From the Pen of Paul: “Filthy Dreamers” (1) Jude 8-11
After exhorting his readers to “contend earnestly for the faith,” and warning about “ungodly men” who had “crept in unawares”, and reminding them of God’s righteous judgment in the past by giving them three examples of God’s condemnation, Jude proceeds by making application of the examples given to these “ungodly men” that he had warned them about in verse 4. This he accomplishes by showing that the conduct of these men was comparable to the conduct of those in his three examples. Thus, Jude is showing them that these ungodly men, by their conduct were provoking God to deal with them in similar fashion. In verse 8 Jude labels these men as “filthy dreamers.”
The description of these men is summarized in verse 8. They defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. As he goes into more detail in explaining what he means, Jude begins with the last of the three, that of speaking evil of dignities or dignitaries (NKJV). The word dignitaries comes from a word which means “dignity, glory, honor, praise, worship.” It can either refer to angelic beings or those in positions of authority. In either case, these “filthy dreamers” did not hesitate to speak evil of them. To demonstrate how foolish they were Jude discusses the dispute over the body of Moses. By this he shows that even Michael the archangel did not bring a “railing accusation” against the devil, but only said, “The Lord rebuke thee” (Jude 9).
When this even occurred, what caused it or the results from it, does not appear in our text or anywhere else in the sacred Scripture. The fact that Jude, an inspired writer, says that it happened is sufficient for us to know that it did indeed take place. There is no point to the endless speculations that men have given relative to it.
The lesson which Jude intended to convey is obvious. These ungodly men that Jude is warning against spoke of dignitaries in such a way that even the archangel of God did not dare to do when speaking to the devil. It seems that Jude’s argument is from the greater to the lesser. If one of the highest beings in the angelic world used restraint against the devil, then how much more unjustified was it for these that he labels as filthy dreamers and ungodly men to disregard the dignity of those of whom they spoke?
Jude continues in verse 9 to show that these men did not hesitate to speak evil “of those things which they know not.” These filthy dreamers spoke evil of things which they knew absolutely nothing about. Often today problems among brethren are caused by people engaging in conversations and opinions about things which they know nothing. He shows that those who claimed superior knowledge had a knowledge comparable to the brute beasts. I believe Jude is saying that these men were guided by their passions, instincts, and impulses that they shared with the animal kingdom. Today those who scorn the higher things of the Spirit, and give themselves over to the appetites and passions of the flesh have lowered themselves to the level of beasts. By so doing Jude says they “corrupt themselves.” Instead of being listened to and followed, Jude wanted his readers to understand that these filthy dreamers had forfeited their spiritual standing and placed their eternal destiny at risk! “In those things” (the things of the flesh) they “corrupt themselves” or “they are destroyed” (ASV). Their passions and desires became the rule of their lives and the flesh became the source of their gratification. Read Paul’s description of this type of life in Ephesians 2:2-3. They were wicked, ungodly men, and their destiny was sure.
Three well-known examples follow to show that disobedience leads to disaster. By conducting themselves in the manner that they were, they (1) “have gone in the way of Cain”; (2) “Ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward”; and (3) “Perished in the gainsaying of Core” (Korah).
Cain is given as an example of one of the outstanding characters of the Old Testament who became wicked. Cain was an individual who followed his own natural instinct, and defied the simple law of God. His works were evil (I John 3:12). He failed to walk and act by faith (Heb. 11:4).
Balaam is given as an example of one who used his prophetic gift for profit. He “loved the wages of unrighteousness” (II Pet. 2:15-16). He “put a stumbling-block before the children of Israel” (Rev. 2:14).
Korah is included because he led a revolt against divine authority. His “gainsaying” was a rebellion against the leadership of Moses and Aaron (Num. 16). However, their rebellion was in reality against God Himself (Num. 26:9).
The evil in these three men was exemplified in the lives of these “filthy dreamers” and was threatening the peace and harmony of the church. This still exists even today. Like Jude’s original readers, we need to take caution lest we fall into the same wickedness as that of these “filthy dreamers.”
—Paul M. Wilmoth
From the Preacher’s Viewpoint. . .
“My family are church goers and they want me to become a Christian and go with them. If I live a good clean life, I think I can still go to heaven.”
There are many good moral people in the world who think they can go to heaven without any help from God. We all appreciate a clean life, and yet it takes more than morality for one to go to heaven.
If going to heaven is just a matter of a good clean life, then Jesus died in vain. There have always been good moral people in the world. In Mark 10:16-21 we have a good man coming to Jesus, and asking Him about eternal life. If you will read about this man, you will find he had many outstanding qualities and yet Christ told him he needed to take up his cross and follow Him. In Acts 10:1-6 we read of a man by the name of Cornelius. He was one of the finest men of his day and yet he was told to send to Joppa for Simon Peter who would tell him what he must do to be saved. If this man needed to be a Christian, then all men need to become God’s children.
Once Jesus was approached by a man named Nicodemus. He was interested in spiritual things. Christ told him that unless a man was born again he could not enter the kingdom of God (John 3:1-7). The new birth is absolutely necessary for one to go to heaven. If a person thinks he or she can have eternal life without the new birth, then they are deceived. Jesus left no doubt about the matter. He used the word “cannot” twice in his discussion with Nicodemus about entering the kingdom. Jesus did not say one might enter the kingdom without the new birth or there is possibly another way other than the new birth. He said without the new birth one cannot enter the kingdom of God (John 3:3-5).
If one could go to heaven based on his own good life only then he would have a reason for boasting. Bust we are not saved by meritorious works. The Bible says: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph. 2:8-9). Eternal life is not a matter of one lifting himself up by his own goodness. God has laid down certain things for us to accept by faith, and if we will accept these things and do them, then eternal life will be granted unto us.
One can be a good moral person and never believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. But we are told in the Bible, “For if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins” (Jn. 8:24). If we die in our sins, we cannot go to heaven when life is over (John 8:21). One could be a good moral man and never confess Jesus Christ as the Son of God. But God has told us in His word if we fail to confess Christ then Christ will not confess us (Matt. 10:32). An individual could be of high morals and not believe in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. But we are told that if we would be saved eternally we must believe that God has raised Jesus from the dead (Rom. 10:9-10). Make no mistake about it, it takes more than a good moral life to go to heaven!
Before we close this article, let me make a statement about being a Christian and going to church. One cannot be a Christian without faithful attendance to the worship services, and yet a person might attend every worship service and not be a Christian. Just because people go to worship every service does not mean they are Christians. Being in a church house does not make one a Christian any more than being in a hen house makes one a hen. Men are Christians when they read and follow the Bible. I would say to all: give up your “I thinks” and do what God says.
—Malcolm L. Hill