Angels, part 2 | |
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So let’s continue our study on angels and focus on the things that are above because God desires for us to be encouraged! There is more to life than just what is going on in the earth, so cheer up, we have a bright future ahead of us!
In Part 1 we were discussing the protection of angels and I’d like to go into further discussion of their protection of us, so let’s look at some more verses that teach us about how they protect believers.
I’m sure you remember the story of little Jesus in Bethlehem when an angel came to Joseph and told him to leave at once in protection of Jesus. “An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. ‘Get up’, he said, ‘take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him’”, Matthew 2:13.
This angel came in obedience to the Lord to protect Jesus from danger.
Did you know that angels actually dwell around you to protect you and keep you safe? That they actually deliver you? Psalm 34:7 says this, “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him and He delivers them.”
I believe that our prayers are always heard and always answered. I believe, however, that many times we do not see our prayers being answered and so we don’t believe. We doubt instead. When in reality there are many, many things taking place in the spiritual realm that we don’t even know about. In other words, I believe there are things going on for your benefit that you are not even aware of. Good things. Positive things that God is working out for you to help you. You may have said a prayer and asked for protection over you or someone you love, but because you didn’t actually see it happen you are not aware of what actually took place to get you or the loved one to that destination.
For example, I believe there are many times we ask for God’s protection and we ask for angels to be around us while we travel down the road and God answers our prayer. He sends out angels and commands them to protect us and they do. As we arrive safely we do not think much of it because we did not see the angels who were keeping us on the road. We take it for granted that we got there safely. However, I believe God wants us to be aware that He answered our prayer and the angels did their job! He wants us to be encouraged by that protection and encouraged that He did that to show us His love!
I don’t know how to make it any clearer that God is working for your benefit, although you may not actually see what is taking place. He is answering your prayers and shifting things around so that what you asked Him for will be available. When you ask for angels they are sent to keep you safe. That is exciting!
Angels minister protection! Believe it! (Whether you see it, or not.)
In Matthew 28:5-7 it says, “The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him.’ Now I have told you.’”
There were 5 things the angel told Mary at the empty tomb of Jesus in Matthew 28:5-7
1. Don’t be afraid. 2. Jesus has risen. 3. Come and see the empty tomb. 4. Go quickly and tell the others. 5. He has risen and is going to Galilee. There you will see Him.
All of these things were good for the women to hear! The angels brought Good News to Mary Magdalene and the “other” Mary.
“God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town of Galilee,” to Mary to bring her good news that she has found favor in God’s eyes, that God is with her and that she is “with child”, Luke 1:26. Gabriel was sent by God to bring good news to Mary and Mary received the news as God’s Word (vs. 38).
There was an angel who appeared to the shepherds to tell them good news:
“An angel of the Lord appeared to them (the shepherds) and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were terrified. 10 Don’t be afraid, I bring good news. Today a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord”, Luke 2:9, 10.
Verse 13, “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God.”
Angels bring us good news!
I love to imagine what angels must look like, so let’s look briefly at a few verses pertaining to their appearance:
· When an angel came to tell Mary that Jesus had risen there was a “violent earthquake”, Matt. 28:2. (Emphasis mine.) In verse 3 it says, “His appearance was like lightning, and His clothes were white as snow.”
· In Acts chapter 12 verse 7 it says, “Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell.”
· Acts 6:15, “… they saw his face (Stephen’s) was like the face of an angel.” This gives the indication that his face was bright like an angel’s.
· Hebrews 1:7, “In speaking of the angels He says, ‘He makes His angels winds, His servants flames of fire.’”
· “Yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful”, 2 Peter 2:11.
· In Luke 2:10 and Matt. 28:5 we read that when angels appear, they usually tell a human, “Don’t be afraid”, this is probably because of their large size.
In conclusion, we see that angels are bright like lightning, white as snow, strong and powerful and large. The violent earthquake that occurred causes us to believe power came with the angel. Interesting!
It is encouraging to me to understand that angels are all around me and my loved ones and that they are working constantly for me on my behalf. Whether I see them with my physical eyes or not, I know they are there because God says so in His Word.
I believe knowing this truth is encouraging to you too. So the next time you’re praying for protection and believing God for things you don’t see with your physical eyes, remember that God is working on your behalf. He’s got powerful angels delivering you from your problems. He’s on your side!
