Volume 21, Number 1 January Winter 2026
Bible Study in the Book Of Jude
Contending for the Faith
(Part III of IV)
Jude 12-13
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.”
Jude Continues to Describe Apostasy by Giving Five Characteristics From Nature
FIRST, apostates are said to be like “spots in your feasts of charity” or in other words blemishes in their love feasts (v.12a). These feasts turned out to be a demonstration of love for themselves and not a love for God or for others. That’s why it’s said to be “spots,” or in other words, a contaminated act of what they called “feasts of charity (love).” The word “spots” is translated from the Greek to mean hidden rocks or dangers covered by water. Properly translated, this verse would read “hidden rocks covered by water.” In other words, teachers were teaching false doctrine and leading people into spiritually troubled waters. During the early days of the New Testament Church, believers would gather for a meal that they called an AGAPA (love) FEAST before observing the Lord’s Supper. These “feasts of charity” were times when wealthier believers would supply the needs of the poorer believers in a demonstration of love toward the brethren. Unfortunately, these love feasts became misused as the wealthy grew too selfish to share with the poor as we discover from Paul’s writings to the Corinthians (I Cor. 11:20-30). These “feasts” turned out to be no more than a big party for the well-to-do and eventually diminished entirely from the early church. The translation, “hidden rocks,” refers to unseen dangers like unto that which developed in the “feasts of charity.” Just as people became selfish in their love feast, people can become cold and callous in their worship of Almighty God. If we’re not careful, “hidden” sins can develop even through the formality of a worship service or even prayer without God’s blessings just as it did in their love feast. Have you ever been eating something only to discover an unwanted object in it? Some foods actually look better than they taste, just as a body of water may appear peaceful, but underneath the surface is discovered deadly holes or poisonous snakes. Like “hidden rocks” apostates seek to shipwreck the church of Jesus Christ and for this reason genuine believers must always be on guard and beware. Christians ought to feed themselves upon Christ, spiritually speaking, from the Word of God. He is our “bread of life” (Jh. 6:35) and Provider of “living water” (Jh. 4:14) from which we receive our spiritual nourishment. We ought to know a holy “fear” of God in the sense of reverence, but apostates are guilty of “feeding themselves without fear” of a Holy and Righteous God.
SECONDLY, apostates are described to be like “clouds … without water” (v. 12b). It’s only natural to expect a shower of rain when you see a storm “cloud” on the horizon (Lk. 12:54). However, the “clouds” mentioned in our text are hypocritical and bare only a false profession (Prov. 25:14). Waterless “clouds” are famous for sometimes deceiving and discouraging especially when one is in need of rain upon dry ground. They do not bless with much needed rain, but merely threaten and trouble the soul of a saint who stands in need of having their spiritual thirst quenched. We need to notice that these types of “clouds … are carried about of winds.” “Clouds” cannot go where they please, but only where the “winds” will direct them. Wind is simply the movement of air which reminds us of the “prince of the power of the air” Eph. 2:12). Just like the “clouds …. without water … carried about of winds,” apostates will appear as counterfeit believers who are under the direct control of Satan.
THIRDLY, apostates are described like autumn “trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit” (v. 12c). In the Greek, “whose fruit withereth” refers to crops that fail to bear fruit in the season of harvest. We can expect a great apostasy during such autumn years when multitudes of people turn away from the Truth of Scripture and the winter of God’s judgment is pronounced. One of the few topical messages that I’ve preached on several occasions since I’ve been basically an expository preacher has been on the Seasonal Changes of Life where I liken them to the changeable seasons on the calendar. In the season of autumn, most of the harvest has been gathered, likewise, in times of apostasy people may continue to get saved, but the biggest part of God’s “harvest” will have already been gathered and converts will be few (Matt. 13:30). These apostates will be void of true spirituality just as autumn “trees” are of “without fruit” at the end of the season (II Pet. 2:17). If one is not a “branch” grafted onto the “vine” of Christ (Jh. 15), then he cannot produce genuine Christian “fruit” (Gal. 5:22-25). A “tree” being “twice dead” speaks of the way it can appear “dead” in the autumn, but experience real death whenever it is “plucked up by the roots” (Matt. 7:16-20, Lk. 13:6-9). “Twice dead” is referring to the lost who will not only die a physical death, but worst of all a spiritual death. So it is with a lost sinner who shall experience “the second death” that is yet to come following their physical death (Rev. 20:14).
FOURTHLY, apostates are described as “waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame” (v. 12d). Scripture pictures the ungodly as a “troubled sea” (Isa. 57:20-21). The “raging waves of the sea” are powerful and uncontrollable by mortal man. The only force that can still the mighty “sea” is He Who created it (Ps. 89:9). Let us be reminded that just as the wild “waves” of apostasy rage against the church there is coming a reckoning day of God’s judgement. Throughout church history, Satan’s tidal wave of destruction has flooded the church only to leave her still standing stronger than ever even if the numbers be small. Regardless of how severe the attacks against the church, God will never forsake His own and there will always be a remnant of true believers.
