The book of Jude contains one of the most vivid and interesting descriptions of apostate teachers. These people who heap up for themselves the severe and certain judgment of God (v.4) are likened to "clouds without water" (v.12).

Such individuals claim to be heavenly messengers with superior knowledge or power. Others more subtly put on "sheep's clothing" (Mt. 7:15) and exhibit a superficial beauty of form and purpose but deny the Lord who bought them (2 Pet. 2:1).

Having no absolute standards of truth because they reject the infallibility of the Bible, they naturally are constantly changing their position and are thus said to be "carried about by the winds" (Jude 12). Do not many present-day preachers fall into this category? They thunder in their pulpits and give out high-sounding promises of thirst-quenching truth, but they leave the hearts of men parched deserts of death.

Because such "ravenous wolves" (Mt. 7:15) have disguised themselves as sheep and infiltrated the flock, we ought to heed the admonition of Jude, "But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God" (vv.20-21).  — Henry G. Bosch