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THE MINISTRY OF ANGELS
The ministry of
angels is something that many in the church world today know little,
if anything about. But yet it deservesattention, for the Bible has
much to say about angels. As a matter of fact, the word "angel" is
mentioned in the Word Of God 298 times.
As far back as
the Garden of Eden angels are mentioned. In Eden, they guarded "the
way" of the tree of life. At Bethel, the angels of God met Jacob
when he was fleeing Esau. When Elijah was under the juniper tree, an
angel provided him food for his long journey. In answer to
Hezekiah's prayer, the angel of the Lord slew the great Assyrian
army. The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her that she was
to be the mother of Jesus. In Acts, an angel opened the prison doors
and released the apostles. An angel appeared to Cornelius and told
him to send for Peter. An angel of the Lord came into the locked
prison where Peter awaited execution and led him out to safety.
These are but a
few of the many references to angels and their ministry unto men all
throughout the Bible. It would behoove you to carefully search out
all the scripture references given below and study carefully what
the Word has to say about angels, because one day, you just might
need one to help you out yourself!
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There are
many millions of angels. (Revelation 5:11)
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They are
immortal spirit beings created by God to represent and guard His
interests. (Psalms 148:5)
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Angels were
created sometime before the creation of human beings. (Job
38:4-7)
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Angels are
able to manifest themselves in human form. (Genesis 19)
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Occasionally, an angel is revealed in his full heavenly glory.
(Daniel 10:5-6)
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They are
always spoken of in the masculine gender.
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They do not
marry. (Matthew 22:30)
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They are a
company rather than a race. (Hebrews. 12:22)
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There are
different categories of angels and different levels of
authority. (Colossians 1:16, Jude 9)
a.
Seraphims - Described as having three pairs of wings. They are
attendants of the Lord and have special duties in proclaiming
the holiness of the Lord and in ministering at the altar.
(Isaiah
6:1-7)
b.Cherubims - Living creatures that have two pair of wings and
have responsibilities in guarding the throne of God (Ezekiel
10:1-22)
c.Archangels - These appear to be the highest order in the
angelic realm. They are the only angels to be mentioned by name.
The Bible speaks of three. (1) Michael, (2) Gabriel and (3)
Lucifer.
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Angels
worship before the throne of God. (Psalms 148:2)
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Angels
escort the soul of a Christian at death. (Luke 16:22)
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Angels
celebrate every time a sinner comes to God. (Luke 15:10)
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Angels
record the good and bad deeds of our lives in a book which will
be opened at the last judgement. Angels
are commissioned to execute divine judgement upon persons,
cities and nations. (Ezekiel 9:1-6)
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Angels are
used by God to bring messages to His people. Encounters with
angels are usually brief and formal, designed to enhance our
relationship with Jesus rather than distract us from Him.
(Revelation 22:8-9)The Bible warns us to not worship angels.
(Revelation 19:10)
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The
activity of angels is ceaseless, though we usually do not see
them and usually do not even suspect their presence.
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Angels are
ministering spirits.
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Angels are
presently of a higher order than man, but one day the saints of
God will be over angels and judge them. (Psalms 8:4-5, I
Corinthians. 6:3)
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Angels have
greater power and strength than man (2 Peter 2:11)
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Some angels
are assigned to a specific earthly territory. The Bible states
that Israel and it's cities are under angelic guardianship. In
Daniel 12:1, Michael is represented as the prince of Israel. In
Ezekiel 9:1, the prophet Ezekiel records hearing God speak to
angels with these words: "Let those who have charge over the
city draw near."
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Angels and
Christians are allies in the conflict against satan and the
demonic powers of darkness. Prevailing intercessory prayer from
Christians brings more powerful angels to hinder satan's work
and to aid the Christian in the fight. (Daniel 10:10-21)
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Angels
deliver Christians into victories (Psalms 34:7)
Steve Pegram
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