Encountered Angels

658.  "Encountered Angels"     December 11, 2012
Jude 9-Part 8
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. KJV

LET IT GLOW

I believe in guardian angels, don't you? Several times they have rescued my family from harm. Do you know the times angels appeared to people? Elisabeth, Zacharias, Mary, Joseph, the shepherds encountered angels. Have you? Here is an angel that is named-Michael.

Who is Michael?

• Michael means "who is like God?" It is the name of an archangel, who was supposed to be the guardian angel of the Israelites. (Thayer's Lexicon)
• Michael is the messenger of God who came to Daniel, and is called by him prince of the people of Israel. (Young's Concordiance)
• He is an archangel. Archangel refers to one of the princes and leaders of the angels. (Thayer's Lexicon)
• He leads the holy angels. (MacArthur)
• He contended, disputed with the devil about the body of Moses. This is the only mention in Scripture about the struggle over the body of Moses. Michael had to fight with Satan to do God's bidding.
• Michael did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him (the devil) but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" NIV
• He is also mentioned by name in Daniel 10, Daniel 12, and Revelation 12. Every time Michael appears, it is in the context of battle or readiness to fight. (Guzik)
• Why the dispute over Moses' body? Commentators suggest that the devil wanted to tempt the Israelites into idolatry, worshiping Moses' body instead of God. Perhaps the devil knew a purpose God had for Moses' body at the appearing on the Mount of Transfiguration with Elijah and Jesus, so the devil wanted to defeat that plan. (Matt. 17:1-3)

I am glad there are angels around us. I am also glad that God is all-powerful and in charge. They were quite busy during the Bible times. Many Scriptures tell us. Look up "angel" and see how many references there are.

LET IT GROW

There are invisible, angelic beings all around us. Ministering spirits are sent by God to assist us and there are demonic spirits who want to defeat us.

It's not the why but the how, the manner of Michael's fighting that is important. It is a model for spiritual warfare. Michael battles with the Lord's authority. (Michael is not Jesus in the verse.) Michael doesn't rebuke the devil in his own authority, but in the authority of Jesus. (Bauckham)

We all need to be aware of demons who want to corrupt, defile Christians who want to walk in purity and freedom. Let's be time bombs to the devil, ready to wreck his work.
We work in Jesus' name and with the Holy Spirit's power.

Who knows, maybe today you or I will encounter an angel unaware. Don't forget to entertain strangers, it just might be an angel. (Hebrews 13:2)

LET IT GO

Turn from the world. Turn to Jesus.

Remember that we have angels to help us in this spiritual battle.