Hi Everyone!
Today, we will discuss The General Epistles
Acts 1:6 through 8 states, “When they therefore were come together, they asked Him, saying, Lord, art thou at this time about to restore the Kingdom to Israel? Whereupon He said to them, It is not for you to know times and seasons which the Father hath reserved in His own disposal. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit is come upon you; and you shall be witnesses for Me in (1) Jerusalem and (2) in all Judaea, and (3) Samaria, and (4) to the remotest part of the earth.”
So, in the last sermon, we learned that the Apostles/Disciples did just that. We saw that Peter and the other Apostles who preached the Gospel to the Judaeans first, especially the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost where three thousand lives were saved, as well as the stoning of Stephen for telling the Truth, the conversion of Saul on the Road to Damascus by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ – he being of the Tribe of Benjamin as well as the remaining eleven Apostles/Disciples of Jesus Christ. We also saw the rejection of the Gospel of Jesus Christ by the Jews, wherein Paul and Barnabus immediately turned their attention to the Gentiles, i.e. The Nations, and the remotest parts of the earth, which included the British Isles of the Roman Empire.
The General Epistles
Today, we will deal with the General Epistles of James, First and Second Peter, First, Second and Third John, and Jude. Why am I not dealing with the Pauline Epistles first? Well, remember what Jesus said in Acts 1:6 through 8.
In nearly every version or translation of the New Testament, the General Epistles are found after the Book of Hebrews and before the Book of The Revelation of Jesus Christ. But that was not the original placement of the seven General Epistles.
Few people who read the New Testament realize that in its original canonization by the Apostles of Jesus Christ – Paul, Peter, and John – the General Epistles were placed immediately after the Book of The Acts of the Apostles and before the Epistle to the Romans. That is the proper order of the Books in the New Testament, as “inspired” by God the Father and Jesus Christ. To this day, the Byzantine Text of the New Testament retains the correct order of the books.
The General Epistles clearly teach that obedience to the Laws and Commandments of Father YAHWEH is required of all Christians and is essential for salvation. The General Epistles laid a firm Scriptural foundation for understanding Paul’s words concerning Law and Grace, not only in the Epistle to the Romans, but in his other Epistles as well. If the original order of the Apostolic Epistles had been retained by the translators of the New Testament, perhaps the Scriptural teachings concerning Grace and Law-Keeping would not have been so universally misconstrued.
While the General Epistles are relatively short, they contain clear and easy to understand instructions for Christian living. James 1:22-25 states, “Then be doers of the Word, and not only hearers, deceiving your own selves; because if anyone is a hearer of the Word, and not only hearers, deceiving your own selves; because if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, this one is like a man considering his natural face in a mirror who, after looking at himself, went away and immediately forgot what he was like. But the one who has looked into the perfect law of freedom, and has continued in it, this one himself has not become a forgetful hearer, but is a doer of the work. This one shall be blessed in his actions.”
James shows that Christians who truly understand the law of freedom and want to receive YAHWEH’s Blessings will be keeping all the Commandments of YAHWEH. James makes it explicitly clear that to break even one of these Commandments is SIN!
James 2:8 through 12 states, “IF you are truly keeping the Royal Law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing well. But if you have respect of persons, you are practicing sin, being convicted by the Law as transgressors; for if anyone keeps the whole law, but sins in one aspect, he becomes guilty of all. For He Who said, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ also said, ‘You shall not commit murder.’ Now if you do not commit adultery, but you commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the Law. In this manner speak and, in this manner, behave as those who are about to be judged by the Law of Freedom.”
I John 3:4 states, “Whosoever committeth SIN transgresseth also The Law: for SIN is the transgression of The Law.” So, SIN is defined by YAHWEH according to His Perfect Law as stated in the Books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy, and Psalm 19 and Psalm 119.
After James’ powerful words, we find the Epistles of Peter, which confirm that obedience to God is required of all believers. Peter admonishes in I Peter 1:14 through 17, “As obedient children, do not conform yourselves to your former lusts, as you did in your ignorance. But according as He Who has called you is Holy, you yourselves also be Holy in all your conduct; for it is written, ‘You be Holy, because I am Holy.’ And if you call upon the Father, Who judges according to each man’s work without respect of persons, pass the time of your life’s journey in the fear of God.”
