v5: Saved the people: When it speaks of the fact that G-d saved the people it does not mean that He saved them within a salvation context – IE in this context it does not refer to G-d forgiving their sins and giving them eternal life (we need to realise that when the Bible says “saved” it can mean many things, so we need to pay attention to the context). This verse very clearly tells us that although G-d saved them they DID NOT believe, and so they were destroyed (they never lost their faith because they did not have any faith in the first place)
v6: Note: Judgement is not unique to humans. It is a paradigm for all of G-d’s creation – even the animals (Gen 9:5). In this example, that Jude gives us, we see that judgement is meted out based on location. Are we located where G-d wants us to be? Or do we go to the places we want to be, so that we can do the things we want to do?
· The angels who did not keep their proper domain: They rebelled and did not remain where G-d wanted them to be. They left the place where they belonged, and because of that they became enslaved.
· Darkness: The Bible refers to this darkness as a thick darkness. It is not a normal darkness like we know darkness. When the plague of darkness covered Egypt (Ex 10:21-23) the people who were sitting could not rise, they could not move, they became paralysed in that kind of darkness. The darkness was so thick that no-one could see or hear anything. This is the kind of darkness reserved for these angels, as well as for those who reject Yeshua (Matt 22:13). Another aspect of darkness is that it is an absence of G-d. Hell is going to be absent of G-d, but it is also going to involve physical suffering (Rev 20:15)
v7: We need to be people who do not compromise concerning the truth of G-d – we need to speak out against sexual immorality – regardless of what we are labelled, and regardless of the consequences. This is also part of what it means to contend for the faith (the same principle found in Lk 16:10 can be applied here).
· Strange (or different) flesh: Something not fitting or right.
· Eternal fire: Sulphur fire and brimstone came down and consumed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 19:23-29). This is an example to us of what eternal fire/judgement is going to look like. However, unlike Sodom and Gomorrah, this suffering does not stop. It goes on forever😰
v8: Dreamers: G-d said that in the last days He is going to pour out His Spirit and people will dream dreams (Joel 2:28-29). Many people who claim “G-d gave me this dream” are talking about dreams that are not from G-d at all. The dreams they dream lead to defilement, impurity etc
· Reject authority: Their lives deny the L-rdship of Yeshua as they continue to pursue their own fleshly desires.
v9: Archangel: An archangel is a powerful head or lead angel.
· Michael…disputed about the body of Moses: Michael was not collecting the body of Moses out of personal motivation. He was there under orders, and, as an obedient servant, he did what he had been commanded to do.
· Dared not bring…a reviling accusation: Michael did not dare to say anything blasphemous against the devil. He knew he was there under G-d’s authority, and so he simply said, “The L-rd rebuke you”.
Note: if we take a spiritual conflict and make it “us” against “them” we will be defeated. We need to remember that in conflicts we are Messiah’s ambassadors. He has dispatched us, and therefore it is the L-rd who will rebuke them and gain the victory – not us personally
v10: These: Those who have crept into the congregations.
· Speak evil: They do not know G-d, and therefore the things of G-d they blaspheme or speak evil against.
· Know naturally: If Science and the Bible were at odds these people would take the word of Science above the Word of G-d.
· Corrupt themselves: They pervert or misappropriate the things of this world. Anything they touch or get involved with is used for their corruption – which ultimately leads to their destruction.
v11: Woe: Literally: How awful it will be for them (eternally) if they do not repent and change. Jude is not writing this because he wants to see people destroyed. He wants to see people change and come to salvation.
· The way of Cain: Cain made up his own rules as to how he wanted to worship G-d. He did not want to submit to the requirements of G-d and offer up what G-d desired. This led to disaster (Gen 4:3-16)
· Balaam: Balaam was interested in financial remuneration or profit. Instead of doing what was right, he twisted the instructions of G-d in order that he could ultimately make a profit for himself. (Rev 2:14, Num 22 -24).
· Perished: When we offer to G-d our own offerings, when we are led by earthly gain, or when we refuse to submit to authority we will perish. G-d is faithful to His character, and He will punish sin.
· Rebellion of Korah: Korah and his followers were against the call of Moses. They refused to submit to G-dly authority, and they did not want the leaders G-d had chosen. Instead, they wanted to be the leaders themselves (Numbers 16)