The Bottom Line, Ministries Christian News, Articles, & Poetry 
“Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.” Revelation 1:3 (NKJV)
God has a plan. The events in Revelation are the conclusion to His plan, the part of it that involves planet earth and all of its inhabitants. The book of Jude, in the New Testament, speaks to people and their actions in these days. There is insight and truth in every word. And it applies to those of us who are living right now. For we are able to make a difference for Christ, right up to that very last day. We need to understand that the Book of Jude speaks to us today.
“For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jude 1:4
Jude, was the half-brother of Jesus. He wrote his epistle about 75 A.D. Jude had seen how interlopers had begun to teach falsely, deceiving believers and others, changing the meaning and purpose of the gospel. They were in fact, perverting the message of Christ. In an effort to warn and admonish believers, Jude spoke to this issue, that they, and we, and Christians in every generation, might be on guard against
evil-doers.
Jude reminds us that the Lord saved His people from slavery in Egypt, and He destroyed the non-believers. He cites the total destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, and describes the offenses they committed, such as rampant sexual immorality. He also makes the statement that the people of these two cities were made an example, ” … suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” (Jude 1:7)
Jude goes further to describe those of whom Christians must be aware. He called them grumblers, and complainers, people who seek to fulfill their own lustful desires. These same people rejoice when others join them in their evil pursuits, disdaining anything of God and goodness, and teaching one another more and more ways to cause human destruction and suffering.
“But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.” Jude 1:17-18
Jude knew, and we should know as well, that division causes strife in all situations. When we have division in the church, for example, it is followed by distrust, gossip, anger, and often heartbreak. These things destroy unity, and the ability of the church to be the CHURCH. And it doesn’t stop there. Division destroys families, relationships, everything God intended to be good for His people.
“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And on some have compassion, making a distinction, but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.”
Jude 1:20-23
We must indeed have compassion. For it is not God’s will that any should perish, but that all be saved, (John 3:15). But we must also use the discernment that God instills in His children to know the difference between people who are simply lost, and those who are wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15).
Jesus is Our Hope. Because He is, we can look to Revelation not in fear, but with great anticipation. For it must happen as it is foretold for God’s perfect plan to be complete. We know it will, we know God never fails. At the end of it all, as we persevere to be the light in this dark world, and we continue to carry the message of Christ to the very end, we will dwell in His house, in peace and harmony and great joy, forever more.
If you fear the days that are coming for Christians, how are you finding your peace? Please share how you plan to face the difficulties that continue to arise in the face of the evil of this world, and allow me to celebrate with you that we are overcomers in Christ, in every situation!
Blessings!
