Thank you for listening to Servants for Christ. In all that we do, in all that we say, we want to give glory and honor to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Thank you for tuning us in as we get into the wonderful Word of God. For the next few minutes, let's take the beautiful Word of God and share it with each and every one of you as we have a sense of anticipation to take the Word of God and to listen to its truth for each and every one. Amen, thank you for tuning us in. I'm Darrell Bailey, service for Christ. As we continue on in our series, Shield Up. Amen, Shield Up. I'm glad as we take our Bibles right next to the book of Revelation, the little book of Jude. Here as the sixth in our series, Shield Up. I thank God this series is designed to explore the profound wisdom of the book of Jude, and it's a powerful letter right at the end of the New Testament. It's just 25 verses, but this epistle is a call to arms for the faithful, a clarion call to stand firm in the face of challenges and threats to our faith. Here, we look at the message of Jude, who introduces himself as the servant of Jesus Christ and the brother of James. And with a wonderful, urgent, and earnest, Jude writes to the community, dealing with internal strife and external pressures. His letter is a blend of encouragement and warning, urging believers to contend for the faith and to remain vigilant against false teachers and moral decay. Here in Jude's Shield Up series, it'll guide us through the letters and it'll defend the gospel and the dangers posed by those that are out there that are apostasy. And it'll uncover Jude's imagery and exhortations, exploring the descriptions of the challenges of the early church and for overcoming them. And so, when we look at verses 14 and 15 of Jude. We talk about the return of the true king. The return of the true king. Now, in verses 14 and 15 of Jude, the main lesson is the prophecy of Enoch about the coming of the Lord to execute judgment on the ungodly. But the key point emphasizes the certainty of divine judgment and the ultimate accountability of all people before God. It highlights that Jesus will return to bring justice and address the wrongdoing of the ungodly. And so if you would, you have your Bibles and you have them handy, follow us right along with the little book of Jude in verses 14 and 15. And as we do, listen to the reading of God's word. in verse 14. And Enoch, also the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these sayings. Behold, the Lord cometh with 10,000 of his saints, in verse 15, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches with ungodly sinners have spoken against him. with a word of prayer. Father, as we gather before you with hearts full of expectation, Lord, we look at your word and we seek your guidance and wisdom. Open our hearts and minds to the profound truth and may your spirit lead us into understanding and conviction, preparing us to live in the light of your coming kingdom. In the mighty name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, amen. As we look At our message in Jude verses 14 and 15, we talk about the return of the true king. In a remote and tranquil village nestled in the shadow of the ancient mountains, there was a legend passed down through the generations about a noble king who had once ruled with wisdom and justice. The villagers often spoke of his reign with reverence. recalling the peace and prosperity that marked his time on the throne. However, The king had mysteriously disappeared many years ago, leaving the land in a state of uncertainty and longing. As the years went by, the village faced numerous challenges and hardships. The once thriving community struggled under the weight of corrupt leaders and increasing strife. Despite these trials, the villagers held on to the hope that one day their beloved king would return to restore order and righteousness to the land. They kept alive the memory of his rule through stories and traditions, believing that his return would bring about a new era of justice and peace. One day, A grand herald arrived in the village bearing a message that filled the hearts of the villagers with joy and anticipation. The king was returning. The king was returning. The herald spoke of the king's imminent arrival and the promises of his just rule. The villagers prepared for the grand return, eagerly awaiting the moment when their rightful king would once again assume the throne and restore their land to its former glory. In the same way, that Jude verses 14 and 15 speaks to us of the anticipated return of a king who will bring ultimate justice and righteousness. The passage reminds us of the prophecy concerning the coming of the Lord to judge the ungodly and to establish a reign of truth and fairness. And so, We reflect on this promise as we prepare our hearts and minds for the return of our true King, who will restore justice and righteousness to our world today. And just as the villagers eagerly awaited their King's return, we too should live in anticipation of Christ's coming, ensuring that we are ready for His arrival and committed to living according to His ways. I'm glad when we look at the Word of God, We're reminded today that of the return, especially as we look at things today that we try to remind ourselves that, you know what, it would be good if some things returned the way they used to be. We know they never will. But as Jude reveals, he's talking about the next time Jesus comes, that it will not be humility, but in glory. As we explore the promise, we look into the words of Jude. And one of the first things we see is the first preacher of the second coming, Enoch's prophetic