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Angels Watching Over You
www.bettyseiley.multiply.com
The Old Testament has much to say about angels. They appeared to men and women for the purpose of delivering messages from God as He sent them out. “Angel,” comes from the Greek word, “aggelos,” meaning “messenger.” For example, angels conveyed the message of the timing of the birth of Isaac, the promised son, to Abraham and Sarah. “Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” Genesis 18:14 Angels came to Sodom as deliverers of Lot and his family, before the Lord destroyed the city in judgment. Genesis 19:1-16
Another appearance of angels occurred at Bethel, where Jacob dreamed a dream in which “the angels of God were ascending and descending,” on a ladder which reached from earth to heaven. This dream is fulfilled in the ministry of Jesus to the children of God today, as evidenced by the fact that the Lord ministers to us by the angels., as well as in many other ways. “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” Hebrews 1:14 “And of the angels He saith, Who maketh His angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.” Hebrews 1:7 Angels appear in service to the children of God many times in the Old Testament, but the New Testament has more references to angels. The archangel, Gabriel, appeared to Mary and to Joseph, concerning the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Michael is the archangel who guards Israel.
Let's look at some of the defining attributes of these heavenly beings known as angels.
1. Angels are invisible spirit beings, but they can take on human form, according to their particular mission, when sent by God.
In Numbers 22, Baalam’s donkey could see the Angel of the Lord standing in the way, preventing Baalam from pronouncing a curse on Israel, a very sinful act. Eventually, Baalam’s eyes were opened, and he could see the angel and hear his warning that he was not to curse Israel. Quickly changing his mind, Baalam could only bless Israel, as God had instructed him. When the angels came to Abraham and Sarah, they appeared as men. Genesis 18:2
2. Angels have supernatural strength and power given to them by the Lord. “Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do His commandments, hearkening unto the voice of His Word.” Psalm 103:20 The angels are ready, willing, and able to do whatever the Lord tells them to do, whether it’s delivering a blessing to you or saving someone from a disaster. “Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.” Psalm 91:9-12 We are never to tempt the Lord by doing something dangerous just to see if the angels will protect us. Jesus said, “Thou shall not tempt the Lord, thy God.” Even though angels are magnificent creatures, servants of God, we are never to worship them. Only the LORD is worthy of worship. True angels will not receive worship. They refuse to receive worship which belongs only to the Living God. Revelation 22:8-9; Colossians 2:18; Revelation 10:1
3. Angels behold the face of the Father on behalf of children. “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 18:10 As God lifts His countenance upon the children, the angels fly swiftly to their aid. Having been saved by the Blood of the Lamb, we should be faithful to bless our children and grandchildren, because the angels hearken to the lifting of the countenance of the Lord toward His children, and to those who shall be heirs of salvation. “And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: ‘Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them: ‘The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.’” Numbers 6:22-24 As we pray for our children and children around the world, the Father hears our prayers for them, He lifts His countenance upon them, and His angels are dispatched to guard and protect the children, showing them God’s favor. We really need to keep children covered in prayer in these dark days. Many of the children who come to harm in the world have no one praying for them. God moves in answer to prayer. Children are very sensitive to the things of God. “A little child shall lead them.”
However, there is biblical evidence that when a person reaches the age of accountability and makes a willful decision to indulge in sin, angels withdraw their protection from that person. After the death of Joshua, the children of Israel began to serve idols, and the angel of the Lord said that he would no longer drive out the inhabitants of the land. Numbers 33:55 When Lot and his family were being led out of Sodom by angels, as it was being judged with fire and brimstone raining down from heaven, Lot’s wife looked back and longed for the world. The angels withdrew their protection, and she was turned to a pillar of salt. Genesis 19:26 Jesus reminded us in the Gospel of Luke, concerning the end times, “Remember Lot’s wife.” Luke 17:32
Angels have many characteristics, so it’s difficult to cover all of them in one article. Therefore, we will list some of their attributes, giving scripture references.
4. Angels are NOT all-knowing, but they are wise. Matthew 24:36; 2 Samuel 14:20 Angels were created with the ability to be eternally obedient to God, but they were also given a choice whether to obey or not. Hence, the fallen angels which followed Lucifer as he exalted himself. Isaiah 14, Ezekiel 28
5. The Bible always speaks of angels in the masculine gender. Gabriel, Michael, he, him…Daniel 8:16
6. Angels are immortal: they do not die. Luke 20:36 Hebrews 2:9, 15-16
7. Angels are holy. Matthew 25:31
8. There is no redemption for angels, since they have the ability to choose eternal obedience. The fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden does not apply in any way to angels. They desire to look into the things of salvation, but they cannot sing the redemption song. The holy angels have no need of redemption, because they are holy from creation, with no carnal nature. 1 Peter 1:10-12 There is no redemption for fallen angels, or demons. They possessed the ability to remain holy, but chose not to do so. Angels will be judged by the redeemed. 1 Corinthians 6:3
9. Angels do not need rest, and they can freely fly from heaven to earth with unimaginable speed. Revelation 4:8 Angels speak their own language, but they can speak the languages of men, as they did when they spoke to Abraham, Sarah, Joshua, Gideon, Samson’s mother, Mary, the shepherds, and many other people in the Bible. 1 Cor. 13:1
10. Angels ascend and descend from heaven, bringing blessing from the Father to believers and to protect and guard God’s people, as well as children. Genesis 28:12; John 1:51
11. Angels experience great joy when one sinner repents of his or her sin and is saved. Luke 15:10
12. Angels learn the wisdom of God by observing God’s people. Ephesians 3:10 They also record our deeds, by which we will be rewarded in heaven. Ecclesiastes 5:6, 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 Our sins have been judged in Jesus, but our works, following salvation, will be revealed by fire at the judgment seat of Christ, before which we shall all stand. Verses 14-15 If our works are tried by God’s holy fire and found to be “wood, hay, or stubble,” we “will suffer loss (of rewards); but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” Our works, for which we are rewarded, are described as, “gold, silver, and precious stones.” verse 12 In our walk with the Lord, we must seek His face, to do the Father’s will, not our own will, nor for our own glory, for He will not share His glory with another.
13. Angels are awesome in appearance, Judges 13:20, and they are innumerable. Psalm 68:17; 2 Kings 6:14-17
14. Angels will gather the elect at the end of this age. Matthew 24:31
God's holy angels love God and His children, and they minister to us daily, unseen most of the time. There is much more to learn about angels, but space does not permit. Angels watching over you…
May the Lord bless you and keep you, may He cause His face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you. May He lift His countenance upon you and give you complete peace.
In His matchless love,
Betty Seiley
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