Today’s message comes from the book of Jude, and it’s not an easy one—but it’s necessary. It reminds us of God’s righteous condemnation and how seriously He takes rebellion, unbelief, and ungodliness—even among those who were once His.
When Jude set out to write his letter, he didn’t plan to speak on judgment. He intended to write about the joy and unity we share in our common salvation. But the Spirit moved him to address something more urgent: a creeping danger inside the church. And that danger wasn’t from the outside. It came from within.
“Certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Jude 4)
These weren’t obvious enemies. They didn’t announce themselves as false teachers. They slipped in quietly, distorting grace and denying the authority of Christ. So Jude issued a call to arms:
“I found it necessary to write to you, exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” (Jude 3)
Let me tell you—this is as much a warning for you as it was for them. This is not just about history. This is a wake-up call.
Example 1: Israel—Saved, Then Destroyed
Jude begins by reminding us what happened to Israel. God rescued His people from Egypt—He saved them. But what happened next?
They doubted. They rebelled. They stopped believing.
“But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.” (Jude 5)
Let that sink in. They were saved, but they were destroyed. Why? Because of unbelief.
Out of more than 600,000 men who left Egypt, only two—Joshua and Caleb—entered the promised land. The rest died in the wilderness. They had seen God’s power, tasted His provision, received His promises—but they did not trust Him.
Hebrews 3 warns us in the same way:
“Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God.” (Hebrews 3:12)
This is a warning to believers. Don’t let your heart grow cold. Don’t assume salvation cannot be lost. Faith must be held firmly. Obedience must follow belief. Because unbelief leads to destruction—even for those who were once saved.
Example 2: The Angels—Fallen and Chained
Next, Jude speaks of angels—not human beings, but spiritual beings created by God. Even they were not beyond judgment.
“And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day.” (Jude 6)
What does that tell you? That even heavenly creatures, once holy and close to God, were not spared when they rebelled.
You might wonder, “How does God chain a spiritual being?” And I’ll tell you this—Jude’s language shows that God’s control is absolute. These angels are restrained, held under God’s authority, and they await final judgment. There’s no escaping His justice. Not for them. Not for anyone.
“God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment.” (2 Peter 2:4)
Jude is reminding you—if angels can fall and be condemned, so can those who walk away from the truth today.
Example 3: Sodom and Gomorrah—Eternal Fire
The third example Jude gives is one of the most well-known: Sodom and Gomorrah.
“As Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them… having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” (Jude 7)
Genesis 19 tells us their sin was grievous. It wasn’t just immorality—it was open, aggressive rebellion against God’s created order. And so God judged them with fire from heaven. Their destruction was sudden, complete, and final.
But what Jude points out is even more sobering: it was eternal. They serve as an example of the eternal fire awaiting those who persist in rebellion.
Peter echoes this in 2 Peter 2:6:
“…turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, [God] condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly.”
Do you see the pattern? Israel, the angels, and Sodom—each one a reminder. A warning. God is holy, and He does not ignore sin.
A Place Reserved
Jude says that for those who rebel, there is a place prepared. Just as there is a crown of life for the faithful, there is also blackness of darkness forever for the ungodly (Jude 13). And Revelation 21:8 is clear:
“The cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
Friend, I don’t share this to frighten you—but to warn you. Because Jude wrote these things so that you might remember.
So, What Do You Need to Remember?
- Remember Israel—those who were once saved but destroyed because of unbelief.
- Remember the angels—once holy, but now chained under darkness for judgment.
- Remember Sodom and Gomorrah—their sin invited fire, and their story stands as a warning to the world.
These are not just stories. They are reminders of God’s righteous condemnation. And the message is this: salvation is not a one-time event. Faith must be lived out. Holiness must be pursued. And sin, left unrepented, brings judgment.
Are You Ready?
Let me ask you sincerely—Are you prepared for the judgment of the great day?
If you’re not a child of God, now is the time to obey. You must:
- Hear the gospel of Jesus Christ
- Believe it
- Repent of your sins—not just feel sorry, but change
- Confess Jesus Christ as the Son of God
- Be baptized—for the remission of your sins
And if you are a Christian, but you’ve stumbled—if you’ve allowed sin to creep in, or you’ve grown cold in your obedience—then I urge you to return. That same blood that saved you still cleanses. But you must come back to Him.
God has prepared a place for the faithful. But He has also reserved a place for the rebellious. He will not withhold the vengeance of eternal fire when the time is right.
So I ask you again—are you letting these examples serve their intended purpose in your heart? Are you prepared? Because heaven is a place prepared for those who are prepared.
If you have a need—don’t wait. Don’t harden your heart. The judgment is coming. And the time to respond is now.
