Jude 8-13 Relying on Their Dreams

Jude 8-13 Relying on Their Dreams

Introduction

When a church forgets what God has said, it becomes vulnerable to what sounds good instead. That is the warning Jude is shouting to his readers. The church is not immune to danger just because it is a spiritual community. In fact, Jude writes because the greatest threat is not from outside the church but from within. People have crept in unnoticed. They look like brothers and sisters in Christ. They use the right words. They attend the right events. They sit at the same table. But their hearts are not ruled by Jesus.

Jude gives strong language to describe these intruders. He calls them “hidden reefs” and “wandering stars.” He is not overreacting. He is sounding the alarm so that the church will remember what was taught, recognize the warning signs, and remain faithful to Jesus.

This section of Jude explores how these false teachers think, how their rebellion is nothing new, and how their judgment is sure. Jude shows us how sin begins by ignoring what God has said, how it spreads by reinterpreting His Word, and how it ends in destruction. He does not warn about harmless mistakes. He is describing the work of the enemy.

1. What They Do Not Understand (Jude 8–10)

The first thing Jude describes is the inner attitude of these people. He says they rely on their dreams. In other words, they trust their own subjective experience more than God's Word. Rather than submitting to Scripture, they use spiritual-sounding language to justify behavior that opposes God.

Because of this, they defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme glorious ones (Jude 1:8). These three actions are not just vague missteps. They are deliberate acts of rebellion. They indulge in sin, refuse to submit, and speak arrogantly about things they do not understand.

Jude gives a powerful contrast in verse 9. Even the archangel Michael, in a mysterious moment of spiritual conflict with the devil over the body of Moses, did not pronounce a judgment on his own. Instead, he said, “The Lord rebuke you” (Jude 1:9). The point is clear. Even Michael knew not to speak flippantly about matters that belong to God. But these false teachers do exactly that. They slander what they do not understand and behave instinctively, like unreasoning animals. Their instincts are not innocent. They are destructive. And what they rely on to guide them is what will ultimately destroy them (Jude 1:10).

2. Remember What Was Taught (Jude 11)

Jude continues with a sobering “woe.” This is not a casual remark. It is the same kind of declaration used by prophets and even by Jesus when announcing judgment. Jude says these false teachers follow the way of Cain, abandon themselves to Balaam’s error, and perish in Korah’s rebellion (Jude 1:11). Each of these examples shows a different face of rebellion.

Cain defiled worship by offering God what was left over instead of what was first. He brought an offering of fruit, but not the firstfruits. Even before the Law was given through Moses, there was already a pattern of what God desired. Abel offered the firstborn of his flock and the fat portions. Cain gave out of abundance, not sacrifice. When God rejected his offering, Cain became angry. But God told him that if he did well, he would be accepted. Instead of repenting, Cain killed his brother (Genesis 4:1–8). Later instructions in the Law confirm that grain offerings were acceptable, but they had to be the firstfruits and not mixed with leaven (Leviticus 2:11–13). False teachers defile the flesh not only by physical immorality but by corrupting worship and justifying sin rather than repenting.

Jesus once praised a poor widow who gave all she had while others gave out of their wealth (Mark 12:41–44). False teachers, like Cain, do the opposite. They give God leftovers and expect Him to be pleased.

Balaam was a prophet who would not outright curse Israel, but he still cooperated with Balak, king of Moab. He taught Balak how to tempt Israel into idolatry and sexual immorality. He would not speak against Israel directly because he knew they were blessed, but he found a way to profit by advising Israel’s enemies (Numbers 22:7–14, 24:10–14, 31:16). Balaam's error was loving the wages of wickedness (2 Peter 2:15). He used his spiritual platform for personal gain. In Revelation, Jesus rebukes the church in Pergamum for tolerating the teaching of Balaam (Revelation 2:14).

False teachers today do the same. They walk a fine line that avoids clear rebellion while still undermining truth. They accommodate the enemies of Christ. They market their influence. They flatter others, manipulate doctrine, and hollow out the church from within.

