"THE EPISTLE OF JUDE"

The Ungodly Dreamers (8-16,19)

INTRODUCTION
  1. So far in this epistle, we have noticed that Jude has...
    1. Exhorted his readers to "contend earnestly for the faith" - Jude 3
    2. Made mention of "ungodly men" who have "crept in unnoticed" - Jude 4
      1. Men who "turn the grace of our God into licentiousness"
      2. And who "deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ"
    3. Reminded them of examples of God's righteous condemnation in the past - Jude 5-7
      1. The nation of Israel in the wilderness
      2. The angels who sinned
      3. The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah
  2. At this point, Jude follows the example set by Peter (cf. 2Pe 2:10-17) and describes these "ungodly men" - Jude 8-16,19
    1. In doing so, Jude does more than simply repeat Peter
    2. He reinforces Peter's words and adds more information about these "ungodly men"
  3. In this study we shall consider Jude's description of these "ungodly dreamers", noticing that what is said of them is summarized in verse 8:
    1. They "defile the flesh"
    2. They "reject authority"
    3. They "speak evil"

[As Jude elaborates, he starts with the last of these, how...]

  1. THEY "SPEAK EVIL" (8-11)
    1. OF DIGNITARIES... (8-9)
      1. The word "dignitaries" comes from doxa {dox'-ah}, meaning "dignity, glory (-ious), honour, praise, worship"
        1. It can refer to angelic beings, or those in positions of authority
        2. In either case, these "ungodly dreamers" would not hesitate to speak evil
      2. To illustrate the folly of their behavior, the dispute over the body of Moses is given:
        1. Michael, the archangel, dared not bring a reviling accusation against the devil
        2. Saying only "The Lord rebuke you"
        -- How foolish, then, for these "dreamers" to speak evil of those in authority
    2. OF WHATEVER THEY DO NOT KNOW... (10-11)
      1. Unafraid to speak evil of dignitaries, they do not hesitate to speak evil of things they know nothing about!
      2. And what they know naturally, in that they corrupt themselves! - cf. 2Pe 2:12
      3. In conducting themselves in this manner...
        1. They have gone in the way of Cain
          1. Whose works were evil - 1Jn 3:12
          2. Who did not act out of faith - cf. He 11:4
        2. They have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit
          1. Who loved the wages of unrighteousness - 2Pe 2:15-16
          2. Who put a stumblingblock before the children of Israel - cf. Re 2:14
        3. They have perished in the rebellion of Korah
          1. A rebellion that was ostensibly against Moses and Aaron - Num 16:1-45
          2. But was really against the Lord Himself - cf. Num 26:9
    3. DOES THIS NOT CAUTION US ON HOW WE SPEAK OF OTHERS?
      1. James warned us about the dangers...
        1. Of the tongue - Jm 3:2-12
        2. Of speaking evil of brethren - Jm 4:11-12; 5:9
      2. Paul also wrote Titus to counsel Christians not to speak evil others - Tit 3:1-2
      -- When we add the example of the "ungodly dreamers" and their quickness to speak evil of others, shouldn't we be very cautious of how we speak about others?

    [As we continue, we also notice concerning these "ungodly dreamers" that...]

  2. THEY "DEFILE THE FLESH" (12-15,19)
    1. THEY WERE "SPOTS" IN THE LOVE FEASTS... (12,19)
      1. Feasting "without fear, serving only themselves"; they were also "sensual persons"
      2. In prophesying of their behavior, Peter elaborates:
        1. "carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you" - 2Pe 2:13
        2. "having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, beguiling unstable souls" - 2Pe 2:14
      3. They took advantage of brethren's hospitality to engage in their lustful thoughts
    2. THE EXTENT OF THEIR DEPRAVITY VIVIDLY ILLUSTRATED... (12-13)
      1. "Clouds without water, carried about by the winds"
        1. Offering promise of blessing
        2. But not leaving any
      2. "Late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots"
        1. Barren when fruit should be expected
        2. But even worse, beyond fruit-bearing because they are dead and cut off from any source of nourishment
      3. "Raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame"
        1. Like the flotsam and jetsam spewed by the waves
        2. So their shame comes forth by their words and behavior
      4. "Wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever"
        1. Shining for a moment
        2. But without direction or orbit, they will eventually be gone forever!
    3. THEIR CONDEMNATION PROPHESIED LONG AGO... (14-15)
      1. By Enoch, the man "who walked with God; and he was not, because God took him" - cf. Gen 5:24
      2. Enoch prophesied of the Lord's Coming...
        1. Coming with ten thousands of His saints (angels?) - cf. 1Th 3:13; 2Th 1:7
        2. Coming to execute judgment on all - cf. 2Th 1:8-9
        3. Coming to convict all who are ungodly (such as these ungodly dreamers)
          1. Of their ungodly deeds committed in an ungodly way
          2. Of harsh things spoken against the Lord by ungodly sinners

          [So the judgment is sure upon these "ungodly dreamers" who speak evil and defile the flesh. But if that were not bad enough, we also learn from Jude that...]

  3. THEY "REJECT AUTHORITY" (16,19)
    1. EVIDENCED BY THE WAY THEY SPEAK...
      1. We have seen that they were quick to speak evil, contrary to apostolic teaching
      2. Jude's description of them as "murmurers, complainers" also shows a lack of respect for apostolic authority - cf. 1Co 10:10; Php 2:14
      3. Their use of flattery likewise was condemned by the apostles - cf. Ro 16:17-18
    2. EVIDENCED BY THE WAY THEY WALK...
      1. "Walking according to their own lusts", as "sensual persons", clearly this was a rejection of apostolic authority and teaching - cf. 1Pe 2:11; 1:14
      2. The same was true in "causing divisions" - Ro 16:17-18
CONCLUSION
  1. The last phrase of verse 19 truly sums up the condition of these "ungodly dreamers": "...not having the Spirit"
    1. Yes, when they "defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil..." - Jude 8
    2. They demonstrate that they are walking "according to the lusts of the flesh", not "according to the Spirit" - cf. Ga 5:16-23
  2. The end of these "ungodly dreamers" is clearly stated in the Scriptures...
    1. As emphasized by the apostle Paul: "those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God" - Ga 5:21
    2. As stated by Peter: "...to whom the gloom of darkness is reserved forever." - 2Pe 2:17
    3. As stated by Jude: "...for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever" - Jude 15
  3. In our next study, we shall consider Jude's counsel on how we can avoid being misled by such "ungodly dreamers"

Does Jude's characterization of these "ungodly dreamers" hit a little too close to home in some areas? If they do, why not make things right with God...?