There's been a lot written about angels in the last few years. Who are they really, and what do they have to do with Christians?
Messengers, Protectors, Providers
We see angels on many occasions in the Word. When they've appeared, it's as though the veil is lifted between the spirit and the natural, and we're given a glimpse of the Kingdom of God. They appeared throughout both the Old and New Covenants, as messengers, protectors and providers. Remember the three Hebrews in the furnace, or Daniel in the lion's den? Jacob's ladder?
We see angels on many occasions in the Word. When they've appeared, it's as though the veil is lifted between the spirit and the natural, and we're given a glimpse of the Kingdom of God. They appeared throughout both the Old and New Covenants, as messengers, protectors and providers. Remember the three Hebrews in the furnace, or Daniel in the lion's den? Jacob's ladder?
How about the time the King of Aram had sent soldiers to capture Elisha?
'Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, "Alas, my master! What shall we do ?" So he answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." Then Elisha prayedand said, "O LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." And the LORD opened the servant's eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.'
[2 Kings 6:15-17]
Moses described the protection of angels beautifully in Psalm 91...
'No evil will befall you, nor will any plague come near your tent. For He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways.They will bear you up in their hands, that you do not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread upon the lion and cobra, the young lion and the serpent you will trample down.' [Psalm 91:10-13]
We saw how they provided for Hagar in the desert...or to be more exact, revealed the provision that was already there in the spirit! [Read Genesis 21, or read about it in Believe You Receive 2]! They also provided for Jesus after His 40 days in the wilderness [Matthew 4:11].
Primarily, however, they are known as messengers. We see them glorifying God at the birth of Jesus and announcing His birth to shepherds--a great example of the spiritual plane being revealed in the natural. They announced God's will throughout the Bible to men and women alike. And they announced His resurrection at the tomb to His followers.
In every case, angels demonstrate Psalm 103 and Hebrews 1...
'Bless the Lord, you His angels, mighty in strength, who perform HIs word, obeying the voice of His word! Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, you who serve Him, doing His will.' [Psalm 103:20,21]
'Are they [angels] not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?' [Hebrews 1:14]
In each role of messenger, protector and provider, they are performing His will--His word--which is to minister to us.
Quantum Travelers
More importantly, it is evident that they travel between the heavenly kingdom and the physical plane with ease.
More importantly, it is evident that they travel between the heavenly kingdom and the physical plane with ease.
Gabriel appeared to Daniel in answer to his prayer, and explained that from the beginning of his supplication (or prayer) he was sent forth, to bring understanding and insight [Daniel 9:20-23]. Later, in chapter 10, Gabriel appeared to him again, but this time explained that, although he was once again sent at the beginning of Daniel's prayer, was this time held up the prince of the kingdom of Persia. This is obviously an evil authority, reigning over Persia--Michael, another angel, came to his aid so he could complete his mission [Daniel 10:10-14]
So we see that angels can traverse between the spiritual and the natural, and that there is opposition in that plane from evil or opposing spirits.
The Last Days
Angels play a big role in the last days. In the Revelation, we see them active at every turn, interacting with the natural plane like never before.
Angels play a big role in the last days. In the Revelation, we see them active at every turn, interacting with the natural plane like never before.
Jesus tells us in Matthew 24 that "...He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other." This is right after He explains that He Himself will come on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory...Hallelujah!
Mark 13:27 puts it this way..."And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven."
In other words, angels will traverse that plane or corridor (or universe) between the spirit and the natural to gather believers from the natural and bring them fully into the spirit. They're like the Marines, sent to rescue us.
What really boggles the mind is that Psalm 84 tells us that that plane--the highway to Zion--is in our hearts! Paul's epistles tells us that we're already seated in heavenly places...Hebrews 12:22-24 reinforces that idea, explaining that we've already come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the Heavenly Jerusalem!
What exactly are the angels rescuing, then? It must be our natural bodies, which will, according to the word, be glorified. This is evidently what happened to Enoch and to Elijah--they were there one minute, gone the next, precursors of what is commonly known as The Rapture.
John 7:39 talks about Jesus being caught up to heaven as being glorified...'But this He (Jesus) spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.' Even before he left, it was obvious that His physical body was different...He appeared, disappeared, and walked through walls!
Why Don't We See Them More Often?
In The Holographic Universe, Michael Talbot recounts several instances of the expectation of scientists having a direct impact on the results. In some cases, the finding of certain experiments varied from country to country? Why? Expectations, based on cultural biases! Very interesting...
In The Holographic Universe, Michael Talbot recounts several instances of the expectation of scientists having a direct impact on the results. In some cases, the finding of certain experiments varied from country to country? Why? Expectations, based on cultural biases! Very interesting...
In My Humble Opinion, it is because the deception of rationality has closed our minds to these types of experiences. It is obvious from the Bible that angels were frequent visitors, in both the Old and New Testaments. So why not now?
Or, to be more exact, why don't we see them more often...it's clear from Hebrews 1 that they are here and rendering service for us!
I think it's because we don't expect it...and really, most of us don't want it. We don't want to be too 'weird' or 'out there' or 'fanatical.' We plod along, in largely un-victorious lives, and wonder where the wonder is. Yet we refuse to believe in anything we can't touch or see.
Well, I'm done with that. I'm taking off the blindfolds, giving up the preconceived notions, opening up my mind to all that God is in me and for me. It's time for a paradigm shift...wake up!
