The highway to hell
Jude 11 Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion.
Apostasy is not confined to any one class of people. Cain was a farmer, Balaam was a prophet, and Korah was a prince. Each one portrays a particular aspect of falling away from the truth. The process is simple: they enter on the wrong path, they run riotously down that path and they perish at its end. Here is the brutal truth, there is no hope for apostates found in Jude. Their doom is sure. To them is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.
Another translation that will emphasize this process they go through. In the way of Cain they went away, and in the wandering for reward they rushed headlong, and in the rebellion of Korah they perished.
There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Proverbs 16:25.
Our natural judgement is not a reliable guide. We have already learned that the apostates rely on their natural judgement. The Lord's work of redemption is much greater than the work of the first creation. We need spiritual discernment and enlightenment.
So let's take a look and figure out what was Cain's error. What was the wrong path? He did not deny the existence of God he gave an offering to God. Also, Cain did not refuse to worship God and he was not in rebellion. He made an offering with the fruit of his labor. In Hebrews 11 we learn that by faith Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice. Faith comes by hearing. Abel had heard something -- he had heard that they had sinned and were then clothed by God. Prior to sinning they were clothed with light, after sinning they attempted to clothe themselves with fig leaves. God then made coats of skins and clothed them. From Genesis to Revelation it becomes clear that without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins. When you sacrifice a lamb in order to get the skin it drives home the point that sin is very serious. You can't ignore it, dismiss it, or shrug it off.
Again, let's consider what all the hubbub is on this thread about the Christmas Tree. I have come with a big knife to sacrifice that tree! People are shocked, you can't do that! It is just a little sin, tiny really, insignificant, can't even really be called a sin. That is the way of Cain. Go down that road and you are on the apostasy highway, more commonly called "the highway to hell". The on ramp to the apostasy, known as the way of Cain, is to shrug off sin as something we can ignore or sweep under the rug. The only way that we can approach God is on the shed blood of Jesus Christ, the lamb of God. Cain did not do that, he felt he could bring the works of his own hands to worship God. "You are a talented singer, use that talent for the Lord". Terrible advice, instead I would say "You are a redeemed sinner standing on the shed blood of Christ, you can have boldness to approach God, ask for grace, and you can serve Him in boldness standing on that blood". Then trust that the position you have in Christ as a result of faith is adequate. Now I can serve the Lord joyfully. Suppose you are led to be a teacher and yet you only teach ten people in your entire life, rejoice, for all you know those ten will become great evangelists, shepherds, teachers, prophets and other gifts to the body. The way of Cain tells us that we can't add anything to the completed work of Jesus Christ, faith versus works. Cain followed his own way according to his own idea, Abel listened to God and made his offering by faith that came from hearing.
The Error of Balaam -- what a lying hypocrite
Ran riotously, rampage, poured forth. Balaam was a prophet, he wasn't posing as a prophet, he was a real prophet and his prophecies are recorded in the word of God. He prophesied of the star of Bethlehem that was the major sign of Jesus first coming. Think about that, Daniel knew Balaam was a false prophet and yet he still received this prophecy from Balaam to teach the magi what to look for when Jesus was born. What makes Balaam a "false" prophet is he is a prophet for hire. He is a kind of expert on the ways of God so the enemies of God hire him as a consultant on how to curse Israel. He was warned not to do this. I had an experience of a Balaam. I was preaching the gospel at Rice University, our gospel was turning the campus upside down so a professor who taught religious studies (basically a sociology professor) asked to visit the church. He then wrote an article in a major Texas magazine. He had clearly been hired to curse the church and yet God turned that curse to a blessing just as we see in Numbers. So the king hires Balaam saying "whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed". This is how the fake news operates. They want to be the "king maker", they want to manipulate public opinion. It was this agenda that Balaam had that made him false. He is credible as a prophet because he speaks the word of God. Balaam does not want to destroy his credibility because that is why he is hired as a prophet, but at the same time he wants the gold from this king. So God tells Balaam no, he in turn tells the representatives no, and they return to the king. It looks like Balaam is being obedient but if you continue with the story you learn he is just negotiating for a higher price. So Balak sends a second negotiating team and Balaam says "if you shall give me a house filled with silver and gold I could not go with you"? Why not just say, no, the Lord said no? So he again asks the Lord to go and it becomes clear he is not going to obey the Lord. Many Christians, maybe every single Christian negotiates with the Lord like this.
Maybe you realize a Christmas tree is idolatrous, but what about a wreath? Maybe you realize you will not have anything to do with Santa, but can't we have a tree, they are so pretty. So then the Lord draws a new red line, you cannot say anything other than what I tell you. Now think about this, they have hired Balaam specifically to curse Israel, that was very clear in the contract. God tells him they are blessed, you can't curse them. But he persists and so God says you can't say anything other than what I tell you. He takes that as "great, I can go"? This is why he is a false prophet. You have promised them to curse Israel and you have promised God you won't curse Israel. What a lying hypocrite all for the love of money.
Now many think, hey he blessed Israel, he didn't curse them so what is the big deal. Because although he didn't curse them he did counsel Balak on how to damage Israel by teaching them to commit fornication and worship idols.
This is the big lying hypocrisy of Christmas. They argue that it is a blessing to the church, not a curse. Perhaps, but it opens the door to teach the believers to commit fornication and worship idols. The teachings are focused on kids, young impressionable kids. The TV is filled with their "Balaam prophecy and teachings". The star of Bethlehem is not the only story they like to tell, talking donkeys or reindeer is another, filling your house with gold or silver is still another. Think about it, all these prophets who write these TV shows and movies they are all "prophets for hire" and the goal is to curse the church. The world lies in the evil one, time to wake up to that fact. Every year all of these Balaams are required to put out a "Christmas album". Wake up, the goal is not to bless the church. "Santa Baby" is teaching the Israelites to commit fornication and "O Christmas Tree" is teaching them to "eat things sacrificed to idols". These albums, these TV shows, all this stuff your kids are consuming are things that are sacrificed to idols. Balaam was in the church whose name meant "married to the world". Balaam got his reward, lived riotously and then perished miserably with the enemies of God in Joshua 13. Again think of these ones raking in millions for their albums, songs and TV shows.
The error of Balaam was to exchange the eternal inheritance for the pleasures of sin for a season and for the treasures of Egypt. The message the world is sending during the "Christmas season". What's wrong with having a Christmas tree? Wrong question, what is right about it? Does it strengthen your prayer life? Does it improve your fellowship with the Lord? Are you filled with life and peace?