Jude #4 - Apostates Depraved & Doomed
We continue studying the book of Jude. I think this post today is my favorite portion of Jude because it touches on the book of Enoch.
The book of Jude is a very small book in the Bible but it is packed with many wonderful lessons to be learned. We will be studying the entire book of Jude in seven different parts (or eight if you consider parts a & b of part three).
In the New King James Version, the word "Apostate" is used in the subtitles. We previously defined that word but here it is again, just in case you missed the previous post:
Apostate - one who refuses to obey or follow their religious faith; abandonment of a previous loyalty.
You will notice in verse 12 (shown below) that "love feasts" is referenced. Since we talked about the sexual immorality that has crept into our congregations in part 3 of this series, I just assumed that "love feast" was referring to something horrendous like Sodom & Gomorrah - it's NOT. After researching I found out that "Love Feast" was a wonderful celebration of God.
Love Feast (a.k.a. Agape Feast) was a time to get together with other Christians and celebrate God. The goal was not only to grow in their Christian walk but also to provide and take care of the needy in their "group/congregation". The needy were sent home with plenty afterwards. I picture it as a combination of our modern day church potluck and a soup kitchen.
These "apostates" infiltrated these feasts and probably pretended to be in need and just helped themselves (as referenced below: "serving only themselves").
I love the description of what these "apostates" are actually like - "raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame." This is a serious offense - these evil infiltrators were stealing from the needy!!! Look at the eternal punishment in store for these evil, fake followers (see verse 13 above):
"is reserved the blackness of darkness forever."
Now we move onto "Enoch". Let's first refresh our Old Testament knowledge - remember, there were two "Enochs" - one was bad and the other was good. The "good" Enoch is referenced in verse 14 of Jude (see below). But first, let's read about the lineage of both Enochs.
1. Enoch the son of Cain (bad Enoch).
" And Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. And he built a city, and called the name of the city after the name of his son—Enoch.”
2. Enoch was the son of Jared and was seventh from Adam (good Enoch).
"Jared lived one hundred and sixty-two years, and begot Enoch.”
Genesis 5:18
Joseph (Jesus' step-dad), was also in Enoch's lineage. (read Luke 3:23-38).
Enoch was so very special because he actually walked with God and did NOT die a physical death - God just took him to heaven!
" And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.”
Genesis 5:24
"By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
Hebrews 11:5
Enoch was an extremely important Biblical figure, so why was the book of Enoch removed from our Bible? The portion of Scripture seen above, highlighted in white is an actual quote from the book of Enoch. If we believe that our Bible is inspired by God (see passage below), then why would an actual word for word quote from the book of Enoch not make that book (Enoch) "inspired of God"???
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,”
2 Timothy 3:16
We also should not add to nor take away from God's Word (lookup Deuteronomy 4:2). That's why I believe that Enoch should NEVER have been removed from our Bible. And, it is vital for our time. Let's look at just a few verses from Chapter 1 of Enoch:
We, as Christians, are the "elect and righteous" referenced above. And I truly believe that we are living in the day of tribulation right now but look at the vital detail about tribulation (see above). "The day of tribulation, when all the wicked and godless are to be removed." The tribulation is not torture for us - it's for the evil who are being removed from earth!!
Remember, these wicked and godless are those who have "grieved the Holy Spirit." We studied this in part 3(a) - here is that exerpt:
"I want to remind you about "grieving the Holy Spirit" and what that means. When we become Christians, the Holy Spirit is sealed in our hearts. I think of it like the 17th century practice of sealing an envelope - in that era there was a wax stamp put on the outside of a letter/envelope. Our hearts are sealed or protected and can ONLY be opened by God. However, when one "grieves the Holy Spirit" - that is when someone knowingly invites in a demon and is essentially kicking out the Holy Spirit."
We see below that Enoch knew he was writing this book for a future generation (I believe it was written for us now).
Enoch should NOT be ignored. Bible scholars will say that the book of Enoch is not from a trusted source but I have the Holy Spirit inside of me and He is guiding me as I read these "untrusted" books.
I believe that we are on the precipice of 1,000 Years of Peace (1,000 Year Reign - Revelation 20:6)
Let's continue to beware of "apostates" in our midst, but at the same time continuing to celebrate God.
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My Features this Week are:
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