Now playing: Angels

I touched on angels (no pun) in my past article. It seemed right to give equal time to angels. Rather than repeat myself, you might read the previous post on what angels are not. This is what angels are, and how they interact in our lives.

When I practiced eastern religion (a form dharmic religion with Christianity), there was no mention of angels. We were taught about hobo souls who came to wreak havoc in our minds and bodies. These ethereal characters would fall more under demons than hobo souls.

Learning about God's true Kingdom was a steep climb for me and I'm still on the ladder. Religions that fish from east and west to create a blended theology are dangerous. My blog is full of information about the dangers of following false gods and gurus.

Angels seemed too fantastic an idea, but the more I've read about them in the Bible and study other Christian writings, I've come to appreciate their role in our world. Angels appear as humans who help us out. They're not floating winged beings who illuminate and create spectacular side-shows. Being human, of course, we want the spectacular side-show, and God knows that!

Angels can also help us while we travel, and they don't need GPS. In Exodus 23:30, God sent an angel ahead of the trip, promising Moses protection. But he warns him to "pay attention to him and obey him." Angels are not going to put up with our bad behavior.

This doesn't mean we'll always have help from angels. We still don't know how their work load is distributed, or why, but we can read the Bible and learn some things that will give us a sense of assurance that we're not alone, and they do, indeed exist.

In Genesis 28:12 Jacob has a dream about angels, and this reveals a lot. "He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending. " Therefore, it is evident that angels come and go freely from heaven to earth.

One of my favorite stories about angels is in Genesis 19:19 when Lot leaves Sodom. The set up is God had heard many complaints about Sodom and Gomorrah and decided to check things out personally. I love that God will come and investigate situations. He certainly doesn't leave everything to others. He's a True Ruler and King. In earlier times the leaders of nations led the charge. They didn't hide behind a bunch bureaucrats who did all the reporting (and decision making) for the King. If the King died in battle, how much greater was he to his people? I am digressing but it's important to know that our King does come down into the nitty gritty life we live and if he was willing to go to Sodom and Gomorrah, he'll show up anywhere we ask. Remember he was "hearing complaints," which must mean people were praying about this terrible situation!

God is willing to help, but suddenly we have Abraham (Lot's nephew) bargaining with God. He wants to know if God is going to get rid of everyone even if there's some good people there. Don't we always wonder about that? I do. I hear about terrible situations where someone evil caused the downfall (or death) of good people. So, Abraham has my attention in this story. Plus, can you image asking God something like that? It's almost a bit rebellious.

Our Lord didn't get exasperated by the question. He simply said, "Look, you find me 50 people who are good and I'll save them all." It gets rather hysterical here. Abraham then asks him, "Well, okay, but what if there are only 45 people who are good?" Well, this goes on and on until the bargaining gets down to 10 good people. I just love that conversation! What a wonderful reminder that God can be approached and spoken too. Though Abraham was very respectful while asking these questions. Isn't it like us to weasel the situation into our favor?

After the conversation with Abraham, God sends two angels. From here things get wild, and if you're not familiar with the story, I'll let read about it yourselves, but nevertheless, the angels prove they worry, they understand urgency, danger and the know how to "RUN" from trouble! The angels were in the thick of things in this story. They weren't floating around with wings observing and playing harps. They were doing "God's Work" and sometimes that work is dangerous! If you want to read the entire escapade: Genesis 19:1-29.

Who are these angels and what do they want with us in our modern society? Some might find it disconcerting that angel beings hang around at all, and would rather forget about them, or not believe in the possibility someone is watching. Most of us like our privacy. Be assured angels aren't peepers, and they're not going to spy on us. They have amazing ability to bow out, stage left, at just the right time. Nor are angels like the old TV show Touched By an Angel. Angels do not witness nor try to change the minds of unbelievers. Angels will send for a human to do this job.

The Bible says those who do not believe do not have angels watching over them, at least not righteous ones. There are evil angels, and they will bear you harm. That doesn't mean God won't send an angel to someone to help that unbeliever get on the right track! God NEVER gives up on us.

Angels have a job, just like everyone in God's kingdom. They work for God directly. He sends them to deliver messages, and they deliver them to him, as we saw with Abraham.

When angels make themselves known, they greet us. Remember Mary was greeted by the angel Gabriel. (Luke 1:28). He had a conversation with her, so it's evident that angels can talk to us and they have manners. If angels can talk to us, why don't we hear about these chatting angels? First off, they appear as humans, and they're not likely to say, "hey, bub, I'm an angel." They know we won't believe them and call a paddy wagon (do they still have those?). Then there is the issue that they don't want the Glory. They know, that us being human, we're going to tell everyone we know that an angel helped us. We're not likely to say God helped us, rather, angels. It's' cooler in today's culture, anyways. If we say, "God helped me," the response will be something like, "Uh, oh, which God do you follow?" Of course there is only one God.

"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing so some have unwittingly entertained angels." Heb 13:2. They don't want attention drawn to them, lest the power and glory be taken from God. That answers a lot of questions.

Angels are wise, but they don't know everything. I was surprised to learn that. I thought they were Omnipotent, and could read our thoughts. They have limitations. Matt 24:36 tells us that angels do not know the time Jesus will return. Angels also learn from us. "The things angels desire to look into." (1 Peter 1:12). Angeles can't read our minds, only God knows all things at all times. Angels can protect us (Psalm 34:7). Angels are sent when God knows we're in trouble (Matthew 18:10). An angel is put in charge of every believer, providing we do not drive them out by sin.

Angels our guardians. God protects his people. Sometimes we ask why some one's angel didn't protect them, but maybe the situation was one of sin and the angels were not there. Angels can't stay where there is sin. They are by nature driven away from sin. In Exodus 23:21 NIV, God tells Moses, "Pay attention to him and listen to what he says. Do not rebel against him; he will not forgive your rebellion, since my Name is in him." If we stay in of sin, we lose our angel protection. This was news to me!

Angels were created during creation and their nature is set. The angels (1/3) that fell with Satan, are equally yoked with evil. They can not do good and they can't remain were Christ is welcome.

Angeles protect the physical aspect of our lives, whereas the Holy Spirit protects the spiritual aspect of our lives.

Unsaved people do not have angels: "All angels are spirits who serve God and are sent to help those who will receive salvation." (Heb 1:14 NIV). Angels can appear as any nationality. (Heb 13:2)

Angels do not have wings, but appear as regular humans, and they are men, not women. You will have to ask God why he chose this to be this way.

Angels minister for God. Angeles bless God. (Psalms 103:20)

We can rely on our guardian angel if we rely on the Word. How wonderful is our God to give us our own bodyguards! Wouldn't you love to just stick your thumb back and say, "talk to him," when things are going against us? Well, in a way, we can. We're not alone if we're in Christ.