God's Great Plan #2
Michael The Archangel
Uranda August 5, 1951
Let us turn now to another view of the Divine outworking of things. This was actually nearly two hundred years after Isaiah. You will remember that when man first fell, when Lucifer first decided to oppose the Pattern of God and substitute an idea of his own, according to the record there was war in Heaven, and Michael and His Angels fought with the dragon and his angels, and the dragon was cast out of Heaven into the earth. Heaven is at hand. Heaven was on earth. People have tried to understand these things by imagining a separation of earth from Heaven at that time, which did not exist. Heaven and earth were One. It was here on earth that this thing took place, and it was Heaven here, and it was through those whom God had created, Lucifer the Bright and Morning Star, Divine Man on earth, created to let Deity be revealed in the realm of form in this world. Heaven was here, and it was here in that Heaven on earth that the battle came. We will not go back and examine all the different phases of it now. Michael and His Angels fought, and the dragon, the self-active expression of man, was cast out of Heaven. The restoration, salvation—the thing for which the Master came into the world—the purpose of all God’s Designs and Plans down through the ages, has been the restoration. The restoration of the mind, the consciousness of man, to Heaven that is at hand. That is all it amounts to. But the consciousness of man cannot get back into Heaven except by the way which God has established.
From that time on the work of focalizing the activities designed to bring about man's restoration to Heaven at hand, was in the hands of the One who had cast out the dragon and all his angels, all those who followed after that pattern of self-activity. Michael was the One who carried on that focus of activity in various cycles, in various ways, many of which are recorded and some are not, leading to an opportunity for man, a Plan, a Pattern, which could have worked. If those who had been delivered from Egypt had followed the Plan which God established, it could have been done then, and it would not have been necessary for Jesus Christ to come into the world. As you begin to see this Great Cosmic Plan in all of its points and its relatedness, remember that. And remember that from the standpoint of Michael that was the most important thing of all. That was his greatest desire, that the restoration should be accomplished without any inconvenience to His LORD and KING. Over and over again he worked and labored to that end.
Now, if you remember the things we have covered in this brief outline, you will be in position to understand and appreciate something I would read to you now from the 10th chapter of the Book of Daniel:
“In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.
“In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;
“Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.
“And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground. And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.
“And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.
“But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.
“And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb. And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my Lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength. For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me.
“Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me, And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.
“Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come. But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.”
We will not take time to analyze all the different phases of this passage, but certain points need to be brought clearly into focus. As it is emphasized here, Michael was incarnated in the form that was called Daniel. Michael was in the earth at that time working toward the end that we have been considering, appearing as Daniel, and it is indicated here in this text also that from the Divine standpoint he was recognized as the Lord of Truth. But what was the vision? The Bible does not say. I can tell you what it was. It was at that time that the decision was made from the standpoint of our LORD and KING that He would come into the world. Michael, manifesting in various times and ways, had worked to bring about the restoration of man without this necessity on the part of our LORD. It was at that time that Daniel was informed, through that vision, that the LORD of Lords had determined to come into the world Himself and to establish the Program, to work out a Plan to make possible the hastening of the Program of Salvation for man. That was a great sadness to Michael, as it is put: “My comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.”
This was a manifestation to Daniel at that time, revealing to him that since the outworking with respect to the Children of Israel had failed, the Divine decision was made to let all of those old patterns go and to move forward into another cycle. The way it affected Daniel is vividly portrayed here: “And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb. And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my Lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength. For how can the servant of this my Lord talk with this my Lord?”
The feeling of failure, of recognizing that all that had been accomplished up to that time had not achieved the desired end, that the LORD Himself was going to come into the world, was heavy upon him. Then there came the assurance: “Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me.” There we see the picture of the acceptance of the Divine Plan.
We recognize that Michael was again manifest, when the Master was here, through the one who was called the Beloved Disciple John, and that for the period that Jesus Christ Himself was here on earth the focalization of the whole program was, of course, in the Master’s hands on earth; but that when humanity had rejected Him, the moment He lost consciousness on the cross, the authority, the responsibility with respect to carrying on that Program, passed back to the hands of Michael, the one who has worked from the beginning of the days of the fall for the restoration and the salvation of man.
