Closer to 5 min, I think, for this epistle. It's at least twice the length of the last two short letters by John.
Written by Jude, the author is commonly understood to be Jude, brother of the James that wrote the epistle by that name, and half-brother of Christ. Like James, he doesn't claim any relationship with Christ but as a servant - anything more would be presumptuous. He basically uses James as a name to drop so the recipients would be sure of who he was, so it makes sense that the James mentioned is the one who was a 'pillar of the church' at Jerusalem. Jude seems to be writing predominantly to Jews, given the numerous references to Old Testament times, and his assumption they are familiar with his examples.
The commentary linked to I found really good, nice short explanatory comments to help understanding of the passage.
I love the greeting Jude uses - called, beloved, and kept - looking to our past and the positional privilege that God has granted us when He called us and we came to Him in repentance - looking at our present, and the love that God shows us now, constantly - and looking to the future, God securing us for Himself, until we meet Christ again, either at death or Rapture.
The main gist of the letter is all about false teachers. Jude would prefer that there were no problems and he could just talk about the wonderful salvation we have, but no - this issue must be addressed!
He talks about false teachers and their sensuality (perverted sexual immorality) and rejection of the authority of Christ, and then uses two examples to illustrate the judgement that will come.
He talks about their reliance on dreams (either 'visions' or just thought up notions), possibly claiming they were from God. Defiling flesh (again sexual immorality), rejecting authority (again), and mentions blaspheming 'the glorious ones' (angels).
The term blasphemy is interesting here - he uses it again in the example of Michael the archangel 'not using blasphemous judgement'. Blasphemy is basically anything that shows contempt or disrespect for God, which fits these two cases well. Blaspheming angels could be either ascribing powers to them that they do not have (including Satan, who is a fallen angel), or worshipping them. The example with Michael shows that even rebuking the angel on his own authority would be blasphemy though - indicating even the idea that we can judge or have power over angels (fallen or holy) is blasphemous, because we are rejecting God's power over them and trying to use our own power.
The false teachers are shown as self-serving, promising what they can't deliver. The example of Balaam here is particularly interesting. Cain killed Abel and Korah rebelled against Moses and Aaron over pride, essentially, and serving their own desires, but we don't have too much info on them. Balaam, on the other hand, we have a little more info. Most Sunday school children would know the story of Balaam and his donkey, being asked to curse the Israelites, refusing at first then going, then getting stopped by and angel and the donkey speaking to him, then continuing to the place and blessing the Israelites instead. Not as many know he was still a 'bad apple' though - forced to bless the Israelites, he then tried to corrupt them using idolatry and sexual immorality, in order to serve himself in the King of Moab's sight (and gain that reward money he lost, presumably). Quite a typical false teacher - insisting on his way until he gets a 'confirmation' vision, and then maybe speaking the right words, but acting and plotting corruption in order to serve himself.
Again, judgement is pronounced upon them, executed by the Lord in His timing. It is interesting to summarise the descriptors of these false prophets that are to be judged: Ungodly; Morally perverted; Deniers of Christ; Defilers of the flesh; Rejecting authority; Blaspheming angels; Dreamers; Ignorant; Self-destructive; Grumblers; Malcontent (not content); Self-seeking; Arrogant; Playing favourites; Scoffers; Divisive; Worldly; Devoid of the Holy Spirit.
To combat them, we are primarily responsible for making sure we stand firm, and keep close to God, praying in the Holy Spirit, in the love of God. Those that are listening to the false teachers that can be persuaded, we should try to help them - some who are swaying, unsure, using compassion and lovingly build them up in the truth - others who are more involved with the false teachers and already mostly or fully persuaded, we can try to save them from the deception, but must be very careful that we are firm ourselves, not letting ourselves become corrupted by the false doctrine. An important warning, as many may enter into situations where they join a false group in order to try and minister or help those in the group, never thinking that they would fall, but many do fall - even debating with them on your home turf can sometimes be damaging to yourself if you are not prepared - thus the importance of staying close to God through prayer (and study of His Word). The same sort of caution can be applied to dealing with other religions (by other religions, I refer to those not claiming to be Christian. Technically all false teaching is teaching another religion to Christianity)- the differences may be more obvious, but caution is still required, as they can still be persuasive.
An illustration of a hole in the ice is appropriate here - if someone is out on a pond that you know has thin ice, you can sometimes call them back, and persuade them of the danger, if so, little harm done, and lesson learnt. Some won't listen, though, and will continue on to the thin ice regardless - or maybe they are already a long way out. Maybe the ice is starting to crack under them, or they fall in the water - or maybe it is apparently solid! Either way, if you go out on the ice without a rope or something holding you to the shore, you can just make the problem worse and be in severe danger yourself - possibly even causing them to fall through the ice by your extra weight (analogy here is if someone sees you getting involved with a movement that they are not sure about, it may confirm for them that it is all right). If you do go on the ice, even if you have the rope around you and know where the ice is a bit thicker, you still need to tread carefully and spread your weight to no get dunked in the cold water yourself (and so suffer harm). I am not saying don't go out on the ice, just make sure you are tied firmly to the bank with a lifeline, tread very carefully, don't go out unless you absolutely have to (other means of persuasion are exhausted), don't stay any longer than you absolutely have to, and knowing whether you can survive a dipping - make sure you are spiritually healthy, with a friend on the bank to help pull you out if fall in. Not a perfect analogy, but hopefully it illustrates some of the points.
The way Jude finishes off his letter - so profound! And so fitting to the tone of the whole letter.
Lord, thank You that You can keep us from stumbling. Thank You for Your call, Your love to us continually, and Your preservation of us for eternal life in Your presence. Lord, we pray for wisdom to be discerning of false teachers, and how we should interact with them (if at all). We pray for mercy for those influenced by false teachers, that they might be brought to knowledge of their deception, and understand the truth without going any further down the wrong path. Help us to deal with these people in love, Lord, these deceived people whom You love - Lord save them from this deception. Help us to know our limits Lord, and rely on Your power. Help us to realise the dangers of false teaching, and the dangers of being involved with these areas. If You call us to help in these cases Lord, give us strength, give us courage, give us wisdom, give us power and understanding, be with us we pray - and keep us in Your love. To You, our God and Saviour, to You alone be all glory and honour and praise!
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