In verses 3-4 Jude makes a quick warning about ungodly men that were creeping in and were guilty of turning the grace of God into lewdness and denying the Lordship of God and Jesus. In verse 5-7 Jude continues to give us more details to reinforce his point by giving us three historical biblical examples for us to remember when God’s condemnation was righteous against those who act ungodly.
# 1 (Verse 5) Remember Israel in the Wilderness – God delivered Israel from Egyptian bondage by His grace. But there were some who lacked faith and so they had to wander around the wilderness for 40 years. All those that were over the age of 20 when they left Egypt did not enter the promised land except Joshua and Caleb and their families. Those that were saved were 603,550 and those that were destroyed were 603,548. Now that is a purge of wickedness.
Here is the point: God is not afraid to destroy those that were also saved! You may be saved now but that does not mean that you will always be saved. Israel was saved from Egypt but not all were able to saved to enter the promised land all because of their lack of faith. Jude wants us to remember what happened to Israel.
# 2 (Verse 6) Remember the Angels Who Sinned – There is very little we know from the scriptures about this but certainly things that we can conclude from this verse. First, there were angels at one point who did not keep their proper place and left their own habitation. Peter tells us simply that the angels “sinned” (2 Peter 2:4). This seems to have a reference back to what happened in Genesis 6:1-4 where the “sons of God” had sex with the daughters of men. Traditionally, these “sons of God” are interpreted to be angels who had sexual relations with human women and it was not pleasing to God. Peter explains that God “cast them down to hell” waiting for the final judgment.
Here is the point: God is willing and ready to give everlasting punishment to those who choose wicked ways. He has even fallen angels waiting for the final judgment so don’t you think for a minute He is not willing and ready to place you in the same condition for your wicked ways.
# 3 (Verse 7) Remember Sodom and Gomorrah – God was fed up with the wickedness of these two cities and His judgment is clearly described in Genesis 19:24-28. This judgment came because their sins was exceedingly grave. Jude says that in a similar manner these people like the angels in verse 6 had indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh sexually. Gross!
Here is the point: Both Jude and Peter make the point that these two cities are a grave example of those who would live ungodly and those that will be suffering the punishment of eternal fire. Even thought he fire that destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah was short lived the people that lived there are to experience eternal fire for their wicked ways. Scary!
Final point: Remember these examples of wicked people and steer clear of following after their footsteps. These are serious warnings and we need to take it serious in our own lives!