Jude 1:14-15 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his saints,… 1. Christ's second coming is to judgment. When we frustrate the end of His coming as a Redeemer, we make way for the end of His coming as a Judge. 2. When Christ cometh to judgment, one great part of His work will be to convince sinners, and that openly, publicly. 3. Again observe, when Christ hath convinced, He will condemn, and when He hath condemned, He will execute. 4. From that "of all their ungodly deeds," etc., observe that the process of the last day chiefly lieth against the ungodly. Ungodliness doth chiefly provoke; for the chiefest part of the law provideth for our duty to God. The dignity of every command is known by the order of it. Now, in the first place, godliness is required, and then righteousness, or a care of moral duties. 5. Once more observe, these ungodly men are the rather judged because they commit sin with an ungodly mind; for so it is in the text, "ungodly deeds ungodly committed." A child of God may fall into wickedness, but he doth not commit it wickedly, with a full consent; men are not condemned for infirmities, but iniquities. A godly man doth not so much act sin as he suffereth by it. He doth not pour out his whole heart this way; there are constant dislikes in the soul, which are a restraint to him. 6. From the next clause, "and their hard speeches," observe, not only the deeds of ungodly men, but their speeches are brought into judgment. Words do not perish with the breath with which they are uttered; no, they remain upon record, and we are to give an account of them at the last day (Matthew 12:36; James 2:12). 7. Once more from thence observe, that of all speeches men's "hard speeches" shall be produced at the day of judgment. Now, what are these hard speeches? I answer — Either such as have anger in them (Proverbs 4:24); or such as have pride in them, or contempt of others, as when we lessen their abilities, insult over their miseries (Psalm 69:26); or triumph over their failings. Again, such as have bitterness and malice in them, as calumnies and reproaches (Psalm 64:3, 4). 8. The next note is, that of all hard speeches those are the worst which do most directly reflect upon the honour and glory of Christ; for so it is in the text, "hard speeches spoken against Him." Now, hard speeches against Christ are either blasphemies against either of His natures, or murmurings against His providence: "Your words have been stout against Me" (Malachi 3:13). When we tax Providence, as if the Lord were blind, careless, unjust, or injurious in His dealings. So also when we speak against His ways, calling zeal fury, strictness a foolish preciseness, and godliness puritanism. O Christians! these hard speeches will cost dear, here or hereafter. (T. Manton.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, |
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