Let we find God in truth and in Spirit.God bless you all.
Monday, April 30, 2012
The Mark of the Beast(666)
The Mark of the Beast (666) What does the bible say about the Mark of the Beast?
Revelations 13: 15-18
He was given power to give
breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak and cause all
who refused to worship the image to be killed. He also forced everyone, small
and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right
hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the
mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name. This calls
for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast,
for it is man's number. His number is 666.
Revelations 14: 9-11 A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice:
"If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the
forehead or on the hand, he, too, will drink of the wine of God's fury, which
has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be
tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the
Lamb. And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest
day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone
who receives the mark of his name. (which was 666)"
There is a lot of speculation
on how this will all turn out, but you can be sure of this...
ANYONE who gets the mark of the
beast 666 is DOOMED! There is NO
turning back, NO forgiveness, NO 2nd chances, NO redemption, No salvation! Don’t think that…"God will understand,
He'll forgive me for taking the mark, He's merciful and He doesn't want me to
lose my life. I don't have to worry, I can still be saved, right?"
WRONG!!!!
If you get this mark of the
beast 666 on your forehead or your hand, you're finished! You will NOT be
saved! You have claimed loyalty to the beast. There will be great stress and
tribulation at the time the mark is given out. It will probably seem like the
best thing to do to survive, solving many problems. Great pressure will be upon
you to get it, like torture, lose of life, lose of job, lose of children, lose
of possessions, reputation, house, freedoms, limbs, etc. Prophets have been
warned that the devil will not want to let those who refuse off with a simple
beheading, but he will have them gruesomely tortured to get them to take his
mark. You won't be able to buy or sell anything without the mark. At that point
in time, you MUST be ready to die rather than get the mark. You must be ready
to face execution rather than take the mark of the beast, no matter what the
punishment. Don't compromise, and make no mistake about it, those who get the
mark, even believers, will be
CONDEMNED to God's full wrath forever! Do
not think that committing suicide to prevent yourself from suffering, and to
prevent yourself from taking the mark will save you. Suicide will NOT save you;
it will put you in hell, even if you are a believer. Also, if you are not a
believer in Jesus, refusing to take the mark will NOT save you either. You must
believe and profess Jesus, and refuse to take the mark, only then can you be
saved.
But there is hope for those who
are left behind, who refuse to take the Mark of the Beast and are killed for
their faith.
The beast written in Revolution 13:1
Revelations 20:4
I saw thrones on which
were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of
those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of
the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not
received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and
reigned with Christ a thousand years.
Visitation of the Holy Spirit
My First Encounter:
This is a testimony from Sister Gwen.
At the age of twelve, I had a dream in which I saw myself kneeling at the back of a small church and weeping profusely. In the dream, I had just been reprimanded by my grandmother and had ran out of the house. I dashed across the street and ran into this church. While kneeling there, I sensed Someone else was in the room. As I slowly lifted my head, I could see Someone gracefully walking towards me. As soon as my eyes saw Him, I was made to understand, in my heart, that this Person was Jesus. It seemed somehow, that this thought was “injected” in my heart and mind.
As I continued to look at Him, this beautiful Person came and knelt next to me. He put one of His arms around my shoulder and wiped my teary eyes with His other hand. Then, He said these words to me: “Do not weep, My child. Whatsoever you shall ask the Father for in My Name, you shall receive.” (John 16:23). I don’t remember what happened after that, except to say that when I woke up the next morning, I announced that I “dreamt Jesus.” It meant nothing to me. No one responded. I guess it meant nothing to them, either.
This was my first encounter with the Living Christ. Eighteen years later when I got saved, I read John 16: 23 in God's Word. Praise the Lord.
When you know that you have been pulled from the pit, you cannot help but be grateful!
When it was time to go to sleep, I seemed to be most bright-eyed! I tried playing a cassette by Pastor Bob Phillips, but the tape recorder seemed to gurgle. As I was lying on my bed, I noticed the clock's large, red digital numbers glowing in the dark; it read, “1:03 AM”. What happened next was one of the most extraordinary experiences I have ever had!
