What About Angels?

 

The Bible speaks about classes of angels: Cherubim (Ezekiel 1:5-11); Seraphim (Isaiah 6:2) and Archangels like Michael and Gabriel (Daniel 9:21, 10:6, 13; Luke 1:19, 26; Jude 9). Many scholars believe that Satan was an archangel, and higher than any other angel. Some angels are “ministering spirits” (Hebrews 1:14; Matthew 18:10). The word “angel” actually comes from the Greek word aggelos and the Hebrew word mal'ak, which mean “messenger.”

Angels serve God through worship and praise (Isaiah 6:1-3; Revelation 4-5), as messengers (Acts 7:52-53), to answer prayers (Daniel 9:20-24; 10:10-12; Acts 12:1-17), to carry our soul and spirit to Heaven (Luke 16:22), to provide (Genesis 24:7; Genesis 21:17-20; 1 Kings 19:5-6; Matthew 4:11), to protect (Psalm 34:7; Daniel 6:22; 3:23; Genesis 3:24), to guide (Matthew 1-2; John 20:12; Acts 10:1-8, 78:26), to deliver (Acts 5:19; Acts 12:7) and to encourage (Matthew 4:11; Acts 5:19-20, 27:23-25).

Angels were not born and do not have physical bodies like humans (Luke 20:34-36; Colossians 1:16-17). God created angels before He created human beings (Nehemiah 9:6; Psalm 148:2,5). Humans are not angels. Angels can appear as men, but they are not human. When people die, even babies, they do not become angels. Angels are always angels, and people are always human. Angels do not marry or reproduce (Matthew 22:30). When we get to heaven two groups meet us: “myriads of angels” and “the spirits of righteous men made perfect” (Hebrews 12:22-23).

 

Jesus declared that angels have no flesh and bones (Luke 24: 37-39). They are not usually visible (Colossians 1:16). Elisha prayed for his servant to see the invisible forces surrounding the city, and the young man was amazed to see an army of a host of angels and fiery chariots (2 Kings 6:17). At times, angels appear in bright white and flaming glory (Matthew 28:2-4; Daniel 10:6). While the Bible is not specific, we deduce that the number of angels is innumerable (Daniel 7:10; Matthew 26:53; Hebrews 12:22).

When angels do manifest to humans, they usually appear in the form of a man (Mark 16:5). There is one instance where two women appeared, with the wind in their wings, which were like the wings of a stork (Zechariah 5:9). In Genesis 18, Abraham welcomes and feeds three men who are traveling. It is clear, however, that one of them was the Lord, who remained with Abraham to chat, while the others were two angels who went on to Sodom (Genesis 19:1). The Bible reminds us to be kind to strangers, because we may be entertaining angels without realizing it (Hebrews 13:2).

When people in the Bible saw an angel, they typically fell on their face in a muddle of both terror and wonder (Daniel 10:10; Revelation 1:17). Some Bible passages picture angels with wings (Isaiah 6:2,6). Others talk about angels flying (Daniel 9:21). However, many scholars believe that angels can move around without depending on wings. Most allusions to angels in the Bible say nothing about wings, and in passages like Abraham and the three men, they had no noticeable wings.

Angels are more mobile than men, but are not omnipresent like God (Daniel 9:21-23, 10:10-14). They are stronger than men, but are not omnipotent (2 Peter 1:11; Psalm 103:2). They have more knowledge than men, but are not omniscient (Matthew 24:36; 2 Samuel 14:20). God created angels as holy beings to worship Him (Mark 13:32; Matthew 18:10). Satan then deceived 1/3 of these angels to rebel against God and they are now referred to as demons (2 Peter 2:4; Ephesians 6:12; Matthew 25:41; Jude 6).

