Jude 14–16 Behold, the Lord Comes...to Execute Judgment on All

Behold, the Lord Comes...to Execute Judgment on All

Jude 14–16

When people talk about Christianity, the topic of judgment usually makes them uncomfortable. Some think it is too harsh. Others think it does not fit with the message of grace. But Jude, the brother of Jesus, makes it clear that judgment is not a new idea. He quotes Enoch, the seventh from Adam, to remind us that God has always promised to bring justice to His creation.

Judgment Was Always Part of the Plan

Enoch said, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His holy ones to execute judgment on all." This was spoken long before Abraham, Moses, or the prophets. Long before the law, even before the flood. That means the truth of God’s judgment has been known since the beginning. It is not a man-made idea. It is the foundation of how God deals with evil.

Judgment is not just about punishment. It is about setting things right. The kingdom of God, which was delayed after the fall, is still coming. And when it does, the Lord will come to rule and to judge.

The book of Hebrews says judgment is one of the elementary teachings of Christ (Hebrews 6:1–2). Without it, the gospel loses its meaning. If there is no judgment, then there is no need for a Savior. But if judgment is coming, then Christ becomes our only hope.

The apostle Paul teaches that everyone will appear before the judgment seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10). That includes believers. Salvation does not mean we escape accountability. It means our sins are covered. But our lives will still be tested. What we have done will matter. Faith in Jesus should lead to obedience, not carelessness.

James takes it a step further and says teachers will be judged more strictly (James 3:1). Those who speak for God carry a greater weight. Jude’s warning is serious because it targets false teachers who live among the church. They are not only leading others astray, they are heaping judgment on themselves.

Jesus Will Judge the Living and the Dead

Jesus himself described the final judgment as a great separation. He will gather all people before Him and divide them like a shepherd separates sheep from goats (Matthew 25:31–32). That moment will be personal. It will be clear. And it will be final.

Not only our actions, but even our words will be judged. Jesus said that we will give an account for every careless word we speak (Matthew 12:36–37). False teachers who manipulate with their speech and twist truth for gain will not escape that day.

The apostles preached that Jesus is the one appointed by God to judge the living and the dead (Acts 10:42). This is not a minor doctrine. It is tied to every part of our faith. The Old Testament repeatedly warned of the Day of the Lord—a time of wrath, vengeance, and final justice (Obadiah 1:15, Jeremiah 46:10, Isaiah 13:9–11).

But here is the good news. For those who are in Christ, there is no condemnation (Romans 8:1–4). We are not afraid of judgment. We are thankful for it. Because Jesus took our punishment, we now stand forgiven. Our works will still be tested, but our place is secure (1 Corinthians 3:12–15).

False Teachers Will Be Exposed

Jude says that false teachers will be convicted by both their actions and their words (Jude 15b). Jesus gave a parable to help us understand this. The wheat and the weeds grow together until the harvest. Then the weeds are burned, and the wheat is gathered (Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43). On that day, every heart will be revealed.

Paul tells the church in Thessalonica that God will repay those who afflict His people and give relief to those who suffer. He will come with fire to punish those who reject the gospel (2 Thessalonians 1:5–10). That is not cruelty. It is justice.

Jude also describes the character of false teachers. They are grumblers, malcontents, and slaves to their own desires (Jude 16a). Paul warns of this in several letters. He says such people crave controversy (1 Timothy 6:3–5), upset whole households (Titus 1:10–16), and live as enemies of the cross (Philippians 3:17–21).

They are not humble servants. They are loud boasters who seek influence through flattery (Jude 16b). Paul says they deceive the naive with smooth talk (Romans 16:17–19). Proverbs teaches us that flattering words can hide hatred, but their wickedness will eventually be exposed (Proverbs 26:22–28).

Let the Church Be Ready

What does this mean for the church?

It means we must be careful who we follow. We must test every voice, every message, and every teacher. A true shepherd wants nothing from you but for you to know Christ. A false teacher wants to be admired, served, and followed.

My desire is not to gain anything from you. I want you to see Jesus. I want you to see the beauty of the gospel. I want you to know that God’s plan for salvation has been working through history and that judgment is not something to fear, but something to understand.

False teachers use the church to get what they want. But true shepherds protect the church, feed the sheep, and point them to the cross.

Conclusion

One day, Christ will return. Everyone will stand before Him. For those who trust in Him, there is no fear. There is no condemnation. But for those who reject the truth, who twist grace, and who lead others astray, there is judgment.

Now is the time to repent. Now is the time to cling to the truth. Now is the time to follow Jesus. When He comes, let us be found faithful.

Scripture References

  • Jude 14–16 – Enoch's prophecy shows judgment has always been part of God's plan. False teachers will be judged.
  • Hebrews 6:1–2 – Eternal judgment is a basic Christian teaching, not a fringe doctrine.
  • 2 Corinthians 5:10 – Every person will stand before Christ and give an account.
  • James 3:1 – Teachers will face stricter judgment and greater responsibility.
  • Matthew 25:31–32 – Jesus will separate the righteous from the wicked.
  • Matthew 12:36–37 – Every word will be judged, not just every action.
  • Acts 10:42 – Jesus is the Judge appointed by God for all humanity.
  • Obadiah 1:15 – The Day of the Lord brings personal accountability for every nation.
  • Jeremiah 46:10 – God's vengeance will be poured out in judgment.
  • Isaiah 13:9–11 – The Day of the Lord is a time of wrath and destruction.
  • Romans 8:1–4 – Believers face no condemnation because Jesus bore our judgment.
  • 1 Corinthians 3:12–15 – Our works will be tested, and some will last.
  • Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43 – The wheat and weeds will be separated at the end.
  • 2 Thessalonians 1:5–10 – God will repay affliction and glorify His saints.
  • 1 Timothy 6:3–5 – False teachers crave controversy and reject godliness.
  • Titus 1:10–16 – False teachers must be silenced and corrected.
  • Philippians 3:17–21 – Enemies of the cross follow their own desires.
  • Romans 16:17–19 – False teachers deceive with smooth talk and flattery.
  • Proverbs 26:22–28 – Flattering words hide hatred, but evil will be exposed.

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