Following Peter’s writings are the inspired words of John, which make it absolutely clear that Commandment-Keeping is required for salvation. I John 2:3 through 6 states, “And by this standard we know that we know Him: if we keep His Commandments. Anyone who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His Commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. On the other hand, if anyone is keeping His Word, truly in this one the love of God is being perfected [made complete]. By this means we know that we are in Him. Anyone who claims to dwell in Him is obligating himself also to walk even as He Himself walked.”
John shows that it is a grievous error to claim that Christians do not need to keep God’s Commandments. He makes it clear that those who teach this false view are actually promoting sin! John proclaims in I John 3:4, “Everyone who practices sin is also practicing lawlessness, for sin is lawlessness.”
After James’, Peter’s, and John’s exhortations comes an urgent warning from the Apostle Jude to be on guard against those who promote lawlessness. Jude 3 through 4 states, “Beloved, when personally exerting all my diligence to write to you concerning the common salvation, I was compelled to write to you, exhorting you to fervently fight for the faith, which once for all time has been delivered to the saints. For certain men have stealthily crept in; those who long ago have been written about, condemning them to this judgment. They are ungodly men, who are perverting the grace of our God, turning it into licentiousness, and are personally denying the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.”
These selected quotes from the General Epistles, which clearly reveal that Commandment-Keeping is required of all Christians, should give the reader a better understanding of why God inspired the Apostles who compiled the New Testament to place these seven Epistles before the Apostle Paul’s Epistle to the Romans. The Epistle to the Romans contains some very difficult to understand teachings about Law and Grace. Peter wrote in II Peter 3:15 through 16, “And bear in mind that the long-suffering of our Lord is salvation, exactly as our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has also written to you; as he has also in all his Epistles, speaking in them concerning these things; in which are some things that are difficult to understand, which the ignorant and unstable are twisting and distorting, as they also twist and distort the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.”
Shortly before the close of the Apostolic Era, false apostles and false teachers from within the churches of God were distorting the words of the true Apostles of Jesus Christ and were changing the truth of God into a lie! As Jude warned, they were turning the grace of God into lasciviousness – license to sin – by teaching that the Laws of God were no longer in effect. The Apostle John identified this growing apostasy, led by “many antichrists’ as “the spirit of error” or “the spirit of deception.”
The early Christians were being confused by seductive teachings and false doctrines promulgated by this spirit of error and deception. Many antichrists were teaching that Jesus Christ did not come in the flesh, that humans do not have sinful natures, and that Commandment-Keeping is not required for salvation. Through these and other false doctrines, a new pseudo-grace was being substituted for the grace of God toward righteous living through Jesus Christ.
To combat these satanic doctrines, the Apostle John was inspired to write the Truth of God in simple yet powerful language. He clearly taught obedience to the Commandments of God, the forgiveness of sins, the fullness of God’s love, the true meaning of brotherly love, and the eternal calling to be the children of God. John’s words make it absolutely clear that the destiny of the children of God is to become as God is, through God’s profound and magnificent love!
The General Epistle of James was most likely written in 45 A.D. by the brother of Jesus Christ, who was known as “James the Just,” and was recognized as the leading Overseer of the Judaean Church. According to Josephus and Hegesippus, James was martyred in 62 A.D. by being stoned to death.
Both James and Peter were very specific to whom they were addressing their Epistles. For example:
James 1:1 states, “JAMES, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad, Greeting.” Yes, James was addressing the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel, which included the 200 walled cities of the Southern House of Judah.
The General Epistle of James is divided into three main sections with a few subsections:
The Test of Faith as found in Chapter 1:1 through 18 with the following subsections:
The Purpose of Tests and
The Source of Temptation
The Characteristics of Faith as found in Chapter 1:19 through Chapter 5:6 with the following subsections:
Faith Obeys the Word
Faith Removes Discrimination
Faith Proves Itself by Works
Faith Controls the Tongue
Faith Produces Wisdom
Faith Produces Humility and
Faith Produces Dependence on God
The Triumph of Faith as found in Chapter 5:7 through 12 with the following subsections:
Faith Endures Awaiting Christ’s Return
Faith Prays for the Afflicted
Faith Confronts the Erring Brother
Here are some important verses to remember from The General Epistle of James:
James 1:5 states, “And if any of you wanteth wisdom, let him ask it of God, who giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not; and it will be given him.”
James 1:19 through 23a states, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Therefore, having thrown off all the filth and scum of wickedness, receive with meekness the implanted Word which is able to save your souls; and be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
James 1:26 to 27 states, “If any one among you thinketh to be religious without bridling his tongue, he is but deceiving his heart. Such a one’s religion is vain. Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this, to take the oversight and care of orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.”
