JUDE LESSON 1


     We find there is much controversy over this little book. We find
several opinions of who this Jude, or Judas is. There was an apostle,
named Judas, other than Judas Iscariot who was numbered with the
apostles.  There is a Judas who was the brother of James, as well. He
would have been the half-brother of Jesus. He, like James, had not
believed Jesus to be Messiah until after Jesus rose from the dead. I
would not be able to say of certain which Jude wrote this letter, but
I personally believe it to be by the half-brother of Jesus.

     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:"

     One thing is cleared up here. We now know that Jude was the
brother of James. Some would say, which James? Then we would be back
to a guessing game again. It really does not matter who this Jude is.
The message is the important thing. We would call this a general
letter, because it was addressed to the sanctified of God the Father,
who include Christians of all ages. How wonderful to have the
assurance that we are kept in the Lord Jesus Christ. The name Jude, or
Judas, was a common name among the Jewish people. The brothers of
Jesus would have been terribly humbled by the fact that they lived
with Jesus without really realizing He was Messiah, until after His
resurrection. This statement seems to be from some one who is humbled
by the fact of who Jesus is. "Sanctified", as we have said before,
means made holy, or set aside for God's purpose. All believers are
preserved in Christ.  The devil cannot take them away from Jesus.
Called means those who God called.

     Jude 1:2 "Mercy unto you, and peace and love, be multiplied."

     This greeting is a blessing spoken on the called of God. Peter is
the only one of the other writers who prayed the blessings would be
multiplied. The love added to the blessing is as if it is said by
John. I believe all these great men of God had great influence on this
Jude.

     Jude 1:3 "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."

     Salvation is a common thing. It is received by everyone the very
same way, by simple belief in Jesus. We find in this that something
happened that cause Jude to find it necessary to write this letter.
The message is a simple one. Do whatever is necessary to expose
yourself to the salvation message. This is a letter begging them to
seek out salvation. Do not let it slip you by. The message had been
given early on to the saints. Jude does not want anything to happen to
cause them to miss the opportunity of salvation. He explains it is
simple to receive and is for everyone who will.

     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."

     Even at this early stage of the Christian movement, there were
those who were bringing in messages that were not true. We see these
evil men had crept in unaware to those in charge. They were of the
devil, and they were intent in turning people away from the truth to
believe a lie. Just because someone sits on the pew next to you in
church, does not mean they are godly. Sometimes they are sent there by
the devil himself to bring false teachings in the church and to damage
the gospel message. These evil men had brought sin into the church.
They had even gone so far as to declare the Lord Jesus Christ not to
be God in the flesh. They really were denying the Father and the Son.

     Jude 1:5 "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."

     He is reminding them that just because they were saved, does not
mean they can do anything they want to, and still be saved. He is
giving as an example, the Israelites {God's people} who he delivered
from Egypt {world}. They were delivered, but started complaining and
doubting that God would take them to the promised land. God made them
wander in the wilderness 40 years, until those who had doubted died.
Without faith, it is impossible to please God. It does not matter
whether it is the Israelites on their way to their promised land, or
believers in Christ who are on their way to their promised land. We do
know there will be some, who stand before Jesus on judgment day who
will profess to be Christians, who Jesus will tell to get away from
Him, He never knew them. We must walk in the salvation we receive to
inherit heaven. Our faith in Jesus saves us.

     Jude 1:6 " 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."

     The word "kept" in the verse above is tereo, which means to
guard, or keep an eye upon. The word "reserved" here, is translated
from the same word that was translated kept in the verse above. My own
opinion of what this whole thing is saying, is that before the fall
these angels had the privilege to move around as they willed. They
were dwelling in the presence of the Light. When they chose to follow
Lucifer, they chose darkness over Light. It is interesting that one
third of the angels followed Lucifer. There were three archangels in
heaven Lucifer, Michael, and Gabriel.  Each of them had a position
over the other angels. The possible reason there were one third
following Lucifer, was because they were under his command. When they
chose to follow Lucifer, who is now known as Satan or the devil, they
gave up their freedom of movement and are only allowed to minister
when sent on an evil mission. Demons, as we call them, or devil
spirits as the Bible calls them, are still ministering spirits. They
just minister evil instead of good. A devil, or demon spirit, must get
permission from God before he attacks a Christian. We are bought and
paid for by Jesus and we are His. He says what can happen to us, not
the devil. They are waiting for the judgement of God, as is all
intelligence. The people in the world who are not Christians can be
attacked at any time by the devil spirits. The chains, in the verse
above are not literal chains , but a control on them. Notice this is
not a literal place they are held, but they are dwelling in darkness.
The main thing we are to see in this, is the fact that they fell after
they knew God.

