Bible Studies

The Book of Jude, A Study on Judgment and Hell

by John Clark 
09/12/18
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In reading the Book of Jude through several times I see several contrasting thoughts. I also see the book teaching judgment for those who willfully reject God. This small book of only 25 verses teaches some important, but unpopular truths. It also provides a description of what is happening in the culture of our times and how Christians should respond. 

     I will first draw your attention to the contrasting thoughts. In verse 1 it says there are those who are "kept for Jesus Christ."  Then in verse 6 we are told "angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day." The "angels" most likely refers to the rebellious ones in heaven who are part of the satanic host today.

     Another contrast is grace and ungodliness. Verse 3 says to "contend earnestly for the faith which was once and for all delivered to the saints", because there are those "who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness..."

     Judgment is coming for the ungodly. The word "ungodly" is mentioned six times. It is coming for those who "deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ" (4). 

     Judgment is emphasized several ways in this one chapter:

     Verses 6-7: "And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day. Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example, in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire."

     Verse 13 mentions "black darkness has been reserved forever" for those who reject God. 

     Verse 15 says Christ will come "to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him."

     Judgment is taught here in relationship to a place of darkness (6), eternal fire (7),and black darkness reserved forever (13). In many other places of scripture this description is associated with Hell. This is not a popular subject, and many reject a literal hell. However, one cannot believe in a literal heaven, but then say that hell is not. Scripture does not allow that even from a literary sense. 

     Verse 10 provides a description of what many are doing today in our culture to their own destruction. They "revile the things which they do not understand, and the things which they know by instinct, like unreasoning animals, by these things they are destroyed." (The Bible is not vey nice at times, is it, in how it says things).

     There is much that is hard to understand in this book, but I have pointed out things that appear to be obvious observations. Judgment of the ungodly who have willfully chosen to deny God and the grace offered through Jesus Christ have been reserved for judgment! If one reads through this entire book it will become evident that many things are said that aptly fit today's culture. 

      Last, but not least, is the issue of how Christians should live and respond in our current culture. As mentioned earlier, Christians need "to contend earnestly for the faith (3). Remember, there will be mockers in the last days who will "cause divisions, wordly-minded, devoid of the Spirit" (18-19). Verses 20-23 are directed at Christians. "But you, beloved, building yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. And have mercy on some who are doubting, save others, snatching them out of the fire, and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh."
     
     The chapter ends with a great encouragment for Christians. "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen."