From the Pen of Paul: “Filthy Dreamers” (2) Jude 12-13
In our previous article, we looked at Jude's description of the “filthy dreamers” or “ungodly men” that had “crept in unawares” (secretly). Of the three-fold summary given in verse 8, he began with their speaking evil of dignities. When we look at the three examples he gave, should this not throw up a flag of caution about how we speak of others? James warned about the misuse of the tongue in James 3. He warned about speaking evil of brethren in James 4:11-12 and James 5:9. Paul also wrote to Titus instructing him to counsel disciples not to speak evil of others in Titus 3:1-2. When you add to these instructions this example given by Jude of these “filthy dreamers” and their quickness to speak evil of others, shouldn't we be extremely cautious of how we speak?
In verses 12-15, Jude writes, “These are they who are hidden rocks in your love-feasts when they feast with you, shepherds that without fear feed themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn leaves without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; Wild waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the blackness of darkness hath been reserved forever.” In this description Jude gives us a storehouse of imagery using vivid details to describe these men who threatened the peace and harmony of the church.
They were: “spots” in their “feasts of charity” (“love feasts”); “hidden rocks in your love-feasts”. These men are described by these words as hidden dangers which could not be seen on the surface of the water, but would wreck any ship which struck them; so these “filthy dreamers” gave no warning of the threat they posed to the peace and harmony of the church. These “love feasts” or “feasts of charity” meals were common in the apostolic age, at which the saints met for social, charitable, and humanitarian reasons. It is believed that they originated in the practice of the wealthier members of the congregation providing food for the poorer ones, and eating with them as a token of fellowship. They are not to be identified with the observance of the Lord's Supper; when the Supper was corrupted into a meal, it drew sharp rebuke from Paul in I Corinthians 11. These feasts were suspended in the fourth century because of the type of men of whom Jude wrote, turning them into ungodly gatherings.
Secondly, Jude says that they were: “shepherds that without fear feed themselves.” Instead of being true shepherds of the flock, they put themselves in positions of leadership, when their true motive was to feed themselves (selfish gain). This statement of Jude's is similar to one made by Ezekiel, “Woe to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?” (Eze. 34:2). Isaiah also wrote, “Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter” (56:11).
Thirdly, Jude describes them as “clouds without water, carried along by the winds.” A similar statement is given by Peter: “These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest” (II Pet. 2:17). These “filthy dreamers” are like clouds which offer promises of much-needed rain but are carried off by the wind without leaving any rain. These false teachers were pretentious, boastful, promising; at the same time they left behind nothing but disappointment. Peter spoke of them in similar fashion, “while they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption” (II Pet. 2:19). These words are descriptive of every false teacher today. They promise salvation, wealth, happiness and the like; yet they themselves are satan’s ministers who are “transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works” (II Cor. 11:15). In other words, they promise them liberty, but they themselves are still in bondage to sin. See Romans 6:16. To the oriental, it would be hard to suggest a more expressive and vivid picture than that given here. They were very familiar with these types of clouds and their false promises of rain.
Next week, we will conclude our study of these “filthy dreamers.”
—Paul Wilmoth
From the Preacher’s Viewpoint. . .
“My feelings are hurt when people tell me that a person cannot be saved unless they have been baptized in water. I had a granddaughter that died without being baptized. Please address this question for me.”
With all due respect, it is often the case that people’s feelings are hurt because they do not understand the Bible. I would not hurt the feelings of another just to be doing so for anything in the world, but sometimes the truth hurts. We cannot shun the truth because it might hurt someone’s feelings. I had rather hurt folks’ feelings by telling them the truth than lie and make them feel good. The day of judgment will go much better for me for having done so. Too many preachers dodge the truth because their eye is on people pleasing. These people need to leave the pulpit or repent (Gal. 1:10) and get on with preaching the Word of God as found in the Bible.
The problem with me is not feelings but what does the Bible teach about water baptism? Water baptism alone will not put one in contact with the blood of Christ. One must hear the gospel of Jesus Christ (Rom. 10:17); he must believe the gospel of Christ (Heb. 11:6); one must repent of his sins (Luke 13:3); he must confess his faith in Christ (Matt. 10:32-33); then he must be baptized into Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; Mark 16:16; I Pet. 3:21; Gal. 3:27). All the excuses in the world will not dispel God’s plan to save man. Those who submit to the gospel of Christ will be saved and those who reject it will be eternally lost.
I am deeply sorry that anyone dies without having obeyed the gospel of Christ (II Thess. 1:7-9). I am grieved that this granddaughter died without being baptized for the remission of sins. Several of my blood kin have died without obeying the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am sorry they did so, but my sorrow will not change the facts of the gospel. They had ample time and ample opportunity to render obedience to Christ, but chose not to do so.
Water baptism is a part of God’s plan to save man and all the preachers in the world cannot change this. There is not one preacher in the world that can prove an accountable being can be saved without it. They may be called Reverend, Bishop, Archbishop, Holy Father, and the like. But what does this prove? Nothing except to say they are willing to wear unscriptural names. They may have a Ph.D. but this does not guarantee they know the truth. This only proves they have earned the Ph.D. degree, in all probability. The way we know the truth is by what the Bible teaches and it alone. My suggestion is: If you are going to be religious, then be religiously right. What profit is there if we have a religion that is not based on the Bible (Matt. 15:13)?
—Malcolm L. Hill