Jude 1:17

Jude reminds the readers of examples of God's judgment upon unbelief and rebellion. Though the Lord saved the people out of Egypt, He afterward destroyed those who believed not. The angels who did not keep their first estate but left their proper habitation are reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Sodom and Gomorrha and the surrounding cities gave themselves over to fornication and strange flesh and are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. These false teachers likewise defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. Jude contrasts their behavior with Michael the archangel, who, when contending with the devil over the body of Moses, did not bring a railing accusation but said, "The Lord rebuke thee." Yet these men speak evil of things they do not understand and corrupt themselves in natural instincts like brute beasts. Jude pronounces woe unto them, for they have gone in the way of Cain, run greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. He describes them as spots in believers' feasts of charity, feeding themselves without fear; clouds without water carried about by winds; trees whose fruit withers, without fruit, twice dead and plucked up by the roots; raging waves of the sea foaming out their own shame; and wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. Jude recalls the prophecy of Enoch, the seventh from Adam, who foretold that the Lord would come with ten thousands of His saints to execute judgment upon all and convict the ungodly of their ungodly deeds and hard speeches spoken against Him.