Ques. 136. Why did not Michael, the archangel, rebuke Satan, seeing he was a dignity? (Jude 9.) E. M.
Ans. Because he would not go beyond his authority, but carried out his orders, in the spirit of dependence and subjection to his Lord, owning, all the authority he possessed was from the Lord; he hid himself behind that. See the contrast in the 8th and 10th verses with the self-assertive spirit of men of the present day. Lowliness and meekness become the followers of the Lord.
Ques. 137. Is there any difference between "Where two or three are gathered together unto My name" and saying, "Where two or three are gathered together"? W. S.
Ans. (Matt. 18:20.) Christ is the center; the condition needed for His presence is to be gathered in or to His name; that is, in separation from evil and in the unity of the Spirit, for it is only thus the Holy Spirit would gather the members of the body of Christ.
Incidental meetings of Christians may be precious seasons, but they have not the authority of the presence of the Lord in the midst. The two on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24) had the light of Christ's word shining upon them, making their hearts burn within them, yet they did not know His presence; when they returned to Jerusalem, they had both His presence before them and His word shining in their souls.
Ques. 138. Please tell me if there is any difference between confessing our sins and asking the Father to forgive us our sins.
M. M.
Ans. We cannot rightly ask forgiveness of our sins when we know we are forgiven for His name sake. We are forgiven for eternity. (1 John 2:12.) But it is needful to confess our sins if we would walk in communion with God. And "if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."