Harvest International Ministry, Inc ©
In Part 1 we were discussing the protection of angels and I’d like to go into further discussion of their protection of us, so let’s look at some more verses that teach us about how they protect believers.
I’m sure you remember the story of little Jesus in Bethlehem when an angel came to Joseph and told him to leave at once in protection of Jesus. “An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. ‘Get up’, he said, ‘take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him’”, Matthew 2:13.
This angel came in obedience to the Lord to protect Jesus from danger.
Did you know that angels actually dwell around you to protect you and keep you safe? That they actually deliver you? Psalm 34:7 says this, “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him and He delivers them.”
I believe that our prayers are always heard and always answered. I believe, however, that many times we do not see our prayers being answered and so we don’t believe. We doubt instead. When in reality there are many, many things taking place in the spiritual realm that we don’t even know about. In other words, I believe there are things going on for your benefit that you are not even aware of. Good things. Positive things that God is working out for you to help you. You may have said a prayer and asked for protection over you or someone you love, but because you didn’t actually see it happen you are not aware of what actually took place to get you or the loved one to that destination.
For example, I believe there are many times we ask for God’s protection and we ask for angels to be around us while we travel down the road and God answers our prayer. He sends out angels and commands them to protect us and they do. As we arrive safely we do not think much of it because we did not see the angels who were keeping us on the road. We take it for granted that we got there safely. However, I believe God wants us to be aware that He answered our prayer and the angels did their job! He wants us to be encouraged by that protection and encouraged that He did that to show us His love!
I don’t know how to make it any clearer that God is working for your benefit, although you may not actually see what is taking place. He is answering your prayers and shifting things around so that what you asked Him for will be available. When you ask for angels they are sent to keep you safe. That is exciting!
Angels minister protection! Believe it! (Whether you see it, or not.)
In Matthew 28:5-7 it says, “The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him.’ Now I have told you.’”
There were 5 things the angel told Mary at the empty tomb of Jesus in Matthew 28:5-7
1. Don’t be afraid. 2. Jesus has risen. 3. Come and see the empty tomb. 4. Go quickly and tell the others. 5. He has risen and is going to Galilee. There you will see Him.
All of these things were good for the women to hear! The angels brought Good News to Mary Magdalene and the “other” Mary.
“God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town of Galilee,” to Mary to bring her good news that she has found favor in God’s eyes, that God is with her and that she is “with child”, Luke 1:26. Gabriel was sent by God to bring good news to Mary and Mary received the news as God’s Word (vs. 38).
There was an angel who appeared to the shepherds to tell them good news:
“An angel of the Lord appeared to them (the shepherds) and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were terrified. 10 Don’t be afraid, I bring good news. Today a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord”, Luke 2:9, 10.
Verse 13, “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God.”
Angels bring us good news!
I love to imagine what angels must look like, so let’s look briefly at a few verses pertaining to their appearance:
· When an angel came to tell Mary that Jesus had risen there was a “violent earthquake”, Matt. 28:2. (Emphasis mine.) In verse 3 it says, “His appearance was like lightning, and His clothes were white as snow.”
· In Acts chapter 12 verse 7 it says, “Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell.”
· Acts 6:15, “… they saw his face (Stephen’s) was like the face of an angel.” This gives the indication that his face was bright like an angel’s.
· Hebrews 1:7, “In speaking of the angels He says, ‘He makes His angels winds, His servants flames of fire.’”
· “Yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful”, 2 Peter 2:11.
· In Luke 2:10 and Matt. 28:5 we read that when angels appear, they usually tell a human, “Don’t be afraid”, this is probably because of their large size.
In conclusion, we see that angels are bright like lightning, white as snow, strong and powerful and large. The violent earthquake that occurred causes us to believe power came with the angel. Interesting!
It is encouraging to me to understand that angels are all around me and my loved ones and that they are working constantly for me on my behalf. Whether I see them with my physical eyes or not, I know they are there because God says so in His Word.
I believe knowing this truth is encouraging to you too. So the next time you’re praying for protection and believing God for things you don’t see with your physical eyes, remember that God is working on your behalf. He’s got powerful angels delivering you from your problems. He’s on your side!
Harvest International Ministry, Inc ©