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