10. Michael the archangel -The word "Michael" means, "who is like unto God?" The word "archangel" means, "first in rank among the angels, or the chief of the angels."
In Jude 9, Michael is not hostile toward Satan. He only says, "The Lord rebuke thee." But Rev 12:7-9 describes a war in heaven in which Michael and his angels are pitted against Satan and his angels. Michael and his angelic army will succeed in driving Satan out of heaven once and for all and in casting him down to the earth. That is still future. Rev 12:7-9,"And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. And the dragon and his angels waged war. But they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him."
11. The devil -The devil is called by a number of names throughout the Bible. Actually his name is Lucifer (Is 14:12). Rev 12:9, gives us a list of names that are used for Lucifer."And the great DRAGON was cast out, that OLD SERPENT, called THE DEVIL, and SATAN, which deceives the entire world:.."He is called "A serpent," because that is what he used to tempt the woman in the Garden of Eden in Gen 3:1-7. The word "devil"is taken from the Greek meaning, "slanderer, a treacherous informer." The word"satan" is actually taken from the Hebrew SHATAN, meaning, "false accuser, a false witness."
12. The Way of Cain - Cain was the firstborn of Adam and Eve. He was the first murderer in human history. He killed his brother Abel. He was also the first one to remain an unbeliever in human history. Cain rejected God's grace at the point of salvation.
The Doctrine of Cain
(1)-The first baby in the human race was Cain. The first baby in the human race was never born twice, he was only born once. In other words, he was never born-again. Therefore, the illustration of Cain in Jude 11 refers to the unbeliever type of apostasy. See Gen 4:1-9, and Heb 11:4.
(2)-Like many unbelievers with a religious trend, Cain was a legalist. He attempted to be saved by what he did. He was the first one to attempt salvation by works, and, of course, he never made it. The salvation God offers to every member of the human race is by grace through faith with no works or deeds connected to it. Eph 2:8-9,"By grace you are saved through faith not by works." Rom 3:20,"By the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified in his sight."Therefore, God rejected Cain's works, which caused Cain to develop mental attitude sins. Gen 4:5-7,"...on Cain and his offering he (God)did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. Then the Lord said to Cain, 'Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door..."
(3)-Approbation lust cannot stand rejection. Lust is the English word for "a strong desire" in Gen 4:7. The rejection of approbation lust is recorded in Heb 11:4.
(4)-Because of Cain's frustrated approbation lust, he committed the first murder. Gen 4:8,"Now Cain said to his brother Abel, 'Let's go out to the field.' And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and murdered him."
I Jn 3:12,"Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one (Satan) and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous."The first person murdered in the human race was a believer, and he was murdered by the first apostate in the human race. And this is why Jude uses this as an illustration. Apostates don't like you and will kill you if they can. Why do believers run around with apostates? The Bible tells us that they do not like us, and that they do not like what we stand for. They may put up a front, but deep down inside no apostate likes truth, or anyone who stands for the truth. Remember this and never forget it: people who talk the most about brotherly love are the best haters you have ever seen.(5)-The acceptability of Abel's offering plus the rejection of Cain's offering aroused jealousy in Cain(I Jn 3:12). Cain was actually jealous before he found a way to get rid of his brother. Jealousy is a mental attitude sin, and it is a part of the emotional revolt of the soul. Anytime anyone has jealousy or hatred in his soul, he is a potential murderer.
(6)-Cain desired the approbation of God on the basis of his own works. In other words, Cain wanted to be saved, but it had to be his way, not God's way. And God is not obligated to recognize or even tolerate any way except His way, which in this case God's salvation was portrayed through the death of an animal. Cain set up his own rules by which God was to honor him. His fruits and vegetables were probably the best anyone had ever seen, they probably would have won first prize at the county fair, but God said He would not in any way recognize Cain's offering. We must do it God's way, or we might just as well forget it. The way of God is grace, the way of Cain is legalism.
(7)-Therefore, the way of Cain is the long road of misery. Self-induced misery, and self-inflicted misery: he brought this all on himself by himself. This is the law of volitional responsibility.
(6)-Anger is related to stupidity. Ecc 7:9,"Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools."
Satan, the greatest and smartest angelic creature ever created, had anger. Cain, a very intelligent human being, had anger. PRINCIPLE: anger turns a genius into an idiot. At the moment that anyone becomes unjustifiably angry, he becomes stupid, he becomes an idiot, no matter what his IQ may be, or no matter how intelligent he may be. Anger neutralizes thinking and the individual becomes very irrational and illogical.
