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Angels are popular now. Angel stories, angel collectibles, anything related to angels seems to intrigue people. But what does the Bible say about angels? Are they little helpers that protect us? Do they have the power of God?
Angels are created beings, like humans. “Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts…. 5 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.” (Psalms 148:2 &5) They are not gods and do not have the power of God. Neither are they to be worshiped. We are to worship the Creator, not the creation. Sometimes, fascination about angels borders on worship and we must be cautious of this. Just as we are not to worship our pastors or other spiritual advisors, we are not to worship angels, either.
Angels are immortal. “Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.” (Luke 20:36) Angels have already received the promise of eternal life with God. They were created for His service, too but serve Him in heaven while we serve Him on earth for now.
Angels serve God in part by dealing with human things. Angels have been messengers for God, they protect and guide us and minister to us. They bring us God’s comfort. They have concern for things happening in the human world. “They were told that these things would not happen during their lifetime, but many years later, during yours. And now this Good News has been announced by those who preached to you in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen.” (1 Peter 1:12 NLT) They are attentive to our situations and happenings. Their attention assists them in their work of watching over us, guiding us and protecting us.
Angels guide and protect us as part of their service to God. “He shall send his angel before thee.” (Genesis 24:7b) The Holy Spirit is our guide from within and angels guide us from without. God surrounds us with Himself and gives us guidance in the ways that we should go. While the Holy Spirit with in us protects our soul and our salvation, His angels protect our physical self. “The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.” (Psalms 34:7) God has covered all the bases for us. His protection is in us, around us and above us.
With God’s perfect protection comes perfect provision, too. “And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.” (1 Kings 19:5) Many of the angel stories that so capture our imagination regard being miraculously proved for by angels. God knows our needs and meets them faithfully. Sometimes, angels are the bearers of those provisions. We may need physical things like food or assistance or we may need comfort and ministering.
When Paul was in prison in Rome, God sent an angel to comfort him. (Acts 27:23-24a) The angel appeared to Paul in physical form and told him not to be afraid, that things were as God planned them. Few of us ever have an experience this dramatic, but many people have told of physical encounters with angels who brought comfort. How very much God must love us to have these ministers always surrounding us, looking out for us, guiding us and easing our burdens.
God makes an example for us with ministering angels. He sends us His comfort and ministering to teach us to comfort and minister. Ministry is just as much a part of angel’s work as it is ours. “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14) There is no limit to what God can have angels do for us. He provides for everything that we need and He has innumerable angels to help. (Hebrews 12:22)
Angels are not ministering slaves, though. They care about us, too. “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” (Luke 15:10) They love us like God wants us to love each other. God uses angels as models of devoted and loving servants. We are much like the angels, in that we are created and spiritual beings. We are not perfect and the angels are not perfect either. (Job 4:18) Like them, we strive for perfection but fall short. Like them, we can serve, minister, comfort, guide and protect our human brothers and sisters. It is our calling to love others as we love ourselves. The angels have this calling, too.
Angels are fascinating, but they are creations of the One who really fascinates. If you find angels and the work they do interesting, intriguing, miraculous or wonderful, you’ll find so much more of these things with God. Look beyond the creation to the creator and find the One who deserves all of our attention.
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