Men and Angels

 

Psalm 34:7 (NET) - The angel of the Lord camps around the Lord’s loyal followers and delivers them.

Angels recur throughout Scripture.

But what exactly are angels?

Angels, like people, are creations of God.

They also serve as God’s messengers.

Scripture refers to two of them by name – Michael and Gabriel.

These messengers of God also have the power to deliver.

David confirms this in Psalm 34:7.

The book of Acts also reminds us of this fact.

Peter learned this while he was imprisoned.

Those within the church prayed to God on Peter’s behalf.

In answer to their prayers, God sent an angel to deliver Peter.

Acts 12:7 (NET) - Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the prison cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly!” And the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.

Angels are mysterious.

They are also misunderstood,

Even conventional teaching adds to our misunderstanding.

In fact, some of the things we have been taught and believe are not true.

One of the things that bothers me is when a loved one dies.

To be kind someone will say, “Heaven has gained another angel.”

This simply is not true.

There is absolutely nothing in scripture to back up this claim.

When we die, we do not become angels.

It is true that, for a Christian, death is not the end but a transition.

The physical body dies, the spirit lives on, but we do not become angels.

David also addresses the distinction between men and angels.

Psalm 8:4-5 (NET) - Of what importance is the human race, that you should notice them? Of what importance is mankind, that you should pay attention to them? You made them a little less than the heavenly beings. You crowned mankind with honor and majesty.

So, angels are not loved ones who have passed before us.

But angels are still the messengers and deliverers of God.

Are these messengers and deliverers communicating with us today?

Perhaps they are.

Perhaps they are guiding us to live the way God wants us to live.

Perhaps they help steer us in the right direction.

Or perhaps we are too caught up in the world to take notice.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, August 5, 2022.

I will be back here on Friday, August 12, 2022

Faith, Righteousness, and Connection

 

Genesis 15:6 (NET) - Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord credited it as righteousness to him.

Abram and Sarai had no children.

Despite their ages, God instructed Abram to gaze upon the multitude of stars in the sky.

As Abram did this, God compared his future descendants to the number of stars.

Abram believed God.

And because he believed, God acknowledged this as righteousness.

Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, admonished them.

Although they had been told of Christ and His crucifixion, they still gave credence to the law.

Paul reminded them that salvation could not be achieved through personal effort.

It was only obtained through belief.

Paul then reminded them of Abraham’s belief and how God credited his belief for righteousness.

He then explained that those who believe are the sons of Abraham.

Galatians 2:6-7 (NET) - Just as Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, so then, understand that those who believe are the sons of Abraham.

It is certainly true that we currently live under the New Covenant.

But we should neither discard the Old testament, nor should we take it lightly.

Many prophecies made in the Old Testament came to fruition in the New Testament.

These prophecies include the birth, life, and even the crucifixion of Christ.

All this reminds me of a song our children occasionally sing called Father Abraham.

Although it is a simple song, it tells us that Father Abraham had many children.

It also reminds us that we are children of Abraham.

God promised Abraham would have many descendants; as many as the stars in the sky.

Abraham believed God and God accepted his belief as righteous.

Moreover, God was as good as His word.

And, in the words of Paul, we who believe are the sons (and daughters) of Abraham.

And it is through our belief that we connect with God.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, July 15, 2022.

I will be back here on Friday, July 22, 2022