Jude 1:6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. 7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
This passage of scripture issues a stern warning against the practice of going after strange flesh, and the example of Sodom and Gomorrah is given with the purpose that we all may reason soberly from cause to effect. "Strange flesh" refers to homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality, and all transexuals, and we are strictly forbidden by God to participate in, support, or encourage such behaviors, for they are contrary to the teachings of scripture, and are catalysts in causing great harm in the natural world, and to society as a whole. The injunction against such evils is given in the strongest language possible, so that no sincere person may be deceived by the variable standards of right and wrong that are now being peddled in high and low places. Let's read:
Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient.
The grave problem we're facing in our day on these issues, is that it is now considered as hate speech to speak out against these evils, and many have gone so far as to declare these practices as not being wrong. When prominent spiritual leaders and politicians lend their voices to the promulgation of the vilest passions of the carnal heart, then the next step is to justify the wrong course of action in the eyes of the masses, very similar to what took place when the children of Israel fell into gross sexual sins through the cunning of Balaam, and one of their number gloried in his shame, even as the due judgments against the evils were being meted out. Let's read:
Numbers 25:1 And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. 2 And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. 3 And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel. 6 And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
This brazen defiance of God's authority, and the total disregard for the solemn services that were being held on account of sin, represents the attitude that has obtained in our world, in regard to the very same, or worst practices. In our day, many of the popular magazines and publications are actively advertising the iniquity of "Strange flesh", and through these agencies the devil is able to garner support from the masses for the worst kinds of sinful practices. When Hollywood stars are used to make sin popular with the people, and when television interviews and documentaries are done with the intention of justifying evil under the disguise of love and forbearance, then we know that we are quickly crossing the threshold between God's mercy and judgment, hence the dire warnings issued in our passage for today.
The majority of people doing or sanctioning evil does not make it right in the sight of God, and even though it may be politically expedient to support the practice of "going after strange flesh", yet the word of God issues woe upon woe for those who thus distort the truth to suit the clamors of the sin-loving multitudes. Right must never be called wrong, and wrong should never be called right, for whenever this is done, our ability to distinguish between them both is severely impaired, and after a while nothing seems wrong to anyone anymore. Let's read:
Isaiah 5:18 Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope: 20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! 21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! 23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!
In our day, the practice of going after strange flesh has become so popular that many preachers and televangelists have become afraid of speaking out against it, since doing so could cost them their popularity with the people. And because of this, sin is literally left to run riot, and to wreak havoc on individuals and nations, without the voice of stern rebuke being heard to rein in the evils that are overspreading the land at an alarming rate.
The problem is not only restricted to the ungodly, but has also invaded the ranks of priests and prominent preachers alike, with the result that many people have become discouraged from attending church services, and a general godlessness has taken hold of most of society. These developments surely portend the soon coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven, and thus it behooves every sincere Christian to lift his or her voice in remonstrance against the evils, for we will not be guiltless if we allow nations and individuals to go over the cliff.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to be faithful to the great commission given us by Christ, in warning the inhabitants of the world to cease and desist from these evils by the grace of God, for His permissive judgments are already in the land, and will increase in frequency and severity, until there remains no remedy, if no confession and repentance is not made. Let's read:
Ezekiel 33:2 Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: 3 If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; 4 Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. 6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand. 8 When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
He That hath an ear, let him hear what The Spirit saith unto the churches. God bless!