Jude 5-7
I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe (Jude 5).

Jude took time to remind his readers that apostates or defectors and false teachers had existed before. He gave them examples so that they would not think that something unusual was happening.

We too are encouraged as we know that the emergence of false teachers and apostates are not new. Their activity is only increasing. I also believe that in as much as we do not know when the Lord would come, the activities of these men would increase. Satan will continue to raise them.

The immediate effect of false teachers is unbelief in the hearts of believers who are not grounded in the truth. For example, when the 10 spies gave a contrary report after their return from the land of Canaan, out of fear the people rejected God’s direction. In the end, they perished. Only Caleb and Joshua survived in that generation.

Disobedience to God’s laws led to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Angels that disobeyed God’s instructions and rebelled were also not spared. The lesson for us is that sin will be punished and whoever makes it their duty to teach doctrines that are contrary to the truth that has been delivered to the church will not be spared.

This should encourage us to stand firm while we pray that God would weed these evil men out of  His church.

Your Turn

• Thank God for the joy that we have in reading His word.
• Pray that you will continue to love the word, read it and live it to stand firm in the truth.

Hymn: There is name I love to hear (Oh, how I love Jesus).

Further Reading: Numbers 13: 25-14: 25.