The Description of Apostates. Jude 12-16 In the last message, the verses revealed the evidence associated with Apostates. Jude wanted the church to be able to recognize them when they came in among the fellowship of believers. In these verses, Jude uses word pictures to paint a vivid image of those who desired to destroy the church. Hosea preached and warned the Northern Kingdom, Israel of the coming judgment. As Hosea looked upon Israel in that day, he saw a people that were very similar to the apostates of Jude’s day. The apostates took advantage of this gathering to pass themselves off as members in good standing of the body of Christ—just as Judas did. The other apostles were incredulous when, again and again, the Lord indicated that Judas was a traitor. Not Judas! Surely not Judas? He had cultivated a reputation of care and concern for the poor so, even as he slipped out of the Upper Room with Lord’s ominous “What thou doest, do quickly” ringing in his ears, the remaining disciples were still fooled. They thought that the Lord was sending him on some legitimate matter of business or on some secret errand of mercy Jn. 13:27-30. However, Judas was a traitor. So are all apostates. Moreover, they are just as willing as Judas was to sell Christ for their own ends.