Christian Mirror - Bible Study

BIBLE STUDY

I suspect, at sometime in our lives, we have heard about angels, but sadly, most of us have never taken angels seriously, or we have never taken the time to understand their existence. Angels are not divine deity, nor were they meant to be worshipped as we worship God. Revelation 22: 8-9 says, "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! " Colossians 2:18 says, "Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and 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."

Clearly, from these admonishments we are to worship God and not angels.

While angels are not deity, they are spiritual beings. God created them to worship and serve Him. How many of us hear about angels and wonder if there really are angels? In our Bibles, Christians are admonished in Hebrews 13: 1-2, "Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain
strangers, for by doing so some people have entertained angels without knowing it." We read this and wonder if it is true. Why wouldn’t it be true; it is the word of God. Angels are real, and serve many special purposes for God. God created these beings who worship Him. He has given them tremendous
power, and allocated them differently. These angels are: messengers from God, defenders for us, protectors of us; they are individual guardians (ministering spirits), sent to serve those who will inherit salvation.

Angels have been depicted as: babies, cupid, children, and women, but they are not babies, cupid, children, or women. Their bodily form has only been recorded in the masculine gender and are explained by some theologians to be sexless. Angels are spirits, not flesh, even though their appearance in some of our scriptures were as men. In Matthew 22: 28-30 Jesus explains to the
Sadducees after they ask the question, "Now then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her?" Jesus replied, "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. At the resurrection people will neither marry not be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven." By this account there is no use for gender because we will be like the angels, who have no gender and are simply proclaimed to be angels.

It could be argued that they are not sexless as they have been said by some theologians to marry the daughters of men. In Genesis 6:4 we read, "The Nephilim were on the earth in those days (speaking of the days just before the flood) and also afterward when the sons of God went to the daughters
of men and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown." Nephilim were the children of the union of angels and women. The Phrase "sons of God" means angel as seen in Job 1:6, and Job 2:1.

On the other hand some theologians have explained this verse to mean good men (from the line of Seth) went to daughters that came from bad men (meaning the line of Cain). Or, sons of God (fallen angels) that marry the daughters of men. The result in either case were the children, who were called Nephilim. More study is needed on this subject, but for the purpose of this article all interpretations are disclosed.

In Scripture, the word "angel"" means messenger and though the word messenger has separate connotations, one of the ways the word is used is synonymous with or used to describe God (as in the burning bush). Messenger, also refers to men, and created spiritual beings whose chief attributes are
their strength and wisdom. Our Bible is replete with angels foretelling the future, giving aid to prophets as well as Christ, and fighting the battles of God’s people. Angels, are also identified in dreams of some of the prophets.

As far as their physical features, angels have seven different distinct characteristics, which are: Cherubim, Seraph, Archangel, fallen angels, angels in chains, Satan, and angels. There descriptions are in the following paragraphs.

Cherubim, are winged angels. In the Old Testament, God instructed Moses how the people were to make the gold statues in the cherubim’s likeness. The gold statues of cherubim were formed facing each other attached to the mercy seat, which was placed in the innermost part of the temple. God gave Moses the instructions for making the mercy seat so God could dwell among his people. These cherubim's are a symbol of God’s Holy presence and inapproachability.

The description of the cherubim is explained in Ezekiel 1 and is too long to quote, but briefly - they had the form of a man with four faces: one of a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle. They also had two sets of wings (one set covering their bodies and the other stretched out to touch the wing of the other on either side), they had straight legs and feet like a calf’s with wheels. When these cherubim angels moved, they moved with such speed as to resemble lighting, and they shine like fire and precious stones. God rode on them. They were used to guard the garden of Eden, thus verifying their inapproachability. It must have been very difficult making a form in gold to resemble the description given in Ezekiel’s account.

The seraphs or seraphins, described in Isaiah’s dream have six wings: two cover their faces, two cover their feet, and with two they fly. Isaiah 6:2-3 says they call to each other saying, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."

The archangels description is that of "men" who were on several occasions called by name Michael and Gabriel. Michael and Gabriel delivered messages, explained visions, foretold the future, and foretold the Holy birth of Jesus. Their power is inconceivable. In some cases they carried swords and killed thousands of men in battle. In 2 Kings 19: 35, the description is of an angel of the Lord, who put to death one hundred and eighty-five thousand men over night.

Fallen angels, are angels who did not keep their position of authority, but abandoned their home in heaven. Fallen angels, are described in one of two ways: Jude 6 states, "And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home these he has kept in darkness
bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day." On that day Christ will judge them.

The others, are fallen angels, who are not bound, but go about doing the will of Satan. They are like demons causing problems but not demons.

Then there is Satan, in Greek, diabolos not to be confused with demons, diamonia. Demons are not the devil for there is only one devil, Satan. Satan, was an angel, who became proud, thinking that he was as great as God. His pride caused him to be thrown out of heaven and cast down to the earth. Here on earth, he reigns, and we, are his prey. He roams the earth and seeks to deceive and devour whomever he can. found in Job 1:7, Job 2:2, and Revelations 20:10. It is easy for us to become proud and resist the truth that God has given us. It’s sad to think that Satan knew God and yet he strayed away.

Then, there are angels who are good, described in glowing white raiment. Their place is around the throne and their number is more than we could conceive. Immeasurable. They were also found singing hosannas after the birth of Christ.