FIFHTHLY, apostates are described like “wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever” (v. 12e). “Stars,” like all heavenly bodies are under the influence of the Sun and occasionally a shooting star may be seen falling from outer space. Apostates are like “wandering stars” because they have been exposed to the light, they may even pretend to be influenced by it, but yet they turn and fall by the wayside. At this point, we need to remember the Parable of the Sower and the Seed from the Gospel of Matthew (Matt. 13). Not everyone who hears the gospel will believe the gospel and not all professions of Christ are genuine, only 1 out of 4 types of soil is productive. The shameful horrifying death of an apostate is in the “blackness of darkness for ever.” Hell is not only a place of eternal fire (v.7), but is a place of eternal “darkness.” Since “God is Light” (Jh. 1:5), to be in the “blackness of darkness” is to be out of God’s presence “for ever.” Hell is a place of unending “darkness” where no ray of light will ever penetrate and lost sinners will suffer eternal torment without hope of any relief.
Jude 14-16
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. 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.
Jude Depicts Apostasy From the Prophecy of “Enoch”
The first six chapters of Genesis records the history of the antediluvian civilization, which is the civilization prior to the Noahic flood. Very little is known about the prophecy given in those days; however, we do know that God had a witness during that time of great wickedness and that witness was “Enoch” (v.14a). “Enoch” is the only prophet of this time period whose prophecy has been preserved and it was said of “Enoch” that he “walked with God” (Gen. 5:24). He is said in our text to be the “seventh from Adam” and since the number seven is often seen in Scripture as God’s perfect number, it’s believed that there is a special significance to “Enoch” being the seventh generation from the very beginning of the human race. The first seven generations had been characterized by sin and it’s recorded that “it repented the Lord that he had made man” (Gen. 6:6). That statement does not mean that God changed His mind simply because we know that Scripture teaches the immutability of God (Heb. 13:8), meaning that He is changeless nor does He ever change His mind. The meaning of this text in Genesis is to emphasize how much man’s sin grieved God. Enoch’s prophecy was one of God’s “judgment” similar to those found in the Book of Daniel and Zechariah (Dan. 7:9, Zech. 14:3-5).
“Enoch” is a picture of how God took him out of this world without seeing death, just like He will take the remnant of living believers from this world of sin in Christ’s second advent (I Thess. 4:15-17). The birth and naming of Enoch’s son, “Methuselah” (Gen. 5:27), was in itself very prophetic. It’s believed that prophetically, “Enoch” had the Noahic flood of judgment in mind when he named “Methuselah” because his name means, when he is dead it shall be sent. God’s flood of judgment was not sent to earth until Methuselah’s death. In fact, tradition tells us that “Methuselah” died just seven days before the great flood came. “Methuselah” is best remembered as the man who lived longer than any other recorded person in history and how his long-life prolonged God’s mercy unto man. His lengthy life of 969 years is a reminder of how gracious and longsuffering our God really is.
For those of you who are deep thinkers, you might be saying that you thought Noah and his family were the only believers left on the earth when God gave them orders to build the ark. There are questions to which no mortal main has the answers, but believing in God’s sovereignty, we can conclude that God knew when the flood came Noah’s family would be the only believers left on earth with “Enoch” and “Methuselah” being some of the last. Who knows, maybe “Enoch” and “Methuselah” were some of Noah’s few supporters and encouragers. The translation of “Enoch” before the flood without dying pictures God’s deliverance of His people along with Noah and his family from the coming “judgment.” Keep in mind when we think about God’s “judgment,” that the only thing required to escape God’s “judgment” is “faith” in Jesus Christ which only He can provide as a “gift” of His “grace” (Eph. 2:8-9, Heb. 11:5-6).
Four specific facts are noticed in Enoch’s prophecy as he warns of God’s judgment in Christ’s second coming (v.14-15). FIRST, it’s a sure fact that the “Lord cometh” and in the original, it’s written in the past tense (v. 14b). It’s written, “came,” because in God’s sight this coming is as certain as if it has already happened. Christ’s first coming was for our salvation, but His second coming will be for “judgment” upon the “ungodly.”
SECONDLY, it’s a sure fact that “ten thousands of his saints” will return with Him (v.14c). The literal translation for “ten thousands” is myriads, which means an unlimited number. These “saints” are not a select group of holy people, but all those who have been redeemed and trusted Christ as personal Savior and gone on before us (Zech. 14:5, Matt. 25:31, I Cor 6:2-3). Some have interpreted this to speak of angels (Zech. 14:5, Matt. 25:31) while others see it as “saints” who have gone on before us and whose spirits are with the Lord.
