Lesson 10

Jude

Maintaining the Faith Entrusted to Us

 

 

1:14-15  The Prophecy of Enoch

To further amplify the certainty of the judgment of these F/T's Jude points out a prophecy about the return of the Lord at the 2nd advent with emphasis on the aspect of judgment associated with His return.

 

1:14a   And about these also Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying 

 

Who is Enoch?

This is not the Enoch from the line of sinful Cain (Gen. 4:17), but Enoch the son of Jared, from Seth’s line (Gen. 5:18-24).

 

Why did this Enoch stand out from the crowd of his day?

 

 

Hebrews 11:5 amplifies what  is in view in Gen. 5:24.

 

 

The writer of Hebrews interpreted the meaning of “God took him”:

“By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP” (Heb. 11:5).

 

 

Enoch’s translation to paradise is a picture of living Christians being raptured to heaven when Christ comes for His bride the church (1 Th. 4:17).

 

 

 

What about Jude’s statement concerning Enoch’s prophecy being simi­lar to one recorded in the Apocryphal book of Enoch (Enoch 1:9)?

 

 

 

 

The first part of this prophecy dealt with the Second Coming of Christ: “Behold, the Lord came with many thousands of His holy ones” (v. 14b).

 

 

 

 

 

Who are the saints (holy ones) that are referred to here and when?

 

 

Believe it will also include the soul/spirit of OT saints which includes the martyrs of the Tribulation will also be apart of this. 

- See C/A saints soul/spirit returns with Him at the rapture     1 Ths. 4:14 and return with Him at the second advent.

- Saints of the Age of Israel, Dan. 12:2-3  [possible all OT saints]

- All part of first resurrection [category of resurrection, to life.]

 

 

One purpose for Christ’s coming is to implement the wrath of God: “To execute judgment upon all and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds (v. 15a).

Actually 2 purposes are stated here, 1st the general to execute judgement and the 2nd more specific to convict all the ungodly.

 

 

 

Conviction of these individuals will be on two counts.

First “all their ungodly deeds” (v. 15a)

 

Second, “of all the harsh speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him” (v. 15b) will be judged.

 

 

Observations Jude 1:14-15

1.  Enoch was an antediluvian (before the flood) prophet who under the principle of revelation was given a glimpse of a major eschatological event in the future.

 

2.  Jude applies the prophecy to the future return of the Lord with emphasis on the judgment that is associated with it.

 

3.  He makes it very clear that the judgement is against all the ungodly. None will escape.

 

4.  Both Enoch and Noah warned their generations; the message of both was rejected/repudiated.

 

5.  Both were vindicated by God and rewarded for their consistency in applying BD, and walking with God in the face of the pressure from the apostates of their day.

 

6.  In the days, the time period prior to the flood, the dominant characteristics were indifference, apathy toward God and His word just as it will be just prior to the 2nd Advent. Mt. 24:37-39

 

7.  Enoch's reward for faithfulness to BD was unique, he did not see death, but was translated direct to paradise. Heb. 11:5; Gen. 5:24

 

8.  Enoch's prophecy makes several points that should be a warning to F/T's.

 

a.  The Lord will break into human history as it reaches its MPE (Maximum Potential for Evil) and will judge all.

 

b. He will be accompanied at His return by 10's of thousands [myriads] consisting of angels and C/A saints.  general statement Rev. 19:14;  Believers Col. 3:4; Angels Mt. 25:31;

 

c. Purpose: 2 fold

#1 to convict, reprove the ungodly of the error of their deeds

#2 to judge the evil of all the ungodly

 

 

This judgment of all the evil of the ungodly actually takes place over a period of time in several different judgments.

#1 The Tribulation period is a period of God's wrath being poured out on mankind for rebellion against God and also a time of preparation of Israel for the Christ's Messianic rule.  [Rev. 6,8,9,16]

 

#2 Since the Messianic rule of Christ, this 1000 year period will begin with all believers, both Jew and Gentile believers, at the end of the Tribulation when Christ returns to earth, before He establishes His Kingdom several events occur.

 

 

 

Rem: In judgment God has the opportunity to display His Righteousness and justice which is the foundation of His rule!