tracysdad,
May you have peace!
Here is the 'rebuttal' of the paper you sent me. plz forgive me if its legnthy, but the paper itself is legnthy.
He said:
He tells them that their physical and/or spiritual
ancestors, the ancient Israelites, were led out of
Egypt by the Messiah.
Uh, not quite. God's Son followed them out. Michael led the nation out.
He then quotes:
EXODUS 14:19 And the Angel of God, who went before the
camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the
pillar of cloud went from before them and stood behind
them.
This event only occured once while they were on their way to the sea. Michael was used to divide and protect Israel from their adversary. No doubt at this time, Christ who was following them moved in front of them and went before them. When the angel returned to the front of the nation, Christ returned to the rear of the nation. Thus both sides are guarded by the Father.
He says:
the name YHVH, found over 6,800 times in the Old Testament, was applied to God the Father (Deu. 18:15; Psa. 110:1), the Messiah (Exo.
13:21; 19:20; Num 21:6), and even to angels (Gen. 19:18, original Hebrew text).
The scriptures given with reference to the "Messiah" was actually Michael, not the Messiah.
He says:
However, Judges 2:1 confirms that it was the Angel of the LORD (the Angel of God) who led the Israelites out of Egypt and into the Promised Land.
Yes, Michael led them out, the Son followed them out.
He said again:
According to Paul (I Cor. 10:4), this Angel of the LORD was none other than the one who later became Yeshua the Messiah!
Paul says that Christ FOLLOWED them out, not led them. Paul was speaking of Christ. Not Michael who LED them out.
He next says:
Just as the Angel of the LORD was God's messenger to the people of Israel, Christ was also a "messenger" of God the Father in the New Testament. Regarding his role, Yeshua said "I have not spoken on my own authority; the Father who sent me has told me what to say and what to speak" (John 12:49).
Here's where the 'fun' begins. My Lord said to direct you to Phillippians 2:5-9 and pay CLOSE attention to verse 7.
"But he EMPTIED himself and took the form of a SLAVE and, came to be in the likeness of men."
In the household of God, there is the Father, his wife, his Son who is the "true heir" and "workers" or "messengers." Jesus said "The slave does not remain in the household forever, BUT THE SON REMAINS FOREVER." Jesus carried the 'glory' of a Son, not a 'messenger' in the household. It was not until Jesus demoted himself into the form of men that he BECAME a slave and a "messenger." He was made 'a little lower than the angels.' He was not just demoted to the level of angels, but LOWER than angels. so during his time on earth, as quoted in John 12:49, he was a messenger.
He says:
In I Corinthians 10:9 Paul again clearly identifies the YHVH who accompanied the Israelites in their desert sojourn as Christ.
Yes, Christ was there and also his angel Michael was there.
I CORINTHIANS 10:9 Nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted [Christ], and were destroyed by serpents;
The Lord said:
"If you see me, you see the Father. He that hates me, hates my Father also."(So if we put Jesus to the test, we put his Father to the test also.)
Whenever Israel complained against Moses, Moses said "It is not us you are complianing against, but you are complaining against God." (Ex. 16:8). Hence, if we argue with Michael, we are not arguing with Michael, but with God. Michael is not involved at all. If we argue against Jesus, because Jesus is our LORD Is is the EXACT same as arguing against the Father. Christ takes it personally, and so does the Father. If we argue against Mi'chael, Michael does not take it personally. He's just a 'hear and obey.'
He said:
Both the Old and New Testaments show that this YHVH was the Angel who acted as the primary spokesman for God the Father.
Actually, Moses and the angel were not involved. It was a murmuring between Israel, and the Father and Jesus. Moses and Michael were just "there to witness it."
Here is more proof that the 'angel' is not Christ. The Father said:
" Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. 21 Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions; for My name is in Him. "
Jesus pardons our sins. The angel doesn't.
More later... I'll let you respond to this first.
Peace,
Aaron
