Jude wrote his epistle to exhort the brethren to “contend earnestly for the faith” (v. 3). False teachers had crept in, and they were wreaking havoc on the church. False doctrine is extremely destructive, and must not be tolerated. While it seems there is an air of confidence for the brethren in Jude’s epistle, there is nevertheless a danger of their apostasy. Thus, Jude warns (v. 5-7).

His audience knew “all things once for all” (v. 5; NASB), but Jude understood the importance of reminders. It is prudent to revisit the inspired historical accounts of the punishment meted out by God to the sinful, lest we follow the same path. First, he pointed out what is perhaps the most noted example of apostasy in scripture – the Israelites. They were delivered from the Egyptians, but continued their murmuring, complaining, and doubt in God. God destroyed them for their unbelief. Secondly, he discussed the disobedient angels. They were discontent with the position God placed them in, and rebelled. They are restricted in darkness, awaiting the judgment where their sentence of eternal death will be finalized. Lastly, the notorious cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were brought to light. Their immorality of a homosexual type was abhorrent to God. They were destroyed for their disobedience. All of these were given by Jude as an example of what would happen if his audience decided to follow the false doctrine being promoted. They would lose their souls.

NOTE: Despite the physical reality of the Israelite’s, and the cities of Sodom’s and Gomorrah’s destruction, the example is meant for spiritual application. Not only did the disobedient Israelites lose their physical lives as they fell in the wilderness, but they lost their souls and are appointed eternal suffering. The same is noted concerning those of Sodom and Gomorrah. Homer Hailey writes erroneously of this text, “If they serve as an example, what do they teach except that those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire are to exist no more?” (Homer Hailey, God’s Judgments and Punishments – Individuals and Nations, pg. 142). Certainly, the fire and brimstone which rained from heaven utterly destroyed the cities to the extent that they would never exist again. However, the souls of the immoral reprobates continue to exist, just as those who were in the days of Noah are now in prison (cf. 1 Peter 3:19-20). The punishment which Jude’s audience would suffer, given their hypothetical disobedience, would be eternal, along with their consciousness of the agony.