James 3:7 though 10 states, “For all kinds of beasts, and birds, and reptiles, and fishes, are subdued and have been subdued by man; But the tongue of man none can subdue. It is an ungovernable monster: it is full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father; and with it we curse men, who are made after the image of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. These things, my brethren, ought not to be so.”
James 4:13 through 16 states, “Come, now, ye who say, Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, and spend a year there, and traffic, and get gain, when you do not know what will be the result of tomorrow. For what is your life? For it is a vapor which appeareth for a little while and then vanisheth. Instead of your saying, If it be the Lord’s will, and we shall live, we will do this or that, you now boast of your arrogant projects. All such boasting is evil. Therefore, to know what is good and not do it, is a sin.”
James 5:7 through 9 states, “Wherefore be ye, brethren, patient till the coming of the Lord. Behold the husbandman expecteth the precious fruits of the earth, waiting for them with patience, until it hath received the former and the latter rain. Wait ye also with patience. Strengthen your hearts, because the coming of the Lord is near. Repine not, brethren, against one another, that you may not be condemned. Behold the Judge is at the door.”
The First Epistle of Peter was written by the Apostle himself around 60 and 65 A.D. His audience was the same as James’ as we can see in I Peter 1:1 through 2 states, “PETER, an Apostle of Jesus Christ, to the sojourners of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, whom God the Father, according to his predetermination hath chosen, that by a sanctification of spirit they may obey, and be sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ; favor be to you, and may peace be multiplied.” Yes, Peter was addressing the same multitude that James was in his Epistle.
According to Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, Peter was crucified upside down along side with his wife by Emperor Nero in 67 A.D.
The First Epistle General of Peter is divided into three main sections with a few subsections:
The Believer’s Privileges and Duties as found in Chapter 1:1 through Chapter 2:10, with the following four subsections:
Salutation
His Position as a Believer
His Conduct in the Light of His Position
His Privileges in the New House and Priesthood.
The Believer’s Relationships as found in Chapter 2:11 through Chapter 4:6 with the following seven subsections:
As a Pilgrim in Relation to the World
As a Citizen in Relation to Government
As a Servant in Relation to His Master
As a Wife in Relation to Her Husband
As a Husband in Relation to His Wife
As a Brother in Relation to the Fellowship
As a Sufferer in Relation to Persecutors
The Believer’s Service and Suffering as found in Chapter 4:7 through Chapter 5:14, with the following three subsections:
Urgent Imperatives for the Last Days
Exhortations and Explanations Concerning Suffering
Exhortations and Salutations
Here are some important verses to remember from The First Epistle General of Peter:
First Peter 2:9 through 10 states, “They disbelieving the Word, stumble at the thing for which they were laid: but you being a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people peculiarly set apart that you may publish the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light – you who formerly were not a people but are now the People of God – who were uncompassionated, but are now compassionated, beloved;”
Peter is quoting Father YAHWEH in Exodus 19:5 through 6 which states, “Now therefore if you will hearken diligently to My Voice and keep My Covenant, you shall be to Me a peculiar people above all the nations; for the whole earth is Mine: but as for you, you shall be a royal priesthood and a holy nation. These words thou shalt deliver to the children of Israel.”
Peter is also quoting Father YAHWEH in Hosea 1:6 through 10 which states, “And when she conceived again and bore a daughter, He said to Hosea, Call her name, Not-Compassionated; for I will no longer continue to have compassion on the house of Israel, but will set Myself against them. But on the children of Juda I will have compassion and I will save them by the Lord their God, and will not save them by bow nor by sword nor by battle nor by horses nor by horsemen. And when she had weaned Not-Compassionated, she conceived again and bore a son, and He said, Call his name Not-My-People, since you are not My People and I am not your God. (Now the number of the children of Israel was like the sand of the sea which cannot be measured nor counted.) But it shall come to pass that in the place where it was said to them, You are not My People, they shall be called children of the Living God:”
Both verses only deal with Israel.
First Peter 2:25 states, “For you were like sheep going astray, but are now brought back to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”
First Peter 4:7 through 8 states, “Now the end of all things is at hand, therefore be sober, and watch unto prayer, and above all things have fervent love for one another: for this love will cover a multitude of sins.”
First Peter 4:17 through 19 states, “For the time is come when judgment is to begin at the house of God. And it begins first with us, what must be the end of them who disregard the glad tidings of God? If the righteous scarcely escapeth, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear? Let them therefore who suffer according to the will of God, commit their souls to Him in well doing, as to a faithful creator.”
