David,

Any effort to explain why this dispute arose will always be met with a measure of skepticism because the scripture simply does not explain it. However, this was the purpose of my post #6. The angelic involvement at the resurrection/rapture at the end of this age is attended by the powerful angelic host and led by Michael himself (Rev 12).

Satan, who usurped the dominion of this earth, became the Prince of this world. And as such, he has a claim over ever piece of property in his dominion.., including the bodies of men.

Remember, the power to redeem the human spirit took place at Calvary, and that power is appropriated to everyone who believes in the substitutionary work of Christ. That power destroys all legal claims that Satan may have against us. But the manifestation of power to redeem the human spirit is different from the manifestation of power necessary to redeem the human body. In other words, the power of the death of Christ on our behalf secured the redemption of our spirit. But the power of the resurrection of Christ will secure the redemption of our bodies. These are two entirely different manifestations of God’s power. One has been revealed; the other is yet to be revealed.

Make no mistake about it. Satan will make every effort he can to retain the bodies of those who have fallen asleep in Christ. Truly, there are no other bodies he cares about. The holier the saint, the more Satan desires to possess his body for keeps. Moses defintely fell into this category. Consider just what Satan may have accomoplished if he had been succesful in possessing Moses body. Yes, the “resurrection” of Moses would very likely have caused the children of Israel to worship him (Satan). But it took tremedous angelic power to overcome Satan’s hold on the body of Moses. We make a very serious mistake if we think Satan is not powerful. He is very powerful. The horrific showdown at the end of the age will testify to this.

Commentary by Scott
Posted on: 5/11/2009 03:49 am

Bro. David,

As far as I know, this is the only “Bible” reference to the dispute between Michael and Satan. According to most commentators, the only other account of this event is the apocryphal story of The Assumption of Moses. This is, of course, a non-canonical source, so I wouldn’t put much faith in the details it offers.

Nevertheless, Jude tells us there was a dispute over the body of Moses. I guess the Spiritual lesson in that is: “If Satan can’t get your soul, he’ll settle for your body.”

I hope this brief answer helps you.

Commentary by Jason W. Elder
Posted on: 5/11/2009 03:15 am

Hi, I came upon your site after reading Jude on my own and having a question about this same verse.

Another website interprets the verse differently. According to http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?b=65&c=1&com=mhc the argument arose when Satan wanted to reveal the burial spot of Moses to the Israelites so that they’d be tempted to idolize Moses.

I had never heard of this dispute between the archangel and Satan before and I was wondering if there were any other direct references to it in scripture.

Commentary by David
Posted on: 5/10/2009 22:43 pm

To me, this one verse sets the book of Jude apart from all of the others. The obvious questions of angelic authority are of course quite intriguing. But something else jumps out to me: The contention of Michael with Satan over the resurrection of Moses. Why is angelic intervention apparently necessary regarding the resurrection of a child of God? Doesn’t God just whistle (so to speak) and the body is raised and caught up to heaven?

Whatever the reason is, angelic intervention at the raising of a dead body is definitely a recurring theme:

-Matthew 13: The parable of the net is a picture of the Resurrection at the end of the age where the DEAD are brought up from the unseen nether world. The angels gather them, sort them; and transport them accordingly.

-Matthew 13: The wheat and the tares is a picture of the Rapture at the end of the age where all the LIVING are gathered up. Likewise, the angelic host gathers, sorts; and transports.

-1 Thes 4: Paul significantly associates the “voice of the archangel” with the resurrection/rapture event and this verse in Jude confirms that this angel is none other than Michael himself.

-Daniel 12:1-2 Dramatically connects Michael with the resurrection/rapture at the end of the age giving us the same picture as Jesus’ parables in Matthew 13.

-Revelation 12: Michael is in all out war with Satan. Why? Satan is attempting to stop the resurrection/rapture as symbolized by the woman giving birth to the manchild.

There’s a lot we don’t know about angelic authority and there is also a lot we don’t know about the coming kingdom. But one thing glaringly obvious is that we are in a life and death struggle “behind enemy lines” and though the work of the cross secured the redemption of our souls; it will take all the powers of heaven to secure the redemption of our bodies.

I look forward to the day when two or three angels visit me (either in my sleep or when I’m awake) and take hold under my arms and lift me through the stratosphere and on into safety and glory!

But like Lot himself, most of us do not understand these things.

Commentary by Scott
Posted on: 2/12/2009 18:11 pm

No sir, but I do believe I was making them work overtime before I got saved.

Commentary by Jason
Posted on: 2/2/2009 04:14 am

Dear Jason,do you think that the ministering of the angels in your life was over after you got saved?

Commentary by Alex
Posted on: 2/2/2009 03:41 am

Alex, it sounds like Angles are sent to guard the lives of people especially before they get saved. I’ve had a several experiences in my unregenerate days that, looking back, it seems clear God was watching out for me and saving me even by unusual means from what seemed certain death. Does that make sense?

Commentary by Jason
Posted on: 2/2/2009 01:22 am

1)Angels are ministering spirits.”Are they not all ministering spirits,sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?”Heb.1:14.
2)Jesus said to his disciples after his resurrection,”All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.Go ye therefore,and teach all nations,baptizing them in the name of the Father,and of the Son,and of the Holy Ghost:Teaching them to observe whatsoever I have commanded you:and,lo,I am with you alway,
even unto the end of the world.Amen.”

Commentary by Alex
Posted on: 2/2/2009 01:16 am

If anyone had ‘authority,’ you would think that an “archangel” had it. Yet he did not take it upon himself to chastise satan, not even “in Jesus’ name.”

So what’s up with these tv evangelists, “Binding” and “Rebuking” the devil? Half of them can’t get their “co-pastoring” wives to shut up long enough to get a word in edgewise, but for some reason they think they’re man enough to tell the “god of this world” what to do. (2Cor 4:4) “But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. (Jude 1:10)

Commentary by Jason W. Elder
Posted on: 1/22/2009 04:46 am