What we must understand is that we are in a warfare, that has been going on, which is unparalleled. The powers of the light, God and his angels, are at war with the powers of darkness, Satan and his followers. God put us in the plan before the world began. He wants to show the angels that know him, and can see him, that he is merciful and good. Satan would have them to believe that God is an unjust God. God gives us the right to choose. We may choose Him, goodness, or we may choose evil, Satan. The angels can see God and they know him; they too have the right to choose. Some of them chose Satan. God wants all the other angels in heaven who see him and those who no
longer want to, to understand that we (Christians) don’t see him yet we love Him, worship Him, and adore Him. It is because of His love for us and his goodness that we love him.

Christ made it possible for us to have salvation through His death, burial, and resurrection. Upon believing, confessing Christ as the son of God, and being baptized for the remission of our sins, we receive salvation and become joint heirs with Christ. It is because of God's love, His grace, and His
mercy, that this is possible.

In Ephesians 3:8-12 Paul tells us:

"Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, (we who are Christians are the church) the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence."

It is up to us to let people everywhere know of God’s love and that he would send his one and his only begotten son to die for our sins.

God loves us, and most of us don't realize that God sends angels to guard, protect, and serve us. Hebrews 1: 14 asks, "Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?" The answer is an unequivocal, yes. We can see the angel's service to Christ in the desert
after he was tempted by Satan, Matthew 4:11. An angel strengthen Christ before his crucifixion, Luke 22:43. An angel opened the doors to let the apostles out, Acts 5:19. An angel woke Peter up and led him to safety, Acts 12:7-10. An angel shut the mouths of the lions in Daniel 6:22. An angel fed
Elijah in 1 Kings 19: 5. Angels take care of God's children. Matthew 18:10. We are God's children. Yes, God is awesome and it is unbelievable that he would give us such care. But He does.

What angels do and what they have accomplished is unbelievable, yet it is true. They are magnificent. It is no wonder that the question is asked, "Are angels real?" Therefore, in light of this new knowledge, we must remember always to entertain strangers, for in doing so we might be entertaining
angels.

Visit Nita's site at www.nitahammersmith.com

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Nita is interested in receiving feedback regarding this article. If you would like to comment, please contact her at nita@christianmirror.com

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Can You Pray For The Enemy?

(Written October 3, 2001)

Simple kindness is a precious commodity, especially unexpected kindness. How many times have we dreaded a meeting with someone who we thought would give us difficulty, then find to our delight that we were treated with the utmost kindness?

Unexpected kindness ravages built-up defenses like well-placed cannon balls weaken the ramparts of a fort. It is disarming behavior that blocks anger and hate. This is an awesome power that comes from God.

In the past month we have seen people at their best, and at their worst. New Yorkers, who have an undeserved reputation for coldness, have shown their mettle in so many different ways. Tales of kindness and heroism abound. Outside New York, Americans have shown their generosity by sending tons of food and supplies into the city. We have given our life's blood to help the injured. We have gathered in our churches and prayed for the stricken and their families. And just when there seems like there is nothing else that we can do, God clearly speaks to us from the Scriptures.

"Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." (Matthew 5:43-45)

Can you pray for Osama bin Laden and his associates? Can you pray for the Taliban? Turn your eyes from the flag for a moment and cast them on the Cross.

Prayer is the most powerful force humans can muster. Through prayer, we harness the power of the Almighty for the benefit of a brother or sister. What greater blessing can a person receive? How pleased is God when His name is glorified this way?

"This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:3-4)

Think of it. The prayers of millions of loving Christian voices unselfishly raised to heaven in prayer for the salvation of our enemies. If anyone needs the "knowledge of the truth" it's Osama bin Laden and his supporters. If anything would please God more, it would be hard to imagine it.

If there is war, praise the Lord. If prayer avoids war, to God goes the glory! In any event, God's will be done.

Ed Price, a Christian writer, folklorist and storyteller, is the editor of "The Loving Heart" (http://www.thelovingheart.net). He lives with his family on a farm in Southwest Virginia. You can contact him at edprice@mounet.com.

Easier Said Than Done

Jesus commanded us that we love our neighbor as ourselves. (Mark 12:31) Sometimes that's a lot easier said than done. Hate -- even dislike -- is easier to conjure up than love, especially when someone has been terribly wronged. So why forgive them? Maybe that question can be best answered by finding out what love actually does for us.

First of all, love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8) When love is shown to another, there is little opportunity to sin because love is an unselfish, loyal and benevolent concern for the well-being of another person. When love is firmly implanted in a person's mind, their thoughts are not on themselves but on others.

The second is an extension of the first. Love thinks no evil of a brother, nor does it harbor hostility. (1 Corinthians 13:5) Love has a short memory of wrongs and a long memory of rights. Love is successful when a person allows God to set aside their own wants and desires. Only then can minds be clear to focus on the needs of someone other than themselves.

Most importantly, love binds people together. In Paul's letter to the Colossians, he listed the ways Christians should love each other. "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." (Colossians 3:12-13 NIV) Then he ends by saying, "And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (Colossians 3:14 NIV)

All the virtues that Paul listed are good in themselves, but without love to bind them together the virtues are subject to distortion, fragmentation and stagnation. Bound in love, however, the virtues work in harmony and give glory to the God who created love, not to enjoy just for the here and now, but forever.

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