Peter is quoting King Solomon in Proverbs 11:31 which states, “If the righteous man scarcely escapeth, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear?
The Second Epistle of Peter was written right after he wrote his First Epistle General and right before his martyrdom by Emperor Nero. The Second Epistle General of Peter is divided into three sections with a few subsections:
Cultivation of Christian Character as found in Chapter 1 with the following three subsections:
The Salutation
Growth in Christ
Grounds of Belief
Condemnation of False Teachers as found in Chapter 2 with the following three subsections:
Danger of False Teachers
Destruction of False Teachers
Description of False Teachers
Confidence of Christ’s Return as found in Chapter 3 with the following three subsections:
Mockery in the Last Days
Manifestation of the Day of the Lord
Maturity in View of the Day of the Lord
Here are some important verses to remember from The Second Epistle General of Peter:
Second Peter 1:5 through 11 states, “Therefore, having on your part used all diligence for the very same purpose, add to your faith fortitude; and to fortitude, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, perseverance; and to perseverance, piety; and to piety, brotherly affection; and to brotherly affection, universal love; for these being in you, and abounding, dispose you to be neither idle nor unfruitful for the acknowledging of our Lord Jesus Christ: for he who is without these is blind, having closed his eyes, having contracted a forgetfulness of the purification of his past sins. Therefore, brethren, use the more diligence to make your call and election sure; for if you practice these you will never fall; for thus there will further be administered to you, bounteously, the entrance into the Kingdom of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Second Peter 1:19 to 20 states, “Therefore, we have a more complete confirmation of the prophetic Word, to which you do well in giving attention, as to a lamp shining in a dark place until the day dawn, and the bringer of light rise in your hearts – knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture explaineth Itself, for prophecy was not uttered in former days at the will of man; but the holy men of God spoke by an impulse of the Holy Spirit.”
Second Peter 2:4 through 10 states, “For if God spared not angels who sinned, but confining them in Tartarus, in chains of darkness, delivered them up to be kept for judgment – and if He spared not the old world, but preserved eight persons, including Noah, the proclaimer of righteousness, when He brought a deluge on the world of ungodly men – and when He condemned to destruction the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, reducing them to ashes, and making them a public example to future impious men, delivered just Lot, who was troubled at the lascivious conduct of those licentious men, (for at the sight and report, that righteous man who dwelt among them was daily tormented in soul by their unlawful deeds) the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly from temptation, and to reserve the wicked to the Day of Judgment, to be punished; and more especially them who go after flesh, in the lust of uncleanness, and despise authority.”
Second Peter 2:20 through 22 states, “For if after fleeing from the pollutions of the world by an acknowledgment of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, any are again entangled and overcome by them, the last state of such persons is worse than the first. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after knowing it, to turn away from the Holy Commandment delivered to them. But it hath happened to them according to the true proverb, The dog is returned to his vomit, and the washed hog to its wallowing slough.”
Here, Peter quotes King Solomon in Proverbs 26:11 which states, “As a dog becometh odious when he returneth to his vomit; so is a fool for his wickedness, when he returneth to his sin.”
Second Peter 3:3 through 13 states, “Knowing this first, that in the last days scoffers will come, walking after their own desires, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His Coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.’ For this they willfully forget, that by the Word of God there were heavens of old, and an earth consisting of water and in water, by which the world that then existed, being deluged, was destroyed; but the heavens and the earth which now exist are, by the same Word, treasured up for fire, being kept for the Day of Judgment, and destruction of these impious men. Now let not this one thing, my beloved, escape you, That with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack with regard to His Promise, as some reckon slackness. But He is long suffering towards us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to a reformation. Now the Day of the Lord will come, as a thief at night, when the heavens with a crashing roar shall pass away, and the elements shall be dissolved by fire, and the earth, and all the works thereon, shall be burned up. Therefore as all these things are to be dissolved, what manner of person ought you to be in Holy Conversation and Godliness, expecting, and eagerly desiring, the Coming of the Day of God, in which the heavens, all on fire, shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with intense heat, and we, according to His Promise, expect New Heavens, and a New Earth in which dwelleth righteousness!”
