Book of Jude Part 23 (series: Lessons on Jude)

by John Lowe
(Woodruff, S.C.)

Faultless—"blameless." The same word is rendered “unblameable” in Colossians 1: 22.

before the (glorious) presence of his glory—that is, before Himself (Jesus Christ), when He shall be revealed in glory. It is where nothing can stand that does not resemble Christ, with exceeding great joy, in finding yourselves eternally out of the reach of the possibility of falling, and for having now arrived at an eternity of happiness. The saints are to be presented there as redeemed and sanctified, and as made worthy by grace to dwell there for ever.

with exceeding joy—literally, "with exultation" like those who leap for joy. They will leap with abounding joy because they are redeemed, and because they are rescued from sorrow, sin, and death, and that heaven is to be their eternal home. Who now can form an adequate idea of the happiness of that hour?

25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

He is not only our Keeper and Perfecter—He is God our Savior. It is an amazing thing that God would be so interested in us that He would also become our Savior, in the sense that He devised the plan whereby we are saved and He provided His sinless Son as the sacrificial Lamb.

To the only wise God—Who alone can teach, who alone has declared the truth; that truth in which ye now stand. “To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen” (Romans 16:27). Ultimately all wisdom comes from God--"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (Jas. 1:5).Our wisdom is merely derived from the fount of wisdom, the only wise God--“Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:17 ).

Our Savior—who has by his blood washed us from our sins, and made us kings and priests unto God the Father. The word Savior may be appropriately applied to God as such, because he is the great Author of salvation, though it is commonly applied to the Lord Jesus Christ. It may be that the author’s intention was that it should be applied here to the Lord Jesus, certainly, no one can deny that, nor can it be denied that the language may be applied to God as such, it is most natural to give the phrase that interpretation. Be glory and majesty.

Jude’s doxology concludes with this final outpouring of praise to “God, our Savior.” The most important perspective for all true Christians is the full revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ. Like Isaiah, we see God, our Father, and Redeemer, high and lifted up. “In the year King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a high and lofty throne. The bottom of his robe filled the temple. Angels were standing above him. Each had six wings: With two they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. They called to each other and said, ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory’” (Isaiah 6:1-3).

be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. If worship (Old English “worth-ship”) means ascribing to God what He is worthy of, it will be glory, and majesty, dominion, and power. It is common in the Scriptures to ascribe power, dominion, and glory to God, expressing the feeling that all that is great and good belongs to him, and the desire of the heart that he may rein in heaven and on earth. With the expression of such a desire, it was not inappropriate that this epistle should be closed with the utterance of the same wish. In all our affections and aspirations, may God be supreme; in all the sin and woe which prevail here below, may we look forward with strong desire to the time when his dominion shall be set up over all the earth; in all our own sins and sorrows. It is our pleasure to look onward to the time when in a purer and happier world his reign may be set up over our own souls, and when we may cast every crown at his feet and say, "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honour, and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.-Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God," ( Revelation 4:11, 19:1).

Glory—the superlative honor He deserves for all He is and all He has done for us.

Majesty—the dignity and splendor He deserves as the Supreme Monarch of the universe.

Dominion—the unchallenged authority which is His by sovereign right. All rule and government in the world and in the Church, in earth and in heaven.

And power or liberty —the might and prerogative to rule all that His hands have made. He was worthy of such praise in the past, He is worthy at the present time, and He will be worthy of it throughout eternity. Apostates and false teachers may seek to rob Him of glory, detract from His majesty, grumble against His dominion, and challenge His power.

Both now—In the present state of life and things.

And ever—To the end of all states, places, dispensations, and worlds; and to a state which knows no termination, being that ETERNITY in which this glory, majesty, dominion, and power indescribably and incomprehensibly dwell.

Note: But all true believers find their greatest fulfillment in glorifying and enjoying Him both now and forever.

Amen. So let it be, so ought it to be, and so it shall be.
There seems no more fitting conclusion for this letter, or to the General Epistles as a whole, than this final verse of Jude’s letter. Nothing can be added to this expression of praise for God, our Savior. We can only echo Jude’s words and acknowledge that God alone is wise and that His glory, majesty, power, and authority are for eternity. Before such love and majesty, we bow our human frames to the dust and shed great tears of joy because He has revealed Himself to us, lifted us up, and shared His glory with us. Amen!