Concerning the particular pattern of fulfilment that was to be, the Master gave some very definite statements, and with a brief consideration of them we will bring our meditation to a close. “Nevertheless,” the Master said, “I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me.”
From the standpoint of Michael, from the standpoint of the outworking of the Cosmic Plan, there is just one sin—just one! Any other ill thing would have to come under the classification of that one sin. All ill things come into manifestation as a result of that one sin. And the moment an individual clears, so that he is not subject to that one sin, the former things begin to pass away, and that which has been has no more power, no more meaning. The one sin—"Because they believe not on Jesus Christ our LORD.” The one sin—to share with the world the rejection, the denial, the betrayal, and the crucifixion.
From that day the world has been under judgment. Opportunity is given to human beings to be forgiven of that one sin, that believing, believing according to the standard the Master gave—“the works that I do shall ye do also”—they shall be saved. That is the standard of belief. Then there is evidence of whether there is belief. The only sin there is is failure to believe on Jesus Christ our LORD. That is the basis of judgment for the world. That is the basis of judgment for every man, woman and child, without a single exception.
So, we come down to this time, this day, this cycle of fulfilment, having a share in that Great Pattern that is portrayed here from cover to cover in the Bible, when a new opportunity has been established for human beings. If we remember the broad scope of it, the Glory and the Wonder of it, the Awe of God’s Love and Patience—and what an awesome thing it is!—then, surely, in this day and age we can remember what we are here for, to Whom we belong, and where we are supposed to live and serve in the Spirit of the Living Christ. Surely we can leave behind the spirit of self-centeredness, leave behind the whims and fancies, the reactions, that spoil the Pattern, delay the outworking, and in effect say to the hungry ones in the world, “Wait a little longer while I have my own way, while I struggle with God a bit,” and which in effect say, “God, I know you have a Plan, a Design; I know you are All-Powerful, but I am still going to contend with you and try to impose my will over yours.” The contemptible foolishness of the human mind, the human being, who takes such a stand!
We have an opportunity toward which the Prophets of All Ages have looked. This time of outworking is ours to share. If we recognize that which is portrayed in the Bible, and which we have viewed briefly in broad perspective, we can surely remember, and keep centered in, the Spirit of the Living Christ all the time, that we may not only share His Victory but that we may have a part in making that Victory have meaning in the lives of others. Except as we so serve we are nothing. Unless we bring forth fruit we are nothing. What Jesus did will be in vain for each one who fails to follow through on this Pattern, this cycle of outworking. For all who reject that Plan as it now stands, the opportunity and the things that Jesus did are in vain. God forbid that it should be so for any of you. Let us share the Victory, and, sharing it, inspire others to do likewise; for we remember the words of the Master’s Prayer where He taught us to pray, “Thy Kingdom come.” Where? On earth. “Thy Will be done.” Where? “On earth as it is in Heaven. For Thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory forever. Aum-en.”
I thank God for the blessings we have shared, that as we remain steady and true, learning to abide in that polarity which permits the fulfilment of this Great Plan, the Power of God can work through us more effectively than ever before. And there are so many Earnest Ones out there working with us, sharing this outworking where they are. They do not have to be here, geographically. They are a part of it. I thank God for what has been accomplished, but it is little more than a beginning. But, concerning small things, we read the Promise: “A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation,” and the Master pointed to the growth of the mustard seed. Let us let it be so in our lives regardless of what anyone else may do.
Heavenly Father, I thank Thee for Thy Blessings upon these Faithful Ones here gathered, and for all who are with us in Spirit, for all who are turning to Thee, that Thy Will may be done on earth as it is in Heaven, causing Thy Kingdom to come; For Thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory forever. In the Christ. Aum-en.
I thank God for the privilege of this hour with you. I thank God for the response that is in you—and according to thy response, so be it unto thee. We are not here to satisfy ourselves or please ourselves. We are not here to play children’s games. We are here to share the outworking of the Cosmic Plan of God which began immediately to come into force and being at the time of the fall of man. It is ours to share, and I thank God for the privilege of sharing it with you, and all the others who are responding and showing themselves willing to forget the human, petty things which spoil so much that is lovely, that the things of God may appear on earth. God Bless you.
© emissaries of divine light
