(Continued from page 194.)
IRREVERENT AND IRRATIONAL DESPISERS OF THE TRUTH.
"Yet in like manner these dreamers also defile [the] flesh, and despise lordship, and speak railingly against dignities. But Michael the archangel, when disputing with the devil he reasoned about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a railing judgment against [him], but said, [The] Lord rebuke thee. But these, whatever things they know not, they speak railingly against; but what even, as the irrational animals, they understand by mere nature, in these things they corrupt themselves" (vers. 8-10).
Unholy ways always accompany, and indeed spring from, unholy teachings. Hence we can easily understand the readiness with which apostates from the truth give themselves up to what is defiling and abominable. It is noticeable that present-day advocates of that insult to decency denominated "free love," are in large measure persons who have apostatized from a nominal Christianity, and now can tolerate, and even stand for, what they once would have abhorred. The loosening of the marriage tie, the prevalent evil of unscriptural divorce and all its train of iniquitous practices, find in modern latitudinarian thought and liberal theology earnest defenders. What would once have been rebuked, even by the world, is now pandered to by a Christless pulpit, and so men and women sustaining unholy relations are rocked to sleep in their sins and made comfortable with the vaporings of "filthy dreamers," while death, judgment and eternal punishment are fast hastening on!* *If any think these words too strong, let them observe the many well-known apostates from orthodoxy who now glory in being linked up in a "fellowship " that not merely tolerates, but exults in, the recognition of leading advocates of all that is specified in this paragraph.*
Coupled with this new standard of morals, so opposed to the purity of Scripture, will be found a pride that brooks no bounds, and vaunts itself against every unseen power. Satan is no longer feared, but his very existence denied on the one hand, or his superhuman ability ridiculed on the other.* *It is a matter of sincere regret that the Salvation Army, numbering many earnest workers in its ranks, should have permitted so many loose and objectionable expressions in regard to the unseen prince of the bottomless pit as will be found in its literature and heard in its testimonies. Satan is a mighty foe, not to be made a subject of ridicule or jest.* How different was the behavior of Michael the archangel, who, when he disputed with the great adversary about the body of Moses, durst not rail, but said, " The Lord rebuke thee! "
All kinds of ingenious theories have been advanced concerning the nature of this dispute; but as God Himself has not given us the particulars, it would seem useless to speculate. Moses appeared in body on the mount of transfiguration, with Elijah. That the dispute may have had something to do with preserving his body from corruption in view of that wondrous occasion, seems likely; but beyond that, it is best not to give rein to the notions of the mind. When we know as we are known, this and all other mysteries will be solved in a scene where knowledge can no longer puff us up as here.
It is important to observe that we never read of archangels in Scripture. Men may so talk, but God's word never. The word occurs only in the singular. Michael (meaning, "who is [as] God") is the archangel. Gabriel, for instance, is never so called. Some have sought to identify Michael with the Son of God Himself. But as there is no word from the Holy Spirit that declares such an identity, it seems unwise to theorize, and in the writer's judgment the evidence is all the other way.
Michael appears in the book of Daniel as "the great prince that standeth for the children of [the prophet's] people "; that is, of Israel. In the Revelation he appears as the leader of the angelic hosts, driving Satan from the heavens when his days of accusing the brethren are ended. Here he is seen contending for the lawgiver's body; and in i Thess. 4 he seems to be a distinct being, whose voice (as Israel's prince) will be heard in connection with the shout of the Lord and the trump of God, at the Saviour's coming to gather His redeemed to Himself in the air. It is noticeable that in Dan. 10:13 he is called, by another angel, "Michael, one of the chief princes"; a title, it would seem, utterly inconsistent with Him who was known of old as "The Angel of the Covenant"-now as our Lord Jesus Christ, the Only-begotten Son of God.
It is solemn indeed to be told that so great a being "durst not" bring a railing accusation against the devil, while proud, haughty men, ignorant of God, of Satan, and of themselves, speak boldly against all that is high, and rail concerning things utterly beyond their comprehension.
Even in what they do understand they do not behave with propriety, but, like natural brute beasts, they corrupt themselves, manifesting complete inability to curb their fleshly lusts; while, knowing no shame, they dare to rail against the admittedly unknowable, if a divine revelation be rejected. But, alas, this is the result of the deification of the human mind, the root-error of the so-called "New Thought," "Christian Science," and other "oppositions of science, falsely so called."
Thus the harvest is fast ripening for judgment, and it becomes increasingly important that those who know God search His word and value His truth; remembering that perilous times have indeed come, when, if it were possible, Satan would deceive the very elect.
If some are kept from error and the evil practices resultant, it is only through the same grace that saves; even as the apostle tells the Thessalonians, after warning them of the energetic working of the mystery of lawlessness and the coming strong delusion:
"But we ought to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, that God has chosen you from the beginning to salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth " (2 Thess. 2:13). If any abide in the truth, it is owing to the fact that God Himself has chosen them, and sustains them in their path. "Where is boasting then ? It is excluded! " H. A. I.
(To be continued.)