Jude warns about the need to persevere in the last days, “building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life“.
This hope of mercy and eternal life is built on a unique guarantee. God says “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god…Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it?” There is only one God that created us, who stretched out the heavens; He has promised He will redeem Israel. “I formed you; you are my servant; O Israel, you will not be forgotten by me“.
Isaiah writes of this redemption as if it had already happened, so certain was he that it would happen. “Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done it; shout, O depths of the earth; break forth into singing, O mountains, O forest, and every tree in it! For the Lord has redeemed Jacob“. So let’s take Jude’s advice, build up our faith, confident in God’s impending mercy and redemption.