“But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; how that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts,” Jude 1:17-18.

Please notice girls and boys, that our verse starts with ‘BUT’. That means that what is about to be said is in contrast to what has just been said.

Verse 16 told us of the words of the wicked. They were “great swelling words”.

But we are now coming to “the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.” These are altogether different words. They are holy words, truthful words, wise and helpful words! They are to be properly heard and heeded.

Please note from these verses:

I. THE DEVIL CAN NEVER SPRING A SURPRISE ON THE SAVIOUR!

What the apostles warned of they had been instructed in by the Lord, through His Spirit. 1 Tim 4:1. 2 Tim 3:1.

1. There is nothing the Lord does not know of! “Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure,” Isaiah 46:10. “The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations,” Psalm 33:11.

2. He knew of Calvary from eternity. He is “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world,” Rev 13:8.

3. He knew of the betrayal of Judas. “And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me,” Mark 14:18. Prophesy of Judas. “Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me,” Psalm 41:9.

4. He knows what would happen in the ‘last days’. Genesis 49:1, Isaiah 2:1.

II. THE LORD WOULD HAVE HIS PEOPLE WELL INFORMED ABOUT THE DEVIL’S ACTIVITIES!

1. The devil can have no secrets! (Secret plans are an essential part of human warfare. Pearl harbour, D-Day.) The devil is greatly hampered by his inability to hide anything from the Lord and thereby His people!

2. However, the devil strives to hide from Christians what the Lord has revealed of his schemes in the Bible! Rom 16:17-18. 1 Cor 3:18. Eph 4:14; 5:5-6. 2 Thess 2:1-3.

3. He is very successful! Matt 7: 13-14, 22; 24:5, 11.

III. REMEMBERING THE WORD OF GOD IS AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT IN OUR BATTLE AGAINST THE DEVIL.

It is a key subject here in Kilskeery Independent Christian School! Be most diligent in memorising the Bible and maintaining that knowledge and living by it.

1. The devil is a vicious enemy. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour,” 1 Peter 5:8. But he is a ‘chained lion’!

2. He can be silenced and defeated by the Word of God. This the Saviour taught us by example! Matthew 4:3-11. He carried His Bible in His heart and mind!

3. Remember, the Bible is a sword. “And take . . .  the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” Ephesians 6:17. Learn to use it as did David when he was young and put it to good use!