Battle for the Body in the Supernatural

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This sermon will examine the window Jude opens and discover why Jesus directed Jude to include this in His Bible. As one looks through this window, one can see the characters in conflict, Moses as the person of conflict, and Michael’s response to the conflict. As New Testament believers look through this window, they will glimpse the supernatural realm and discover how it is beyond man’s understanding and power. Jude’s message uses this glimpse to teach that man must submit to God regarding supernatural moments.

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Introduction - Biblical knowledge is the doorway to WISDOM and the Holy Spirit is the key accessing it.

There are specific verses scattered throughout the entire Bible that call for deeper study beyond Biblical knowledge. This is evident in Jude 9. A small moment in history is recorded in this verse, but an immense message is apparent. This story is built from Deutoronmy 34, the burial of Moses. More details to this story are found in another writing, the Assumption of Moses.

The Assumption of Moses is a book, dated to the first century, supposedly relating prophecies told to Joshua by Moses. The book is sometimes referred to as the Testament of Moses. The book was not and is not considered a part of the biblical canon. Unlike the Bible, the Assumption of Moses is poorly preserved, existing in only one manuscript, translated into Latin, which is dated from after AD 500 and is missing a large portion of the text. Scholars have pointed out that history matches much of the writings in Moses. While we can not build our life upon this document, it can offer insight into what we are reading.

Jude opens a small window into the supernatural realm and shows the image of an argument between Michael the Archangel and Satan. It is unknown how Jude knows about this argument. The simplest explanation is that God shared this moment with Jude so that he would include it in this book. Including this part of history in Jude adds support to the message of Jude, which is to alert the church of apostasy and prepare them to defend the truth.

In this time, we will examine the window Jude opens and discover why Jesus directed Jude to include this in His Bible. As we look through this window, we can see the 1) characters in conflict, 2) Moses as the person of conflict, and 3) Michael’s response to the conflict. As New Testament believers look through this window, they will get a glimpse of the supernatural realm and discover how it is beyond man’s understanding and power.

The only way we can understand the Bible is by the grace of God. I know this to be true because of what Jesus told Peter at the bottom of Mount Hermon when Jesus asked the disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter reasoned, “You are the Christ, Son of the living God.” Jesus confirmed what Peter said and shared that this was only possible because God revealed that to Him.

Jude’s message uses this glimpse to teach that man must submit to God regarding supernatural moments. Will you pray with me right now and ask God to open our eyes to what we have read, open our minds to process and understand the information, and work in our hearts to respond to the message.

Context

Since we are focusing on a specific verse in the middle of Jude, I would like to share some background to ensure we are prepared to understand verse 9.

Christ packs so much wisdom into this book for only having one chapter. What Jude lacks in chapters is made up of the profound lessons to be learned. The main message of Jude comes from verse 3, which is Jude appealing to believers to “contend for the faith….” Jude 3

Jude 3 ESV

Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.

This message, which he does not have a choice to share, involves calling out the apostasy in the church by proclaiming Christ’s truth to the people. One author wrote that Jude’s decision to change from exhortation to confrontation was probably inconvenient. Despite its inconvenience, Jude cared about the church's spiritual health. He would do his part to guide the church back to the truth.

In this passage, Jude is reminding the people how God has dealt with those who refuse to believe in Him and the angels who rebelled against His authority, he is showing the New Testament church that Christ is the only one who can control these situations. Jude shares that even angels (Michael) call upon the Lord to deal with demons (Satan) or fallen angels to prove his point. The supernatural realm is outside of man’s mental and physical strength.

The two characters in this conflict have power in the supernatural realm because this is where they exist. Jude 9 records two of the three angels with recorded names in the Bible: Michael and Lucifer. Michael is announced as the archangel in this passage, which means “the first or chief of the angels”, and he is the only angel ever given this title in Biblical writings. It is clear from this passage and others that Michael is a high-ranking angel and plays a significant role in a supernatural war recorded in Revelation twelve. The other character in this conflict is the devil, also known as Satan. He is the leader of the fallen angels.

The conflict in this passage is between two high-ranking angels who command armies. They exist in the supernatural realm and appear to be equal in power. Even with the typical characteristics, it is fascinating how Michael responded to this conflict. His response leaves a lesson for New Testament believers.

If you are still confused, that means you haven’t prayed hard enough for God to open your eyes😂

1. Characters in Conflict

The first main point is on the characters in conflict. These two represent two opposing forces that are at war with one another. Both beings are a part of God’s creation. There is Michael, who has chosen to obey Christ without hesitation, and Satan, who has rebelled against God and has committed to ruining His creation with sin. These two are an accurate visual of equal powers. Time and culture have altered people’s views of Satan and Christ’s strength. Often, they are looked at as equal in power. This can be seen in media, entertainment, book, and sometimes church. People have overlooked Jesus’ divine authority and power and credited Satan with more power than he possesses. As Jude opens this window into the supernatural realm, two equal powers can be seen in Michael and Satan.

Verse 9 of Jude is a response to the previous verses. In these verses, he is writing about moments in history when people engaged with angels or demons.Jude gives the comparison of verse 9, where Michael shows respect to Satan. One commentator wrote that this discussion was like a legal dispute. Even though Satan had an unrealistic request, the Bible says that Michael did not dare to pronounce any reviling judgment against him.

The word “dare” in the New Testament meant to take a risk outside their proper place. In his conversation with Satan, Michael did not dare to step outside his proper place like the angles in verse six. One commentator wrote that Michael was “aware of the appropriate boundaries between himself, the devil, and the Lord.” Michael would have had the same spirit or attitude as the other fallen angels if he had stepped out of line. He did not dare to speak judgement of slander towards Satan. This is the lesson Jude is trying to share with us. Angelic being, whether they are fallen or unfallen, are to be handled by God. Even Michael did not speak against a fellow angel. What right does a human have to speak against an angel does not? Angels are not on the list of man’s responsibilities. Christ appointed man’s responsibilities in Genesis, and angels were not a part of it.

