Daily Devotional | Coming Judgment

Have you heard the story of Enoch? Enoch’s relationship with God was so incredible that the Bible doesn’t record him dying. Scripture tells us that “Enoch lived a total of 365 years. Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away” (Gen. 5:23–24).

After seeing so many examples of disobedience in the book of Jude, we may be surprised to read Enoch’s name. After all, Enoch had led such an exemplary life that God took him directly to heaven. But as Jude continues to describe false prophets and teachers, he also details exactly what their end will be through a prophecy given by Enoch.

Although we don’t have the chapter and verse account in Scripture, Jude asserts that this godly man, Enoch, prophesied about these ungodly individuals. Enoch stated, “See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all of them of all the ungodly acts they have committed in their ungodliness, and of all the defiant words ungodly sinners have spoken against him” (vv. 14–15). Not only were they ungodly but they spoke rebellious words against God Himself.

Jesus told His disciples, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them” (Matt. 7:15–16). Their rotten fruit consists of being grumblers. They are never happy. They nitpick everything that is not initiated by them. They follow their own evil desires. They are egotistical and flatter to get their way.

As followers of Christ, we are to be known by the fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Gal. 5:22–23). Oh, that we might be faithful to the Lord, like Enoch!