vv. 17-18 "Forgetfulness of the teaching and warnings of God in Scripture is a major cause of spiritual deterioration. . . .
"Remember! It is the first imperative that Jude has used, and it heads a whole cluster of them in this concluding section."69
The term "apostles"here evidently refers to the Twelve plus Paul rather than to the larger group of Christian leaders whom Jesus sent out with the gospel (Matt. 28:19-20). The New Testament writers also called this larger group apostles (cf. Rom. 16:7; 2 Cor. 8:23; Phil. 2:25). The smaller group of apostles, however, were those who mainly revealed the faith once for all delivered to the saints (v. 3). It is for that faith Jude urged his readers to contend. The official apostles therefore seem to be in view here rather than all those who functioned as apostles.
Jude's quotation of the apostles' teaching (v. 18) seems to be a general summary rather than a specific reference. We find a similar statement in 2 Peter 3:3, and that too is probably a summary. Many conservative scholars believe Peter wrote his second epistle after Jude, so Jude may not have been quoting 2 Peter 3:3 here.
The "last time"refers to the end of the historical period that encompasses the church age and the Tribulation. After this "last time"God will rule directly over humankind, first during the Millennium and then in the new heavens and new earth (cf. 1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Tim. 3:1; et al.). It is the last time in relation to Jesus Christ's return to reign on earth.
The object of the "mockers"mocking seems to be the revealed will of God (cf. Ps. 35:16; Prov. 14:6; 19:25; et al.).
"These workers were . . . ever intent on experiencing the thrills of new forms of ungodliness."70
v. 19 The false teachers' teaching divided the believers into two basic groups: those who remained in the apostles' teaching and those who departed from it. While they may have claimed to be the truly spiritual group, the false teachers were really worldly-minded sharing the viewpoint of unbelievers. In the case of the unbelievers, they were completely devoid of the Holy Spirit. In the case of the saved apostates, they were devoid of the effective influence of the Holy Spirit.
"In refusing the Divine Spirit they had sunk to the level of an animal life, immoral in itself, and productive of confusion to the Church."71
