The Great Conspiracy of the Last Days

from Google Images

Jude was the brother of James, probably of the apostle, James the Less, who was also known as the brother of the Lord. If this is so, this James was no doubt dead (cir. 62 AD) at the time of Jude’s epistle. Jude mentions a trial that came upon the Messianic believers, trying their faith  (Jude 1:3). Ungodly men had secretly crept into the ranks of the flock and were in some fashion tempting the brethren (Jude 1:4). How were they going about this? First of all, they slandered the present leaders (Jude 1:8). They despised the leadership of God’s Spirit. Secondly, they whispered to others about matters not to their liking. Then, they openly complained and finally spoke against the Gospel of Christ in a manner that appealed to the desires of some within the body, and in so doing they exalted their own authority (Jude 1:16; cf. verse-4).

 

The First Three Persecutions of the Church

The Persecution of the early Messianic Jews began with the stoning of Stephen in about 34 CE. Stephen had gotten into trouble by denying the need of the Temple. He showed in his testimony before the Sanhedrin in Acts 7 that God was mobile not stationary. He visited Abraham in Mesopotamia, Joseph in Egypt, Moses in Median, took care of Israel in the wilderness and only condescended to David to reside in a stationary Temple because of David’s heart request.