SirThinks2Much wrote:note: i don't want TOTALLY EXACT answers
That's good. I feel a burden lifted.
1. What were michaels, lucifer's, gabriel's jobs before the whole rebellion in Heaven?
God creates all things with a specific purpose. We can only assume that their roles prior to the rebellion (and afterwards for those who did not rebel) was to worship God. You will see this in many Scripture references. God also had other purposes in mind I believe in their creation:
1. Serving Belivers (Hebrews 1:14)
2. Protecting the helpless (Matthew 18:10)
3. Proclaiming God's messages (Revelation 14:6-12 and numerous other Scriptures)
4. Executing God's judgement (Acts 12:1-23 and Revelation 20:1-3)
2. Why did Michael and Satan fight over Moses' body?
There is absolutely no way of knowing exactly what Jude was refering to in regard to this passage. There is no place in the Scriptures that we possess that makes any reference to this occurance. Please note, I am not saying that this did not happen. However, all we can relate it to is the context of where it is found. Jude has been writing about open rebellion and gives 3 examples of it in verses 5-7:
1. The children of Israel
2. The Angels
3. Sodom and Gomorrah
All rejected the authority of God.
He continues in verse 8 to speak of "these dreamers." Who are they? Go back to verse 4:
"For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord."
They are no doubt false teachers who have slipped into the church.
Jude says in verse 8 that these people:
"...pollute their own bodies, reject authority and slader celestial beings."
In regard to your question, it was Jude's opinion that to slander any of God's creation, including celestial beings, was an affront to God. Get this, even if it is Satan himself,
"But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him (Satan), but said, 'The Lord rebuke you!'
Summary: Jude uses a reference, most likely known to his readers at that time, but for the most part unknown to us to warn against degrading that which God has created. This is hard for us who quickly bring judgement upon Satan and demonic forces. However, remember Jude 6:
"And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home - these he (God) has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day."
While it is true that Satan is our enemy, it is God who will bring about judgement upon him and the forces of evil on the great Day on our behalf.
Naturally, I realize that all this can raise a thousand and one more questions and I am not sure how deeply the staff will allow us to venture.
3. In Job, when the "Sons of God presented themselves before the LORD" what exactly were they doing?
I bet you didn't know that God had council meetings. This fact is recorded in other portions of Scripture. There are occurances and evidence that God and angels meet and plan activities to take place on earth. Angels are also called upon to give account of themselves and their activies. Because God is Creator of all angels, both those who serve him and those who rebelled, He has complete power and authority over them. In fact, from the conversation that Satan has with God we learn a good bit about the devil:
1. He is accountable to God (verse 6)
2. He can only be at one place at a time (verses 6-7)
3. He cannot see into our minds or foretell the future (verses 9-11)
4. He can do nothing without God's permission (verse 12)
5. He has limitations on what he can do (verse 12)
4. Were angels in existence before God created the heavens and the earth?
There is no specific reference that I know of which indicates when exactly angels were created. However, most assume that angels were created prior to that of the heavens and earth because after man's creation Satan appears as a serpent to tempt Adam and Eve. Therefore, Satan at this time had already rebelled against God and evicted from Heaven.
If you wish to read a good book on angels and angelic activities I suggest Billy Graham's "Angels: God's Secret Agents." Somewhat dated but still a very good indepth study on the subject.
"The secret of a good sermon is to have a good beginning and a good ending, then having the two as close together as possible."
~George Burns
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