By Paul K. Williams
Brother Thomas N. Thrasher (“Who Are The ‘Saints’ In Jude 14?” Guardian of Truth, May 16, 1985) labors to prove that the “holy ones” of Jude 14 whom Jesus will bring with Him at the judgment are angels. It is true that Jesus will bring the angels with Him to execute judgment. But it is quite possible that Jude was talking about the saints who are with Jesus in heaven right now.
Brother Thrasher confuses the issue when he says hagios is used of the angels. In every reference he gives also (Matt. 25:31; Mk. 8:38; Lk. 9:26; Acts 20:22; Rev. 14:10) hagios is used together with aggelos (angel). He needs to find a reference where hagios stands alone and means angel.
The construction in Jude 14 is the same as in Philippians 1:1. I see no reason to believe it means anything different from the many other times it is used alone in the New Testament — always to mean “holy ones” (people), as far as I know.
Certainly Jesus will bring the saved with Him. This is clearly stated in 1 Thessalonians 4:14. And that the saints shall sit with Christ in judgment is also true. “Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?” (1 Cor. 6:2, see also Matt. 19:28; Rev. 3:21).
There is no comfort for the premillennialist in this fact. When Jesus comes He will bring the saints, all will be raised, and all will be judged. In some ways the saints will share in that judging.
Jude 14 uses the common word for “saints.” It seems preferable to let its common meaning stand, especially as no proof was given that hagios is ever used alone to mean “angel.”
Guardian of Truth XXIX: 18, p. 565
September 19, 1985