Here’s something to think about – Who would be mocking Christians with regard to the Second Coming of YAHSHUAH Jesus the Christ? Remember that the world doesn’t know Him at all, except they sure do enjoy the Holiday of Christmas each and every year! Throughout my “Christian” walk, I have only seen other Christians attack other Christians with regard to the Rapture/Resurrection Theories of Pre-Tribulation, Intra-Seal, Mid-Tribulation, and Post-Tribulation. Regardless of all of the arguments, YAHSHUAH Jesus the Christ stated in Luke 21:36, “Watch therefore, on every occasion, praying that you may be accounted worthy to ESCAPE all these things which will soon come to pass; and to stand before the Son of Man.”
For further information on the Rapture/Resurrection debate, please read the following Scriptures in this order:
John Chapter 6:39, 40, 44, and 54;
John Chapter 11:23-24;
Matthew 24 and 25;
Mark 13;
Luke 21;
I Corinthians 15:51-58;
I Thessalonians 4:13-18; and
Revelation 14:14-20.
Only then can you truly decide for yourself what YAHSHUAH Jesus the Christ had to say on this so-called controversial subject.
One last thought with regard to when the heavens with a crashing roar shall pass away, and the elements shall be dissolved by fire, and the earth, and all the works thereon, shall be burned up, I would suggest that you do a study with regard to what “The Destroyer” is in the Book of Jeremiah Chapters 48 and 51, as well as read what The Kolbrin Bible has to say on this other controversial subject. IF you dig far enough, you’ll find out about Planet Nibiru, also known as, Planet X. Is it true or not? You be the judge…
Now let’s talk about The First, Second, and Third General Epistles of John. We know that he was the Apostle who wrote the Gospel of John and out of all the Apostles/Disciples, he was the most beloved of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As such, John was allowed to see what the Prophet Daniel saw and much more. We’ll talk about The Revelation of Jesus Christ in a couple of weeks.
Most scholars believe that John wrote his Epistles from 80 to 95 A.D., and then writing The Revelation of Jesus Christ in 96 A.D.
The First Epistle General of John is divided into two major sections:
Part One: The Basis of Fellowship as found in Chapters 1:1 through 2:27, which is further divided into three sections:
The Introduction as found in Chapter 1:1 through 4.
The Conditions for Fellowship as found in Chapter 1:5 through Chapter 2:14 with the following four subsections:
Walk in the Light
Confession of Sin
Obedience to His Commandments
Love for One Another
The Cautions to Fellowship as found in Chapter 2:15 through 27 with the following two subsections:
Love of the World
Spirit of the Antichrist
Part Two: The Behavior of Fellowship as found in Chapter 2:28 through Chapter 5:21 which is further divided into two sections:
Characteristics of Fellowship as found in Chapter 2:28 through Chapter 5:3 with the following five subsections:
Purity of Life
Practice of Righteousness
Love in Deed and Truth
Testing the Spirits
Love as Christ Loved
Consequences of Fellowship as found in Chapter 5:4 through 21 with the following four subsections:
Victory over the World
Assurance of Salvation
Guidance in Prayer
Freedom from Habitual Sin
Here are some important verses to remember from The First Epistle General of John:
First John 1:9 states, “If we confess our sins, HE is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
First John 2:1 through 3 states, “My children I write these things to you that you may not sin. But if any one sin, we have an advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous, and He is an atonement for our sins, and not for ours only, but for the sins of the whole world. Now by this we know that we have known Him, if we keep His Commandments.”
First John 2:16 to 17 states, “If any one loveth the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the desire (lust) of the eyes, and the pomp (pride) of this life are not of the Father but are of the world. Now the world is passing away, and the desire thereof; but he who doth the will of God shall abide forever.”
First John 2:18 to 19 states, “Children, the last period is come: and as you have heard that the Antichrist cometh, there are even now many Antichrists, by which we know that it is the last period. They went out from us; but they were not of us. For if they had been of us, they would have continued with us.”
First John 2:22 states, “Who is the liar; but he who denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is the Antichrist who denieth the Father and the Son: whosoever denieth the Son, hath not the Father.”
First John 3:4 states, “Whosoever committeth sin, committeth a violation of law; for sin is a violation of Law.”
First John 3:8 through 12 states, “He who practiseth righteousness is righteous, as He is righteous. He who practiseth sin is of the devil, because the devil sinneth from the beginning; for this [purpose] the son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not practice sin, because his seed abideth in him, and he cannot sin because he is born of God. By this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil. Whosoever doth not practice righteousness is not of God, nor he who doth not love his brother. For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, and not be like Cain, who was of the evil [wicked[ one and slew his brother. And why did he slay him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.”
