 there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
We learn from Jesus’ letter to Ephesus that keeping ourselves in the love
of God requires repentance.
Revelation Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first
2:4 love.
Revelation Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first
2:5 works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy
candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
We learn from Jesus’ letter to Smyrna that keeping ourselves in the love
of God requires suffering at times, but the reward is great:
Revelation Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast
2:10 some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation
ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Revelation He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He
2:11 that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
We learn from Jesus’ letter to Pergamos that keeping ourselves in the
love of God requires holding fast to the name of God, even when we are
on Satan’s turf. We are in this world, but we are not of this world and we
should keep ourselves unspotted from the world.
Revelation I know thy works and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and
2:13 thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days
wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where
Satan dwelleth.
Revelation But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold
2:14 the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before
 the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit
fornication.
Revelation So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which
2:15 thing I hate.
Revelation Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them
2:16 with the sword of my mouth.
We learn from Jesus’ letter to Thyatira that keeping ourselves in the love
of God requires total commitment to God and remembering that the first
and great commandment is, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy
heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Revelation Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that
2:20 woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce
my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
Revelation And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
2:21
Revelation Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her
2:22 into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
Revelation And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I
2:23 am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of
you according to your works.
We learn from Jesus’ letter to Sardis that keeping ourselves in the love of
God requires being watchful:
Revelation Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die:
3:2 for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
Revelation Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and
3:3 repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and
thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
We learn from Jesus’ letter to Philadelphia that keeping ourselves in the
love of God requires keeping the word of God’s patience.
Revelation Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from
3:10 the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them
that dwell upon the earth.

James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
James 1:3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
James 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire,
wanting nothing.

We learn from Jesus’ letter to the Laodiceans that keeping ourselves in

the love of God requires we be zealous about following after
righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and meekness. Not
following after the riches of this world.
Revelation Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of
3:17 nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor,
and blind, and naked:
Revelation I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich;
3:18 and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy
nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou
 mayest see.
Revelation As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
3:19

Matthew Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth
6:19 corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
Matthew But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust
6:20 doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
Matthew For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
6:21

looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Keeping yourself in the love of God requires watching, then we are told
to look for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Colossians If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where
3:1 Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Colossians Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3:2
Colossians For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
3:3
Colossians When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with
3:4 him in glory.
Colossians Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication,
3:5 uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness,
which is idolatry:
Colossians For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of
3:6 disobedience:
Colossians In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
3:7
Jude concentrates on mercy as opposed to grace;
Grace – 1. The free and unmerited favor or beneficence of God; "God's
grace is manifested in the salvation of sinners.
2. The exercise of love, kindness, mercy, favor; disposition to benefit or
serve another; favor bestowed or privilege conferred.
3. The divine favor toward man; the mercy of God, as distinguished from
His justice;
(Getting what we don’t deserve).

Mercy - Forbearance to inflict harm under circumstances of provocation,

when one has the power to inflict it; compassionate treatment of an
offender or adversary; clemency. (Not getting what we do deserve).

Jude And of some have compassion, making a difference:

1:22
Verse 22 and 23 discuss the obligation of the believer in relations to
others:

compassion: 1653
 ἐλεέω Eleeo (el-eh-eh'-o);
Word Origin: Greek, Verb, Strong #: 1653

1. to have mercy on
2. to help one afflicted or seeking aid
3. to help the afflicted, to bring help to the wretched
4. to experience mercy
God gives mercy to us, so we ought to have mercy on one another. If
one gets confused by false doctrine, we should have all the fruits of the
Spirit as we minister to them:
Proverbs Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them
3:3 upon the table of thine heart:
Proverbs So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and
3:4 man.

Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is
wise.

Jude And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by
1:23 the flesh.
And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire;
Proverbs Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the
23:13 rod, he shall not die.
Proverbs Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.
23:14

hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

As we try to be watchmen and pull others out of the fire, we need to be
careful about getting caught up heresy ourselves.
Revelation Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his
16:15 garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

Revelation Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the
19:7 Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
Revelation And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and
19:8 white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

The flesh, denotes mere human nature, the earthly nature of man apart
from divine influence, and therefore prone to sin and opposed to God
Matthew Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is
26:41 willing, but the flesh is weak.

The Benediction
The word benediction derives from a Latin phrase meaning “good
word”. Jude’s good word spoke to the power of God through Christ to
keep the believer standing firm.
Jude Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the
1:24 presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
Verse 24 reminds us what God can do:
John And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any
10:28 man pluck them out of my hand.
John My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck
10:29 them out of my Father's hand.
John I and my Father are one.
10:30
Jude To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now
1:25 and for ever. Amen.
Verse 25 reminds us who God is:
To the only wise God our Saviour,
I Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man
Christ Jesus;
I Timothy 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

be glory
Psalm To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of
19:1 God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork.

and majesty,
I Chronicles Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the
29:11 victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is
thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above
all.

dominion
I Peter 5:11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

and power,
John Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I
19:10 have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?
John Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were
19:11 given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater
sin.

both now and for ever.

Hebrews Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of
12:1 witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset
us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Hebrews Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that
12:2 was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at
the right hand of the throne of God.
Amen.
The word "amen" is a most remarkable word. It was transliterated
directly from the Hebrew into the Greek of the New Testament, then into
Latin and into English and many other languages, so that it is practically
a universal word. It has been called the best known word in human
speech. The word is directly related -- in fact, almost identical -- to the
Hebrew word for "believe" (amam), or faithful. Thus, it came to mean
"sure" or "truly", an expression of absolute trust and confidence. -- HMM