Unconditional? Eternal Security: Jude 24

Jude 24

"Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,"

Does Jude 24 support unconditional eternal security? To answer this, we must consider the context of the entire book, leading up to verse 24.

Jude begins by exhorting true believers to contend for the faith against false teachers—those who claim to believe but live ungodly lives and even deny Jesus (v. 4). Jude then provides several examples of judgment against those who were initially part of God’s people but ultimately did not believe or remain faithful.

For instance, in verse 5, he recalls how Israel, despite being saved from Egypt, was destroyed because of unbelief. In verse 6, he mentions angelic beings who, despite their initial position, abandoned their proper dwelling and are now awaiting judgment. In verse 7, the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, who gave themselves over to sexual immorality, are shown to suffer "the vengeance of eternal fire."

In verse 11, Jude further condemns those who follow in the way of Cain, Balaam, or Korah—all figures who rebelled against God. These individuals, who join in fellowship with believers, are described in verse 12 as "clouds without water, trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots." The "blackness of darkness" is reserved for them forever, indicating that they may have appeared to be believers but were not truly saved. Verse 15 emphasizes that God will come to judge these ungodly people, and verse 16 lists their characteristics: grumblers, complainers, and those who walk according to their own lusts. Clearly, such people have no grounds for any type of eternal security.

However, Jude doesn't leave us without hope. Verse 21 instructs believers to "keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." Here, the security of eternal life is found in Jesus, but it is conditional upon remaining in His love. Jude even encourages us to go after those who are wavering (v. 22-23), pulling them out of the fire. The implication is that if they are not pulled out, they remain in danger.

Finally, verse 24 says, "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy." This verse certainly affirms God's ability to keep and preserve those who keep themselves in Him. But when considering the context of the entire book, it becomes clear that this promise of preservation applies to those who remain in the love of God. For those outside of Christ—those in the fire or those described earlier in the book—there is no security.

So, can Jude 24 be used as a proof text for unconditional eternal security? The context suggests otherwise. Eternal security is found in Jesus, and it is conditional upon abiding in Him.