Apostates Predicted

Jude 16-19

Introduction

We talked about Enoch last Wednesday. He walked with God and God translated him. Like him we can also be translated when the Lord comes. We will be raptured and we will meet Him in the air. I’m looking for that for the rapture of the saints is our blessed hope. Enoch prophesied the second coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He is the first to tell it. There’s a lot of things we can say for the first timers. In Spanish its called “Buena Mano”. The book of Jude is called the “Acts of the Apostates” so we continue our discussions about the Apostates.

Illustration : Madman
Have you not heard of the madman who lit a lamp in the bright morning and went to the marketplace crying ceaselessly, “I seek God! I seek God!” There were many among those standing there who didn’t believe in God so he made them laugh.
“Is God lost?” one of them said.
“Has he gone astray like a child?” said another. “Or is he hiding? Has he gone on board ship and emigrated?” So they laughed and shouted to one another.
The man sprang into their midst and looked daggers at them. “Where is God?” he cried. “I will tell you. We have killed him–you and I We are all his killers! But how have we done this? How could we swallow up the sea? Who gave us the sponge to wipe away the horizon? What will we do as the earth is set loose from its sun?” – Friedrich Nietzsche, 1889
Nietzsche’s point was not that God does not exist, but that God has become irrelevant. Men and women may assert that God exists or that He does not, but it makes little difference either way. God is dead not because He doesn’t exist, but because we live, play, procreate, govern, and die as though He doesn’t.
C. Colson, Kingdoms in Conflict, p. 181

I. Fourfold descriptions of Apostates (Jude 16)
A. These descriptions justify Enoch’s calling them “ungodly.”
1. Murmurers – to murmur means to grumble; to complain; to utter complaints in a low, half articulated voice; to utter sullen discontent (Webster) (Ex 5:22; 15:24; 16:2-12; 17:3; Num. 14:2,27,29,36; 16:11,41; 17:5,10; Deut. 1:27; Jos 9:18; Ps. 106:25; Lk. 5:30; 15:2; 19:7; Jn. 6:41,43,61; 7:12,32; Acts 6:1; 1 Cor. 10:10; Ph. 2:14; Jas 5:9; Jude 16). (done secretly)
2. Complainers -To utter expressions of grief; to lament. (done openly). They were grumblers and faultfinders who faulted others but saw no flaws in themselves;
Grumbling and complaining is a sure sign of rebellion. A murmurer is “one who complains sullenly; a grumbler.” A complainer is “one who finds fault.”
They murmur and complain and cause people to become dissatisfied with life. While each of us should do all we can, as God enables us, to improve our lot in life, at the same time we must be careful not to criticize God’s providences or hinder His plans. Nothing is more common than for men to complain of their lot; to think that it is hard; to compare theirs with that of others, and to blame God for not having made their circumstances different. The poor complain that they are not rich like others; the sick that they are not well; the enslaved that they are not free; the bereaved that they are deprived of friends; the ugly that they are not beautiful; those in humble life that their lot was not easy among the well to do. The virtue that is opposed to this is contentment–a virtue of inestimable value. Phil. 4:11.
Murmuring and complaining will not bring God’s blessing. It will, however, bring His judgment. There is no place in the Christian life for murmurings and complaining. Jesus Christ did all things without murmurings and disputings. When Jesus left the throne of God and stooped to the form of a servant, He did not complain. He came set upon doing God’s will, and He saw it through. As His children we are to be Christ-like
The nation Israel was judged because of her complaining (1 Cor. 10:1-10), and Christians are commanded not to complain (Phil. 2:14-16). If a false teacher can make a person critical of his pastor or church, or dissatisfied with his situation, he then can lead him astray into false doctrine.
“one who discontentedly complains (against God).”17 Associated with it is the term memyi, moiroj, which is ‘highly critical fault-finding;’ in other words, they look for things in Scripture to criticize.

