The mention of the voice of the archangel in I Th. 4: 16 is also very significant. Angels are “ministering spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation” (Heb. 1: 14). At the time of the rapture the Redeemer takes the redeemed up into Glory, while Satan with all those who follow him is cast down to earth. This will mark the accomplishment of that which John also saw in a preview, and which he described as though it had already happened: “And there was a war in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil and Satan, who deceiveth the whole world; he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him” (Rev. 12: 7-9).

Our Redeemer has once and for all conquered Satan and overcame all evil forces. “And, having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Col. 2: 15). He conquered death and hell, took captivity captive (Eph. 4: 8), and rose victoriously on the third day. “Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death” (Rev. 1: 17-18).

Satan is still the accuser of the brethren. Therefore Christ, the Media-tor of the New Covenant, remains as High Priest and Advocate until the bride-church is completed. The moment all the redeemed appear in the Presence of God without spot or wrinkle Satan cannot accuse them any-more. At that moment he will be thrown down with the host that follows him.

As we have noted in Rev. 12: 7-9, it will be the task of the archangel Michael to raise his voice and show the conquered enemy his limits. It was also Michael who disputed with Satan about the body of Moses (Jude 9). Finally, he will stand up and fight for the children of Israel, as it is written, “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince who standeth for the children of thy people” (Dan. 12: 1). I would not be surprised if he is the one spoken of in Rev. 20: 1-3 who will get hold of Satan and cast him into the bottomless pit before the commencement of the one thousand years reign of Christ. The doctrine that the archangel Michael is Christ is absurd. The truth is that Yahwe of the Old Testament is Jesus of the New Testament, the same Lord — yesterday, today and for ever. Michael and Gabriel are — in the New Testament — who they were in the Old.

There is no need for another battle between the Conqueror of Calvary and the conquered forces of the enemy, which are still battling in the air (Eph. 6: 10-17). “… from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool” (Heb. 10: 13). At His return the Bridegroom will only concern Himself with the Bride. He will have no other commitments at that time.

Gabriel is frequently mentioned when special an-nouncements or informations pertaining to the plan of salvation were given (Dan. 8: 16; Dan. 9: 21). Gabriel also announced to Zacharias the birth of John the Baptist (Lk. 1: 19) and then the birth of our Lord and Saviour to Mary (Lk. 1: 26). In the (future) battle involving the enemy and his forces, Michael, the archangel, prevails.

In the rapture only those who belong to the bride will take part, as it is written, “… and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage” (Mt. 25: 10). Satan cannot enter in through the door, because Jesus Christ is the door. He gets in through another way, because he is the thief and the robber (Jn. 10: 1) — but he will be cast out.

In Mt. 22 we find the description about the wedding supper, and the guests present. “And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man who had not on a wedding garment. And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in here not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (vv. 11-13). Some stumble, because our Lord uses the word “friend”. Notice, however, that Jesus also spoke to his betrayer Judas, into whom Satan entered, in the same way, “Friend, why art thou come?” (Mt. 26: 50). Satan can appear in a white garment and present himself as an angel of light (II Cor. 11: 14), but he can never have a wedding garment. Only the Bride will be privileged to be dressed “in fine linen, clean and white; for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints” (Rev. 19: 8).

About the overcomers we read, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death” (Rev. 12: 11). If we truly follow Jesus Christ as God’s obedient children our feet are placed into His footsteps. In this way the fol-lowing scripture is literally fulfilled in us and through us: “For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord” (Rom. 14: 7-8). Paul and all who died with Christ could say, “Nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me” (Gal. 2: 20). It is not sufficient to preach, to sing or to speak about it, it must become a true experience in our lives if we wish to enter into His glory.

The mention of the voice of the archangel in I Th. 4: 16 is also very significant. Angels are “ministering spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation” (Heb. 1: 14). At the time of the rapture the Redeemer takes the redeemed up into Glory, while Satan with all those who follow him is cast down to earth. This will mark the accomplishment of that which John also saw in a preview, and which he described as though it had already happened: “And there was a war in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil and Satan, who deceiveth the whole world; he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him” (Rev. 12: 7-9).

Our Redeemer has once and for all conquered Satan and overcame all evil forces. “And, having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Col. 2: 15). He conquered death and hell, took captivity captive (Eph. 4: 8), and rose victoriously on the third day. “Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death” (Rev. 1: 17-18).

Satan is still the accuser of the brethren. Therefore Christ, the Media-tor of the New Covenant, remains as High Priest and Advocate until the bride-church is completed. The moment all the redeemed appear in the Presence of God without spot or wrinkle Satan cannot accuse them any-more. At that moment he will be thrown down with the host that follows him.

As we have noted in Rev. 12: 7-9, it will be the task of the archangel Michael to raise his voice and show the conquered enemy his limits. It was also Michael who disputed with Satan about the body of Moses (Jude 9). Finally, he will stand up and fight for the children of Israel, as it is written, “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince who standeth for the children of thy people” (Dan. 12: 1). I would not be surprised if he is the one spoken of in Rev. 20: 1-3 who will get hold of Satan and cast him into the bottomless pit before the commencement of the one thousand years reign of Christ. The doctrine that the archangel Michael is Christ is absurd. The truth is that Yahwe of the Old Testament is Jesus of the New Testament, the same Lord — yesterday, today and for ever. Michael and Gabriel are — in the New Testament — who they were in the Old.

There is no need for another battle between the Conqueror of Calvary and the conquered forces of the enemy, which are still battling in the air (Eph. 6: 10-17). “… from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool” (Heb. 10: 13). At His return the Bridegroom will only concern Himself with the Bride. He will have no other commitments at that time.

Gabriel is frequently mentioned when special an-nouncements or informations pertaining to the plan of salvation were given (Dan. 8: 16; Dan. 9: 21). Gabriel also announced to Zacharias the birth of John the Baptist (Lk. 1: 19) and then the birth of our Lord and Saviour to Mary (Lk. 1: 26). In the (future) battle involving the enemy and his forces, Michael, the archangel, prevails.

In the rapture only those who belong to the bride will take part, as it is written, “… and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage” (Mt. 25: 10). Satan cannot enter in through the door, because Jesus Christ is the door. He gets in through another way, because he is the thief and the robber (Jn. 10: 1) — but he will be cast out.

In Mt. 22 we find the description about the wedding supper, and the guests present. “And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man who had not on a wedding garment. And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in here not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (vv. 11-13). Some stumble, because our Lord uses the word “friend”. Notice, however, that Jesus also spoke to his betrayer Judas, into whom Satan entered, in the same way, “Friend, why art thou come?” (Mt. 26: 50). Satan can appear in a white garment and present himself as an angel of light (II Cor. 11: 14), but he can never have a wedding garment. Only the Bride will be privileged to be dressed “in fine linen, clean and white; for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints” (Rev. 19: 8).

About the overcomers we read, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death” (Rev. 12: 11). If we truly follow Jesus Christ as God’s obedient children our feet are placed into His footsteps. In this way the fol-lowing scripture is literally fulfilled in us and through us: “For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord” (Rom. 14: 7-8). Paul and all who died with Christ could say, “Nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me” (Gal. 2: 20). It is not sufficient to preach, to sing or to speak about it, it must become a true experience in our lives if we wish to enter into His glory.