C – ANGELS FOR REAL – 3
As we study further into angels
as created beings from the beginning, remembrances of the many messages they
gave from God as well as the many tasks they performed for God come to
mind. One characteristic of angels is
that they never die. This was indicated
by Jesus when he was explaining to the Sadducees, who did not believe in life
after death, about marriage after death.
(They were trying to catch Him on this subject through a ridiculous
example.) Lk.20:34-36 As He
explained the situation, He gives us an important characteristic of angel. …they
cannot die anymore because they are like angels.
Even though the woman of Tekoa
was being deceitful to the king in 2 Sam., something can be learned of
angels. 2 Sam.14:17,20 In her
deceit she still realized an important feature of angels. They could discern good from evil. Perhaps this realization made her think what
she was doing for in verse 20 she changed her story to the truth. As she does this, another attribute of angels
is indicated. …like the wisdom of the angel of God to know all that is in the
earth. Angels must have been very
real to these people for these remarks to have been made.
Several features of angels are
found in Ps.103:20. Angels are powerful—mighty in strength. Since
they were created by God, God has put this power in them. Angels are also obedient. As has been stated, angels perform tasks for
God so they are obedient to the voice of
His word. Are we? We, also, were created by God and when we
become His we are his instruments to perform tasks for Him. Rom.6:13 His Word will instruct us to be what He
wants us to be and do what He wants us to do.
We will never know until we listen to the voice of His Word.
Examples are given of God using
angels to guide as in the case of Abraham instructing his servant to find a
wife for his son, Isaac. Gen.24:7,40 As the servant was questioning Abraham
as to circumstances that might be a possibility, Abraham assured him that an
angel would be sent before him. This was
important for when the servant told his story to Laban, he mentions the fact
that an angel would be with him to make his mission successful. These events not only teach us about angels
but should renew our trust in our God who cares for us. Prov.3:5,6
Scripture gives us instances
where God has provided for His servant by the means of an angel. One important example is the event when
Elijah was fleeing from Jezebel. He even
asked God to take his life but God was ready with provisions for him through an
angel to strengthen him with food and thus cause him to be encouraged. 1 Kgs.
19:5-8 Earlier in this series it
was mentioned that angels can perform miracles.
No convenience stores near but through the angel, God provided.
God delivered Daniel by an
angel. Dan.6:22 Darius tried to
figure out some way he could save Daniel.
Dan.6:14 He knew Daniel had done no wrong but the
law could not be changed. What Darius,
the king, could not do, God did through an angel.to shut the mouths of the
lions because Daniel was innocent before the king as well as before God.
God’s deliverance by means of an
angel was still at work in the case of Peter.
Herod had just killed James, the brother of John. It had pleased the people so much that he
imprisoned Peter and intended to do the same with him. Acts
12:4,6 He certainly was well
guarded but in the night God sent an angel to deliver him. Acts
12:7-9 The angel accomplished his task and left; so now it was
up to Peter but he realized the angel was real.
Acts 12:11
As we read of the second coming
of the Lord, the angels will be the ones who gather the elect from the four
corners of the earth. Matt.24:31,36 What a joyful task this will be for the
angels who rejoice over just one soul brought to salvation. Lk.15:7
As a messenger of God angels
direct activities as in the case of Philip.
The church had been scattered due to persecution. Philip went to Samaria to preach the gospel. Acts
8:5 Many believed and were
baptized. Acts 8:12 God revealed
another task for Philip through the message of an angel who directed him to a
certain location. Acts 8:26 The rest of the
story reveals the conversion of the Eunuch from Ethiopia.
The tasks given to angels were
not always positive. A very gross
situation is found as an angel struck Herod with death. Acts
12:22,23 There is only one God and
He is not to be mocked. Gal.6:7
Angels were sent for destruction
at times. This was true in the case of
Sodom. Gen.19:1,13 As we know, not
enough righteous ones were found. The
angels urged Lot to leave Sodom. Gen. 19:15
Then the city was destroyed.
When Deborah was a judge, an
angel of the Lord brought a curse because Meroz did not come to the help of the
Lord’s warriors. Judg.5:23
When David numbered the people, a
pestilence was sent upon the people.
Destruction came by an angel.
Then restoration came by the way of an angel. 2
Sam.24:15-17
Angels obeyed God as to their
messages and as to the tasks they performed, whether with mercy or
destruction. May we live so as to be
among those who fear the Lord. Ps.34:7
The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear Him and rescues them.
For we have ministering angels about us to help those who belong to
Him. Heb.1:14
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