Brit Chadasha Foundations-Concepts in Jude-Introduction and Chapter 1

Jude was written by one of the half-brothers of Yeshua in Matt 13.55 and Mark 6.3. His Hebrew name is “Yehudah” meaning “praise” or Judah, and in Greek, it is “Judas.” His brother Ya’akov or Jacob, rendered “James” in English Bibles, was the Nasi or “president” of the Messianic Community in Jerusalem and presided over the council in Acts 15. Jude initially did not respond favorably to the ministry of his brother Yeshua in John 7.5 like most of his immediate family, but later he became a believer in Acts 1.14. This letter was probably written from Jerusalem before the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD and it combats the heresy that the Torah was no longer valid and is very similar to Second Peter. It warns against false teachers and their doctrines. Before reading and studying this letter, we suggest that you read the teachings on this website called, “Torah and New Testament Foundations-Was Paul Torah Observant” and “Torah and New Testament Foundations-The Real Paul” before proceeding with this letter or any of the writings in the Brit Chadasha. These teachings will clearly show that the writers of these letters had a Torah-based faith in Yeshua.

v 1…Jude (Hebrew “Yehudah”-Acts 13.55; Mark 6.3), a bondservant of Yeshua the Messiah (he submitted to Yeshua’s claim to be the Messiah, King and heir), and brother of James (Hebrew “Ya’akov” or Jacob, the Nasi of the Messianic Community in Jerusalem, and called “Ya’akov” ha Tzadik” or “James the Righteous” because of his Torah observance), to those who are called (the elect of God; set apart by grace before the foundation of the world-Eph 1.4), beloved in God the Father, and kept (preserved secure-v 24) for Yeshua the Messiah.

v 2…May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you.

v 3…Beloved (showing a strong affection), while I was making every effort to write to you about our common salvation (to both Jews and non-Jews), I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith (v 9 will have a metaphor about this contention) which was once delivered to the tzadikim (saints; notice that in the first century, this “faith” or body of doctrinal truth was already delivered and it is “past tense”-this refers to Torah observance in faith-Deut 4.32-33).

v 4…For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were beforehand marked out for this condemnation (before the foundation of the world some were appointed to life and others were not-Eph 1.4; Rom 9.22-23), ungodly persons who turn the grace of God into licentiousness (if the Torah had been done away with, there is no transgression of the Law and grace would not be needed-1 John 3.4; Rom 3.20; Eph 2.8; Rom 3.31), and deny our only Master and Lord, Yeshua the Messiah.

v 5…Now I desire to remind you, though you know all things once and for all (once knew this so I am going to remind you), how the Lord, after saving a people out of the land of Egypt, subsequently destroyed those who did not believe (only two people who originally came out of Egypt made it into Canaan-Joshua and Caleb).

v 6…And the angels who did not keep their own domain (a second case), but abandoned their proper abode (their happy condition and state in heaven), he has kept in eternal bonds under darkness (of this present world in the Olam Ha Zeh) unto the judgment of the great day (2 Pet 2.4);

v 7…as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them, in like manner to these committing immorality, and going after other flesh (detestable gratifications contrary to nature), are exhibited (laid down) as an example (a specimen) in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire (Josephus, Wars of the Jews, Book 4, Chapter 8.4 says, “It is related how, for the impiety of its inhabitants, it was burnt by lightning; in consequence of which there are still the remainders of the divine fire; and the traces (or shadows) of the five cities are still to be seen, as well as the ashes growing in their fruits, which fruits have a color as if they were fit to be eaten…”).

v 8…Yet in the same manner (likewise) these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority and revile dignities (leaders and authorities from God)

v 9…But Michael the Archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, “The Lord (Yehovah) rebuke you (this event is not mentioned anywhere in Scripture, but there is an apocryphal book called the “Ascension of Moses” that mentions a similar event; on a parabolic level this is to illustrate his point that there will be a struggle between Yeshua and the believer, who is a type of “Michael” meaning “who is like God”; the Torah symbolized by the “body of work written by Moses ” called the Torah; and Ha Satan who wants to “dispute over the Torah/Moses”).

v 10…But these men revile the things which they do not understand and the things which they know by instinct like unreasoning animals, by these things are destroyed.

v 11…Woe (lamentations await you) to them! For they have gone the way of Cain (who murdered because of envy and the feat of losing his first-born status) and for pay they rushed headlong into the error of Balaam (who lead Israel into replacement theology-Num 31.16) and perished in the rebellion of Korah (who was not anointed to do the job of Aaron and Moses, and was not satisfied with his role but coveted a status that did not belong to him and contrary to the Torah).

