Strangers and Angels – Part 2
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. (Heb 13:2) Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? (Hebrews 1:14)
“Angels” are divided into two categories of: Good Angels and Fallen Angels. The Good Angels are appointed by God as ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation. We know the names of two good angels: Michael and Gabriel. We do not know how many angels there are but there are many thousands of them.
Fallen Angels contrast with good angels and are headed up by Satan (Lucifer), who is a fallen angel. How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. (Isa 14:12-15)
God’s angels and the fallen angels have been in conflict from the beginning of the rebellion of Satan. Eventually, Satan and his angels will be subdued.
And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. (Rev 12:7-10)
A surprising thing takes place in how Michael, the archangel dealt with Satan when they were having a dispute over the body of Moses. Michael did not rebuke Satan.
Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. (Jude 1:9)
I found this comment by McGee on the incident: “This is a most remarkable verse of Scripture. Here is Wuest's very fine translation of it: "Yet Michael, the archangel, when disputing with the devil, arguing concerning the body of Moses, dared not bring a sentence that would impugn his dignity, but said, May the Lord rebuke you."
“Satan is a fallen creature and an avowed enemy of God, yet Michael, when contending about the body of Moses, would not bring a sentence that would impugn the dignity of Satan.
Michael even respected the position of Satan. Clement, one of the early church fathers, quotes from an apocryphal writing dealing with the funeral of Moses. When Michael was commissioned to bury Moses, Satan opposed it on the grounds that, since he was the master of the material and matter, the body belonged to him. Michael's only answer was, "The Lord [that is, the Creator] rebuke thee." Satan also brought the charge of murder against Moses. Also it is suggested that Satan wanted to hinder the later appearance of Moses at the Mount of Transfiguration.
“Lucifer was a creation of God and apparently, the highest creature that God created. And then evil was found in him. Don't think that evil means that he went out and stole something. The evil that was in him was that he put his will against the will of God. He was lifted up by pride, and he wanted to become independent of God. He actually thought he could dethrone God—at least from part of His universe.
As far as this world is concerned, God has permitted him to carry on this rebellion, and God has a high and holy purpose in it. But this creature still believes he will be able to take a segment of God's created universe and be the ruler over it. I'm sure that Satan wants this earth as his." (McGee)
Read Through the Bible in a Year
MARCH 30, 2017 – THURSDAY
A.M. Judges 1-2 P.M. Luke: 7:1-30
(Bible Gateway will read this to you if you like. Look for the speaker icon.)
Memory Verse This Month:
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. (Psa 19:14)
Song for Today:
How Great Thou Art (6:07) – (Choir & Orchestra) (FBC – Jax.FL)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iqtCTtVIB4&list=RDP23u1hjkhxI&index=6
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