September 30, 2025 - Jude 1:10-13 - "Falling Stars and Empty Clouds"

Jude 1:10-13

"But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever."

Here, the Spirit shows us the end of those who creep in unawares, denying the only LORD God, and our LORD Jesus Christ. Their speech, their ways, and their destiny are set before us. And in every description of them, we see by contrast the glory of Christ crucified, risen, and reigning for His people.

“But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.” They are natural men, without the Spirit. As 1 Corinthians 2:14 tells us, “The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” They speak evil of the Gospel. They despise the Truth. They know only what is natural, and in that, they corrupt themselves. But Christ is not a natural man—He is the LORD from heaven, the quickening Spirit, Who makes His people alive unto God.

“Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.” Three paths of destruction are here set before us:

The way of Cain: In Genesis 4 Cain came before God with the fruit of the ground, the work of his hands. He was sincere, no doubt, but there was no blood. Turnips don’t bleed. “…Without shedding of blood is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22). Abel was accepted because of his offering, and his offering pointed to Christ, the Lamb slain from (since) the foundation of the world. Cain’s way is the way of works-righteousness. To approach God without Christ, without His blood, is to be rejected. But Christ crucified has put away sin by the Sacrifice of Himself. His offering justifies forever those who are sanctified.

The error of Balaam: Balaam loved the wages of unrighteousness. He ran greedily after a reward. Balak’s money bought his heart, and he perverted the truth for gain. As 2 Corinthians 11:13–15 declares, “Such are false apostles, deceitful workers… and no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore, it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed.” Many run in this way today, preaching for place, applause, and money. But the Gospel of Christ crucified cannot be sold. Salvation is free, purchased with the precious blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:19). In Him is the true reward, eternal life with God.

The gainsaying of Korah: In Numbers 16:3, Korah and his company rose against Moses and Aaron, saying, “Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy.” But in truth they rebelled against the LORD Himself. Moses represented the law, Aaron the priesthood, both fulfilled in Christ. As Romans 10:4 says, “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth.” And as Hebrews 7:27 teaches, He is the High Priest Who offered Himself once for all. To oppose Christ is certain ruin. The earth opened her mouth and swallowed Korah. So will all perish who rise against Christ’s dominion.

“These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots.” They sit among the people of God, but they are blemishes, feeding themselves, not the flock. They promise refreshment, but they are clouds without water. Yet Christ says in John 4:14, “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” He is the Fountain of Living Waters. These clouds give nothing, but Christ gives life.

They are trees without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots. But Christ says in John 15:5, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit.” In Him is Life. In Him His people bear fruit unto God. Apart from Him there is no fruit, only death. These false ones are twice dead, but in Christ His people are alive forevermore.

"Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.” They are restless like the sea, raging and loud, but what comes forth is only shame. But Christ is no raging wave—He is the Prince of Peace, Who in Mark 4:39 rebuked the wind and said unto the sea, “Peace, be still.” And there was a great calm. He stills the troubled heart of His people. He gives His peace, not as the world gives.

They are wandering stars, not fixed, not steady, shining for a moment, then vanishing into darkness. But Christ declares in Revelation 22:16, “I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.” He is no wandering star. He is the true Light that never fades, the Sun of Righteousness, of Whom Malachi 4:2 says, “Unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings.” Those without Him fall into blackness forever, but those in Him walk in Everlasting Light.

So here is the contrast: clouds without water, or Christ the Living Water. Fruitless trees, or Christ the True Vine. Raging waves, or Christ the Prince of Peace. Wandering stars, or Christ the Bright and Morning Star. Death, shame, and darkness—or Life, Righteousness, and Eternal Light in Christ.

Therefore let us rest not in Cain’s works, nor Balaam’s greed, or Korah’s rebellion. Let us rest in Christ and His finished work of salvation at the cross alone. He is the Just One Who died for the unjust, that He might bring us to God (1 Peter 3:18). He has silenced the accuser, fulfilled the law, and finished the work. In Him is Righteousness, in Him is Peace, in Him is Life Everlasting. Thanks be to God for His unspeakable Gift (2 Corinthians 9:15).