Gabriel & Michael

Reading:
Revelation Chapter 11

1. Introduction

Extra Terrestrials: (ETs) These days there are scores of TV programmes, periodicals and books about aliens visiting earth:

Little green men with TV-like aerials poking out of their heads.
Monsters of all colours, shapes and sizes.
Even handsome human-like characters one could easily mistake for movie stars.

Were you to surf the Internet, you'd come across hundreds of web sites dedicated to UFOs and visitors from outer space; super intelligences endeavouring to communicate with the, supposedly, backward human race. Star war games fill the computer shelves and youngsters from the age of 3 upwards are all into this ‘space-age’ thing. The fun arcades are full of computerized machines where, dressed in virtual reality helmets you could fight a ‘space war’ and shoot down hostile aliens and save planet earth.

Angels

Strange as it may seem, this phenomena about aliens visiting earth is not new. In the Bible space visitors are called ‘angels.’ Angels are spirit-beings created by God. They are not human beings. Some are good and others are evil. Nor are they little green men with TV aerials poking out of their skulls. Scripture tells us that angels look like human beings; created as ‘ministering spirits’ and sent by God to look after the human race.

Hebrews 1: 14: “Are they (the angels) not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?”

This means that even as we congregate in this place many angels are with us here. We cannot see them or hear them. But they are here just as surely as I am standing before you. That is a fact we must bear in mind; that holy angels, guardian angels, attend to our welfare day and night. Isn't that a reassuring fact? As Jesus once said concerning children:

Matthew 18: 10: “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.”
There are millions of evil angels. In Scripture they are called devils or demons. But today I want to speak about two good archangels. The first is Gabriel.

2. The Arch Angel Gabriel

Strong's Dictionary defines him as:
He is one who stands in the very presence of Jehovah the Almighty God of Israel.
01403 Gabriy’el {gab-ree-ale’}
Gabriel = “warrior of God” or “man of God”
1) an archangel; the angel God used to send messages of great importance to man; sent to Daniel, to Zacharias, and to Mary

Gabriel Sent to Zacharias

Luke 1:

11: “And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
12: And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
13: But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
14: And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
15: For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
16: And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
17: And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
18: And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
19: And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.
20: And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.
21: And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.
22: And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.
23: And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.
24: And after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,
25: Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.”

Gabriel Sent to the Virgin Mary

Luke 1:

26: “And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
27: To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
28: And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
29: And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
30: And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
31: And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
32: He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
33: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
34: Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
35: And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
36: And, behold, thy cousin Elizabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
37: For with God nothing shall be impossible.”

Gabriel Sent to Daniel

The archangel Gabriel is mentioned twice in the Old Testament and on both occasions he is commissioned by God to instruct Daniel of futur events.

Daniel Chapter 9

In this chapter Gabriel tells Daniel of a 490 year time span starting with the commandment to rebuild Jerusalem after Judah's 70 year captivity in Babylon.

Daniel 9:

20: “And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God;
21: Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.
22: And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.”

The prophecy goes on to tell of the coming of the Messiah and his sacrificial death.

Daniel Chapter 8

In Daniel 8 Gabriel tells of a 2300 day time span which would occur at the ‘time of the end.’ Of how the ‘little horn’ power would desecrate the heavenly sanctuary, challenge the Prince of princes, (Messiah himself) cast some of the heavenly host down to earth and stop the Daily Sacrifice for 2300 days! Once again Gabriel is commanded by the Son of God to enlighten Daniel as to what this all means.

Daniel 8: 13: “Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?
14: And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.
15: And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man.
16: And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.
17: So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision.
18: Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright.
19: And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be.”

3. The Archangel Michael

The archangel Michael is also mentioned in the book of Daniel. According to Strong's Dictionary:
04317 Miyka’el {me-kaw-ale’}
Michael = “who is like God”
1) one of, the chief, or the first archangel who is described as the one who stands in time of conflict for the children of Israel.

It was Michael who came to the assistance of a Man in Linen when he was challenged by the ruling angel of Persia where Daniel was a captive. This demon didn't want Daniel to see and understand the Great Vision. The Great Vision is recorded in Daniel chapters 10,11 and 12. It was delivered by the Man in Linen. Michael came to the assistance of the Man in Linen, who despatched him to Jehovah to obtain the necessary authority for the Man in Linen to enter Persia. Only then was he able to give Daniel the details of the Great Vision recorded in Scripture of Truth; a record in heaven written long before Daniel was even born.

Daniel 10: 21: “But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.”

Who is the Man in Linen?