So, if Cain is from that evil/wicked one – was it Adam or Eve? I don’t think so…What does “fruit” represent in the Bible?
First John 3:3 to 4 states, “And every spirit which doth not acknowledge Jesus Christ come in flesh, is not of God. This indeed is that of Antichrist which you have heard is coming, and is now already in the world: You, children, are of God, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
The Second Epistle General of John is divided into two main sections with a few subsections:
Abide in God’s Commandments as found in Verses 1 through 6 with the following three subsections:
The Salutation
Walk in Truth
Walk in Love
Abide Not with False Teachers as found in Verses 7 though 13 with the following three subsections:
Doctrine of the False Teachers
Avoid the False Teachers
The Benediction
Here are some important verses to remember from The Second Epistle General of John:
Second John 7 states, “Because there are many deceivers come into the world, who do not acknowledge that Jesus Christ is come in flesh. (This is the deceiver, and the Antichrist.)
Second John 8 through 11 states, “Look to yourselves, that we may not lose our labor, but that we may receive ample wages. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of the Christ, hath not God. He who abideth in the doctrine of the Christ hath both the Father and the Son. If any one cometh to you, and doth not bring this doctrine, receive him not into your family; nor wish him success; for he who wisheth him success is a partaker with him in his evil works.”
The Third Epistle General of John is divided into two main sections with a few subsections:
The Commendation of Gaius as found in Verses 1 through 8 with the following three subsections:
The Salutation
The Godliness of Gaius
The Generosity of Gaius
The Condemnation of Diotrephes as found in Verses 9 through 14 with the following three subsections:
The Pride of Diotrephes
The Praise for Demetrius
The Benediction
Here is the important verse to remember from The Third Epistle General of John:
Third John Verse 11 states, “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who doth good is of God. But he who doth evil, hath not seen God.”
Jude, the younger half-brother of Jesus Christ and the brother of James, wrote The General Epistle of Jude. Scholars debate on the date in which Jude was written with the earliest being 65 A.D. and the latest being 90 A.D. According to Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, Jude was crucified at Edessa, an ancient City of Mesopotamia, about 72 A.D.
The General Epistle of Jude is divided into six major sections:
The Problem of Apostasy as found in Verses 1 through 4.
The Description of Apostasy as found in Verses 4, 8, 10, 16, and 19.
The Historical Examples and Causes of Apostasy as found in Verses 5 though 7, 9 and 11.
The Metaphors of Apostasy as found in Verses 12 and 13.
The Judgment upon Apostasy as found in Verses 14 and 15.
The Safeguards Against Apostasy as found in Verses 20 through 25.
Here are some verses to remember from The General Epistle of Jude:
Jude Verses 6 to 7 states, “And the angels who did not keep their own government, but left their proper abode, He hath reserved in perpetual bonds, under darkness, for the judgment of the Great Day. As Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them, which, in like manner with them, abandoned themselves to licentiousness, and went after strange flesh, were made an example of, suffering the vengeance of everlasting fire; so likewise, shall these dreamers.”
Jude Verses 8 through 11 states, “They indeed defile the flesh, and despise authority and revile glories, whereas Michael the Archangel, when he contended with the devil, and disputed about the body of Moses, did not take the liberty to bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The LORD rebuke thee: but these rail at what they do not know; and what they do know in a natural way as irrational animals, with these they corrupt themselves.”
Jude Verse 11 states, “Alas for them! For they have gone in the way of Cain and rambled in the error of Balaam’s reward and perished in the rebellion of Kore.”
Jude 14 to 15 states, “Now to such as these Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, Behold the Lord is coming with His Holy Myriads to execute judgment on all, and to convict all the wicked among them of all their impious deeds, which they have impiously committed, and of all the bitter things which impious sinners have uttered against Him.”
Jude Verses 17 through 19 states, “But as for you, beloved, remember what the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold you. For they assured you that in the last time there would be scoffers, walking after their own wicked desires. These are they who separate themselves, being sensual, and having the Spirit.”
All throughout your day, please always remember I John 1:9, which states, “If we confess our sins, HE is faithful, and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Let’s all keep a clean slate each and every day as we know that the Second Coming of Jesus Christ is right around the corner!
Also please remember what Jesus said for us to do in Luke 21:36, “Watch therefore, on every occasion, praying that you may be accounted worthy TO ESCAPE all these things which will soon come to pass; and to stand before the Son of Man!”
YAHWEH Bless!
Justin