THIRDLY, it’s a sure fact that Christ’s return will be to “execute judgment” similar to the Noahic flood (v.15a). This Greek word for “judgment” is KRISIS which is the “judgment” from which believers have been delivered (Jh. 5:24). Some have referred to the Christian’s judgment as the bema seat where they will receive a reward for their works accomplished by the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14:10, II Cor. 5:10). However, “All” will be judged according to the teaching of God’s word, some for their sin and others for their work for the Lord. In our text, the “all” particularly in view are the “ungodly” (Jh. 5:22, Rom. 2:2,6,16). Those spared during the Noahic Flood, were those within the safety of the Ark of which Jesus Christ was a TYPE (picture). Therefore, the question that I ask today is that when Christ comes again and His “judgment” falls upon this earth, will you be found in God’s Ark of Safety, Jesus Christ?
FOURTHLY, it’s a sure fact that the result of Christ’s return will be 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" (v.15b). We cannot help but notice the repetition of the word “ungodly” which is a word that means destitute of reverential fear towards God. God not only sees “ungodly deeds,” but also the way it is “committed … against him” (I Sam. 16:7). It’s possible for a good deed to become “ungodly” if the motive and attitude is not good. From this text, it sounds like God is keeping a record of how the “ungodly sinners have spoken against him” (Matt. 12:36). False teachers will stand before God in “judgment” simply because they have rebelled against His authority.
Thus far in the Book of Jude, the writer has repeatedly painted a portrait describing apostates. In v. 5-7 he gives three Old Testament examples of apostasy. In v. 8-11 he identifies apostates as people who are spiritually corrupt. In v. 12-13 he illustrates apostasy from the realm of nature. In v. 14-15 he depicts apostasy from the prophecy of Enoch, and now he proceeds to give us five more markings of an apostate in v.16.
FIRST, apostates are notorious “murmurers.” These “murmurers” cannot help but remind us of the murmuring Israelites in the Old Testament (Ex. 15:24). However, not only did the Old Testament Jew “murmur” against God, but so did the New Testament Jew (Jh. 6:41-43). The reason these “Jews … murmured” is because Jesus preached Truth and they did not want to accept it. There are “many” who pretended to be saved, but “murmured at the teaching of Christ (Jh 6:60-66). The Greek word (GOGUSTES) from which this is translated refers to a murmurer, one who is discontented. The KJV translates this to be “murmurers” whereas the NKJV and the ESV translates it to be “grumblers.” The truth of the matter is that there is little difference, if any, between the two except the fact that murmuring is often associated with people who will speak negatively about a matter using a muttering tone or a low-pitched voice like they are speaking in such a way that you don’t want just anyone hearing what is being said. That’s the way it is with false teachers who are selective about their followers and don’t want anyone in their camp who will question their authority. Now, let’s make this perfectly clear that not everyone who murmurs and complains within the church is an apostate, but we must admit that they bear more resemblance to an apostate than to a Christian. Murmuring doesn’t have to be a loud outspoken dissatisfaction, but it can simply be an undertone muttering. Regardless, murmuring in the church is not pleasing to God and is subject to His judgment and discipline (I Cor. 10:10). To murmur against the authority of Scripture is to murmur against God and is therefore a denial of His Sovereign Lordship.
SECOND, apostates are frequent “complainers.” We could say that murmuring and complaining go together, while murmuring is directed against God and fault finding is directed at His followers. “Complainers” remind us of the angels who became dissatisfied with God. A complainer is one who likes to find fault and looks for something to complain or quarrel about rather than personally getting right with God. They are simply discontented and quarrelsome people who want to make others the same way. It’s very possible for a true believer to become guilty of sometimes acting in a carnal fashion, and be guiltiy of fault finding and nick picking. But, at the same time, we must not fail to recognize the possibility that a church complainer might be apostate. When a Christian backslides and resembles the world, then you can’t tell the difference between the two until the Christian repents. One thing is for sure. A genuine born again Christian will be chastised by the Lord when we sin against Him (Heb. 12:5-11). A true believer will never become an apostate, but they can slide down the hill of holiness at which time God will deal with His wayward children. Apostate complainers have already been described as people who reject spiritual authority which is referred to as “dominion” in verse 8.
THIRD, apostates walk “after their own lust.” Walking after “lust” reminds us of the inhabitants of “Sodom and Gomorrah” (Gen. 13:19). An apostate will permit their “lust” of other things to choke out the Word of God. “Lust” can apply to anything that will take our minds away from God. Most frequently, “lust” is associated with sexual perversion or selfish pleasure that does not please God.
FOUTH, apostates speak “great swelling words.” The ESV translates that to read, “loud mouthed boasters” which exemplifies their selfish pride and self-conceit. You can expect them to speak a religious language, but compromise with worldly principles (II Pet. 2:15). Their enticing “words” will seek to allure true believers into sin and contaminate the church. They are known for telling people what they want to hear rather than the Truth of God’s Word.
FIFTH, apostates will have “men’s persons in admiration.” Once again the ESV translates this to read, “showing favoritism to gain advantage.” They will selfishly covet positions of leadership by the use of political flattery. The apostate will sacrifice sincerity and truth for popularity and favoritism. From them, you can expect “swelling words” that tickle the ears of men rather than sound words of doctrine that please God (II Tim. 4:3). An apostate church will be a church that establishes its policy on the basis of opinion rather than the Truth found in the Word of God.