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Judging Angels?!

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In the book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, C.S. Lewis introduces four children from England: Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy Pevensie – who travel through a mystical wardrobe to discover the land of Narnia. In that enchanted land they are introduced to the Lion, Aslan and Narnia’s nemesis, the White Witch. Eventually a battle ensues between the children, and the White Witch. But Aslan prevails, sacrificially laying down his life as a ransom for Edmund. From the sacrificial stone table Aslan is raised from the dead emerging to end the White Witch’s reign, and restoring the sons of Adam and daughters of Eve to their rightful place as co-regents of Narnia. One writer stated: After a few days, the Pevensies were taken to Cair Paravel to be crowned as the Kings and Queens of Narnia. Peter was called High King Peter the Magnificent, Susan was called Queen Susan the Gentle, Edmund was called King Edmund the Just, and Lucy was called Queen Lucy the Valiant.

Yet Lewis’ fictional work for children, has its root in Biblical truth. His words direct us prophetically to look beyond the temporal booths of Tabernacles to the Reign of Jesus. To a time when all things which were stolen from mankind will be restored. What is our destiny?

1 Corinthians 6:2-3 Do you not know that the saints (the believers) will [one day] judge and govern the world? And if the world [itself] is to be judged and ruled by you, are you unworthy and incompetent to try [such petty matters] of the smallest courts of justice?3 Do you not know also that we [Christians] are to judge the [very] angels and pronounce opinion between right and wrong [for them]? How much more then [as to] matters pertaining to this world and of this life only! AMPC

Revelation 20:6 Blessed (happy, to be envied) and holy (spiritually whole, of unimpaired innocence and proved virtue) is the person who takes part (shares) in the first resurrection! Over them the second death exerts no power or authority, but they shall be ministers of God and of Christ (the Messiah), and they shall rule along with Him a thousand years. AMPC

Matthew 24:44-47 You also must be ready therefore, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him.45 Who then is the faithful, thoughtful, and wise servant, whom his master has put in charge of his household to give to the others the food and supplies at the proper time? 46 Blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) is that servant whom, when his master comes, he will find so doing.47 I solemnly declare to you, he will set him over all his possessions.

Tabernacles reminds us Jesus is coming back to reign on the earth and when He does He will set His servants over ALL His possessions! (That includes earth) These Scriptures, along with other parables, infer believers will be given responsibility to co-reign with Jesus on earth. Until then, keep watch, and be faithful over what the Lord has placed in your hands. This includes family, marriage, co-workers, church family, neighbors, and all other areas of influence.

Suddenly?!

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Yesterday’s service was a reminder of all the many blessings that God gives us usually when we least expect them. They come upon us suddenly. In Psalm 40:1 David writes, “I waited patiently and expectantly for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry.” Psalm 23 has David walking through the Valley of the Shadow of Death. Yet repeatedly circumstances will be turned for the better as the one who placed their trust in God is delivered. Psalm 23: 4-6 continues with: Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me.5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with [a]oil; my [brimming] cup runs over.6 Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place.

In spite of the threat of the SHADOWS of death Jesus, His Shepherd, is with him. You may be tempted to say, Now hold on a second Robert. David didn’t know about Jesus. I beg to differ. For in Psalm 22 he saw His crucifixion and in Psalm 110:1 he wrote: The LORD said to my Lord sit at My right hand, until I make Your adversaries Your footstool. David, the “sheep,” knows to look for the Table the Lord had prepared for him in the midst of his enemies. (Just a thought but in the Chronicles of Narnia, Aslan is slain by the witch on a stone table) David realizes goodness, mercy, and unfailing love are following him and have his back. For Jesus, His Shepherd is Goodness, Mercy, and Unfailing Love. Psalm 40 goes on to say: I waited patiently and expectantly for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry.2 He drew me up out of a horrible pit [a pit of tumult and of destruction], out of the miry clay (froth and slime), and set my feet upon a rock, steadying my steps and establishing my goings.3 And He has put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many shall see and fear (revere and worship) and put their trust and confident reliance in the Lord.

The surprise of Psalm 40? Psalm 40:7-10 Then said I, Behold, I come; in the volume of the book it is written of me8 I delight to do Your will, O my God; yes, Your law is within my heart.9 I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great assembly [tidings of uprightness and right standing with God]. Behold, I have not restrained my lips, as You know, O Lord.10 I have not concealed Your righteousness within my heart; I have proclaimed Your faithfulness and Your salvation. I have not hid away Your steadfast love and Your truth from the great assembly.

The Surprise is Jesus. The One Who came in the Volume of the Book. How “loud” was that Volume? Isaiah 48:3 I have declared from the beginning the former things [which happened in times past to Israel]; they went forth from My mouth and I made them known; then suddenly I did them, and they came to pass [says the Lord].

Malachi 3:1 “Behold, I send My messenger, And he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight. Behold, He is coming,” says the Lord of hosts.

Luke 2:13 Then suddenly there appeared with the angel an army of the troops of heaven (a heavenly knighthood), praising God and saying,..

Even Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus was described as a suddenly: Acts 9:3 Now as he traveled on, he came near to Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him,…

The Volume from that Book came loudly and suddenly. The month of November should be a month of Thanksgiving for all of the “suddenly-s” the Lord has brought our way and all the “suddenly-s” that are yet to come. Our church has been so blessed by the Lord with “suddenly-s” in growth, in financial provision, healings, miracles, salvations and answered prayers. Take special time this month to remember the blessings and provision of God. There are so many that they far outweigh the bad. And remember the warning in Mark 13:35-37 Therefore watch (give strict attention, be cautious and alert), for you do not know when the Master of the house is coming—in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrowing, or in the morning—36 [Watch, I say] lest He come suddenly and unexpectedly and find you asleep.37 And what I say to you I say to everybody: Watch (give strict attention, be cautious, active, and alert)!

Be alert, watching for the suddenly-s.” May He find us watching and thankful – always.