9. There is evidence later in this letter to support the idea that Jude was NOT an apostle.
10. If he was Jesus brother or not does not change the message contained in this letter.
11. writing to those loved by God the Father, called and kept safe by Jesus Christ. It is obvious this letter is addressed to Christians.
12. It doesn’t seem to be directed to Christians living in any particular location, but rather Christians everywhere.
13. Jude 2 Relax, everything's going to be all right; rest, everything's coming together; open your hearts, love is on the way!
14. 3 Dear friends, I've dropped everything to write you about this life of salvation that we have in common.
15. His thought was that when he proposed to write diligently and carefully some need impelled him to write at once, more briefly perhaps than he had purposed. (PNT)
16. I have to write insisting--begging!--that you fight with everything you have in you for this faith entrusted to us as a gift to guard and cherish.
17. He exhorts to fight, contend for the faith delivered once for all, the faith without innovation, the gospel of the apostles in distinction
18. from the adulterations of false teachers. The doctrine of a progressive revelation after the apostles is not found in the New Testament. (PNT)
19. 4 What has happened is that some people have infiltrated our ranks Men who have crept in without their character being understood.
20. (our Scriptures warned us this would happen), Their coming was predicted . who beneath their pious skin are shameless scoundrels.
21. Their design is to replace the sheer grace of our God with sheer license-- Instead of self-restraint they live lascivious lives.
23. 5 I'm laying this out as clearly as I can, even though you once knew all this well enough and shouldn't need reminding.
24. Here it is in brief: The Master saved a people out of the land of Egypt. Later he destroyed those who defected.
25. 6 And you know the story of the angels who didn't stick to their post, abandoning it for other, darker missions.
26. But they are now chained and jailed in a black hole until the great Judgment Day.
27. Peter & Jude seem to have written parallel letters. 2 Peter 2:4 MSG God didn't let the rebel angels off the hook, but jailed them in hell till Judgment Day.
28. In order to show that judgments on these wicked teachers are sure, Peter cites examples. Even angels when they sinned were subjected to punishment.
29. Jude 7 Sodom and Gomorrah, which went to sexual rack and ruin along with the surrounding cities that acted just like them, are another example.
30. For their lasciviousness terrible destruction came upon them. (PNT) Burning and burning and never burning up, they serve still as a stock warning.
31. Utterly destroyed by fire they are an example that points to the eternal fire. (PNT)
32. 8 This is exactly the same program of these latest infiltrators: dirty sex, rule and rulers thrown out, glory dragged in the mud.
33. 2 Peter 2:10 MSG God is especially incensed against these "teachers" who live by lust, addicted to a filthy existence.
34. They despise interference from true authority, preferring to indulge in self-rule. Insolent egotists, they don't hesitate to speak evil against the most splendid of creatures.
35. Jude 9 The Archangel Michael, who went to the mat with the Devil as they fought over the body of Moses,
36. wouldn't have dared level him with a blasphemous curse, but said simply, "No you don't. God will take care of you!"
37. Michael is brought forward as a contrast with those who speak evil of dignities.
38. He is called by Daniel "the Great Prince," and here the archangel, or head angel.
39. Yet in addressing the devil, a fallen angel, he did not rail at him, but only said, "No you don't. God will take care of you!"
40. The reference is not to a statement of the Bible, but to a Jewish tradition which held that the burial place of Moses was placed under the charge of Michael. (PNT)
41. 10 But these people sneer at anything they can't understand, Of spiritual and unseen things.
42. and by doing whatever they feel like doing--living by animal instinct only--they participate in their own destruction.
43. By the natural senses. In these things they corrupt themselves.
44. 11 I'm fed up with them! The denunciation of woes, common in the Lord's ministry, is only found here in all the rest of the New Testament.
45. They've gone down Cain's road; they've been sucked into Balaam's error by greed; they're canceled out in Korah's rebellion.
47. 12 These people are warts on your love feasts as you worship and eat together. They engaged in revelings at the Agape, the love feasts. (PNT)
48. They're giving you a black eye--carousing shamelessly, grabbing anything that isn't nailed down.
49. They're-- Puffs of smoke pushed by gusts of wind; late autumn trees stripped clean of leaf and fruit, Doubly dead, pulled up by the roots;
50. 13 wild ocean waves leaving nothing on the beach but the foam of their shame; Lost stars in outer space on their way to the black hole.
51. 2 Peter 2:13 MSG Their evil will boomerang on them. Their destruction is the legitimate reward of their own wrong doing. (PNT)
52. They're so despicable and addicted to pleasure that they indulge in wild parties, carousing in broad daylight.
53. I believe that the idea is that, like dumb brutes forgetful of coming destruction, they take pleasure in carousal for a day, regardless of the morrow. (PNT)
54. 14 They're obsessed with adultery, Looking around with a lustful appetite. compulsive in sin, seducing every vulnerable soul they come upon.
55. Their specialty is greed, and they're experts at it. Dead souls! 15 They've left the main road and are directionless,
56. having taken the way of Balaam, son of Beor, the prophet who turned profiteer, a connoisseur of evil.
78. Jude 19 These are the ones who split churches, thinking only of themselves. There's nothing to them, no sign of the Spirit!
79. 20 But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith Instead of separating from the faith
80. by praying in the Holy Spirit, pray as spiritual men. 21 staying right at the center of God's love, By holy lives and prayer.
81. keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life!
82. 22 Go easy on those who hesitate in the faith. The thought is to be very gentle and pitiful to those disturbed by doubt. (PNT)
83. 23 Go after those who take the wrong way. Be tender with sinners, but not soft on sin. The sin itself stinks to high heaven.
84. By snatching away from sin by the most vigorous effort. By stern preaching.
85. 24 And now to him who can keep you on your feet, standing tall in his bright presence, fresh and celebrating--
86. 25 to our one God, our only Savior, through Jesus Christ, our Master, be glory, majesty, strength, and rule before all time, and now, and to the end of all time. Yes.