Six Metaphors of False Teachers Jude 12-13

Jude 12-13 These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; 13 raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.

Who are “These”? Once again, Jude is referring to the false teachers that had infiltrated the Church. These are the same as the dreamers from verse 8.

#1: Hidden spots These are spots in your love feasts… The Greek word translated “spots” carries the meaning of a hidden reef. These people are like jagged rocks just below the surface of the water waiting to snag you when they join your love feasts. (Common English Bible)

1 Timothy 1:18-19 This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck The first metaphor used by Jude would be very meaningful to a group of people that were very dependent upon the sea.

What are the “love feasts”? Separate from the Lord’s Supper, I suppose we would call them a potluck dinner. They were very common in the early days of the Church.

1 Corinthians 11:20-22 Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper. 21 For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you.

#2: Selfish Shepherds “These people are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm— shepherds who feed only themselves.” (NIV)

Ezekiel 34:2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God to the shepherds: “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? These leaders of the Church only cared about themselves! Their responsibility to the flock was forgotten.

#3: Rainless Clouds “…They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds” Imagine being a poor farmer being teased by the clouds that do not produce rain! Just as quickly as they appear, the winds push them away.

Proverbs 25:14 Whoever falsely boasts of giving Is like clouds and wind without rain. Never be a blowhard! Compare with a teacher who appears to be ready to lead the congregation to salvation….only to stop short and not fulfill their obligation.

#4 Fruitless trees …late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots Like the rain cloud, a tree offers hope and expectation of a reward. The fruitless tree has failed to live up to this expectation. Twice dead?

1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. As Christians, we have gone from death to life. If we fail to continue in the Christian life, would we not be considered twice dead?

1 Timothy 5:6 But she [widow] who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. Twice dead?

Pulled up by the roots Ezekiel 17:9 ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Will it thrive? Will he not pull up its roots, Cut off its fruit, And leave it to wither? All of its spring leaves will wither, And no great power or many people Will be needed to pluck it up by its roots.

#5: Raging Waves “…raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame” The waves appear powerful, yet by the time they reach the shore all they produce is foam. All they leave in their wake is debris.

Isaiah 57:20-21 But the wicked are like the troubled sea, When it cannot rest, Whose waters cast up mire and dirt. 21 “There is no peace,” Says my God, “for the wicked.”

#6: Wandering Stars “…wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever” It is likely that Jude is referring to falling stars, or stars that have wandered off course. When people counted on the stars for navigation, a misleading star would be devastating. Those that are leaders in the Church cannot lose their direction.

Conclusion Six Metaphors of the False Teachers: 1) Hidden spots 2) Selfish shepherds 3) Rainless clouds 4) Fruitless trees 5) Raging waves 6) Wandering stars

Conclusion The common denominator of the metaphors is failing short of what is expected, and not being what is represented. Leaders of the Church have a grave responsibility to lead the congregation in a proper way that glorifies God.