Jude 8-11
In the very same way, these dreamers pollute their own bodies, reject authority and slander celestial beings. But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" Yet these men speak abusively against whatever they do not understand; and what things they do understand by instinct, like unreasoning animals-these are the very things that destroy them. Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam's error; they have been destroyed in Korah's rebellion.
This is a difficult Scripture to understand, particularly the part about the archangel Michael disputing with the devil about the body of Moses. Although we may not know specifically what they were disputing about, the Scripture does tell us that even the archangel did not accuse the devil, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" This reminds us that we should not judge or accuse God's servants today. God's servants have His anointing and power and it is not for us to judge God's servants, but God Himself will judge them.
Judas referred to three examples in this Scripture. The first is the way of Cain. During the time of Cain, we see that Cain and Abel represented two types of people. Abel represented God's servant, while Cain represented the people of the world. Cain murdered, persecuted and attacked God's servant. Similarly in the church today, we see many who attack God's servants. Although they may not be physically harming God's servants, they persecute them spiritually. The way of Cain will eventually lead to destruction.
The second example is the error of Balaam. Balaam is a money-minded prophet and he caused the Israelites to indulge in sexual immorality with the Maobite women. Balaam's error was that he lured the Israelites away from the teachings of God's servant. When God's people departed from God's teaching, a plague came upon them and those who followed Balaam were destroyed.
The third example discusses Korah's rebellion. Korah was part of the Israelites who followed Moses into the desert. He publically challenged Moses' authority and questioned who Moses was. Korah opposed Moses and Aaron, and said to them, "You have gone too far! The whole community is holy, every one of them, and the LORD is with them. Why then do you set yourselves above the LORD's assembly?" Korah judged Moses in public, and God ultimately caused the ground under them to split apart and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed Korah. Brothers and sisters, similarly in the church today, we tend to challenge God's servants at times. We think that we are all God's people and should not have to submit to the church leadership. However, the truth is God's chosen servants have the anointing and authority of God.
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