This interaction between Michael and Satan is a lesson for every Christian today. Every person, thing, and angel serves a purpose in creation. Even though angels are in a different realm, they serve a purpose. God reminds His church of how man, angels, and God interact with one another. He also reminds the church that He has true power over everything. God has the final authority, no matter how deceiving or rebelling an angel or man can be.

2. Moses as the Person of Conflict

Michael and Satan’s conflict was over Moses’ dead body. The nation of Israel praises Moses for his leadership and his shared writings. His legacy has lasted because of how God used Moses to free His people and write the Torah. He was known as the prophet who knew the Lord “face to face.”

Can you dream with me for a short second? What if Satan were given the body of Moses? What if God did not keep his burial place a secret and Satan stole the body of Moses? Some scholars believe Satan would have used the body to deceive and distract people from Christ. Man is prone to worship man or idols. The sinful nature, which lives in every human, desires to worship man. Satan likely wanted to use the body of Moses to appeal to this wicked desire and set the body of Moses as a relic to worship. Despite Satan’s success with this plan, he deceived the Pharisees to praise Moses above the Son of God.

Christ protected the person of conflict in this passage. Moses was saved, and so were the Israelites and others who put their faith in Jesus. They were rescued from Satan’s deceptions. Even though Satan may have felt that the body of Moses belonged to him because he was a murderer, he forgot that God promises to protect His people. The New Testament passage, Romans 8:31-39, confirms the security of God in this Old Testament story. Nothing can separate, has separate, or will separate the children of God from Himself. Even though Christ does not seem physically present in this story, His power is evident in Michael’s response to the conflict.

3.Michael’s Response to the Conflict

This final point in Jude 9 is Michael's response to the conflict. The most powerful part of this story comes from four words, “The Lord rebuke you.” Despite Michael’s anger and rage against the devil, he knew the ultimate response to end this conflict. One commentator shared that Michael did not have the power or authority to end this conflict, but He knew Christ’s strength and authority could end this conflict. Michael is portrayed as a mighty angel throughout the entire Bible, but his wisdom at this moment proves that to be even more accurate. The fact that he chose to stand down against the one who has betrayed Christ and lives to ruin Christ’s creation shows Michael’s understanding of God’s authority. Michael knows that he has no authority over Satan. His reaction to calling on the Lord to rebuke Satan was the only option without a possible fight. There is no evidence that Satan continued in this conflict. Even the devil recognized Christ’s ultimate authority.

A similar story with the same outcome can be found in Zechariah 3. Joshua was standing in the presence of the Lord wearing filthy garments. Satan attempted to use his deception against the angel and God to kill Joshua because of his uncleanliness before Christ. Both stories share Christ’s response to Satan’s deception, which is rebuking him. There is also a similarity in Satan’s accusations. He accused both men of their sin and uncleanliness before Christ. What Satan fails to understand is God’s grace. Moses was able to enter heaven and Joshua to stand before the Lord because of God’s grace and mercy. Satan will never experience grace and mercy because of his rebellion against Jesus.

Gabriel’s response in Jude 9 and Christ’s action in Zechariah 3 shows that Satan will receive no mercy and grace. His deception to lead other angels against Christ removed him and the other angels from heaven without an option of grace and mercy. According to these two historical moments, when Satan interferes with God’s plan or people, He rebukes him.Gabriel’s reaction to this conflict shows Christ’s divine authority, Gabriel’s submission to Christ’s authority, and Satan’s surrender to Christ's authority.

Conclusion

Since verse nine responds to what was written in the previous verses, God first points out human's place. Angels are outside man’s realm and responsibility. Genesis 2:15-20 clearly states the responsibilities of a man. All of the responsibilities listed take place on earth. Man is to take care of the earth and the animals on it. They are to be good stewards of what God has provided. Going beyond this and doing more is outside God’s plan for man.

Not only is God the one who gave man responsibilities, but He is also the one man reports to. Christ is the point of contact for Christians. Angels do serve a purpose in the relationship between man and Christ. Jesus is the only being who has the ability to listen to everyone's prayers and answer them. Angels are just obedient servants who serve Jesus unconditionally. Therefore, man cannot reach out to the angels with requests, demands, or corrections.

Angels are more powerful than humans and do not take orders from man. Jude warns about reviling and slandering angelic beings for a reason. They are fierce and powerful creatures that show no mercy. Look at the story of Balaam in Numbers 22. The angel was ready to kill Balaam at God’s command. The only reason the angel did not is that Balaam finally listened to what God was saying to Him.

God is the one who has authority over the angels. God is the one who has authority over the fallen angel. God is the one who has authority over man. With all three groups, God allows the freedom to choose. That is why the fallen angels will never enter heaven again and will burn in the lake of fire for eternity. The angels who have been faithful to God will have a home in heaven for eternity. Man can never enter heaven because of their decision to disobey God and sin. It is only by God’s grace and mercy can a man enter heaven. Only God has the power over life and death. No man and no angel can question his authority.

I pray that Jude 9 opens a window to see into the supernatural realm. Remember, this window is only a small picture. There are angelic powers all around that are beyond man’s understanding and power. Looking through this window that Jude opened, one can see the characters in conflict, Moses as the person of conflict, and Michael’s response to the conflict. Through these three points, it becomes clear to see man’s place, angel’s place, and God’s place in His creation.

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