Revelation 12:7-12 (St. Michael)
St. John, Galveston 9/29/24
Rev. Alan Taylor

+ In Nomine Jesu +

Grace and peace to you, from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

    From the 5th century on, during the era of the Fall of the Western Roman Empire, as well as, the incursion of the Goths, the Vandals and the Huns into Eastern Europe, the Church has marked September 29th as the Day of St. Michael and All Angels. Perhaps it was the unrest of the era that moved the Church to pay homage to St. Michael and to celebrate his victory over the forces of darkness in the heavenly realm. As the Church has done for over 1,500 years, today we too honor St. Michael, as the Apostle John draws our attention to the two realms in which we exist, the heavenly and the earthly realms. Like those in the 5th century, who faced uncertainty and unrest on many fronts, our days are often perplexing and, perhaps even fearful. And so, we draw peace and comfort from God’s word, particularly these words from Revelation 12, where the Apostle speaks of the victories that are ours, both through the mighty works of the angels of God, as well as through Christ Jesus, our Lord.

    The Apostle writes, “War broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But (the dragon and his angels) were not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.”
    
    “They (that is, the faithful in Christ) have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them!”

    The Angels of God are not generally depicted in contemporary lore as they truly are, that is, as mighty warriors of God. From Clarence in the classic Christmas film, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” to cherubs and other angels crafted by Precious Moments to be cute and cuddly, angels are often viewed as subjects of child’s play. But they are depicted in the Scriptures quite differently. Michael fought as a mighty warrior against the Dragon, that is, against Satan and his demons. As powerful as the devil is, he could not stand against Michael. In paintings and sculptures Michael is often depicted as a man of battle, in full military regalia, his foot on the throat of the Devil, his sword at the ready to slay the great enemy of God and of man.    

    The battle was fierce, but Michael prevailed. The devil was cast out of heaven and thrown down to earth. Michael’s victory over the devil was final, in the sense that the devil has been confirmed in judgement, which is to say, there is no day of repentance or restoration for the devil, or his demons. They have been been confirmed in their rebellion against the Almighty, they have been eternally cast down and cast out of the heavenly realm.

    Heaven, therefore, is pure. It is holy. It is the paradise of the blest, without fear, without anguish, without strife. As the Apostle wrote later in the book of Revelation, “I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

    Even as Michael fought and won the victory over the dragon in heaven, so God sends His holy angels to protect and defend His people here and now. Yes, this world is the devil’s domain. But we are not left defenseless, in life, or in death. As Luther once said, “You should be certain that angels are protecting you when you go to sleep, yea, that they are protecting you also in all your business, whether you enter your home or leave your home…Therefore; even when you come to die, you should say that Christ will be with you and will have an unnumbered multitude of holy angels with Him. You should know that angels are at your side not only in this life but also in death.” Indeed, as the psalmist wrote, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.”

    I was reminded that, on this day in 2013, I preached on St. Michael and All Angels on the occasion of the public recognition of the baptism of Adeline Johnston. It was a fitting occasion to reflect on baptism and on the gifts and power given to each of us in Christ Jesus on the day of our own baptisms. When you were baptized in the name of Jesus, you were marked with the sign of the cross. Certainly, the cross marked you as an enemy of the devil. But it also marked you as a child of Almighty God. On that day, you were cleansed, you were washed in the blood of the Lamb. Your sins were washed away and the verdict of God was spoken over you, you are not guilty! You are acquitted of all your sin! Indeed, as the Father said of His beloved Son at His baptism, so He says of you in your baptism, “you are My beloved child in whom I am well pleased!”

    In your baptism, you were given a confession, words of your heart, words that enable you to stand against the wiles of the devil. John says,  
“Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them.”

    And so, today, whether in life or in death, whether in uncertainty, unrest or turmoil, the Church has reason to rejoice, for the devil bows when comfort and solace are found in the blood of the Lamb and in the word of our testimony. “So when the devil throws your sins in your face (says Luther) and when he declares that you deserve death and hell, tell him this: "I admit that I deserve death and hell, what of it? For I know One who suffered and made satisfaction on my behalf. His name is Jesus Christ, Son of God, and where He is there I shall be also!””

“Watchful is the angel band
That follows Christ on every hand
To guard His people where they go
And break the counsel of the foe.”
“For this, now and in days to be,
Our praise shall rise, O Lord, to Thee,
Whom all the angel hosts adore
With grateful songs forevermore.”

        


In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The peace of God that passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus unto life everlasting. Amen.

+ Soli Deo Gloria +