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A Word from God, with commentary by Richard
Weekly study inspired by the Word of God..
May 28, 2006

"The Book of Jude"

2 John 2:7

"For deceivers have gone out into the world who do not 
 confess Jesus as coming in the flesh"

Galatians 1:8

"If we or an angel preaches any other gospel, let them 
 be cursed"

Jude v17-19

"Persecution of the redeemed is from those without 
 The Holy Spirit"

Friends, the writing may be sporadic the next few months due 
to a number of commitments of a busy schedule. I hope to post 
at least one new article a month until September. Many articles 
are available in the archives.   

Introduction

There has to be a reason why the Book of Jude is before the 
Book of Revelation. Perhaps it is because our world is nearly 
ready to leave the Age of Grace, the Book of Jude does seem 
to describe that which is current today. When I wrote years 
ago, little was said about Gnosticism- and now we have a major
motion picture promoting it.    

In John's day, gnostic doctrine grew in proportion to those 
with Truth. In 1946, gnostic writing reappeared, and in 2006 
it is growing quickly. The letters of 1-2-3 John, Colossians, 
1 Corinthians, Galatians and Jude all condemn Gnosticism.  

Discussion

Gnosticism appeals to both the intellect and ego of people; 
to yield self-pride, that which comes before a fall. Humans 
consider themselves as intellectual people despite the fact 
that yesterdays medical textbook is today's joke; and we 
barely understand how even our own body works. Our wisdom 
is 
foolishness before God. 

Gnosticism is a philosophy that discusses a quest for higher 
knowledge (gnosis means knowledge). A gnostic "christian" is 
a spiritually dead one, and their faith is in salvation by 
special knowledge, or redemption by good works, neither of 
which are found anywhere in the New Testament (Book of Romans
forward). 

Among gnostics that I have met, there is a false "jesus". 
This "jesus" is one who died on a tree, but "Christ" left 
that "jesus" during the crucifixion to return later, which 
negates Deity. This sort of teaching began when the message 
of redemption In Jesus went forth to the Gentiles (non-Hebrews).  

There have been two general forms of heretical teaching in 
the history of the Age of Grace, one is Judaism (hanging on 
to the Law for righteousness and salvation), and the other 
is Gnosticism. These have been co-mingled and are referenced 
in Colossians 2:16 and 17. New moon celebrations, sabbath days,
religious festivals, and judging people by what they eat and 
drink are from Judaism. Forms of this still carry on today in 
some of the denominations, and these are shadows of what was 
to come, the reality of Jesus and the New Covenant. Colossians 
says that if you eat meat, don't judge someone who does not, 
and if you eat meat don't judge someone who does. Addressing 
Gnosticism, the Word warns us not to listen to those who 
delight in false humility (confession of sin for "staying" 
saved), or the worship of angels (prevalent today), or
claiming "special knowledge" (things others have not seen 
for the purpose of a "higher standing" with God). Such 
unspiritual minds (information that was not received 
from The Holy Spirit) are puffed up and heretic. 

Gnostics that I know, often believe that wealth is meant to 
come to them, and they have little or no compassion for 
redeemed people, since they are not redeemed themselves. 
They are reciting prayers to the wicked one in thanks for 
prosperity, perhaps thinking that they are talking to Jesus. 
Such godless men and women are around in number, often 
carrying a Bible,  pursuing "straight laced and self-righteous" 
lifestyles, and trying to appear "holy". They often teach 
religious error in both private and denominational settings.
 None of them love the Truth, since they do not love the 
redeemed in the way that is Fruit of The Holy Spirit. They 
often desire wealth in exchange for their so called "special 
knowledge", completely opposite of what the Word calls a 
cheerful giver.   

Conclusion

Jude originally chose to write about redemption, but 
The Holy Spirit moved him to write of something else; 
there was something more important to talk about than 
just salvation. Jude addressed Judaism, Gnosticism and 
judgment of fallen angels. 

Gnostic teaching eliminates Jesus as the way to God and 
eternal life, and Jesus is replaced with good deeds, acts 
of The Law, and special knowledge; the end of which is 
eternal separation from God.  

There is Truth and there is error, if you don't know what 
Truth is, you are not going to know what error is. This is 
why a redeemed person reads the Word; to get to know what 
Truth is, by the Holy Spirit in them revealing it. Without 
this, a person will never get it on their own, and will be 
swept up in an evil world that is more and more and more 
against Jesus. Friends, NO ONE can understand what the 
scriptures mean before they are redeemed! The Word is a 
"funny" book to natural people, since they can not understand 
spiritual things and it is foolishness to them. Lost people 
primarily  "daydream" about the Word and their mind is all 
over the place, which is why they are easily trapped by error. 

When you are redeemed, you are indwelt by The Holy Spirit-who 
is Truth (despite how troubled you may become after), and 
Truth does not disagree with Truth (The Word). Truth indwells 
the redeemed person FOREVER and never leaves, and He is 
responsible for ensuring that it is impossible for a redeemed 
person to go on in permanent error regarding the Deity of Jesus.  

Showing humility toward Jesus means thanking Him for eternal 
forgiveness, because none of us has anything to do with it. 
Pride says "I did my part Jesus, now you do yours". If you 
claim to either be without sin, or that in any way you can 
remove it from the sight of God by your own efforts or knowledge,
 what would you need Jesus for anyway? Doctrine like this is 
equivalent to calling Jesus a liar, yet claiming to believe 
in Him. Friends, there is no such thing as a redeemed 
accuser of God, yet I meet people who are doing this 
exact thing. 

Fallen human behavior includes a quest to know more than 
anybody else, what we call "enlightenment", so is it any 
coincidence that fallen angels present themselves as 
"angels of light" to deceive many who seek so called 
"hidden" knowledge?