We can open our life to demonic forces by involvement in sinful and occult practices. The more we live by the flesh, the more influence Satan and his demons have on our body and soul. The Holy Spirit dwells in our spirit, so Satan cannot possess a Christian’s spirit. However, we can give Satan permission by our ungodly thoughts and behavior to oppress, demonize or inflict our body and soul. Satan is the god of everyone who has not repented and believed in Jesus for salvation (John 10:10). Their spirit is dead in sin (Ephesians 2:1), and Satan usually possesses their body and soul and makes their life miserable (1 John 5:19; Jude 9; Revelation 16:13-14).

There is an invisible clash rampant in the spiritual realm that the Bible only hints at. It is not an equitable fight, however, because God is always in control and His forces always prevail (Luke 4:6). Satan has to get his permission from God to touch His Saints (Job 1:8; 2:3), because God uses demons and angels to accomplish His purposes in our lives. After the Millennium, God will cast all unbelievers, Satan and all of his demons into the lake of fire for eternity (Revelation 20:10; Matthew 25:41).

 

Prayer:

Holy Lord, we thank You for sending angels to guard us and minister to us. We are excited to know that archangels do battle in the heavenly realms and that Your forces always prevail. Help us to minister to You and for You as well. Lead us by Your Spirit each and every moment of the day as we accomplish great things for Your Kingdom.

Thought for the Day:

Only that which we accomplish in the Spirit will last for eternity. Everything else is just a temporary legacy.

 

 

Used Teabags

Read: Nehemiah 10:35-39

“And we made ordinances to bring the first fruits … to the house of the LORD;”

My girlfriend grew up with her missionary parents in Brazil. She dwelt most of the year safely ensconced in boarding school. But summers brought carefree days in the remote, native village where her parents toiled to share the Gospel of Christ. Supporters often sent them gift boxes from the USA, and the missionary family eagerly anticipated the arrival of these coveted items. Sugar, coffee, American ethnic goodies, candy for the children, popcorn and staples and other treats often peered at them from the brimming gift boxes.

The family always put the unopened box on the coffee table in the center of the room. They made a ceremony out of opening the container, giving thanks to God before they ever removed the tape, which sealed the box. The children knelt around the table, leaning up in order to view the desirable objects at the soonest possible second. Their parents, grown up - but still children within, held the same enthusiastic expectancy. The whole family always smiled with delight as they examined the carefully chosen gifts from their loyal supporters.

One day, however, instead of the fulfillment of their joy, disappointment resulted when they opened the box. Inside was a large, heavy glass jar, full to the brim with USED tea bags. The donors inscribed and enclosed a note, which explained their gift, obviously proud of their sacrifice. “Since several cups of tea come from one bag, we just used these bags once and then dried them out, saving them in this jar until it was full. We impatiently predicted sharing each of these bags with our beloved missionary family. Enjoy the second use from them and pray for us each time you use one.”

Since my missionary friend shared this story, I often wondered about the mentality behind such a crass and selfish gesture. Why didn’t they purchase them a box of new bags instead? The money saved in postage alone could have sent the missionaries a dozen boxes of new tea bags. Then, I realized that Christians all over the world exhibit this same attitude. They take the first fruits of their earnings and the blessings God provides for them, and they consume it upon their own lusts. Then they give God their used leftovers or simply put a tip in the offering basket as it comes by their seat in the pew.

How many of us are also guilty of giving God our used teabags, trying to pass them off as our reasonable service? Do we give Him the leftovers of our time, our talents and our money; using them first for our own benefit and glory, and then giving Him our scraps? God gives us a mandate to give ten percent of our first fruits to Him. The Word of God declares that giving anything less than ten percent is actually robbing from God. Do we really want to steal from the omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent Ruler of the Universe?

I vowed on that day to give God the first fruits of all of my increase, including my gross salary and also all of the financial gifts that others share with us for birthdays and other celebrations. I also determined to give sacrificially, above and beyond the tithe, when the need arises.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, do not allow me to be satisfied in selfishly giving You my leftovers. Help me to put You first in my life. Multiply to me the fruit of my labors, so that I have even more to give to You and Your Saints.

Thought for the Day:

On which would you rather be blessed by God, on your net income or on your gross?