Angels
Does contemporary society’s depiction of angels agree with biblical
teaching and examples? Should believers look to angels for divine help? Does
every person have a guardian angel? Can we, or others see angels? There are
nearly 300 references to "angel" or "angels" in the Bible.
At least 15 references are found in the words of Jesus. Without a doubt these
special beings were created (Colossians 1:16) for a special purpose. They are
described as "ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit
salvation" (Hebrews 1:14).
But that raises other questions. Does every person have a guardian angel? Do
unbelievers have angels watching over them, or do only born-again Christians
benefit from the watchful care of angels? The Bible’s wording,
"Ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation"
suggests that followers of Jesus Christ receive special attention through the
ministry of angels. But in God’s sovereign dealings with unbelievers, it’s
possible that angels could be sent to make them aware of God and of His desire
for a personal relationship with them.
Most artistic renditions of angels show them as creatures with wings. But,
angels are spirit beings. So normally they are not seen as physical beings.
There are, however, instances in Scripture when angels took on a human form as
men (e.g., Genesis 19) or as radiant, glowing figures (e.g., Luke 2:9). One
should also note, that there appears to be a hierarchy of spiritual beings
separate from angels in the generic sense; i.e., cherubim, seraphim, and
archangels. Unlike angels, the cherubim figures on the Ark of the Covenant had
wings (Exodus 25:20, 37:9), as do the seraphims and the living creatures
described in prophetic passages of Scripture. But appearances of angels to Old
and New Testament saints seldom mention wings on the angels. Even the familiar
Christmas story of the angels appearing to the shepherds (Luke 2:15) does not
mention wings. It might be that wings are simply an accommodation to our earthly
frame of reference, as a spirit doesn’t need wings to move about. However, it
is not necessary to change all the artistic renditions of angels, as long as we
understand that angels are spirit creatures.
In reference to gender, many Christmas and Easter renderings use women to
play the part of angels. Yet the angelic appearances in Scripture mention a man
rather than a woman. Human attempts to portray spirit beings typically find it
necessary to portray them as either a male or a female. But the Bible clearly
settles the issue for us. Jesus, describing our spiritual bodies after the
resurrection from the dead, said when we rise from the dead, we will
"neither marry nor be given in marriage; [we] will be like the angels in
heaven" (Mark 12:25). So references to angels in Scripture as men probably
reflects an accommodation to our human limitations and understanding.
Some people believe that every believer has a guardian angel. Others believe
that each little child has a guardian angel. These ideas are based on specific
interpretations of brief biblical references. Psalm 91:11,12 is a precious
promise often quoted by Christians. "He will command his angels concerning
you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that
you will not strike your foot against a stone." There is no indication in
that promise that every believer has his or her personal angel. But all of God’s
angels are at His command to meet us in times of need.
The belief that each child has a guardian angel might bring a measure of
comfort to parents. But the passage on which this assumption is based does not
make that claim. It says simply, "See that you do not look down on one of
these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the
face of my Father in heaven" (Matthew 18:10). The "little ones"
may refer to little children, or as the context might also suggest, to weaker or
newer believers. But again, we can be assured that God commissions angels to
protect us from the wiles of "the devil and his angels." God’s
punishment awaits Satan and the fallen angels who in pride rebelled against God’s
benevolent rule (Matthew 25:41, Revelation 12:9).
Society has developed a fascination with angels. The topic is now discussed
in the secular world and media more than in church. But most articles about
angels in secular publications center on a mystical view rather than Biblical
truth. For this reason, the Christian must turn to God’s Word to understand
and grasp the ministry of angels.
Scripture records numerous accounts of angels interacting with people. In
these accounts they were involved with leading and rescuing believers from
danger (Gen. 19:15-17, Dan. 3:28, Dan. 6:22, Acts 12:5-10), bringing assurance
and comfort to believers in times of distress and fear (e.g., Judges 6:11-12,
Luke 1:28-31, Acts 27:23-24), and providing God’s children with short-term
guidance and instruction (e.g., Judges 13:3-5, 2 Kings 1:15-16, Act 8:26).
Still, other duties await angels in the end times as outlined in Revelation.
Though the subject of angels may warm the heart of true believers, the Bible
puts this important subject in proper perspective. "Do not let anyone who
delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the
prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his
unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. He has lost connection with the
Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and
sinews, grows as God causes it to grow" (Colossians 2:18,19).
On two occasions, an angel appeared to the apostle John with such a dramatic
impact that John felt impelled to worship the messenger angel. He describes one
experience this way, "I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things.
And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the
angel who had been showing them to me. But he said to me, "Do not do it! I
am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers the prophets and of all who
keep the words of this book. Worship God!" (Revelation 22:8,9; see also
Revelation 19:10).
We must never confuse Christ, the Head, with the angels He instructs. Sadly
today, some Christians feel more comfortable talking about angels than they do
in sharing the salvation they enjoy through the Savior, the One who died and
rose again for their conversion. Angels, of course, should never be worshipped.
And neither should they hold more of our attention, fascination, or love than we
bestow on our blessed Savior Jesus Christ. If God uses an angel to minister to
our needs, we should not thank the angel. Instead, we are to give all the glory
to God who sent the angel.
Angels do not possess the matchless attributes of the Godhead. When Christ
came to earth to live and die for our salvation, He was made "a little
lower than the angels (Hebrews 2:7,9). Angels are superior to humans in that
they are part of the spirit world. But in the spirit world, they are less, much
less, than the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Angels have greater powers
and knowledge than humans have. But they are not all-powerful or all-knowing as
are the members of the Godhead.
Concerns From Genesis to Revelation, angels are frequently encountered
throughout Holy Scripture. So we can conclude that they are active in the world
today. Why then do we not see them on a daily basis? The appearances in
Scripture are seen as crisis situations where a dramatic intervention was
needed. The same provision is present for us today.
As Pentecostals we must realize, just as angels are not to be worshipped,
they are also not common companions that we need in our daily lives. The Holy
Spirit is the Paraclete, the One who comes alongside to be with us in every part
of our existence. He endues us with power and gifts to handle the everyday
challenges we face. But what a blessing to know that when the crises situation
arises, and immediate intervention is needed, God can commission an angel, or
even a host of angels, to meet the supernatural challenge. Yet the Holy Spirit
has even greater authority and power than an angel. Either way, as people of the
Kingdom we have all the provisions for this life and the life beyond.
Taken from the Assemblies of God
"beliefs" section on their website.
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