It's been really exciting for us (me and Chrissi) to be learning about angels recently. Most people probably don't believe in them but we do and the Bible does have quite a bit to say about them. It says they're spiritual beings created by God and they obey and worship God (e.g. Isaiah 6:3, Revelation 5:11-12), bring God's messages to people (e.g. Matthew 28:5-6, Luke 1:11-19, Acts 8:26) and carry out some of God's plans in the world.So do I seriously believe in angels? Aren't they just made up creatures like gnomes and fairies? I'm convinced they're real and that what the Bible says is true when it talks about them. Human beings are both physical and spiritual beings and there is a whole spiritual reality going on that we don't (often) see with our physical eyes (Ephesians 6:12).
A while ago when I worked in a school, there was an event one evening in the area where people came together to worship God. Christians from loads of local churches were there, including one of the lads from the school. The next day in school the lad said he'd seen angels at the event. He said they were hovering over all the people and they were handing out swords to the people as they prayed to equip them with God's power for the struggles they were facing in their lives. He said that he only saw them when he closed his eyes. At first when I heard this, I thought, 'That's nice. What a lovely idea. But it's probably just in his head.' But then he said that later on in the same meeting, the leader at the front said that he also saw angels handing out swords to people as they prayed. Coincidence? Maybe but I'm sure it was that God was giving people glimpses of what his angels were doing and the spiritual reality that was taking place behind the scenes of the physical reality. Brilliant!
Recently, Chrissi has seen a few angels too. Only because she's asked God if he would show them to her and he has (I've asked and he hasn't). It's not been the focus of our lives (that's hopefully Jesus and we'll try and keep living for him whatever angels we may or may not see) but it's been a real encouragement in certain situations for God to show us what his angels are doing. At Belmont (our church) one Sunday, his angels were handing out swords and some people took them and others didn't. It was an interesting picture of how we as a crowd are a mixed bag of those who are taking God's power out into our everyday lives and those who are leaving it behind! A real challenge to all of us. On another occasion Chrissi saw an angel cuddling someone we knew who was really struggling and bringing God's comfort to them.
I wonder what you make of all this. Maybe you don't believe in God, let alone angels and stuff like that. I would challenge you to consider that there is a spiritual reality at work in our lives. It's something well worth looking into.
And maybe you already believe in angels (if you're a Christian, you probably do) but you've forgotten about them! They're still around and very busy worshipping God and carrying out his plans with us in the world. We don't often see them but they're still there and we can worship God with them and be helped by them. Let's be grateful to God and thank him for all he's doing and for all he sends his angels to do.
And if you think it's all a bit weird, confusing or a load of rubbish, let me know. It would be great to hear from you.
Posts
5 comments:
Hi Dave,
Thanks for this blog. Angels have always fascinated me. I've never actually seen one (yet) but this blog was really encouraging. I read a really good book a few years ago by Faith Price. She records lots of people#s experiences of angels. If you haven't read it I would recommend it. I haven't thought much about angels for a while so thanks for a blog to remind people that God's messengers are out and about, looking out for us whether we see them or not!
This is brilliant!
I love a good down to earth post about something as fantastically heavenly as angels. Good job on the thanking God too (as opposed to the angels, that wouldn't be good).
I kinda wish I was more adverse to this to give you something to respond to. Sorry about that, just very excited about all the angels in your church...!
What I find strange is that I gather there are a significant number of people around who don't believe in God, but do believe in angels. But "no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light." (2 Cor 11:14) Test the spirits, that's the thing. (1 Jn 4:1-3)
Do you mean Mt 18:10? 6:10 doesn't seem right. It's an indication that we each have a personal angel who looks out for us (cf. Ps 91:11) in particular, and that's an encouraging thought in the spiritual combat.
In our church we're encouraged to ask for the aid of the angels as we are of the saints, as ministers and brothers respectively in Christ. In fact, in the weekly liturgy we ask all the angels and saints together with the congregation to pray for us when we make our general confession before mass.
Mark,
Not personally convinced about the idea that we each have a personal angel assigned to us. Don't think that's what the Bible says but there is the clear idea that angels are protecting us etc.
And praying to angels? Not sure that's in the Bible either but there's nothing to stop us asking God to send angels to help in situations I guess (based on what the Bible says angels do for us at God's command).
And yeah, it is a bit strange that people believe in spiritual beings like angels but not in their Boss(!)
Well, Jesus says "See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.", so it's clear that the "little ones" have particular angels. It's certainly not impossible, but it seems a bit odd to say that children have their own angels and then lose them on adulthood.
Like I say, praying to the angels is a lot like praying to the saints, which I've written a lot on already, so I won't repeat myself.
http://dob-log.blogspot.com/2006/09/luke-and-i-had-theological-conversation.html
http://dob-log.blogspot.com/2006/09/luke-got-back-to-me-about-my-post-with.html
http://dob-log.blogspot.com/2006/10/update-looking-back-at-this-i-think-i.html
Post a Comment