Now to him who is able
to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of
his glory with great joy, 25 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.
THE STUDY:
In verse 25
four virtues are attributed to God: glory,
majesty, power and authority. Yesterday we looked at Majesty. Today we will
be looking at the last two: dominion and
authority.
Some translations use the word “power”
(kratos) instead of dominion. It simply means “strength,” but it is often used to
refer to God’s power. The term is often found in doxologies (1 Tim 6:16; 1 Pet
4:11; 5:11; Rev 1:6; 5:13; 1.)[1]
This word “dominion” denotes absolute power of God which ensures Him ultimate
victory.[2]
In the New
Testament the last two attributes, power and authority, are virtually
synonymous. Power means “authority,”
which is the right to use power. All authority belongs to Jesus Christ (Matt.
28:18), including authority over the powers of darkness (Eph. 1:19–23). As we
yield to Him, we share His authority and accomplish His will.[3]
The word power appears in doxologies
and refers to God and to Christ (I Tim. 6:16 [“might,” NIV]; I Peter 4:11;
5:11; Rev. 1:6; 5:13). And the term authority
occurs in Jesus’ majestic utterance: “All authority in heaven and on earth has
been given to me” (Matt. 28:18). Thus, God the Father gave his Son Jesus Christ
all authority (see John 5:27; Rev. 12:10).[4]
WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY
WITH ….
- We walk away with the understanding that by the fact that “in Christ” all authority is found, once we accept Christ as our Lord and savior we share His authority. This is not for us to use randomly for our own personal pleasure or gain. We allow the authority that dwells inside us to be sued for the Glory of God.
APPLICATION:
What a
magnificent doxology this is! Knowing the purpose Jude had in mind when he
wrote this letter, this doxology takes on even greater significance. Jude was
reminding his readers of the greatness of Jesus Christ. If only they could
catch that, they would never be led astray by false teachers. Like the young
man who falls in love and marries, and is no longer interested in his old
girlfriends, so the believer who keeps himself “in the love of God” (Jude 21),
caught up in the glories of the Saviour, will never want to turn to Satan’s
substitutes.
You don’t have to stumble. If you
will remember the Word, build your Christian life in faith, hope, and love,
exercise spiritual discernment, and commit yourself to Christ, then He will
keep you from stumbling.
Be alert! The enemy is subtle and
the dangers are great. But the only wise God your Saviour will keep you safe
and one day present you joyfully in glory!
Blessings my friends
Pastor Rod
[1]
Davids, P. H. (2006). The letters of 2
Peter and Jude. The Pillar New Testament commentary (114–115). Grand
Rapids, Mich.: William B. Eerdmans Pub. Co.
[2]
Powers, D. G. (2010). 1 & 2
Peter/Jude: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible
Commentary (301). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.
[3]
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible
exposition commentary (Jud 24). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.
[4]
Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 16: New Testament commentary
: Exposition of the Epistles of Peter and the Epistle of Jude. New
Testament Commentary (412). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.
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