September 5: MICHAEL YOUR PRINCE
But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince… Daniel 10:21
God’s inspired message to humanity is the Scripture of Truth. It is the bread of life (John 6:48), equated with the Ultimate Message to humanity, Jesus Himself (John 1:1). This supernaturally nutritious food for the soul is available for each of us. The Bible provides the standard of character that the eternal residents of God’s kingdom are to possess for themselves, reflecting His image. This Word also opens to our eyes the test of experience. It is the revealer of true doctrine, and the trustworthy record of God’s acts throughout earth’s history. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
God has consistently, generously, and mercifully provided warnings of coming judgment. Before He sent the flood, He raised up Noah, a preacher of righteousness (2 Peter 2:5) to invite repentance as he built an ark of safety, according to divine instructions. Before Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed, angels came to lead Lot and his family to safety. He sent Moses to warn Pharaoh before the ten plagues fell upon Egypt. John the Baptist was raised up to prepare the road of repentance ahead of the earthly ministry of Jesus. True repentance—turning away from sin—is the largest challenge to our corrupted human nature. But, beloved, He is ready and willing to aid, strengthen, and affirm all who come to Him (see Luke 6:47-48)! With God, all things are possible (Mark 10:27).
In these last days, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD (Malachi 4:5), He has raised up a prophetic movement whose mission it is to proclaim God’s final message of mercy and warning to the world. Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy (1 Corinthians 14:1 – see also 13:2). The shape of the future is laid out for us in the Scripture of Truth. But eternal prosperity depends upon our response to this news (2 Chronicles 20:20).
The name Michael means who is like God. Spiritual battles, though we cannot see them with our eyes, are indescribably fierce. None of us would stand a chance of making it out alive if it were not for mighty angels who do battle on our behalf. But sometimes even they need help. Gabriel confides to Daniel the identity of the magnificent One he saw (Daniel 10:5-6). This One is the Commander of the Angel Armies, the Archangel (arch means chief – He is not an angel, He is their Commander-in-chief). His voice has the supernatural power to raise the dead (1 Thessalonians 4:16, John 11:43). Beloved, Michael your prince is the Giver of life (Colossians 1:16). If you are His, you will live, even if you die (John 11:25).
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 4:14
Dig deeper: Joshua 5:13-15; Daniel 12:1; Luke 24:25; John 5:28; Jude 9; Revelation 12:7 (Note: In Daniel 10:13, the word one means preeminent. In 1 Thessalonians 4:16 an should be the. No articles exist in the original Greek.)