Are you familiar with that part of Jude’s sole letter foretelling Christendom’s division? If not, then please read it below. Jude uses a quote from the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ and then reminds us what to do in these contentious times.
Jude 1 …To those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ:
17 But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold.
18 They said to you, "In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires."
19 These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.
20 But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.
21 Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
22 Be merciful to those who doubt;
23 snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear— hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.
Jude’s intent was to alert us to Christendom’s final division. Scoffers, as the apostles called them, will influence daily life for Christians. Luring many believers to lifestyles fixed on self-interests, knowing self-interests overshadow the message of the cross; “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1Corinthians. 1:18
Recall Jude’s plea to the Church as today’s contention escalates, “Snatch others from the fire and save them”. Jude knew about the period spoken of by Christ’s apostles of some final days or last times when the Church will end and then God gathers His chosen to Him. Again, reflect on his plea for all believers in the Church. “…to those who have been called…In the last times there will be scoffers …These are the men who divide you…snatch others from the fire and save them.” Jude foresaw difficult times, times likening to a fire, namely an attack from all unbelievers, those who unabashedly oppose Jesus Christ. Jude urged us to stand firm in our last times - to persevere or keep at it. And Jesus himself gave us His warning while we live in witness to these last times, “All men will hate you because of me. But not a hair on your head will perish. By standing firm you will gain life.” Luke 21 17:19 In addition, bear in mind these words from Paul, “…stand firm, let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord. …your labor in the Lord is not in vain”. 1 Corinthians 15:58
Are you witnessing this division Jude warns us about? It was only a few decades ago our divisions began with public school prayers followed by our public display of The Ten Commandments. Now federal courts remove crosses erected on public property. Now military chaplains are prevented from using the name of Jesus in prayer. Now court judges can not conduct prayer or recite the Pledge of Allegiance in courthouses. Even Christmas is under attack, not unlike what was done to end school prayers or the display of the Ten Commandments. And historical dating, started well over one thousand years ago, is in our time altered from A.D. and B.C. into new worldly terms of C.E. and B.C.E. These rising deceptions quash any hope for salvation for millions upon millions of souls. So as the hostility by scoffers spreads an evil “spiritual” rebellion their rebellion is set to undo and divide America’s Christian union within. Jude did warn about this coming division and Satan thrives to dissolve the very foundation of our nation’s Christian heritage.
With each passing day Christians sense this need – we need a revival in America! Will believers share a public revival of one accord with over 440 disparate Christian denominations or maybe among 400,000 unique church buildings?
We must realize by now the revival to save America will never pass along Main Street with a parade and its public fanfare! No, the revival to save Christian America is silent and peaceful. Yet it has to become our National Revival. Ours in that it is a revival to love others – to love our enemies – even show our love for those scoffers dividing us. Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
An American generation is now among us which will never worship the living God on any day of the week. So please know the biblical truth Jude warns of “These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.” So will we remain one nation under God? Yes! If America should remain a Christian nation, even another two hundred years, it will happen by God’s revival in believers - urged on by church leaders to overcome any rebellion born of evil. You must realize America’s spiritual rescue comes from God through none other than you – for you are assigned to provision God’s mercy and grace to dwell upon this land. We Christians are the salt of this nation.
Pray daily for civic leaders in America. Pray our leaders live for Christ so we may remain the Christian nation of our heritage. There is an increased change in American leadership this day. Many now proclaim boldly and publicly they are Atheist, Muslim or Mormon. Jesus said – “When the salt loses its saltiness, what is it good for?” See this division? Please do not deny Jude’s message of these last times, since by his message we are set to witness the most horrible acts of lawlessness among any nation or any period in human existence.
Remember – as you share the gospel of Christ in the pulpit or by way of TV or radio, author a book, stand on a corner, use the Internet, use car bumper stickers or perhaps you are gifted to fill a stadium to its top rafters; you are made to be accountable to God. You are accountable to save others from their sinful ways. It was for the glory of Jesus Christ you were ordained by God for your talents --- you are a watchman accountable to God!
Ezekiel 3
- 17 "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. 18 When I say to a wicked man, 'You will surely die,' and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. 19 But if you do warn the wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his evil ways, he will die for his sin; but you will have saved yourself. 20 "Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and does evil, and I put a stumbling block before him, he will die. Since you did not warn him, he will die for his sin. The righteous things he did will not be remembered, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. 21 But if you do warn the righteous man not to sin and he does not sin, he will surely live because he took warning, and you will have saved yourself."
On Sunday, July 4, 2010 let each of America’s 400,000 churches bend down on their knees and ask God for our revival. Philippians 2: 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Cry out for America’s revival, not only for our children in today’s America, but those to come and give the glory to Jesus Christ. For He alone seeks each soul and saves the sinner. Give to Christ His reward for having been slain on an earthly wooden cross for all the sins of the earth.
Please pray for our Silent National Revival, made only by acts of love and prayer, to go gently and peacefully and turn others to Christ. Make contact with other Christian denominations near your own church so we may ask God together -“Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?” Psalm 85:6
Revelation 3
2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.
If you are wondering why I come to you this way then please read ACTS Chapter 2 - Verses 17 through 21