To serve believers – God sends angels to minister to those who hurt or need strength. When Elijah ran away from Jezebel's threats, the Bible says he ran a day's journey into the desert and fell asleep under a Juniper tree (1 Kings 19:4-5). A good illustration of the latter can be found in an article by Sue Bohlin entitled, “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.” She writes: I was about thirteen years old when I had my first encounter with an angel. The claim was, He is not enough for salvation and spirituality. As angels were sent by God to provide sustenance for the Lord at the end of his forty days in the wilderness (Matt. and Mrs. Ware watched at the window to their building, the man never exited. They have specific functions and … It seems that our angels stay with us through this life from the moment of salvation until we go home to be with Jesus. Yet their nature is to serve. The ministry of angels to the elect is an inspiring and encouraging proof of God's care and concern for us. Another and similar account was also reported by a medical missionary at his home church in Michigan: While serving at a small field hospital in Africa, I traveled every two weeks by bicycle through the jungle to a nearby city for supplies. Wisdom Concerning The Secret And Revealed Things, The Net Pastor's Journal, Eng Ed, Issue 38 Winter 2021. We may have underestimated the loyalty and dedication of God's holy angels! Who makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flame of fire. Another way that angels are ministering spirits is that they are sometimes sent to encourage believers. Angels also minister to us and watch over God’s Word to perform it. The other two show up in the apocryphal First Book of Enoch, which includes a fanciful account of the actions of these four beings. 2. John writes in Revelation 22:8-9: I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. A few weeks later, after returning to Africa, they received a letter from the missionary couple in India. In many religions, angels are gaining popularity as "personal guides and protectors." But that is only half the story. In his cunning, he disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Cor. In this way we finally experience true oneness.” (Ibid., p. 95). God tells us … (verse 7). (3) Finally, there are numerous references to angels by the Lord Jesus, whom Scripture declares to be the creator of all things, which includes angelic beings. To help you appreciate the work of angels and their importance in our Christian life, here are some things that the Bible teaches us about them. Join over 145,000 other subscribers. Angels have become an easy substitute, a handy compromise to the reality of the Living God as He is revealed in Scripture. Further, other passages clearly teach us that there are often angelic or demonic forces behind the reign of human kings or kindgoms (cf. The answer is “Yes!” Though God can always act independently without the use of agents, He has chosen to use both angelic and human instruments to accomplish His will. What our culture needs in response to the angel craze is strong discernment built on the foundation of God’s word. 14:6). When we hear of reports of angels, it is only natural for us to be skeptical, but and there is the need for a certain amount of skepticism, what Gangel calls “healthy skepticism.” The reasons a healthy skepticism is needed are the deceptions of Satan referred above and the spiritually bankrupt condition of our culture and its willingness to accept anything but the truth. They are to minister to him and stand ready to carry out his instructions. This very fact should teach us that not only are angels not the focus, but they should certainly not be worshipped. We need to remember, and share with others, three truths about angels: 1. The angels also provide for the elect, especially in times of need. (Daniel 7:10) This verse reveals God’s purpose in creating angels. God often sends His angels to protect and deliver His elect. 10; and Eph. Why not? They are celestial beings created by God whose principal … "Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him" (Luke 22:43). September 2, 2018 at 12:27 PM. The Bible tells us that angels may attend the services of the church as spectators of church worship, order, and ministry. ... while I was still in … Elijah rose, ate and drank again and traveled a great distance on the strength of that food for forty days and forty nights. The second fact reveals that the duty of angels is to minister and serve humans. Guardian angels generally protect us from both spiritual and physical … As an illustration of possible angelic provision, Sue Bohlin gives the following account: In 1944, the penniless wife of a pastor and evangelist in Switzerland, Susie Ware prayed, “God, I need five pounds of potatoes, two pounds of pastry flour, apples, pears, a cauliflower, carrots, veal cutlets for Saturday, and beef for Sunday.” A few hours later, someone knocked on the door, and there was a young man carrying a basket, who said, “Mrs. To minister means "to do service for." The actions of holy angels will always be consistent with the character of Christ. For His own sovereign purposes in His plan for using suffering (a tool of growth, to manifest the character of Christ, to witness to others, etc. Angels are certainly real; the Bible repeatedly tells us about them and the work God has given them to do. Angels? Will all of those men who met with me that day please stand?”. Today, however, God’s canon of Scripture, the Bible, is complete. Instruction, knowledge, or insight from angels, particularly ones with names. 11:36-40). It was not until it was time to move on to the next orphanage that they realized she was desperately ill. Gangel closes his article on angels with the following fitting comment: So you’ve never seen or heard an angel? John 1:1-3 with Col. 1:16).7. Angels announce the birth of the Christ Child to the shepherds (Luke 2:14), minister to Christ after his temptation in the desert (Matthew 4:11), comfort Jesus in his agony in the garden (Luke 22:43), and proclaim his resurrection from the dead (John 20:12). Those who report modern day angel teachings are actually channeling information from demons. They work for man; they are agents of God who bring to us the message that God wants fulfilled in our lives. 3:19; Heb. Sometimes this is not just a matter of collecting and enjoying angel figurines much as someone would collect and enjoy figurines and pictures of eagles. The Bible does teach of angels that minister to those who are the heirs of salvation. Upon arriving in the city several weeks later, I was approached by the man I had treated earlier. 