Jude 1:12-13 & 16 - "Wandering Stars"

Today, Sunday November 14 “Wandering Stars” Jude 1:12-13 & 16 “These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.”….“These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage.” Jude is exposing and describing the apostates, the false teachers (v. 4). He first noted that it was obvious that they rejected divine authority and God’s judgment was sure to come on them (Vs. 5-11). Now Jude tells us how they resort to deliberate hypocrisy (Vs. 12-13 & 16). Jude presents six vivid pictures of these false shepherds. They are “filthy spots or blemishes” (v. 12a) and they are “serving only themselves” (v. 12b). These false teachers and leaders are empty clouds, clouds without water (v. 12c). They are also like “late autumn trees without fruit (v. 12d) and “raging waves of the sea” (v. 13a). As you put this descriptive list together you really get the picture of the atmosphere that a false teacher creates! They can quickly destroy and change a healthy fellowship of believers who are experiencing edification, encouragement, peace, worship, joy, comfort, security and love into a gathering that feels dirty, selfish, empty, chaotic, confusing, and disruptive and that has no aim or purpose! The final picture Jude gives us of these false teachers is they are like “wandering stars” (v. 13b). Jude was not referring to fixed stars, planets, or comets, because they have definite positions and orbits. He was referring to meteors, falling stars that suddenly appear and then vanish into the darkness, never to be seen again. Fixed stars can be depended on to guide the traveler through the darkness, but wandering stars can only lead him astray. Christians are to shine as stars in this dark world (Philippians 2:15). These false teachers show up out of nowhere, attract a lot of attention but lead the sheep into “darkness”. Jude completes the description of these false teachers and calls them “murmurers and complainers” (v. 16). What is their approach? For one thing, they murmur and complain and cause people to become dissatisfied with life. While each of us should do all we can, as God enables us, to improve our lot in life, at the same time we must be careful not to criticize God's providences or hinder His plans. The nation Israel was judged because of her complaining (1 Cor. 10:1-10), and Christians are commanded not to complain (Phil. 2:14-16). If a false teacher can make a person critical of his pastor or church, or dissatisfied with his situation, he then can lead him astray into false doctrine. The false teachers also use "great swelling words" to impress people. They also use flattery to manipulate their listeners. I love what Daniel said in his book of prophesy: “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.”  (Daniel 12:2-3) May the Lord help us to remember the end of these false teachers and always follow the Great Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ! May we be “shining stars” for Jesus today! God bless!