Yesterday we talked about the effect satan is having on society. Peter says the same thing in a different way. Jude and Peter were both very close to Jesus, and their messages are similar. This verse from Peter, gives advice on how to keep the enemy out of our lives.

In one of my Bibles, these verses are titled A Call to Persevere. That in itself is a good message. We all need to be amongst those who persevere. Nowhere in the Bible does anyone indicate that Christianity is a smooth ride to Heaven. Rather, it is a constant battle.

If you have been a believer for any length of time you will have heard that the word church in the original Greek is ecclesia and means a body of people. It was never meant to refer to a building as it tends to for much of the world today.

Do you know people who fit this description? Those who are always ready to criticise, but deny that it is criticism? They will say it is not fault finding, but it is frustration at people not doing things correctly, or not taking the time to get things right!

The part of the book of Enoch quoted for us by Jude suggests it was included in the Hebrew scriptures. Enoch obviously had visions of the end times, and as I read this verse I am aware that there are many ungodly people planning horrific things in our world today.

We praise God that when Holy Spirit comes in power once more on the earth in the revival which has already begun, many of those churches will be delivered of their religious spirit. And their members will know they have been deceived and will turn to The Truth.

In describing the people we have looked at during the last 4 days, Jude sums them up with open criticism. These are people in church gatherings that he was speaking about! I find it also quite scary that these things are going on today in much of the worldwide church.

Numbers 16 tells us the full story of the rebellion of Korah followed by a second rebellion that started in the camp after Korah and his supporters were dramatically destroyed. God dealt with both rebellions quickly, letting everyone know that Moses and Aaron were the leaders that He had chosen.

What was the rebellion of Korah? He was from the priestly tribe of Levi, and he reminds us of many politicians of our day. Things were not going as he expected, so he complained. A few others agreed with him and before they knew it, there was a rebellion beginning.

In Numbers 22 we find that the Israelites have grown to be a huge tribe. They are on the banks of the Jordan not far from their Promised Land. This was Moabite territory and the Israelite fame had gone before them, so that Balak, king of the Moabites was terrified.