(7)-Anger is related to reversionism. Eph 4:31,"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger..."
Col 3:8,"But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips."
Anyone in reversionism is going to have many unjustifiable reactions.
(8)-Anger frustrates prayer. It hinders the ministry of intercession in the royal priesthood. I Tim 2:8,"I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing."
(9)-Anger leads to revenge, at which time two principles are involved.
A. Two wrongs do not make a right.
B. You cannot build your happiness on someone else's unhappiness.
Doctrine of Murder
(1) - DEFINITION: Murder is the overt violation of the sovereignty of God who alone has the right to take life. God gives life, and God takes life. Pride is the inner violation of the sovereignty of God. This is illustrated by Satan's fall in Is 14:12-16, and by the fall of the woman in Gen 3:1-7.
Murder is the removal of an individual's freedom and free will. As a violation against the sovereignty of God, this is a sin. As a removal of an individual's freedom, it is a crime.
(2)-The origin of Murder: The devil was a murderer from the beginning (John 8:44). The origin of murder is the same as the origin of sin. Satan himself thought of a way to eliminate human volition as a part of the Angelic Conflict.
(3)-In our study of Jude we will see that Satan motivated Cain to murder his brother Abel(I Jn 3:12).
(4) Mental sins are reactor factors that motivated the first murder. In Gen 4:5 we saw the sins of pride, hatred and jealousy.
(5)-With the beginning of the laws of establishment, and confirmed by the Mosaic Law, murder is prohibited, and is classified as the number one crime. Ex 20:13, "You shall not murder." Deut 4:17,"You shall not murder."Matt 5:21,"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment."
(6)-Capital punishment, or death as the penalty for murder is taught in Gen 9:6,"Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed."
Num 35:30-31,"Anyone who murders a person is to be put to death as a murderer only on the testimony of witnesses. But no one is to be put to death on the testimony of one witness. Do not accept a ransom for the life of a murderer, who deserves to die. He must surely be put to death."
Rom 13:1-7,"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword(of punishment, including capital punishment)for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience."
(7)-Murder is listed as one of the seven worst sins in Prov 6:16-19.
(8)-Anger as a mental sin is also regarded as mental murder. Matt 5:21-22,"You have heard it was said to the people long ago, do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment. But I tell you that anyone who is angry with is brother will be subject to judgment..." Only overt murder is punishable by death. Mental murder is punishable by God in three different ways.
A-Warning discipline.
B-Intensive discipline.
C-Dying discipline, known as the sin unto death.
(9)-Murder always involves mental attitude sins as the motivation. Jealousy precedes murder in Rom 1:29, & Gal 5:21.
(10)-Murder is a crime and should be punished by death. Matt 26:52,"...all who live by the sword will die by the sword." The word "sword" in that passage refers to crime, it does not refer to the military as some would have you believe.
(11)-While murder is the worst of all sins it can be committed by a believer who is out of fellowship or in reversionism (retrogression in the spiritual life). I Pet 4:15,"If you suffer, IT SHOULD NOT BE AS A MURDERER or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler."
I John 3:15,"Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him."
13.The error of Balaam-Balaam was a prophet of God who strayed away from God because of his love for money.
Since Balaam died the sin unto death, I want to give you the doctrine of the sin unto death.Doctrine of the Error of Balaam
(1)-Balaam was a Mesopotamian prophet. He was a Gentile who lived in the city of Pethor on the Euphrates River north of Palestine. Num 22:5.
(2)-Balaam was a believer in the God of Israel (Jesus Christ).
A-He asked for the Lord's will, and to some extent he followed it. Num 22:8, 13, 18, 38.
B-Balaam would not go to Balak the king of Moab without divine permission. Num 22:20.
C-The angel of the Lord (Jesus Christ) met and conversed with Balaam. Num 22:32.
D-The Lord put words in Balaam's mouth. Num 23:5.
E-Balaam calls the Lord his God. Num 22:18.
F-The Holy Spirit came upon Balaam. Num 24:2(3)-God told Balaam not to go to Moab. Num 22:12.
(4)-Balaam disobeyed God and went to Moab anyway. Num 22:21.
(5)-Balaam was offered money and power if he would curse the Jews for Balak the king of Moab. Num 22:17.
(6)-In his negative attitude toward the truth, Balaam even became cruel to animals. Num 22:23, 25, 27.
