Tuesday, November 16, 2010

My Treasured Possession


Last Sunday, following my Bible class, a lady came up to ask what it means that the devil can appear as an angel of light. In particular, she wondered about those folks who have had a near-death experience of light shining as they moved away from their bodies. Were they, she asked, really seeing the glories of heaven or were they possibly being deceived by the devil appearing to them as an angel or messenger of light (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)?


Good question. I shared with her what one Christian woman whom I served said about her near-death experience. She was convinced she had gone to heaven after a swift journey through a tunnel of blazing light. She was greeted by relatives and was ready to go with them when she heard a voice calling her back. As a result of this, she was completely unafraid of death now. She knew she would be with Jesus and her family when she died.


I also shared with my Bible class questioner that Satan can indeed deceive us into thinking he bears a message of light and understanding. In the context of the passage about Satan appearing as an angel of light the Apostle speaks about false workmen who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. The world is full of such messengers.


The Old Testament lesson for next Sunday, the final Sunday in the Church Year, is from Malachi 3:13-18 and speaks to this question. The writer of this prophecy is not identified. Across the centuries people have come up with many guesses. For now, we'll let that pass. It is enough to know that Malachi was the last of the prophets before Christ's coming and that the title of his book means simply "My Messenger," with the 'My' referring to God.


The LORD is gravely concerned about the empty faith and the total disobedience of so many of those who claim to be God's people, says Malachi. But this will not be allowed forever. A Day of judgment is coming. On that Day the Book of Remembrance will be opened (Malachi 3:16-18). This reminds me of that day when the Children of Israel finally left the wilderness for good and passed over the dried up Jordan riverbed into the promised land. On that day the LORD commanded the priests to take twelve boulders and pile them on the river's edge where the priests and levites stepped out on to the land. The writer says, "And they are there to this day" as stones of remembrance (Joshua 4:1-11). The stones were there to remind the people of how the LORD had graciously brought them from slavery to this beautiful land. They were his treasured possession. That's what the LORD loved to call His people, His treasured possession (Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 7:6; 14:2).


Is that not a beautiful image—treasured possession? We all have treasured possessions. Sometimes they are pieces of jewelry, like a wedding ring or a special painting received from one who loves you. Some treasured possessions are photographs and family letters, preserved in books or on electronic recording devices. Here the LORD speaks not about things, but about people. They are His children, His family, His beloved and His treasured possessions. He has purchased them, not with gold and silver, but with His holy and precious blood (Ephesians 2:12-14). His newborn children fear and love Him. They esteem His name above all names. He loves them. They love Him. And their names are recorded in the LORD's book of remembrance.


Now back to the question my Bible class student asked about the ability of the devil to appear as an angel of light. He does indeed, especially as he fosters the false teaching that suggests there is no distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between God's children and those who despise and disobey Him (Malachi 3:18). The LORD makes it very clear. There is a distinction. 
"But the LORD said to Moses, "Whoever has sinned against me, I will blot out of my book" (Exodus 32:33). 
If you fear death or believe yourself close to death, do not overlook the distinction, but know also that Jesus is our righteousness. He is the One who has provided for us the all atoning sacrifice accepted by the heavenly Father (1 John 2:1-2). Put your trust in Him. Follow His ways and when the Book of Remembrance is opened, your name will be read out as one of the LORD's precious possessions. 

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