Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. (Jude 13)
There are many important things to be considered in the Word of God, but none so important as eternity. Jesus Christ is the only way to Heaven. He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
The book of Jude deals with a religious crowd, apostates. These are normal-looking people with all the religious trappings that identify them with believers. They look and talk like Christians in many ways, but they have denied the Lord Jesus Christ.
Read Jude 12-13. God says that the end of these apostates is “the blackness of darkness for ever.” Many of us are quick to say that we believe in a real Heaven. Jesus Christ is there. Heaven is a place where there is no need for the sun or moon because the Son of God is the light. If we believe in a real Heaven, we must also remember that there is a real Hell, a place with “the blackness of darkness for ever.”
The Darkness
There is a kingdom of light in this world, and there is a kingdom of darkness. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the King of Glory and the King of the kingdom of light. The Devil is the prince of darkness and the leader of the kingdom of darkness. Ephesians 6:12 refers to the “rulers of the darkness of this world.” To help us understand that darkness exists, God gives us a taste of it in this present world.
This world was introduced to darkness in Genesis 3:1-5. It is amazing to see that darkness entered this world with the promise of light! Darkness is never more dangerous than when it comes packaged as light. Satan said, “Your eyes shall be opened.” Satan is the master deceiver! Sin entered the bloodstream of humanity through Adam and Eve, and this world was plunged into darkness.
The Deception
Apostates are not what they say they are! Jude 12 says, “Clouds they are without water, carried about of winds.” They are like clouds appearing with a promise of rain but no rain. He then says, “Trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots.” They are as trees that appear to have fruit, but they have no fruit and no roots.
Jude calls them “raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame.” They boldly express their ideas and opinions proclaiming their own same. He says they are “wandering stars,” or falling stars. They are bright and beautiful, but they last only for a moment.
Nothing is quite as dangerous as false religion. People with hungry, hurting hearts are reaching out for help and receiving nothing but deception. We need to boldly proclaim the truth in love.
The Doom
God’s Word says their doom is “the blackness of darkness for ever.” It is not popular today to preach on Hell or speak about Hell. It is popular to preach about love. However, it is a loving thing to tell people that Hell is a real place.
The Deliverance
Through Christ, we can become children of light. John 1:9 tells us that He is that true Light! We also read in 1 Peter 2:9 that He has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light! The darkness of this world could not consume the light of Jesus Christ! Christ alone can deliver us from the kingdom of darkness.
Remember always that God’s work is greater than Satan’s work. Satan’s work can be undone, but God’s work of saving lost souls can never be undone.
Background Reading for Next Week: Jude 14-15; 2 Peter 3:1-10; John 14:1-6; Acts 1:10-11; Genesis 5:1-18, 21-24; Revelation 1:7, 19; Revelation 19:11-16