The following similarities in Daniel and Revelation lead us to believe that the Great Vision of Daniel 10 and the vision of the Revelation were both delivered by Jesus Christ the Son of God; the High Priest of the Melchisedec Priesthood. Note the language in the two prophecies:

His linen clothing: down to his feet; decorated with the gold of Uphaz.
His face: (countenance) like lightening, or as the sun shining in its full strength.
His eyes: as lamps of fire, or as a flame of fire.
His arms and feet: like polished brass, fine brass burned in a furnace.
His voice: like the voice of a multitude, or as the sound of many waters.
His affect on the two prophets: they both fell to the ground like dead men before him.
His reassuring words: ‘Fear not.’

Yes, these two Great Visions were both given by Jesus Christ the Son of God.

Who is Michael?

The answer is: Michael is an archangel. Michael is not Jesus Christ as some groups believe. Michael is a great prince (note the small ‘p.’) Michael is an archangel with special authority to care for the people of Israel. Jesus Christ is not just a great prince. He is called the Prince of princes. Note the capital ‘P’ in (Daniel 8: 25) and (Daniel 9: 25).

Daniel 12:

1: “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.”

Michael is mentioned again in the New Testament. This time we read of how he had been challenged by Satan concerning the body of Moses.

Jude:

9: “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.”

Who is the Lord?

The answer is, Michael is not the Lord. The Lord is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Messiah! The Father is YHVH translated in Scripture as LORD; note the capital letters throughout. Whereas, the Lord (capital ‘L’ and lower case ‘ord’) is the Son.

Strong's Dictionary defines the Lord as:
Hebrew: 0136’Adonay {ad-o-noy’}
AV - Lord 431, lord 2, God 1; 434
1) my lord, lord
1a) of men
1b) of God
2) Lord - title, spoken in place of Yahweh in Jewish display of reverence.

In other words when Michael was challenged by Satan over the body of Moses, he did not argue or accuse Satan; but left that to the Lord, to Adonay, to God the Son. In short, Michael is not the Lord, the Son of God. I repeat, Michael is an archangel. The Lord (Adonay) was entitled to accuse Satan to his face and Scripture tells us that he often rebuked Satan. (Matthew 4: 10, Matthew 16: 23, Matthew 17: 18) But Michael couldn't and didn't rebuke the Devil. He left that to the Lord - to God the Son.

Greek: 2962 kurios {koo’-ree-os}
AV - Lord 667, lord 54, master 11, sir 6, Sir 6, misc 4; 748
1) he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord...
1c) this title is given to: God, the Messiah.

War in Heaven

Just before the Lord returns to earth, there is going to be a war in heaven. It will be a war to end all wars. The greatest war this universe has and will ever see. The archangel Michael and his angels will fight against Satan and his angels. Satan and his army are thrown out of heaven. They are cast down to earth! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth! At this Woe a third of the human race will be slain!

Revelation 12:

7: “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
8: And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
9: And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him...
12: Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.”

In a strait battle with God, Satan and his host do not stand any chance whatsoever. The Almighty could vaporize Satan in an instant. They do not need our help or even Michael's help. And that is what is going to happen after the 1000 year reign of peace. Satan is loosed from the Bottomless Pit and after vainly attempting to attack the saints of God, perishes in the flames of hell fire.

Revelation 20:

7: “And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
8: And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
9: And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
10: And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”

4. Future Events

We can see from these chapters that Michael and Gabriel are deeply involved with the people of Israel. They are not the guardian angels of individual believers. Instead they manage and monitor the welfare of whole nations, particularly the nation of Israel. Another fact to remember is that their interest in:

The Body of Moses,
The rebuilding of Jerusalem,
The message of John the Baptist,
The coming of the Messiah,
The 2300, 3.5 year, 1290, 1335 day end-time prophecies of Daniel chapters 8 and 12 goes far beyond a simple delivery of information. Oh no! These two archangels are involved with Jehovah’s people on a higher plane.

For Example:

The Body of Moses is more than his physical corpse and where it was to be buried. The ‘body of Moses’ represents the body of believers who love the law the Almighty gave through Moses: the believers who will stand on the sea of glass and sing the victory song of Moses and the Lamb. (Revelation 15: 3) These believers are not Satan’s property. They will overcome the Beast and will belong to God - even in death.
The Rebuilding of Jerusalem means far more than the building of houses, streets and shops. Jerusalem Zion represents Jehovah's capital and the special believers who are allowed to inhabit it.
The Message of John The Baptist is the Elijah Message; an end- time call back to obedience and holiness. It is the message that will turn the hearts of erring children back to their Heavenly Father. (Malachi 4: 5-6)
The Coming of the Messiah looks far beyond the Saviour’s birth in Bethlehem to his second coming in power and glory. The 2300 Day and other (1260, 1290, 1335) time spans listed in the book of Daniel point to days just before Jesus Christ returns to earth when these two archangels Michael and Gabriel will again be personally involved. Just as in the days when Sodom was destroyed, these two archangels were instructed by God to rescue Lot and his family before the LORD burned Sodom to ashes. The same thing is going to happen again just prior to the Seven Last Plagues. Read of Sodom's destruction in Genesis chapters 18 and 19.

