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Weekly Devotional

October 6, 2008
 

Revelation 12:7-10   ⁷ And war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back,  ⁸ but they were defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.  ⁹ The great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world-- he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.  ¹⁰ Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, proclaiming, "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Messiah, for the accuser of our comrades has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.

Today is known as the lesser festival of St. Michael and All Angels.  Not much is known about the angel Michael except what is written in Revelation and Daniel.  Michael is regarded as one of the top four angels, which include Raphael, Gabriel, and Uriel.  His name in the Hebrew tradition means “One who is like God.”  It is his status as a prince as presented in Daniel that leads scholars to consider him one of the top archangels, if not the top.

            Michael is regarded as the commander of the army of heaven, as we read in the pericope above.  As the angel with this position, some interesting theological points can be made not only about him, but also about Satan.  Many people regard Satan as the opposite of God.  However, if that were true, then we would have two gods, one good and one bad.  But that is not the case.  We have one God who is Lord of All.  So where does that leave Satan?  Well, at the MOST, Satan is only the equal of Michael, if Michael himself is the top dog.  Giving Satan more power than the #2 position not only builds his ego, but diminishes the sheer power and might of God. 

            However, as we see above, Michael and his angels were able to defeat Satan and his angels.  So therefore it seems to me that Michael is a more powerful angel.  Not only is Satan easily defeated by the cross, but he is easily defeated by the followers and angels of God.  So today, we celebrate St. Michael and all the angels who work to defeat Satan.  We also give thanks for the protectors of the gospel that God has created in angels.  For it is through the army of angels that the salvation and power and kingdom of God will reign forever.

In our prayers this week: 

Alma, Ann, the moms of Doris and Gail, Norm and Jane, Jackie (Marianne and Richard’s Daughter) and Bob’s sister Janet

God’s Peace,

Pastor Judson