     Jude 1:7 "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."

     We see, in this, the judgement that came on these cities, because
they lived for the sins of the world. The sin of Sodom and Gomorrah
was the sin of homosexuality. In one day the judgement of God fell and
they were all destroyed except Lot, his wife, and his 2 daughters.
Homosexuality goes against the laws of nature.

     Jude 1:8 "Likewise also these [filthy] dreamers defile the flesh,
despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities."

     This is just saying, that the sins of the flesh lead a person to
come against all authority of God and the authority He has set up upon
the earth. To defile the flesh, is to do things against the laws of
nature.

     Jude 1:9 "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."

     Michael, the archangel, was one of the three known archangels. I
believe that even among this three there was probably one who was the
highest. Before Lucifer fell, he was probably in the highest position
an angel could hold. Michael, had respect for authority, and did not
personally come against the devil {Lucifer}. He fought the devil by
the name of the Lord. We can learn from this. We should not come
against the devil, or his devil spirits, in our own name. The only way
for us to rebuke him is in the name of Jesus.

     Jude 1:10 "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."

     Our understanding of the authority in heaven is not sufficient
for us to do much with, except to do the things we know we have
permission to do. We have been given power of attorney to use the name
of Jesus. Natural knowledge is worldly. We should pray for the wisdom
of God.
     Jude 1:11 "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."

     These 3 are speaking of the worldly. Cain was a murderer. Baalam
was bribed, and that is what is probably meant here. The Core is
Korah, who came against Moses. All of these are worldly.

     Jude 1:12 "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;"

     These love feasts have to do with the early church having love-
feasts, where they sat with rich and poor. In some places, this was
called the Lord's supper. The thing intended to be beautiful had
turned into something evil. They were not out to help others, but to
feed themselves. Clouds without water are a disappointment to those
who need their fields watered. They are not fit to have anything
happen to them, but to be destroyed.

     Jude 1:13 "Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame;
wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for
ever."

     These waves are out of control. The stars are speaking of the
same thing. These things out of the control of God are lost, just as
we would be lost, if we rebelled against God. Notice, what awaits
them.  Blackness and darkness is for the evil, regardless of what that
evil is.

     Jude 1:14 "And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of
these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his
saints,"

     This is the Enoch that walked with God, and was not, because God
took him. He pleased God and was carried into heaven to be with God
without going the way of the grave. This prophecy comes from another
book other than the books commonly accepted in the Bible. Notice, the
number is not ten thousand, but ten thousands. Of course, the number
seven means spiritually complete. These saints are the Christians. We
do know that the Christians are supposed to reign with Christ as His
subordinates. This could be speaking of that time.

     Jude 1:15 "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."

     Jesus is the Judge. It is the Lord Jesus who executes judgement.

     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."
     Now, we see who this judgement will be executed against. The
people's sins, listed in the verse above, are sins of the flesh. They
are caused by worldliness. Their murmurings were against God.

     Jude 1:17 "But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken
before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;"

     This is a total separation from the people mentioned in verse 16.
This is speaking to the followers of God [the beloved]. We,
Christians, are reminded to keep our thoughts on the pure gospel
message sent by the apostles from the Lord Jesus Christ.

     Jude 1:18 "How that they told you there should be mockers in the
last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts."

     These apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ had warned that in the
end times there would be scoffers who walk after the ways of the world
and, also, try to lead others in this wicked way.

     Jude 1:19 "These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having
not the Spirit."

     Sensual people are people who are controlled by their flesh and
not the Spirit of God. I have said this over and over, but we are
either controlled by our flesh, or by our spirit. We must crucify our
flesh, so that Jesus can quicken our spirit. John 3:6 "That which is
born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is
spirit."

