12 These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you
without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by
winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; 13 wild waves of the sea, casting up
the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter
darkness has been reserved forever.
THE STUDY:
Continuing the
breakdown of verses 12-13, yesterday we looked at how these intruders were like
clouds without rain which was useless. Today, we are going to look at the fourth
one: They are fruitless trees in late
autumn, twice dead, uprooted. Autumn trees, without fruit reiterates the theme of empty promises. At the end of the
season, trees are expected to bear the fruit of the season. Similarly, the
false teachers promise fruit but yield none.
The phrase twice dead, uprooted is tricky. Uprooted
fits the analogy of trees quite nicely. But it is difficult to apply the
literal meaning twice dead to the
metaphor of trees. The phrase must describe the false teachers more directly.
Two suggestions are possible:
First, they are called twice dead and uprooted because they had once been ‘dead in transgressions and
sins’ (Eph 2:1) and were now dead again, in the sense that they were cut off
from their life-giving root, Jesus Christ.”
Second, twice dead could refer to their eschatological judgment at the last
day. “Second death” is used in Revelation to describe the fate of the wicked at
the Last Judgment (Rev 2:11; 20:6, 14; 21:8). Considering the eschatological
context of Jude’s letter (vv 6, 14–15, 18, 21, 24), the second suggestion is
perhaps the better option. But the choice is difficult.[1]
WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY
WITH ….
- We walk away this morning with the understanding that false teachers will tip their hand to who they really are by making empty promises. The repercussion of their actions is the same as those who are found wicked in the eyes of God.
CONCLUSION:
As my children are growing up I
have learned many things “not” to do. One of those things that became apparent
was “do not make a promise you cannot keep!” I would say, “we might go to the
movies tonight” and the first thing my kids would say is, “You Promise?” If I
say yes, then I better be ready to do it no matter what the cost because if I
break that promise it will end up costing me dearly.
The Bible is filled with God’s
promises. One of those is found in Hebrews 13:5, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” This is not an empty
promise! Let us remember Satan is out to lie, steal, deceive, and destroy. Some
of you might be feeling that God is not listening or He has left you! This is a
lie straight from hell!
Today, let’s stop listening to the
false teacher (Satan) and all of his lies and let’s remember the promise of God
to His children! He will love you, He will take care of you, He will protect
you, and He will save you ! Now those are promises you can count on!
Blessings my friends
Pastor Rod
[1]
Powers, D. G. (2010). 1 & 2
Peter/Jude: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible
Commentary (281–282). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.
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