Bible Study - Jude
by John B. Scott
(courtesy The Covenant Message)

Guardians of the Faith

Although Jude forms but a single chapter, it enfolds a mine of substance compassed within its 25 verses. It is the last of the General Epistles and in common with the others its object is not conversion to Christian belief, but strengthening believers when they are faced with opposition from false teachers.

A key to the writer's objective is seen in verses 17, 18, "Beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; how that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts." His words are almost a repetition of 2 Peter 3: 1-3. "This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: that ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts." The context of this passage of Peter's Epistle speaks of world conditions which precede and lead to the Second Advent; just as Jude's does.

Faith Lifting

As we consider Jude and the other brief Epistles, it seems that the Holy Spirit, foreknowing conditions approaching the end, and the severe trial of faith with which believers would be faced, caused the closing books of the Bible to be devoted to strengthening and encouraging adherents to the faith.

Next in line comes The Revelation. In a word, the comforting, hopeful message of the last Book of the Bible is: the crucified Jesus lives to come again (1 : 5-7). That is God's last message to man. If we ask, what in the Bible is man's last message to man, this is written in Jude's brief Epistle. It comes from a guardian of the faith to fellow guardians, and consists of an exhortation to "earnestly contend for the faith once delivered unto the saints". It is well worth while reading the Epistle now as a part of this article, for its truth may shine as never before.

The Guardians and the Faith they Guard

Who are the "saints" to whom the faith was once delivered? Accepting the Bible as our authority, it answers: "even the children of Israel, a people near unto Him". (Ps. 148: 14.)

What was this "faith once delivered" for which Israel is to contend ? In its condensed form it is found in the "good news", the gospel which "God . . . preached before unto Abraham, saying, in thee shall all nations be blessed". (Gal. 3 : 8)

Now the faith once delivered to the saints, the sanctified ones, the people set apart for God's service to man, is founded on God's promise to bless all. (Gen. 12: 3.) At that time fallen man, walking away from God, had found himself in a state of "distress . . . with perplexity", as it is this day. God then called Abram, and his descendants through Jacob-Israel, to be His agents in the world showing mankind the way back to God. To this end, the people were schooled by God's directing hand, so that they might lead the nations to Him, as He had led them (cf. Isa. 2: 3). Israel failed lamentably, as the Old Testament shows all too clearly. But our Lord Jesus Christ, Who offers salvation to all men, came to bring Israel back to her appointed task, "for the gifts and calling of God are without repentance" (Rom. 11: 29); in modern parlance, once they are made God does not withdraw His gifts or His calling.

The Gospel of the Kingdom of God

That master of brevity, Mark, introduces the ministry of Jesus in these words: "Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying ... repent ye, and believe the gospel." What is meant by "the gospel of the kingdom of God"; and what are we called upon to believe? Scofield Reference Bible (p1343) may carry more weight than any words of ours. "This is the good news that God purposes to set up on the earth, in fulfilment of the Davidic covenant, a kingdom, political, spiritual, Israelitish, universal, over which God's Son, David's heir, shall be King, and which shall be, for one thousand years, the manifestation of the righteousness of God in human affairs." This good news is most dear to our heart, for we believe that we are Israel.

Warnings

Why are we called upon by Jude to earnestly contend for this faith? Because, he says, certain men of harmful character have surreptitiously crept in (v. 4) among other things denying the Lord God (the old Testament) and our Lord Jesus Christ (the New Testament). Jude, therefore, seeks to put us in remembrance (v. 5) of what apostacy did in Israel of old. For our guidance he brings to our remembrance a variety of sinful happenings, and God's judgments: grim warnings to those who depart from the faith and all, that it entails in living as examples to mankind. The names of three places and of six persons are given. Each one warns us that the unfaithful have always mingled with the faithful (vs . 5-14). Keep these examples in mind, for "in the last time" mockers will scoff at the faith (v. 18); but the Lord Himself is coming to deal with them (vs. 14-15).

James, Peter and John, in their short epistles which precede Jude, all warn us similarly regarding the apostacy which shall mark the close of the Age. And so, in Jude, comes the final appeal to "earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints".

The Guardian of the Guardians

In our Bible we have penciled at the heading to this epistle, "Christ our Guardian (our Keeper)". It is easy to see this theme running throughout. The first verse addresses those who are "preserved" (kept) by Jesus Christ. They are to "keep the faith". Apostates, who have not kept the faith, have darkness "reserved" (kept) for them (vs. 6-13). Thus Jude commends us to Him Who is able to keep us from falling. Keep, whom? In company with James, Peter and John, Jude is not anxious for all and sundry. The great concern in these closing epistles is for those who know of the faith once delivered. They are the ones for whom anxiety is felt; those who must be kept from falling. They are Satan's mark. The implication is obvious. Jude fears the danger of the witness of the guardians of the faith being lost. Thus he begins: "contend for (keep) the faith once delivered", and ends "now unto Him that is able to keep you".

These are grim days for those to whom God has entrusted the faith. Obstacles and hindrances abound as never before. But let there be no weakening. Strength is at hand for every need. Take heart from man's last message recorded in the Bible to his fellow men. As we have seen, briefly summarised, it is this: You do your part in keeping the faith once delivered to Israel, and Jesus Christ will be your Guardian, and keep you.