(7)-Balaam tried to curse the Jews three times because of his love for money and power, but each cursing was turned to blessing by God's overruling will. Num 23:7-10; 23:18-24; 24:3-9.
(8)-Since Balaam could not curse the Jews because of God's overruling will, he devised a plan to get the Jews out of fellowship so God could not bless them. And his plan was to use the beautiful Midianite women to get the Jewish men involved in idol worship, which involved much sexual activity. Num 31:16.
(9)-There are three New Testament passages dealing with Balaam.
A-II Pet 2:14-15, "With eyes full of adultery they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed, an accursed brood. They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness."
B-Jude 11, our passage,"....the error of Balaam..."
C -Rev 2:14, in the letter to the church in Pergamum. "Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality."
Doctrine of the Sin unto Death
(1)-DEFINITION: the sin unto death is maximum punitive discipline from God to the believer who has constantly been negative to the learning and application of the Word of God and the plan of God. This discipline includes maximum self-induced misery and maximum pressure terminating in the physical death of the believer. Ps 118:15,"The Lord has disciplined me severely, BUT HE HAS NOT GIVEN ME OVER TO DEATH."Referring to the sin unto death. I Jn 5:16,"If anyone sees his brother committing sin that does not lead to death, he should pray that God will give him life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that he should pray about that."
(2)-There are three areas of divine discipline to the believer.
A-Warning discipline: Ps 118:18.
B-Intensive discipline: Psalm 118:18.
C-The sin unto death:(I Jn 5:16.(3)-Continual negative volition toward the Word of God and the plan of God leads to the sin unto death. Jer 9:16,"I will scatter them among nations that neither they nor their fathers have known, and I will pursue them with the sword until I have destroyed them."
Jer 44:12,"I will take away the remnant of Judah who were determined to go to Egypt to settle there. They will all perish in Egypt; they will fall by the sword or die from famine. From the least to the greatest, they will die by sword or famine. They will become an object of cursing and horror, of condemnation and reproach." Keep in mind that the Jews in Jeremiah's day were negative toward the Word of God and the plan of God. And it was during Jeremiah's ministry that the Jews were taken into slavery.
Phil 3:18-19,"For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things."
Rev 3:16,"So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I am about to spit you of my mouth."(4)- Turning positive toward the Word of God and the plan of God eliminates all discipline connected with the sin unto death. I Cor 11:30-31,"That is why many among you are weak, and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep in death. But if we judge ourselves,(this refers to confessing our sins to God) we would not come under judgment." I Jn 1:9,"If we confess (acknowledge, name, cite) our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
(5)- Case histories of the sin unto death. Each one is different, but each one has one thing in common. A negative attitude toward the Word of God and the plan of God.
A - Lying to the Holy Spirit, which is a negative attitude toward the Word of God. Acts 5:1-10. Lying to the Holy Spirit involves doing a good deed for the wrong reason. In other words, people who are negative to the Word of God are motivated by other sources to do good such as: approbation lust, religious pressure from other Christians or ministers, and could involve such things as soul winning, giving money, praying, attending church services, or helping the needy. All of those things are proper and good, but only if they are motivated by the knowledge of the Word of God. The learning and application of the Word of God must always come first in the Christian's life or he is totally out of line spiritually, and flirting with divine discipline.B - Incest, which is connected to negative volition toward the Word of God and the plan of God. I Cor 5:1-5.
C - Failure to confess sins before communion. I Cor 11:27-31.
D - Negative attitude toward the Word of God resulting in the refusal to kill the enemy. King Saul in I Sam 15:1-35. Because he disobeyed the Word of God and refused to kill the enemy, he died the sin unto death. I Chron 10:1-14.
E - King Hezekiah turned negative toward the Word of God in his government leadership and that led to the sin unto death. Is 30:1-3, & 31:1-3. But King Hezekiah recovered. He turned positive again, which removed the sin unto death. Isaiah chapter 38.
F - Negative believers often blaspheme and are antagonistic to those who teach Bible doctrine. I Tim 1:19-20. This passage tells of two men: Hymeneus and Alexander, who opposed Timothy. They were negative toward the Word of God and they died the sin unto death.
G - Balaam died the sin unto death for his continual negative attitude the Word of God. Numbers chapters 22, 23 & 24. Num 31:8
(6) - The sin unto death does not mean the loss of salvation. II Tim 2:12-13,"If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us. If we are faithless, HE WILL REMAIN FAITHFUL, for he cannot disown himself."
