Daniel 12:1-3
“At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book.
2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
3 And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
There are so many things to like about this brief few verses of Scripture. We find we will have a wonderful hope in our future. And we find the wise shall shine Like the brightness of the sky above; Like the stars forever. And Yet not as a star. An important distinction. Mufasa speaks so soothingly, movingly and beautifully of the kings shining in the sky. Scripture could support that thought; today we know space is cold, quiet and empty. We do not secure an empty place, but a place of Love in His eternal Kingdom of beauty. And in reality, we know we do not see all the stars and to exist as a star is sight out of mind.
The Bible repeats so many times, we learn the rapture occurs as in the days Jesus walked among us as grace and truth.
Matthew 27: 54
They were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God"Our God is Lord of Hosts. In this passage we learn Michael is considered to be a a great prince. Do we really know if angels are archangels?
1 Thessalonians 4:16
For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ
Jude 1:9
But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.”
This passage tells us of the end of time when good and evil collide. The fallen angels will let their righteous indignation fight because salvation comes to flawed human beings. A time of trouble.
Popular culture tends to say God is not allowed to be angry.
Genesis 1:26
Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.
Do you ask how to resist anger? As soon as you feel the slightest resentment, gather together your powers, not hastily or impetuously, but gently and seriously. For as in some law courts, the criers make more noise in their efforts to preserve quiet than those they seek to still, so, if we are impetuous in our attempts to restrain our anger, we cause greater discomposure in our hearts than before; and once thrown off its balance, the heart is no longer its own master.
-- St. Francis de Sales
God is Responsible for being the Host of Heavens, not just people, planets, solar systems.
Angels are part of the spiritual realm. Daniel 10:20 names angelic beings as 'the prince of Persia' and 'the prince of Greece,' and Daniel 10:21 and 12:1 speak of Michael as 'the great prince' who protect and guides the Children of Israel.
Revelation 16:5
And I heard the angel in charge of the waters say, “Just are you, O Holy One, who is and who was, for you brought these judgments.
Daniel 9:21
while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice.
Hebrews 1:14
Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will
inherit salvation?
Father God is Busy. And yet, the Almighty, Ancient of Days, Lord of Lords has time for us. And is for keeping us safe.
2 Corinthians 10:3-6
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.
Deliverance and Salvation are works of the LORD GOD. Good to know Jesus, the Holy Spirit and Abba are for us.
Jonah 2:9
But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the LORD!”
Psalm 3:8
From the LORD comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people. Selah
1 Thessalonians 5:9
For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Romans 10:9
Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Father God,
Thank You for the people who have come out of these floods well. We pray for those who have not. For those who need to travel during this time.
We lift up Edward who is suffering physically today and ask for mercy and health for him until the day You have chosen for Edward to come home. We pray for his good health.
Thanking You for the prayers of people who care and love each other.
Continuing to lift up those who are in need physically. Our ears. For infections to clear up. For rest and sleep. For those who are enduring changes in life and will overcome. Strengthening families who are interwoven and need each other for all of life. That kindness, loyalty and goodness will be the points of valor in our lives.
Remembering we are all flawed and give to one another this grace, as grace has been given to us.
Lifting up life where we have concerns. For our loved ones to be covered, supported and lean to His Grace. For our communities, jobs, Churches and this Nation. Christians around the world. The strength of good employment. Joyful talents used and rewarded. We pray for Father God to help people use the talents He has richly placed in us.
Looking to Father God today to have Joy knowing this is always part of eternity. Our determination to fulfill our talents, mercy, goodness will make our tomorrow and our loved one's tomorrow better.
God has all the resources He needs. His angels serve Him for His Pleasure. His Word alone as God causes and is the fulfillment of all His Promises.
In Jesus. Amen.