The Two Witnesses

We are told in Revelation chapter 11 that Two Witnesses will visit the city of Jerusalem and preach for 42 months (3.5 years) during the 2nd Woe, which is the 6th Trumpet of the Seventh Seal. These Two Witnesses are Michael and Gabriel, the same two archangels who rescued Lot and his family before the LORD burned Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes.

Revelation 11:

1: “And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
2: But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
3: And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
4: These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
5: And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
6: These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
7: And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
8: And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
9: And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
10: And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
11: And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
12: And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
13: And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.
14: The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.”

Summary

Visitors From Outer Space Are Not A New Phenomenon. This earth has had alien visitors for thousands of years. In the Bible these visitors are called angels. Some are good and others evil.
Gabriel And Michaelare two holy archangels; the highest ranking angels in the Kingdom of Heaven. They stand in the very presence of God and were depicted as the two covering cherubs on either side of the ark of the covenant. In the Temple of Solomon they were represented by two mighty gold-plated cherubim which were constructed from two ‘Olive Trees.’ (I Kings 6: 23-28) In (Revelation 11: 4) they are actually called the‘two olive trees!’
These two archangels were commissioned by Jehovah to bear the most important prophecies to mankind concerning the:
- Rebuilding of Jerusalem,
- The birth of John the Baptist,
- The birth of Jesus Christ,
- And the end-time prophecies which are to take place just before the Saviour returns to earth.
They are particularly interested in the people of Israel; especially that body of true believers who honour the law of God as given through His servant Moses: the true believers who will overcome the Beast and be allowed to stand on the sea of glass and sing the song of Moses and the Lamb!
They are the Two Witnesses mentioned in (Revelation Chapter 11). They testify to mankind for a period of (1260 days 42 months) and are able to plague humanity as often as they choose. They prophesy during the 2nd Woe at a time when a third of the human race will be slaughtered! Men have absolutely no power to stand against them. But the Antichrist, the Beast from the Bottomless Pit (another archangel of enormous power) is permitted to kill them. After three and a half days they are resurrected by God and ascend to heaven much to the astonishment of mankind. At their resurrection the 2nd Woe, will end. (Revelation 11: 14)

Conclusion

We have almost reached the time when these two archangels Gabriel and Michael will visit earth and be seen by the people of this planet. It is more than likely that during their 1260 day campaign they will be seen in many cities besides Jerusalem, Israel where they are scheduled to be killed.

Perhaps they will visit your country. What will you do if you saw one of them and heard their call to repentance? Would you reconsider your stand concerning YHVH’s (Jehovah’s) commandments? What will you do? Doubtless you will initially be terrified at their presence and power - as was the prophet Daniel and the apostle John. But, supposing you got over your initial terror, would you welcome their message? You can be certain that they will deliver the same message they gave to the citizens of Sodom and Gomorrah. ‘Repent and change your ways or die!’

The answer to these questions is important. Why? Because they will give you some idea as to your present frame of mind. The instruction in (Revelation 11: 1) “...Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.” means Go and evaluate the true worshippers of the Almighty God; Those who humble themselves to do His will. Measure them, count them, warn them, weigh up the people who comprise the Temple - the ‘Church of God!’

That time of evaluation and warning is here. It has started. The world is being warned just as was Sodom and Gomorrah. Governments are deciding which way they will take and laws are being passed concerning homosexual behaviour. Communities, educational authorities, church groups and individuals are all being compelled to take sides. Do we honour and keep the commandments of the LORD, especially those dealing with sexual behaviour; or do we jettison them as did the citizens of Sodom? and Gomorrah? That is the question? These mighty archangels will preach primarily in Jerusalem; a city described in Revelation as ‘spiritual Sodom!’ (Revelation 11: 8) But their message is the same preached by all the prophets of God since the days of Enoch. “Repent and turn from your evil ways, or you will suffer the vengeance of eternal fire!”

Alas! the city of Jerusalem is also guilty of ‘spiritual sodomy!’ Just what is this sin? Do you know? Do you care? Does it matter? Were you to go to Jerusalem today you would see the city festooned with religious shrines and images of all kinds: weeping Madonnas, bleeding hearts, crucified Christs, haloed saints, pagan temples and an endless trade in idolatry!

The Two Witnesses will speak out against these things. That is why they will be so unpopular.
Nevertheless we await their arrival: for they are sure to come.

AMEN!

In the Son’s Name - For the Father’s glory.

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