I Cor 5:5,"Hand this man over to Satan, so that the flesh may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord."(7) - The cancellation of the sin unto to death. James 4:8,"Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts you double minded." "Coming near" to God refers to the learning and application of the Word of God on a continual basis. "Wash your hands" refers to the confession of sins on a regular basis. James is using the terminology of the tabernacle in explaining these spiritual issues.
(8) - The sin unto death is not a specific sin. It is the end result of staying out of fellowship with God for a long period of time. Thus, Matt 12:31-32, which mentions the "blasphemy against the Holy Spirit" is not the sin unto death. In fact, it has absolutely nothing to do with Church Age doctrine.
14.Perished in the rebellion of Korah -The name Korah is always related to some type of revolution or rebellion. Therefore, I want to present the doctrine of Revolution.
Doctrine of Revolution
(1).- The Word of God does not justify revolution under any circumstances. The French and Russian Revolutions were not justified, and God did not condone them. Rom 13:1-7 sums up best the attitude of God."Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: if you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor."
I Pet 2:13-17,"Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king."
Dan 2:21,"He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them..."
(2). - If revolution is wrong, the most common question that comes up is "What about the American Revolution?" Technically the American Revolution was not a revolution. It was a war for independence. It was a fight for freedom, not an overthrow of establishment. The American Civil War, or the War Between the States was not a rebellion, or a revolt. The Confederacy was fighting against northern aggression, and fighting for its independence. It did not attempt nor did it desire to overthrow the government in Washington. Revolution, on the other hand, has as its objective the destruction of an organized government. That is why the French and Russian Revolutions were evil and wrong. Their entire purpose was the destruction of existing governments. But a war for independence, or a fight for freedom, is honorable and just, and is not against God's standards.
(3). - Revolution involves both apostasy and a lack of Bible doctrine. Is 1:3-5,"The ox knows his master, the donkey his owner's manager, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand. Ah, sinful nation, a people loaded with guilt, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption. They have forsaken the Lord; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him."
Is 59:13,"Rebellion and treachery against the Lord, turning your backs on your God, formenting oppression and revolt, uttering lies your hearts have conceived."(4).- Revolution is anti-God. Is 31:6,"Return to him(Literally,'Return to the One')you have so greatly revolted against, O Israelites."
(5).- Revolution is caused by failure in the thought patterns of those involved. Jer 5:23,"But these people have stubborn and rebellious hearts;(thinking) they have turned aside and gone away."Therefore, the revolutionist always suffers from mental attitude sins and/or emotional revolt of the soul. These conditions make one mentally ill and very sinful.
(6). - Jealousy and power lust are primary motivators in revolution. Is 11:13 compared to I Kings 12:19. Is 11:13 says,"Ephraim's jealousy will vanish, and Judah's enemies will be cut off; Ephraim will not be be jealous of Judah, nor Judah hostile toward Ephraim."
I Kings 12:19,"So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day." See also II Chron 10:19.(7).- Mental attitude sins on the part of leaders have a tendency to cause mental attitude sins among the citizens. Read Daniel chapters 3 & 4.
(8).- The communication of Bible doctrine is designed to stop revolution. Ezek 2:3-10,"He said to me, 'Son of man, stand up on your feet and I will speak to you.' As he spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me. He said: 'Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they and their fathers have been in revolt against me to this very day. The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, This is what the Sovereign Lords says, And whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are a rebellious house, they will know that a prophet has been among them. And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious house. You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious. But you, son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not rebel like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you."(God gave Ezekiel Bible doctrine.)
(9). - Heathenism is the result of revolution. Rom 1:19-26,"Since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore, God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator, who is forever praised. Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones."
The result of this revolution is degeneration. Rom 1:27-31,"In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God's righteous decrees and those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them."
(10).-Mental attitude sins on a national level leads to instability and unrest in that nation. Daniel chapter 4.
(11).-In revolution, approbation and power lust seek to gain power by the destruction of freedom, rights, privacy, and personal property.
(12).- Therefore, revolution is a Satanic device that is used to establish his cosmic kingdom and to superimpose his will over mankind. A government can be destroyed in one of two ways:
A.-By those in power who abuse that power and end up destroying the economy, the military, or the judicial system.But even though the citizens may have bona fide grievences against the government, the Lord still does not condone revolution.
B.-By those who are surpressed by the government, and then rise up with weapons and violence and overthrow those in power.
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