2. this word "minister" is usually applied to those who stood before God in His earthly sanctuary: so here it is fitly used of the nobler offices of the unseen world. These books not only claim encounters with angels, but instruct people on how to contact them. 6:3; Heb. Ultimately, this leads to the person rejecting the sovereignty of the true God. Dear Jamie. 4:1-11), so he has undoubtedly on occasion done so for believers in our day. God’s revelation never aims at informing us regarding the nature of angels. So Elijah ate the cake and drank the water that the angel provided for him. So belief in Satan, demons and angels is more and more common place, not because people are believing the Bible, but because of the rise of their spiritual emptiness. Yes, but not the benevolent, holy angels who serve God. They are nevertheless an innumerable host created before the creation of the earth (cf. As a parent would treat a child, the angel awakened Peter and instructed him in every detail. In speaking of children, Jesus referred to "their angels" (Matthew 18:10). There the psalmist calls upon all in the celestial heavens, including the angels, to praise God. When the son has matured, he inherits his father's wealth, influence and power. God had intervened, sending his angel to deliver Peter from certain death. 11:15). 19:10; 22:9). First her fingers then her knees and toes curled inward and her facial muscles contracted so she was unable to speak. - cf. The specific responsibility of assuring Paul that they would survive was performed by God's angel. He said, “I know what’s wrong with her. – Lester Sumrall . The Bible says, “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14). Revelation 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. I will be on your right hand and on your left, … my Spirit shall be in your [heart], and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.” 14 In the process of praying for those angels to attend us, may we all try to be a little more angelic ourselves—with a kind word, a strong arm, a declaration of faith and “the covenant wherewith [we] have covenanted.” 15 Perhaps then we can be … When Daniel became one of the three main governors in the Medo-Persian Empire in the sixth century BC , he distinguished himself above the other governors and satraps. While I cannot verify this story, I have no doubt whatsoever that it could be true. But that was just romantic fun. An increasing number of people—Christians of every stripe, New Agers, Hindus, Buddhists, even Jews—are calling upon their personal spirit or guardian angel for guidance during the course of their daily lives. The trip involved a 38-hour train ride from New Delhi to an orphanage in the south. Was this angel? Now our culture takes angels seriously, if not accurately. In a loud voice, they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who … This was demonic because it was usurping the preeminent place and sufficiency of Christ as Savior and Lord. Remind us of the dignity of persons. . They’re demons, disguising themselves as good angels to people who don’t know how to tell the difference. Afraid that the ship would run aground or sink, the crew began lightening the ship, even to the point of throwing the ship's tackle overboard. Though this may be our normal response if we ever encountered one, the Bible reminds us over and over that we do not need to fear them ().Many times throughout history, and still today, God sends angels to protect, guard, and fight for us. The angel was the instrument through which God provided for His prophet. In other words, there are good angels and there are evil angels. We need to remember that God’s angels are not teachers. Yet their nature is to serve. Then he laid down again. (Daniel 6:22). Angels are not subject to the limitations of man, especially since they are incapable of death (Luke 20:36). In Acts 27, Paul is taken to Rome to be brought before Caesar. See 16:7-14; 21:17-21; 22:11-18; 31:11, 13; Ex. 11:1-4, 12-13; 1 Tim. In addition, we need to avoid the critical spirit that questions and belittles the claims of others, especially those who do not know the Scripture. Thank God for His help. They cannot be everywhere at once. (3) As created beings, they are mere creatures. In Scripture, angels encouraged and attended the Lord Jesus at least twice: after He was tempted in the desert for 40 days and 40 nights and in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 4:11; Luke 22:43). From the book of Job we are told that they were present when the earth was created (Job 38:4-7) so their creation was prior to the creation of the earth as described in Genesis one. Loving our angels, praying to our angels. I had been left there with the kings of Persia. “It’s sterile,” he said, looking right at Connie. 28:2; Acts 5:19; 2 Pet. Peter thought he was having a vision. This daily newsletter provides a starting point for personal study, and gives valuable insight into the verses that make up the Word of God. (1) The mention of angels is inclusive in Scripture. After David pretended madness before Abimelech, who drove David away, David wrote, "The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear [revere] Him, and delivers them" (Psalm 34:7). 2:1-4; 5:23; 6:11-24; 13:3-22; 2 Sam. She’s dehydrated. Angels in the Bible. 25:41).9. The other governors became extremely jealous and conspired to have Daniel killed. As a separate order of creatures, they are both distinct from human beings and higher than humans with powers far beyond our abilities in this present age (1 Cor. My friend learned later that the warriors, who intended to kill everyone at the missionary compound and burn it to the ground, instead retreated when they found the compound guarded by tall warriors dressed in white and carrying large swords. J. Hampton Keathley III, Th.M. In Karen Goldman’s The Angel Book: A Handbook for Aspiring Angels, she says things like, “Angels don’t fall out of the sky; they emerge from within.” (Goldman, Karen, The Angel Book—A Handbook for Aspiring Angels, New York: Simon & Shuster, 1988, p. 20). Remember, Satan is a deceiver with his own angels of deceit promoting false doctrine (2 Cor. They will remain servants while we become born sons of God! It was because of those guards that we were afraid and left you alone.”. Now due in part to the failure of rationalism, the vacuum that naturally occurs in the minds of people, and the rise of demonism and the occult in these last days, the pendulum has swung back to mysticism seen so prominently in the New Age movement, the occult, and in the cults. They announced the birth of John the Baptist and Jesus (Luke 1:11f, 26f; Matt. The politicians very quickly reported Daniel to the king.
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