Angels Among Us!

How does God use angels to minister to us? As we look at that question, I hope your faith will be strengthened. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.

Ministry of Angels to Believers

"Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?" (Hebrews 1:14)

Billy Graham says, "Every true believer in Christ should be encouraged and strengthened! Angels are watching; they mark your path. They superintend the events of your life and protect the interests of the Lord God, always working to promote His plans and bring about highest good for you. If we could only realize how close His ministering angels are, what calm assurance we could have in facing the difficulties of life. Angels are ministering spirits who serve the Lord who is seated on the throne. They also serve us who are heirs of salvation through faith in Christ."

Angels are Invisible Helpers. In 2 Kings 6:15-17 the Bible records that the King of Syria made secret plans to invade Israel. Time and again those plans were foiled. The King of Syria thought a traitor was among his own army. However, he soon found out that, as he was making his plans, the Lord would reveal them to Elisha, and Elisha would tell the King of Israel. It was like having his home bugged, but it was the Lord himself who was doing the bugging. This made the King of Syria furious. He set out to arrest Elisha and silence him. He went to Dothan, eleven miles north of Samaria on the road to the Jezreel Valley. It was the site near where Joseph was sold to the traders who carried him to Egypt (Genesis 37:17).

"Go, find out where he is," the king ordered, "so I can send men and capture him." The report came back: "He is in Dothan." Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city. When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" the servant asked "Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them. And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

For a moment God allowed Elisha's servant to see into the dimension of invisible things. That's all it took! If God be for us, who can be against us? The closer we are to the Lord, the more likely it is that God will give us such insights if it fulfills His purpose for us. Elisha and his servant were just two men. Yet, angels surrounded Elisha to protect him. Was this is an angelic precedent?

Let's go back to Dothan centuries earlier. Dothan was the place where Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery. There were no signs of angelic presence like Elisha experienced. Nevertheless, God's protective intervention was just as clear.

Here comes this 17-year-old. As he approaches Dothan, danger lies in wait for him there. He is walking into a trap like a helpless and unsuspecting animal. As we read the story, we wish we could reach back over the centuries and warn him, but we can do nothing to help him.

Oh, you don't need to worry about him. No harm is going to come to him. After all, there are chariots of fire around that city, he will be delivered. But, is He delivered? No! As the circumstances unfold, his brothers conspire against him. They want to kill Joseph. However, the wiser of the brothers intervenes and recommends that they sell him into slavery. Where are the chariots of fire?

Just because you can't see the chariots of fire, that doesn't mean they're not there. I see more evidences of the hand of God in the life of Joseph than I see in the life of Elisha. God never performed a miracle for Joseph. The angels never appeared to Joseph. However, God used this apparent disaster in a very remarkable way. Joseph recognized this later on when he became ruler of Egypt. This is what he said, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them. (Genesis 50:20). In Joseph's life, there are signs of divine providence that are amazing.

Guardians of God's People

Not only are angels invisible helpers they are, Guardians of God's People In Matthew 18:10 Jesus said, "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." Whether there is one angel assigned to one person or many angels watching over us, we can find great comfort.

Answers to Prayer

Not only are angels invisible helpers and guardians of God's people they also bring answers to prayer. The Lord often answers prayer through angelic involvement. We don't always see them but angels bring answers to prayer. What a wonderful thought!

For example, do you remember when Peter was in Prison (Acts 12: 4-18)? Imagine waking up to a miracle and having an angel as your alarm clock! This is what happened to Peter. Arrested a third time for preaching the gospel, awaiting trial and certain death, he slept between two guards. Later, he wrote, "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." (1 Peter 3:12). This is what the Lord did for Peter.

Don't forget that while he was in prison, there was a prayer meeting going on for Peter's deliverance. An angel slapped Peter on the side and woke him up. He followed the angel out into the streets, and when he arrived at the prayer meeting, they could hardly believe that it was Peter safe and sound. An angel brought the answer to prayer.

Daniel and Prophecy (Daniel 9:14-19)- This passage is the finest example of angelic answer to prayer in the Old Testament. Daniel, while reading Jeremiah's prophecy, discovered that the period of Israel's exile was nearing an end. He poured out his heart to God in confession for the sins of Israel, acknowledging that God was absolutely right in the punishment He had given Israel for their sins.

His prayer was based on confession of sin and on Jeremiah's prophecy. This tells us that praying in the will of God has to be based on God's word (Daniel 9:20-23; Jeremiah 25:11, 12; 29:10). He based his praying on the revealed Word of God.

He also understood the character of God in his mercy. He prayed, "Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name."

While Daniel was praying, God sent the angel, Gabriel, with the answer. Daniel's kind of praying gets results. Since angels are ministering spirits, God sends them with the answer when we reverence the Lord and own up to our own sinfulness.

Escorts into glory at the time of death

(Luke 16:19-34)

Two men, Lazarus and the rich man, are described in these verses. The rich man died and was buried and his soul and spirit ended up in Hades, a place of torment and fire. Lazarus had suffered much in life, but he was a righteous man, He had been carried by angels into paradise. (See Hebrews 9:27,28; Psalm 116:15; 2 Corinthians. 5:8; 1 Thessalonians 4:14). [Editors note: please take the time to look at these references]

One of the most meaningful ministries of angels to believers is that, at the very moment we die, the angels escort us into the presence of the Lord. For the Christian, death is the cord that releases us from this present evil world so that the angels can accompany us to our inheritance in Christ Jesus.

*Billy Graham reports that when his maternal grandmother died, the room seemed to fill with heavenly light. She sat up in bed and almost laughingly said, I see Jesus. He has his arms outstretched toward me. I see Ben (husband who died some years earlier). I see the angels. She slumped over, absent from the body but present with the Lord.

*Graham goes on to say that the wonders, beauty, splendor and grandeur of heaven will be yours. These heavenly messengers sent by God to bring you home where you may rest from your labors, though the honor of your work will follow you and will surround you.

An Awesome Presence

(Matt 10:8; Luke 1:12; Matt 28:2-4)

A word of caution is needed here. In the Bible, angelic appearances were so awesome that it was natural to respond in reverence. We are not to depend on angels, but to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ who commands them.

Let us Rejoice in God's Provision

Believers, look up! Take courage! The angels are nearer than you think! Rejoice in the ministry of angels, but depend on Christ who rules over the angels and worship Him

"Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book . . . And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. But he said to me, 'Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers the prophets and of all who keep the words of this book. Worship God!'" (Rev. 22:7-9)

Celestial Spectators on Planet Earth
Order In Heaven and Earth
Angels Among Us - Part Two

Main Index