Finding Jesus in the Bible…So We Can Follow Him in Life
Bible Reading Plans
- Plan One: New Testament Only
- Plan Two: New Testament + Psalms
- Plan Three: New Testament + History
- Plan Four: The Entire Bible – Year 1 of 3, Year 2 of 3, Year 3 of 3
Don’t know which plan? Go to A Christ-Centered Bible Reading Plan: Quick Start.
Extras
Verse of the Day, Audio Capsule, and Video Minute
***
(Today’s Reading)
The Biblical Case for the Second Coming as Accomplished Fact
(Book Installment 30)
Part Two – The Timing of the Second Coming
Chapter 4 – What the Epistles Say
What Jude Says About the Timing
The whole point of Jude’s one-chapter letter is to bear witness that the false teachers they had been warned about for years were now fully present. In essence, Jude says that all Peter prophesied in 2 Peter has come to pass. In other words, the false teachers Peter speaks of in future tense, Jude speaks of in present tense. Though Jude doesn’t mention Peter by name, he does use language which no one who had read both letters would fail to notice. Furthermore, Jude directly quotes “the apostles” using a phrase straight out of 2 Peter 3 (compare Jude 1:18 with 2 Peter 3:3) indicating that Peter was not the only apostle who predicted what Jude was seeing.
Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.” 2 Peter 3:3-4 emphasis added
But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, that they were saying to you, “In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.” Jude 1:17-18 emphasis added
Of course, all the apostles received their information from Jesus so we should never be surprised when we find them saying the same thing! Jude urges his readers to remain faithful through this final, most difficult period before the Lord’s return. (Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 24:21 – “For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will.”)
Need I say it? Jude does not say to his readers that the Lord could come in any generation. There is only one generation involved…and only one church that had that honor. Jude was writing to strengthen that generation and that church.
***
A Bible Reader's Website 