     Jude 1:20 "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most
holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,"

     Notice, it is our obligation to build our faith. The best way to
build our faith is through prayer and using our faith. The more we use
it, the more it grows. When we do not know what to pray for, God the
Holy Ghost prays for us, if we will allow Him. Letting God pray
through you, for you, builds you up more than you could ever imagine.

     Jude 1:21 "Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the
mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."

     Jesus said, If you love me, keep my commandments. The very best
way to stay in the love of God is to stay in the will of God. God
inhabits the praises of His people. Praise Him always. It is the mercy
of the Lord Jesus Christ that saves us. His merciful act of paying the
debt for all of our sins, saved us.

     Jude 1:22 "And of some have compassion, making a difference:"

     To be forgiven, we must freely forgive.

     Jude 1:23 "And others save with fear, pulling [them] out of the
fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh."

     Do we truly love the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ?. Is
salvation the greatest gift we could ever attain? If it is, then we
should want it, not only for ourselves, but for everyone. How can we
save someone else? Tell them about Jesus and what He has done for us.
If they won't listen, grab hold of them and make them listen. Don't
let go, until they will listen. Give a few hours of your time now to
save someone from an eternity in the lake of fire. I hate the thought
of anyone winding up in the lake of fire. I hate to think of it even
being near anyone. The question is, Do I hate it enough to spend my
time keeping others from going there? Is there any greater task on
this earth?
          What are you going to do about it?
     
     Jude 1:24  "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,"
Jude 1:25  "To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen"

     The only One that can keep us from falling is Jesus. 
We must place our trust and faith in Him and He will do the rest. In fact, there is 
nothing more for Him to do. He did it all on the cross of Calvary. He defeated
 sin and Satan on the cross for all who would believe. If you are a Christian,
 He has abolished your past sin. Jesus clothed us in His righteousness, the
 moment we accepted Him as our Saviour. When God looks at a Christian, He
 sees the righteousness of Jesus we are covered with. Jesus actually is the One
 we stand before because He is the Judge of the world. He defeated death when
 He rose from the grave. At the name of Jesus every knee will bow for He is the Eternal One.
 His power is not measurable for He is all Power. Philippians 2:10 " That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven,
 and things in earth, and things under the earth;Philippians 2:11 
"And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God
 the Father."
      
     Thank you for taking your time to allow me to share my thoughts
with you in these lessons. My prayer is that God will open your eyes
to the reality of who He really is.


                                 Your friend in Christ,




                                 Louise Haney



























                          Jude 1 Questions


1.  What are two of the opinions of who wrote this small book?
2.  The Judas who was the half-brother of Jesus did not believe He was
    Messiah, until what?
3.  Who is a brother of Jude mentioned in this lesson?
4.  What kind of letter was this?
5.  Who was the letter addressed to?
6.  What does "sanctified" mean?
7.  What was the blessing he spoke on those he wrote to?
8.  What had he given diligence to write to them about?
9.  Verse 4 warns of what kind of men creeping into the church?
10. What was the terrible message they had brought?
11. In verse 5, he reminds them of what?
12. What was done to the angels who kept not their first estate?
13. What does the author believe about these fallen angels?
14. Who were the three known archangels in heaven?
15. The Bible call those we call demons, what?
16. Can a demon attack you whenever he wants to?
17. Why was Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed?
18. Who was saved from Sodom?
19. What do the filthy dreamers in verse 8 do?
20. Which archangel contended with the devil over Moses?
21. How did Michael fight the devil?
22. What power does the Christian have to fight the devil?
23. What 3 evil men were mentioned in Jude chapter 1 verse 11?
24. What disappointing things were mentioned in verse 12?
25. Verse 13 is speaking of what kind of things?
26. Which Enoch is verse 14 speaking of?
27. Verse 16 describes who these ungodly are, who are they?
28. Quote Jude chapter 1 verse 18.
29. Who are sensual people?
30. Building up yourselves in the most holy ________.
31. Praying in the ________ _______.
32. How extreme are we to get to save someone?
33. What are you going to do about it?