role. Jude 14 tells us that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about the second coming of Jesus. And despite the limited references to Enoch in scripture, his role as the first preacher of Christ's return is profound. You know, when we look, false teachers are doomed. They're to be judged by the Lord Jesus Himself. And the Lord Jesus is returning to earth to judge false teachers. He's coming with 10,000 of His holy ones, and the word 10,000 means thousands multiplied by thousands, multitudes and myriads, an unlimited number of holy beings. He is coming to judge the world. And we look at the present passage that's talking specifically about the judgment of false teachers, the judgment of all those who have taught something other than the fact that Jesus Christ is the Son of God sent into the world to save men. You see, false teachers will be judged for two things. Number one, They will be judged for all their ungodly deeds. All the deeds that did not center around Jesus Christ as God's son shall bring judgment upon the false teachers. And I'm glad that we see also they will be judged for all the untrue, harsh, and defiant words spoken against Christ. And so Jude says that Enoch prophesied these things and then he gives the prophecy of Enoch. Jude is referring to the Apocryphal Book of Enoch. And so, you know, as it's one of those that was not justified for being canonized, it is a historical book, but it is not one of profound teaching. And so, when we look and we realize that from this book, The first preacher of the second coming, Enoch's prophetic role in verse 14. You know, in Genesis chapter five, verse 22, Enoch walked with God as he begat Methuselah 300 years and he begat sons and daughters. In Hebrews 11, five, by faith, Enoch was translated that he should not see death and was not found because God had translated him for before his translation, he had this testimony that he pleased God. And so, in Genesis 5.24, Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him. You see, Enoch's message of Christ's return is remarkable. As he lived before Jesus' first coming, his life exemplifies a dedication to God and a clear vision of future judgment, serving as a beacon for those who await the second coming. And so, When we look at the first preacher of the second coming, we see Enoch's prophetic role in verse 14. But also, secondly, Enoch's message and its revelance. Because Enoch's prophecy was not just a historical footnote, it was a revelant message for us today. His life and message remind us to live in constant expectation of Christ's return. Matthew 24, verses 37, 38, 39 says, but as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood, they were eating and drinking and marrying and giving in marriage until the day that Noah entered into the ark and knew not until the flood came and took them all away, so shall also the coming of the son of man be. And so, Enoch's wavering message in a world that is marked by corruption and violence encourages us to remain steadfast in our faith and hope. Boy, we see that today, don't we? We see a world that is in so much chaos out there right now. And so, not only from the first preacher of the second coming of Enoch's prophetic role, Enoch's message and its revelance, but we see also Enoch's prophetic impact because though not all Enoch's prophecies are known, his role as the first to speak of Christ's return establishes the certainty and the significance of this promise. 1 Thessalonians 4, verses 16 and 17, the Bible says, for the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God. and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord." Enoch's prophecy sets the stage for understanding the certainty and the grandeur of Christ's return. And so we see here the first preacher of the second coming when we look at the promise of the words of Jude that he says the first preacher of the second coming but also he sees the factual promise of the second coming as well because the certainty of Christ is returned Enoch's prophecy in Jude verses 14 and 15 emphasizes the certainty of Christ's return with ten thousands of his saints. Revelation 13, 8 says, And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Enoch's statement is in prophetic past tense, affirming the certainty of what is yet to come as if it has already occurred in God's timeless perspective. And so the factual promise of the second coming, the certainty of Christ's return, as Enoch's prophecy, but also the significance of that delay, because while the promise of Christ's return is assured, the delay is due to God's mercy and patience. 2 Peter 3, 9, the Bible says, the Lord's not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness, but is long-suffering to us, were not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. You see, God's delay is an opportunity for people to repent and to receive salvation. and it's not a sign of neglect. And so the factual promise of that second coming, the certainty of Christ's return, the significance of the delay, but also thirdly, the certainty of that prophecy, because Enoch's prophecy shows that what God has promised will indeed come to pass. Isaiah 46.10 declares to us, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, my counsel shall stand and I will do all my pleasure. So this reinforces the unshakable certainty of God's promises and prophecies. And so we see the first preacher of the second coming. and the factual promise of the second coming. But thirdly, we see the fearful prospect of that second coming. Here we see judgment and justice. Enoch prophesied that the return of Christ will be marked by judgment upon the ungodly. 