How To Understand Jude In Verses 8-11

Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh,

 despise dominion, and speak evil of dignitaries. 

Yet Michael the archangel, when contending 

with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses,

 durst not bring against him a railing accusation,

 but said, the Lord rebuke thee. But these 

speak evil of those things which they know not: 

but what they know naturally, as brute beasts,

in those things they corrupt themselves. 

Woe unto them: for they have gone in the 

way of Cain, and ran greedily after the 

error of Balaam for reward, and perished 

in the gainsaying of Core.

Jude 8-11

     This portion of Scripture may seem confusing or you may not fully know about Moses, Balaam, and Core. I hope to clear up any misunderstanding and bring to you some knowledge so you may understand the importance of these verses. First: the word "filthy" is italicized and this because this word is not in this verse. At least the translators put the word in italics so that we would know that it is not there and is place there to give a better understanding about those dreamers. Here is the Greek word: ένυπνιαζόμεοι: it is plural, nomitative, masculine, participle, present tense in the middle voice. Wow! What a mouthful. This Greek word means to dream, and can mean to dream under supernatural impression, or to dream delusion. These dreamers dream in such a manner as to defile the flesh, and the Lordship that they set aside as not necessary, and even then to speak evil of the glories, the glories of God. So it could be said since they dream evil towards the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and of the glories of God that this is "filthy" and is defiling. This Greek word could also mean lordship, or constituted authority, potentates. These dreamers speak against those elders of the Church, condemning them, and defiling the congregations by their delusions as how the Church and its doctrines should be followed. The glories that they speak against could be simply the glories of God or that which is being manifested in the true Church of God, the blessing, the protection, the conversion to follow only Jesus. In any case, those dreamers are not speaking the words of God, only their dreams of delusion.

     Now, Michael the archangel: who is he? Is he Jesus before His incarnation? Jehovah Witnesses say that Michael applied to God's Son before he left heaven to become Jesus Christ and also after his return (Aid to Bible Understanding; p.1152). The Mormons have their view about Michael the archangel: The Latter-Day Saint, view of Adam is unique among the world's religions, informed by direct revelation from Jesus Christ through His modern prophets. They identify Adam as the archangel Michael of the eternities (http://www.mormonwiki.com/Adam). Only the angel Gabriel and the angle Michael are mentioned by name in the Bible. So, then what is the view that we must understand as to who is this Michael? Protestants have deemed certain angels archangels based on the Bible. Michael is the only angle identified as an archangel and this because the Bible refers to him as an archangel twice (1Thessalonians 4:16 the name Michael is not mentioned, Jude does mention the name Michael the archangel). In Daniel 10:13 (Michael is mentioned three times in the Book of Daniel 10:13, 10:21 and 12:1 all refer to the same individual), the name Michael one of the chief princes.... is there mentioned.The word archangel is only mentioned in the singular and Michael is mentioned as only the archangel. Therefore, all Christendom agree that Michael is one. There are various views about Michael the archangel, between Catholicism, Greek Orthodoxy, and even the Seventh Day Adventists who believe that Michael is another name for the Heavenly Christ, and another name for the Word-of-God before he became incarnate as Jesus.

     Jude mentions this event about the dispute between Michael the archangel and the devil over the body of Moses. It could be that this dispute over the body of Moses by the devil was so that he could use the body to entice the Jews to hold Moses up as an idol, so then he could introduce his power over them and Michael the archangel would not allow this to occur, even said to the devil: "the Lord rebuke thee." To have the body of Moses was something very important to the devil even going so far as to "rail" to get his way. Michael then ask the Lord to rebuke him. Notice, Michael did not say "I" rebuke you, no, he said "the Lord rebuke you." Michael as some say was the preincarnate Jesus could have rebuke the devil himself then, but he did not, he gave the rebuke to the only One who could rebuke the devil: Jesus Christ. 

     If a man, or an angel uses the "natural" to determine their theology they will get it wrong. Why? They as are all men and the fallen angels, corrupted. Remember Cain? He did not get it right and used the "natural" for his decision as to his sacrifice to God. Balaam used the natural to speak and was wrong in his efforts. Now as to Core, he is one of the sons of Esau (Genesis 36:5). The Greek word "Core" is the Hebrew word Korah. 

     I may not have been all that helpful about Michael the archangel but I do hope that I have given you a taste about him so that you will take the time to come to your own conclusion. What we have learned is that we have a war against the devil, even Michael the archangel had to fight him. We must then rely on the Lord to aid us in this fight as did Michael the archangel. 

I will praise thee with my whole heart:

     before the gods will I sing praise

unto thee.

                      Psalm 138:1

Out of the dimness will come light: if you are looking

Richard L. Crumb