Jude felt it absolutely necessary to specifically warn the church to contend for the faith! We're not too big on warnings today....(unless it's on the evil Dr. Fauci) We're told that men....(and women can be assumed)....will have crept in....turning the "grace of our God"....into something else. What else can explain how so many churches today have become more of anti-mask protest rallies....glorying as if they are John Bunyan meeting in the forests? This is part of what Donald Trump has done....for salvation today in the mind of the majority of evangelicalism has been intertwined with patriotism....and not even a real patriotism....but a coarse MAGA power show of America First patriotism....a similitude of the gospel being somewhere after that.....maybe.
These men who have crept in are dreamers...."troublemakers....posing as prophets or teachers"....as the Reformation Study Bible puts it....despising authority. I can imagine Trump telling the Devil that his button is bigger....or words to that effect. Jude describes them as "brute beasts"....which would be Trump....who have "gone greedily after the error of Balaam for reward." Please take the time....a minute...and view President Trump's spiritual adviser pray against demonic forces. Just Google....Paula White prays for Trump, YouTube!
Brothers and sisters in Christ....we are told that these today are...."hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear"...."waterless clouds....swept along by the winds....fruitless trees....twice dead....wild waves of the sea." These are...."grumblers....malcontents....following their own sinful desires....loudmouth boasters....showing favoritism to gain advantage." Folks....this is a resume of Donald Trump.
Have we forgotten Paul's words to Timothy...."But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self (Donald Trump), lovers of money, (Donald Trump) proud, (Donald Trump) arrogant, (Donald Trump) abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, (Donald Trump) unappeasable, (Donald Trump) slanderous, (Donald Trump) without self-control, (Donald Trump) brutal, (Donald Trump) not loving good, (Donald Trump) swollen with conceit, (Donald Trump) lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, (Donald Trump) having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people." (2 Tim 3:1-5) How much evidence do we need?
We are told elsewhere to "take heed that no man deceive you"....which we have not done.....that God sends "strong delusion....that they may believe what is false"....President Trump's great successes were a delusion. We are told to beware....that we shall know these men by their fruits. Look at the fruits of Donald Trump....we have lost compassion....discernment....and wisdom....and will attempt to destroy anyone who dares to disagree with us. We're told to "believe not every spirit....but try the spirits".....but we won't even read about Donald Trump. We do remember....do we not...how he bragged...."I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn't lose any voters."
Paul also warned...."And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many" (Matthew 24:11)....and...."for by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple" (Romans 16:18)....and to us...."but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears"....Joel Osteen being but one. (2 Timothy 4:3)....and...."For there shall be false Christs and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible they shall deceive the very elect." (Matthew 24:24) ....and let us not forget this...."For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace..." (1 Corinthians 14:33)....whereas Trump is quoted in one of Bob Woodward's books...."fear is power"..."I bring out rage. I always have."
"For when they say 'Peace and safety' then sudden destruction comes upon them..." 1 Thessalonians 5:3. I had sat and watched most of President Trump's campaign rallies over the past year.....and I as well as everyone present at the rallies could repeat right along with him if we wanted...."we are going to keep....."winning......winning....winning"....and...."our best is yet to come".....but in reality....'our beast is yet to come!" So....is Jude's letter meant to warn us about someone like Donald Trump? The answer is a resounding....Yes!
Somewhere today there is probably a video going viral of a dog playing the piano....(update...May 21 on ABCnews.com...viral video titled...."Rhino plays keyboard on his birthday").....or a brawl on an airplane....with millions of viewers....while I pray over every visitor to these warnings that I am so very feebly trying to disperse. I prayed within the past hour for visitors from France and Germany and here in America. Every once in a while I ask if you might share these posts with other Christians....and give them the opportunity to consider what I am saying.
