A BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE EPISTLE OF JUDE, from page 11.)

We have now what is more the outward expression of these inner workings of apostasy. "These are spots in your love-feasts." Here the meaning is much strengthened by knowing the exact force of the Greek word translated "spots." It has the force, in ordinary use, of a sunken rock covered by the sea. One sees at once the thought of secret and lurking danger. What mariner does not know the fear of a sunken rock hidden by the sea, which may be the means of shattering his vessel ? And such are these avowed wreckers of the truth, yet hidden under the garb of profession. What care, what vigilance, it bespeaks the necessity of on our part since such danger exists! How forcible under such circumstances John's exhortation, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they be of God:because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (i John 4:i).

"Clouds without water, carried along by the winds," speaks of the instability of their ways, of how every fresh invention of the enemy carries them away. They are instruments subject to his subtle devices. It is interesting to note the figure used. The clouds are the "bottles of heaven," filled with water, which is poured forth for the fertilization of the earth-a beautiful illustration of the place the child of God should fill as an agency for the refreshing and blessing and making beautiful for God the scene he is in. These enemies of the truth are clouds without water; they are in the place of profession, but empty, and without that which gives them competence to fill the place.

And this further shows their character. The water is doubtless typical of the word of God, as that which is the means of refreshment and blessing; but this these enemies have not, and they are therefore carried about by every "wind of doctrine" that Satan in his cunning craftiness may bring in.

Here we have, first, the position these enemies occupy-a position which, if those who are faithful are not watchful of, will cause ruin. Secondly, we have their character, clouds without water. And now their condition is spoken of under the figure of a tree. Clearly the point pressed is their readiness for judgment. "Without fruit;" therefore without an evidence of life. " Twice dead;" such it would indeed be impossible to renew again unto life (Heb. 6:4-8), but it remains only to do with them as with briars and thorns, root them up and cast them into the fire.

And so they are "rooted up" shortly, at the ap- pointed time, corresponding in this way to the '' tares " in the parable. Now the practical exhibition of what they are:'' Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shames." (J. N. D.).First, we are to note the restless, unsatisfied and continually disturbed condition which is evidenced by them; and then what comes out of it:not their shame, or " the shame they feel," as another has put it, "but the things that are a shame to them."Finally, we have the reward they go into. Eternal doom has been reserved for them, with all its horror. They are "wandering stars."If we think of the stars as spoken of in the fourth day's work, in their typical meaning speaking of individual believers as lights in the midst of the world's darkness, and of course as a means of guiding in the right way through the darkness, then the thought of perfect steadiness and absolute fixedness is very important. For who can be sure of a light professing to be a guide, yet which is without these characters, and is wandering hither and thither without certainty of position, thus leading others astray? Such indeed are"wandering stars," and such is the character of these enemies of the truth.

In this third part (vers. 14-16) we have manifestation and judgment with it, which of course must accompany where the manifestation is of or against evil. It is both in the case before us. The point here is very important, as it shows us to what these enemies of the truth are going on. The prophecy of Enoch clearly relates to the coining of the Lord in power,- the day of the Lord,-connected with which is the judgment of the ungodly.

The apostle applies this to those in question. It is "prophesied of these." Plainly, then, they are to continue in the course he has outlined until the Lord's appearing in power, when He will judge them. This places them under the ban of apostate Christendom and the headship of Antichrist.

This coming in of the apostasy Jude has been forcibly bringing before us, and we cannot fail to see the marked signs of it on every hand in this day. The growing departure from the truth of those who were but a short while ago the most earnest contenders for it; the advancement of every principle that in any way conflicts with the truths of Christianity; the widespread acceptance of so-called "higher criticism," which is higher only in the sense that those who teach it formerly interpreted Scripture according to theology studied and accepted by a fleshly mind, but are now interpreting it as guided and under the power of Satan's agencies of spiritual wickedness; and, what is still more in ascendency among the masses, the many false and satanic religious beliefs which have their hundreds of thousands of supporters,-all these things point to the character of the times we are living in, and how near the end is. Paul shows us that it is to go on, and culminate in the rising up of the man of sin, whose coming is according to the working of Satan, in all power and signs and wonders of falsehood, and in all deceit of unrighteousness, to them that perish, because they have not received the love of the truth, that they might be saved. This is the condition of those Jude has been speaking of, and which is to go on to the manifestation of the Lord in power and great glory, when they will receive their judgment, as Paul also testifies.

The apostle has thus fully classified (vers. 5-10), characterized (vers. 11-13) and shown us the ultimate end (vers. 14-16) of these enemies of the truth, who are in the ranks of Christian profession, but utterly set against every principle of truth. He has also enjoined upon us, in view of all this, to earnestly contend for the faith-take the place of warriors in defense of what God has given us.

He now takes up our walk in this character. First of all, he turns us back to the whole teaching of the word of God. "But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ" (ver. 17). We know how Paul, Peter, James and John all gave the same faithful warnings. And now Jude shows us more particularly just where we are to expect this to rise from. They are those "who set themselves apart, natural men, not having the Spirit."

We see at once at the root of what tree this lays the ax. Indeed, the whole system of professing Christianity is here shown to be the root from which this condition of apostasy springs-the setting apart of natural men to take the place of the Spirit of God in the midst of His people. And not only do we see this all around us, but we must guard against such as these arising from our own midst. What else could it be productive of but the worst error ? If He who in God's mind is the only One who can search the deep things of God, and make known their blessed truth, if His supremacy as the unifying power of God's people be set aside and human instruments come in, what can result but the fallacy of the human mind intruding into and distorting the truth of God ? so that those who do this fall an easy prey to the wiles of Satan, they being without the safeguard of the truth as taught by the great Teacher. Is this not the sight Christendom presents to us to-day ? The people of God have not risen to the height of their privileges as a royal and holy priesthood. Is it only a name, or a blessed reality ? Is it not the purpose of God that every one of His people should offer up the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to Him ? We surely have abundant reason to do so. May God in His grace grant that we be on our faces about these things, because it is just the lack of God's people, in not having taken their proper place, that has made it possible for a condition to exist out of which will spring apostasy!

We are called, therefore, to fight for the truth. We are warriors, with battle pressing upon us in the offensive. What, then, is to be our attitude ? "Build up yourselves on your most holy faith." We are to strengthen ourselves in our fortifications, we are to see that we are well established, that we have fortified ourselves strongly to resist the onslaught of the enemy; for we shall always find evil to be an offensive power; it puts us on the defensive.

So the first step is to strengthen our position in that whole range of truth; we are to see to every side of it, and build up ourselves in it. How large a field we have, therefore, to defend! And this process of strengthening is to be accompanied by prayer "in the Holy Ghost." We will get in this way our true power for building up, and at the same time marshal our real strength for the battle.

It speaks also of dependence. In proportion as we feel our own nothingness, and therefore our entire dependence, we shall be found seeking the face of God in prayer. May it be more so with us! We, as warriors, can surely speak of it as our only base of supply. J. B. Jr.

(To be continued.)