B. Walking after their own lusts; – Rather than submitting to God’s authority, apostates pursue self-gratification. Their lives are marked by carnality, worldliness, and rebellion (2 Pet. 2:10).
They follow their desires rather than the Spirit, showing no restraint. Apostasy often stems from unchecked sin, where personal pleasure takes priority over holiness.
C. The false teachers also use “great swelling words” (Jude 16) to impress ignorant people. Peter called their speeches “great swelling words of vanity” (2 Peter 2:18). They impress people with their vocabularies and oratory, but what they say is just so much “hot air.” They also use flattery to manipulate their listeners. They “bow and scrape” and pay compliments to others, if it is to their advantage.
False teachers have the ability to cloth their poisonous doctrine in religious verbiage. Jude and Peter use the word swelling to describe the apostate’s speech. Swelling comes from “hyperonkos” and carries the idea of “bulging” and “boastful.” Apostates
exalt themselves with great swelling pride. They are over inflated! They are like Antiochus Epiphanes who symbolizes the coming anti-Christ. (Sun Myon Moon claims he is the Christ)
D. They flattered others, currying favor only when it was to their own evil advantage to do so. Vocally discontented, sinfully self-centred, extravagantly egotistical, and deceptively flattering – and giving flattering titles to men of wealth and riches, for the sake of their money: “they studied to please persons, to make gain of them”; they were respecters of persons;
Thus in unflinching terms Jude clearly identified the apostates, while at the same time exposing their character in order to warn believers of their true nature and their final destiny. He was laying the groundwork to call his readers to action against these ungodly men and their practices. Knowing these things, we are amazed that anybody would listen to these apostates and follow them; but many people are doing it today! There is something in fallen human nature that loves a he and is willing to follow it, no matter where it may lead. But the success of the apostates is only temporary, for their judgment is coming.

II. Warning (Jude 17)
A. The Apostles – Jude tells us that he is not one of the Apostles of Christ, but refers to their teachings as of divine authority. The Apostles had warned the coming generation about apostates, so that they would be prepared and not be taken by surprise (Acts20:28-31, 1 Tim. 4:1-2, 2 Tim. 3:1-5, 4:1-3, 2 Pet. 2:1-3:3, 1 Jn. 2:18, 2 Jn. 7-11). God’s Word is designed to warn and protect (Acts 20:31, 1 Cor. 4:14), as v. 18 here indicates, there had been continually repeated warnings.
B. Mockers in the last time – This is almost the same as 2 Pet. 3:3. These are the scoffers at God’s future plans who pretend to know the truth but deny that judgment will ever come.
C. Last time – literally at the chronological end of the current epoch or season (2 Tim. 3:1). This term refers to the time of Messiah from His first coming until His second (2 Tim. 3:1, 1 Jn. 2:18). These characteristics will prevail until Christ returns.
D. Walk after their own ungodly lust – This is a common phrase used to describe the unsaved. Apostates are specially driven by a desire for a simple self-satisfaction.
E. Sensual – (Hill Song, Scientology, Islam)
F. “They follow their own evil desires,” means that these apostates have no spiritual foundation in their souls and, as a result, are groundless and unstable; they seek only the immediate gratification of their lusts (approval, monetary, and power). Moreover, “they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.” In other words, ‘they speak and communicate their own arrogant ideas in an attempt to lure others into pride;’ and they appeal to pride by ‘catering to personalities for the sake of profit.’ Their arrogance leads to lust, and they lust for the profit of approval, money and power. These lusts are their gods. They are not Spiritual, for they are spiritually dead.
G. Separate themselves – those that causes division within the church instead of unity (Eph. 4:4-6. Phil. 2:2). They separate themselves

III. Conclusion:
Jude’s warning is not just a description—it is an urgent call to action. Apostates are here, and they must be exposed. Their words may sound persuasive, but their fruit is deceitful While they mock truth, believers must stand firm, unwavering in faith. So how do we respond? Remember the warnings of Scripture—do not be surprised by apostasy. Discern truth—reject deception, no matter how eloquent or flattering. Walk in the Spirit—avoid sensuality, pride, and discontent. Above all, we must stand ready, knowing our Lord is coming soon. The rapture is our blessed hope—let us be found faithful