v 12…These men (false teachers) are those who are hidden reefs (to shipwreck you) in your love-feasts (meals consecrated to God; Lord’s Supper) when they feast with you without fear (of God; making it a place of gluttony-1 Cor 11.20-22) caring for themselves; clouds without water (dry; no proper teaching); carried along by winds (of false doctrine-2 Pet 2.17); autumn trees without fruit (has leaves or an outward profession, but no fruit of true doctrine-Matt 7.15-23); doubly dead (they seem dead for two seasons; no hope that they will revive and be of value), uprooted (cast out by God-Matt 7.19);

v 13…wild waves of the sea (restless; can’t be controlled-Isa 57.20), casting up (foaming) up their own shame (like a rabid dog); wandering stars (stars with regular movement and places can be used by seamen to navigate; those with no regular movement or places are useless for finding your way; such are the false teachers), for whom the black darkness has been reserved forever (2 Pet 2.17- their final consignment).

v 14…And about these also Enoch the seventh from Adam prophesied (relating to the coming of Messiah), saying, “Behold, the Lord came with myriads (ten thousand is a “myriad” in Greek) of his holy ones (the “clouds” of Isa 60.8; Deut 33.2; Rev 1.7),

v 15…to execute judgment upon all and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against him (possibly quoting from a midrash on Deut 33.2 found in the Jewish book called “The Book of Enoch”-1 Enoch 60.8).”

v 16…These are grumblers (murmurers), finding fault, following after their lusts; they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of advantage (to make a gain of them).

v 17…But you, beloved. ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles (“shaliachim” or sent ones) of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah (who warned of false prophets and teachers),

v 18…that they were saying to you, “In the last time (at the end of the Olam Ha Zeh) there shall be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts (quotes 2 Pet 3.3).”

v 19…These are the ones who cause divisions (separate themselves into parties to whisper and plot), worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit (not under his control or according to his purposes).

v 20…But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith (a Torah-based faith in Yeshua); praying in the Holy Spirit (according to his purposes and control);

v 21…keep yourself (watch, guard) in the love of God (our love to him by action-Deut 6.4-9; John 14.15), waiting anxiously (looking) for the mercy of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah to eternal life.

v 22…And have mercy on some, who are doubting (with some, approaching them with tenderness and affection will help reprove them if they have gone aside into error);

v 23…save others with fear, snatching them out of the fire, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh (these classes of people have been victims of false teachers and their doctrines, and we must adapt ourselves wisely to the circumstances of those we are trying to reach; their “garment” is a picture of their sin which we are not to partake of and alluding to the Torah practices of Lev 15.4, 10, 17; 21.11; Num 6.6, 19.11).

v 24…Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of his glory blameless (Col 1.22) with great joy (ever wonder why there is no sin in the Olam Haba? It’s because God keeps us, and when that stops, there is evil-Zeph 3.11-13; Jer 32.39-40; Ezek 36.27; 1 Kings 19.18; Luke 15.1-6; 1 Cor 1.8; Heb 12.2; Col 1.17; Phil 2.13; this verse brings us right back to Jude 1; all of this can be explained by asking the question, “Why did Yehovah create the Tree of Good and Evil if he knew Adam would sin, or why did he allow Satan to fall?” Let’s look at this question. God never discovers anything or learns anything new. There is no additional knowledge with him. The first thing we must come to grips with is God determines the outcome before things ever happen. He knows everything, even who will be saved before the world was created because it is his choice-Eph 1.4; 13.48; John 1.13. Yehovah is perfect and self-existent-the only “good”-Mark 10.18. Jude 24 says that God is able to keep us from falling. Ever wonder why there is no sin in the Olam Haba? Why doesn’t man sin again and start the whole thing over again? Well, first God is by himself, and Satan is out there with him. Satan was doing his job and God “kept him” until he ceased doing that and look what happened, evil is found. God is saying, “I am going to demonstrate what happens when I don’t hold on; God holds things together until he doesn’t (Col 1.17). God had a plan of redemption before anyone needed to be redeemed. He was showing what happens when he is absent, what happens without him. This brings us to Adam. Adam was “good” but not perfect. Adam’s innocence had one command, “Do not eat from the Tree of Good and Evil.” But Adam sinned, and we are not responsible for that, but we are responsible for the sins we commit. The “sin nature” is spiritual, not physically passed. Notice that Adam began blaming others for his sin right away, so did Chava (Eve). Why? Man has an inclination to sin and do evil. Our desires supersede God’s word. But God has promised in the New Covenant in Jer 31.31-34 to “blot out” the remembrance of our fleshly sin nature in the Olam Haba);

v 25…to the only God our savior through Yeshua the Messiah our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, both now (in the Olam Ha Zeh) and forever (in the Olam Haba). Amen (so be it; to be trusted).

Posted in All Teachings, Articles, Idioms, Phrases and Concepts, Prophecy/Eschatology, The Festivals of the Lord, The Tanak, Tying into the New Testament

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