2 Thessalonians 1, verses 7, 8, 9, and 10 says, And to you who are troubled, rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power. You see, Christ's return will bring about an ultimate justice and righteousness. the fearful prospect of that second coming, the judgment, and the justice. Secondly, the conviction of the ungodly, because Christ is coming, we'll expose and convict all of the ungodly deeds, ways, and words. Matthew chapter 12, verses 36 and 37 says, but I say unto you that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give an account thereof in the day of judgment, for by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. You see, this underscores the seriousness of all of our actions and words in light of a divine judgment that's coming in the future. And so, the fearful prospect of that second coming, first, the judgment and the justice, secondly, the conviction of the ungodly, but thirdly, the finality of judgment, because there'll be no escape. There won't be no loopholes for the ungodly when Christ returns. You better make things right now. Because once you're dead, there's no coming back and there's no change in anything. You've got to make a change while you're still alive in this body. Hebrews 9.27 says, as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this, the judgment. You see, the final judgment is inevitable and everyone will face it without exception. And so we see the first preacher of the second coming. And we see, secondly, the factual promise of that second coming. And thirdly, the fearful prospect of that second coming. And so, as we await the return of our King, we've got to reflect on the implications of Enoch's prophecy. His message was not just a distant vision, but a present call to faithfulness and readiness. And the certainty of Christ's return should inspire every one of us to live righteously and evangelize and know that the coming of the Lord will bring both reward and reward. and judgment. You know, we need to understand Christ's return to encourage believers to live with integrity and purpose, aligning our lives with his teachings, because it reinforces the importance of living a life that reflects our faith and hope in Christ's imminent return. And you know, we can prepare by deepening our relationship with God through prayer and Bible study, living out our faith through righteous actions, sharing the gospel with others, maintaining a posture of readiness and repentance is the key word. And also, the promise of Christ's return should prompt every one of us to examine our lives for any areas of sin or compromise. It motivates us to uphold the biblical standards in our actions to advocate for righteousness in our community striving to be a light in a dark world. And so I thank God each and every one of us as we look and we realize what the Lord is doing. God wants to make a difference and he wants to use you to make that difference, amen. Remember the return of the true king because each and every one of us, I'm glad that when we look and realize that that herald, that first herald of Christ's return is Enoch's prophetic vision. Amen. And I'm glad that When every one of us look and realize that first herald of Christ's return, we see the revelance of Enoch's message that was timely and revelant in his day. Our modern culture, like Enoch's, is characterized by disbelief in God's word and moral decay. People are quick to criticize and reject biblical truths in favor of human ideologies. It's sad today. Think of Enoch as a watchman warning an impending storm, just as a watchman's warning are vital for preparation. Enoch's prophecies are crucial for every one of us, amen, for preparing for Christ's return. And so I'm glad that we see that there's a guarantee of a promise. And I'm glad Enoch's message underscores that Christ's return is a very, very powerful thing because I know that consider a builder who promises to complete a structure. No matter the delays or obstacles, the builder's reputation ensures the project will be finished. Similarity, God's promises are certain and they will come to fruitation. And so, when we all look and realize the consequences of Christ's return, the judgment of the ungodly that Enoch prophesied that Christ's return would bring judgment and the fulfillment of the justice of God, the image we see of a courtroom, where all are held accountable for their actions serves as a powerful metaphor. Just as there's no escape from a courtroom's judgment, there'll be no escape from God's final judgment. And as we reflect on the prophecy of Enoch and the certainty of Christ's return, We need to ask ourselves, are we living with the anticipation of Christ's return? Like Enoch, our lives should be marked by a close walk with God and a clear testimony of his promises. Hey, are we sharing this message of hope and warning with others? Just as Enoch proclaimed the coming of the Lord, we too should be heralds of his return. Are we prepared for the judgment that will come with Christ's return? Reflecting on our own lives, we must ensure that we're living in alignment with God's will, ready to stand before Him. And so, in light of Enoch's prophecy, we are reminded of the certain and impactful return of Christ. We must live in anticipation, share the message of His coming, and prepare ourselves for the final judgment, amen. Let's close out with a power of prayer. Father, we thank you for the promise of Christ's return. Help us to live in light of this truth, to walk faithfully with you, and to share this hope with others. Prepare our hearts for your coming, and may we be found ready in the mighty name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. you