Rebellion And God’s Judgment In The Book Of Jude -- By: Herbert W. Bateman IV

Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 170:680 (Oct 2013)
Article: Rebellion And God’s Judgment In The Book Of Jude
Author: Herbert W. Bateman IV


Rebellion And God’s Judgment In The Book Of Jude

Herbert W. Bateman IV

Herbert W. Bateman IV is an author and teacher who resides in Leesburg, Indiana.

Jude’s short letter, tucked away at the end of the New Testament, offers a straightforward theological point frequently overlooked, yet pertinent to both his and the present time.1 Writing with a sense of urgency (v. 3),2 Jude tackled directly the issue of rebellion and the subsequent outcome for anyone who rebels against God. Jude’s theological concern about rebellion and its

outcome compelled him throughout his letter, particularly verses 5-16. He makes it perfectly clear: Rebellion, of any kind, is not a good idea. Why? Rebellion raises divine ire.

Types Of Rebellion In Jude

Three kinds of rebellion are seen in Jude: rebellion against God’s leading, rebellion against God’s universal design, and rebellion against God’s societal norms. As Jude tackled each type of rebellion, past rebellions mirrored his contemporary situation. Jude’s remembrance of the rebellions of the wilderness generation, angels, and Gentile urbanites (vv. 5-7) reflects the current rebellion (vv. 4, 8-16) that seemed to be wreaking havoc throughout all of Judea. And though Jude identified his contemporary rebels only as “godless” (ἀσεβεῖς, v. 4),3 “dreamers” (ἐνυπνιαζόμενοι, v. 8),4 “certain

people” (τινες ἄνθρωποι), or most frequently “these people” (οὗτοι),5 it seems that they were Judean Zealots who prompted, promoted, and pursued with great tenacity a revolt against Rome.6

Rebellion Against God’s Leading

In the past the wilderness generation had rebelled against God’s leading (v.

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