Cain, Balaam and Korah are cited as examples of going against God's ways. Cain was the first murderer, and his actions were motivated by jealousy of his brother Abel. When he saw that God was pleased with Abel's offering, instead of learning from this and changing his own actions, he murdered Abel. Balaam took money from king Balaak to curse the Israelites, and Korah led a rebellion against Moses.
The rebels apparently took part in the "love feasts" (Lord's supper) of the church as though they were a normal part of the congregation. When people rebel against God and cause division within the church they fail to be part of the church. They may even have had positions of leadership, but they failed to feed the flock. It is very dangerous when leaders start fulfilling their own agenda instead of acting as servants of Christ. We all need to watch our actions and motives very carefully.
Jude then quotes from the book of Enoch. This was purported to be written by the Enoch of Genesis 5, though the book did not appear until the first century BC. Why does Jude keep alluding to these "dodgy" books? It probably indicates that his hearers were Jewish, and perhaps they were paying too much attention to these books, and so he is trying to show them that even these books do not support what they were doing. The church needed to get its act together.
The message is that the Lord will come to judge. All of us needs to be aware that the Lord will return to judge. All will be called to give an account. If we know that some piece of work is going to be tested we take extra care. Our whole life should be like this, all that we do matters.
There are many who object that God's judgements are unfair, that His ways are wrong. Well such people should ask themselves, are they happy to stand before God on the final day with the life that they lead?
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