By David J. Stewart
"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." —Jude 9
Sadly, there is much heresy circulating in America's churches today.
According to Southern Baptist Convention [SBC] Chairman, Adrian
Rogers, Michael refused to make a railing accusation against Satan in Jude 9
because he still recognized the dignity of Satan.
I disagree with Adrian Rogers view of Jude 9. The context of the Scriptures is concerning those who are rebels and "despise dominion" (verse 8). Some people just don't want any authority or rules over them. They despise their parents, the Bible, God, the police, et cetera. This is quite different from concerned citizens who criticize their government for stealing, confiscating and misappropriating taxpayer dollars.
Even worse, our leaders are exploiting our children, sending them out as paid mercenaries to fight battles which have nothing to do with America's freedom. Meanwhile our U.S. borders are deliberately left wide open. Romans 13 plainly speaks of obeying legitimate government, not a gang of cutthroat criminal thugs who loot our nation, kill the innocent in our name and force us into economic slavery. Many of the Ten Commandments were broken by invading Iraq... coveting their oil, bearing false witness of Weapons of Mass Destruction, killing over a million innocent Iraqis and stealing their oil. The Bible teaches “with good advice make war” (Proverb 20:18). The White House admits they had bad advice that failed to pan out; yet we're still occupying Iraq, stealing their oil and Iran is next. God does not commit evil.
Concerning Satan, the Bible has nothing good to
say about Satan. In John 8:44, Jesus said the Devil is a liar and the father
of all liars. 2nd Corinthians 11:14 tells us that Satan is a deceiver. There's no dignity in that. Satan is evil to the core. All
that Jude 1:9 means, in my humble opinion, is that Michael defended his
argument position by stating that God would rebuke Satan. The Bible says
they were having a "dispute," so evidently Michael was willing to enter into
a dispute with Satan. This in itself disproves what Adrian Rogers is
teaching. Why would Michael even get into a dispute with Satan if it were a
matter of dignity? I often end up in debates with people, and I do the same
thing Michael did... I tell them that God makes the rules; not me. I quote
them a Scripture and let them argue with God. I believe this is all Michael
was saying to Satan, when he realized that Satan couldn't be reasoned
with... God will deal with you.
When the Bible says that Michael durst not make a railing accusation, I
think it means that Michael was ready to tell Satan off. I can relate to
that. I've actually started to write a tell-off letter to some people in my
initial anger, but then almost always I delete it and just send them a
Scripture instead. That way I'm not stooping to their level, I'm confronting
them with the Bible. I think this is what Michael did. I think it is evident
that Michael wanted to make "a railing accusation," but refrained from doing
so because he knew it wasn't the right thing to do. Michael reminded Satan that
his argument is really with God, Who is the Supreme Law Giver and Judge.
Notice carefully that Satan did NOT get Moses' body. Michael won the debate.
Consider this carefully before teaching that Christians in America should
lay down to tyranny.
Only a fool ignorant of the Scriptures would teach that a nation's tax-paying citizens ought to refrain from publicly criticizing and accusing corrupt criminal leaders who steal, confiscate and misappropriate OUR money. Only an idiot would teach that America's citizens ought to remain silent while over a million Iraqis have been brutally slaughtered. The killing is being done in OUR name, with OUR military and with OUR money. It is OUR business and responsibility.
Just as with the boycott against Disney that the SBC lifted (although Disney never budged an inch on their annual “Gay Day” events)—the SBC also lacks the gonads to take a stand against the evils being committed by our highest leaders in government.
Read for yourself the garbage that the SBC teaches concerning the Iraqi invasion...
"WHEREAS, We believe Operation Iraqi Freedom was a warranted action based upon historic principles of just war; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, June 17–18, 2003, affirm President George W. Bush, the United States Congress, and our armed forces for their leadership in the successful execution of Operation Iraqi Freedom; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we commend the valiant and sacrificial service of the men and women of our armed forces"
Now read the truth...
It is tragic and sad that America's leaders think they can police the world with OUR tax-dollars, violating the U.S. Constitution, and without OUR permission. Haven't Adrian Rogers and the SBC found out yet that no alleged Weapons of Mass Destruction were ever found? Hasn't anyone told them that America is one of the most murderous nations in the world. Who are we, in view of the 50,000,000 children we've brutally murdered in the U.S., to judge and condemn Iraq for their 50,000 killings? I tell you, there are more terrorists in America than anywhere else in the world. Ask this father.
Jude 9 doesn't mean we ought to offer blind allegiance to criminal leaders. Only a fool would teach that. Please read, Biblical Submission to Government and Should Christians Obey Criminal Government?
