Jude 1:11 (ESVST)
Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam ‘s error and perished in Korah’ s rebellion.
Jude is saying woe to them, by them Jude is still referring to these men, whom we don’t know yet. The Woe means Cursed. So, Jude is cursing these men and he is saying that they have done what Cain and Korah did. This is what these two did:
Balaam’s error. For a large financial reward, Balaam devised a plan for Balak, king of Moab, to entice Israel into a compromising situation with idolatry and immorality, which would bring God’s own judgment on his people
Korah’s rebellion. Korah, plus 250 Jewish leaders, rejected the God- appointed leadership of Moses and Aaron in an attempt to impose his will upon God and the people. Apostates will unquestionably meet the same end as Korah—divine judgment.
Jude is saying here that these men did what these two men also did, disobey God. But, we still don’t know these men. How then can we identify them? Let’s find out
Jude 1:12-13 (ESVST)
These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; 13 wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever.
Jude 1:16 (ESVST)
These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud- mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.
There is little to explain with regards to the above verses. They are simply self explanatory. These people are among us. They go to church with us, they attend our functions, parties, funerals, etc. they mix with us without us knowing them. They speak louder than anyone else. They show favoritsm for their own benefits. Reading the same verses in the amplified version, gives them even more richness.
Jude 1:12-13 (AMP)
These are hidden reefs (elements of danger) in your love feasts, where they boldly feast sumptuously [carousing together in your midst], without scruples providing for themselves [alone]. They are clouds without water, swept along by the winds; trees, without fruit at the late autumn gathering time—twice (doubly) dead, [lifeless and] plucked up by the roots;
13 Wild waves of the sea, flinging up the foam of their own shame and disgrace; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of eternal darkness has been reserved forever.
Jude 1:16 (AMP)
These are inveterate murmurers (grumblers) who complain [of their lot in life], going after their own desires [controlled by their passions]; their talk is boastful and arrogant, [and they claim to] admire men’s persons and pay people flattering compliments to gain advantage.
Jude 1:12-13 (NIV)
These people are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted —twice dead. 13 They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.
Jude 1:16 (NIV)
These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.
This is how you identify these men. They don’t walk upright and show themselves. They are hidden amongst us but I think with what Jude has given us now, we might be able to spot them. What then, what is God going to do about these men. Is there no Judgment for them?
Jude 1:14-15 (ESVST)
It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “ Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, 15 to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”
Enoch, prophesied about these men and said that judgement will come upon them. They will be convicted for all ungodly deeds that they have committed in such an ungodly way and all the harsh things that they have spoken against God. They will get their day of judgment and they will not escape it.
Just something that you should note is that Jude 1:3-16, is the same as 2 Peter 2. Peter talks about the coming of these men and Jude says they are here. Watch out for these men and make sure that they do not corrupt you in anyway. If you are one of these men, there is still time to repent.