Korah directly opposed God’s appointed leader. He gathered others and accused Moses of elevating himself above the assembly. He despised his circumstances and rebelled against the authority God had put in place (Numbers 16:1–3). When challenged, Korah and his followers refused to come. They even called Egypt “a land flowing with milk and honey” and blamed Moses for not delivering what God had promised (Numbers 16:12–14). God responded by opening the ground and swallowing them whole (Numbers 16:28–32).

This is the path of false teachers. They do not offer God what is His. They work against His mission. They reject the authority of His Son. In doing so, they reveal that their hearts are not just misaligned. They are in opposition to the truth.

3. Characteristics of False Teachers (Jude 12–13)

Jude finishes this section with six metaphors that describe the nature of false teachers. Each one reveals their danger, their selfishness, and their ultimate fate:

• Hidden reefs at love feasts. Like rocks under the water that sink ships, they are present where people gather to worship and remember Christ.
• Shepherds feeding themselves. Instead of caring for the flock, they use the church to satisfy their own desires.
• Waterless clouds. They promise refreshment but deliver nothing. They are carried by every wind, lacking root or consistency.
• Fruitless trees in late autumn. In the season when fruit should be full, they are barren. Jude says they are twice dead and uprooted.
• Wild waves of the sea. They stir up shame and disorder. What they throw up is filth, not fruit.
• Wandering stars. They do not give true light. They are not fixed. They drift in darkness and are headed for judgment.

Jude says the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved for them forever (Jude 1:13). These are not warnings of temporary discipline. These are pronouncements of final judgment.

Final Reflection

Jude’s words are not casual observations. They are urgent, Spirit-inspired warnings to the church. He is not describing hypothetical threats or ancient problems. He is exposing what is already happening within the body of Christ. The letter is not a call to prepare for danger. It is a call to recognize that the danger is already here. False teachers have crept in. They do not just promote bad theology. They destroy lives. They are not misinformed seekers of truth. They are bold rejecters of God’s authority. Jude says they defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme glorious beings (Jude 1:8). These are not light accusations. These are indictments that should drive the church to remember what was taught and reject spiritual laziness.

We all know people who have walked away from the church. We all know people who claim to follow Jesus but have no knowledge of the Word. We all know people who live in sin and are content because they believe they are saved. So what happened? Is the Word of God without power to save? Is the gospel too weak to justify? Is Christ not beautiful enough to love? No. Christ is enough. His Word is powerful. But He must be clearly proclaimed, faithfully taught, and gloriously displayed. And for too long, wolves in sheep’s clothing have gone unchecked. This is not just about the world pressing in. This is about deception rising from within.

Jude's warning is not about an invisible enemy outside the church. It is about enemies pretending to be brothers and sisters, sharing the table, but opposing the truth. That is why this letter matters. It calls us to contend for the faith, to expose false teachers, and to treasure the real Jesus.

Scripture References

• Genesis 4:1–8 – Cain gave from his abundance, not his best, and killed his brother rather than repenting.
• Leviticus 2:11–13 – Grain offerings must be without leaven and must be the firstfruits, not leftovers.
• Mark 12:41–44 – A widow gives all she has and is praised, unlike Cain who gave what was left.
• Numbers 22:7–14 – Balaam refuses to curse Israel but entertains gain through spiritual compromise.
• Numbers 24:10–14 – Balaam confesses God’s control but still cooperates with Israel’s enemies.
• Numbers 31:16 – Balaam’s advice led Israel to sin with Moab and brought a plague on the people.
• Revelation 2:14 – Jesus rebukes a church for tolerating the teaching of Balaam.
• Numbers 16:1–3 – Korah and others rebel against Moses, accusing him of pride.
• Numbers 16:12–14 – Korah refuses to answer Moses and distorts the truth about Egypt and the promise.
• Numbers 16:28–32 – God judges Korah and his followers by opening the ground beneath them.