Jude 9 WAIT FOR GOD'S TIME Those who "speak evil of dignities" set themselves up as judge and jury over the actions of those with whom they do not agree. Whether the dignities are angels or men, there are spiritual powers at work in the world that are far superior to us as far as knowledge and reasons for things - good or bad. What do we know about the reasons God sets up one leader instead of the one we would choose? How can we pass a judgment on why one person lived a long time and another dies young? Life and death are in God's hand. So are unseen powers that are allowed to work in the world today. Our commission is the same under every regime, political party, national identity, and social/ religious structure that may be in authority at the time. We are to preach the Gospel. make disciples, baptize and teach them to observe all things our Lord taught us. Then we are to pass the things we have learned, to those who will be able to teach others.
To make our imaginative thoughts about Satan into some kind of image to scare people into confessions of faith in Christ without them assuming responsibility for their own sin, is both misleading and deceptive. We know he is a liar from the beginning. We know he is the adversary. We know he accuses believers. We know he can seem like a roaring lion or an angel of light. We know when we resist the devil, he will flee from us. We know the Holy Spirit in us is greater than "he that is in the world." We even know the devil's future destiny, but we know he is still opposing the work of God and God is allowing him to do certain things against God's people like Job, and he seems to win. But we know it is not over till it is over. So like Michael who is stronger than the devil, we need to let God do what is His will, even in situations we may not agree with personally at first.
It is not our prerogative to pronounce judgment on that which we do not understand. Does Satan have any right over human bodies after a believer has been taken home to heaven? He has the "power of death," not the keys of death. Perhaps the fact that human beings submitted their will to his in the garden of Eden has given him temporary right over that which disintegrates. Even if he has a temporary claim to our "dust," the bodies of believers are going to "be made like unto His body of glory." We have been "bought with a price ... the blood of Christ," so whatever claim he might have, is only brief. Moses appeared in some way on the mount of transfiguration, likely in a spiritual form but he was recognizable. It may have been the devil's intent in the dispute over Moses' body to have the children of Israel use it as some artifact to be worshipped.
The Lord rebuked the devil by burying the body of Moses Himself in a place unknown to the adversary, or at least where he couldn't get it. Michael, for all his superior strength and authority, kept his hands off of what God was going to do in His own way and time. We need to remember some things belong to the Lord only. Vengeance is one of those things. The leadership of nations is set up by the Lord for reasons known only to Him. Whether He "sets up" or "puts down" is up to His sovereign will. Our responsibilities for "kings and those in authority" is to pray for them and obey them. We can "live quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and honesty" no matter what is going on in our nation when we pray in the will of God and accept what happens to us as from His hands. We are reminded by the Holy Spirit that "this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who will have all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth." In a more paraphrased way the words mean, "Do your work in prayer and Gospel witness, and I will take care of the rest, whether it be the government or saving souls."
Michael, the angel for the nation of Israel, pointed out the fact that when it comes to God's own people, God Himself does the rebuking. Jude was making the statement that those who despise dominions and speak evil of dignities are not people who are speaking under divine authority. They are rather setting themselves up against God. This is part of the description of their character. Pride, ambition and self-interest are all evidence of character deterioration in those who do not "keep the faith."
There are descriptive words of the character of apostates from verse 8 through verse 19. They are people of loose morals and corrupt thoughts. They resist control and mock those who walk with God. Their words are boastful and filled with religious sham instead of spiritual truth. They complain and murmur against others and are like hidden rocks, "spots in your feasts of charity" who undermine the faith of God's people. They want to move the people of God away from the safety of the truth in which they "earnest contend for the faith," to be shipwrecked in their spiritual testimony. They seek to replace the grace of God with their false teaching and the spiritual corruption associated with it.
God has His ways of dealing with those who oppose His sovereign will. The history of Israel is replete with accounts of God at work on behalf of His people. Even when they failed, He gave them opportunities to repent and return to the path of faith. In New Testament times when the apostles went forth to fulfill the commission they were given, the Lord worked with them and "confirmed the word with signs following." In the assembly at Corinth, there were some things wrong they had to deal with themselves, and other things God dealt with. “For this cause many are weak and sickly among you and many sleep." God is still on His throne and vain men still try to usurp those things He has reserved for Himself.
I wonder what is behind the choice, to criticize those who lead? Could it be we heard another voice, and to divisive words gave heed? Who are we to bring one down, what have we done so great? Criticism is bad seed sown, that may even turn to hate.
Leave to God the things He knows are beyond our place to judge. If He chooses, we may be shown the road another one has to trudge. My own business takes my time, and I'll trust God's sovereign decision. Likely I too soon will find; God has worked with great precision.
Even if I think one's way is wrong, it is best if I watch and wait. Another person may not be so strong, but God is the One who knows their state - What is right or if something needs to be, changed or corrected to the right end. And later on, I will be able to see He knew exactly what or who to send.
"Father, these two mighty beings, Michael and the devil, had limited power given to them by Thee. Michael knew his limitations when it came to making decisions that affect a lot of people. I need the common sense and wisdom from Thee to know when to be silent and walk away from confrontation. I ask for this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."