I was suddenly put into a very deep sleep, in a trance-like state. This is what I saw and experienced. I saw myself sitting on the couch in our living room. The couch was facing the door to the balcony. Coming from the direction of the balcony was the most awesome Person. The Person of God the Holy Spirit! Walking behind the Spirit of the Living God was an angel, not more than four feet tall. God the Holy Spirit came directly towards me. As He slowly walked to me, His head held high, His shoulders thrust out, all Majesty, Authority and Power, the thought was imparted to my spirit, “This is God the Holy Ghost!” Because the Lord Jesus has appeared to me over twenty-one times, one of the first things I remember thinking was that the Holy Spirit looks so much like the Lord Jesus. He looks like His Twin! But, I seemed to also notice the difference between Them. In the visions granted to me of our Lord Jesus, His hair is down close to His shoulders. The Holy Spirit's hair was not down, but sticking out with power. Thinking about His hair afterwards, it reminded me of someone sticking his finger in a live electrical outlet.
This Mighty Holy Spirit, this very beautiful Third Person of the Godhead, strode toward me and I stood up. The Spirit of God stood about fifteen inches in front of me. I looked into the very penetrating, deep, serious, serene and very holy eyes of God the Holy Ghost, and I felt I was looking into Eternity! At that moment, I found myself looking down on the carpet where I was standing. I trembled in the Presence of this Holy One with an awesome reverence. As this Holy Wonder of the Lord stood before me, I put out both my hands before Him, palms facing upwards, and I spoke these words, “Would You please pray that Jesus would always keep me?” When I spoke these words, God's Holy Spirit placed both His Palms on my palms. I felt the sensation of electricity surging through my entire body.
Next, with His eyes still staring into my very soul, the Spirit of God began to rub my palms with His Palms, one at a time. He slowly rubbed one palm after the other, in a striding type of way. By this time, my eyes were staring at both His Hands. I believe the Lord's Holy Spirit rubbed my palms about eight times. As He did so, I was amazed to see Oil gushing out of the middle of His Palms over mine! The Oil which flowed freely from the Holy Spirit's Palms was bearably hot, and as it overflowed my palms, it went to the back of my hands. As I stood there before the Lord, I found myself rubbing my hands with the Oil still overflowing and dripping on the carpet. I found myself saying these words, “These hands shall be laid on the sick and they shall recover.” With that, God the Holy Spirit and the angel both turned and walked back the way they came.
My eyes opened. The first thing I noticed was the time on the clock. It read, “1:17 AM”. I believe God arranged it so that I would see the time before and after this holy experience. For fourteen unforgettable minutes, I was in the Presence of God the Holy Spirit. I could hardly lift my elbow to nudge my sleeping husband. After many attempts, I stuttered, “I, I, I looked into the eyes of the Holy Ghost and I saw Eternity!” I was so shaken up, I could hardly speak.
A couple of days later, when I tried to play the cassette which had previously gurgled, it played fine. The message was timely. Pastor Bob Phillips spoke about the Holy Spirit, and the last line in his message was that, “he that believes, out of his belly shall flow RIVERS OF LIVING WATER!!!”
People have asked me how I know that I saw God the Holy Spirit. Some say that the Holy Spirit cannot be seen because He is a Spirit.
My answer is that whether we believe in Heaven or Hell, they still exist. Furthermore, in my first vision of our Lord Jesus as a twelve year old Hindu child, the thought was imparted to my heart, “This is Jesus,” even though I did not know Him.
Recently, I was privileged for the second time to meet with Dr. Gwen Shaw, President of End-Time Handmaidens and Servants Ministry (www.eth-s.org). This beautiful, anointed and respected Bible Teacher and End-Time General in the Lord's Army shared some real insight into my experience as she related it to a group having lunch with her and her dear husband, Papa Jim. As Sister Gwen so rightly pointed out, “The Lord is quite able to remove the veil of the natural eyes, and allow whomsoever He chooses to look into the things of the supernatural. He is Sovereign! In Heaven, the saints are all in spirit forms. Yet, they are seen and recognized by one another.”
So, dear ones, if you have a difficult time believing my
experience with the Holy Spirit, it still happened. I am simply sharing my
experience as it was given to me by my wonderful Lord!
I asked the Lord to give me Scripture to back up my experience. He gave me Romans 8:26-27 -- “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
The Journey continues . . .
Many things continue to happen since that wonderful visitation by the Holy Ghost. People have been healed and continue to be healed, to the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
On a daily basis, I experience the Golden Oil of the Holy Spirit running down my head. I actually feel the physical sensation of this happening. Psalm 23:5 -- “Thou anointest my head with Oil; my cup runneth over.” See also Psalm 89:20.
During my fellowship and prayer time with the Lord, the Shadow of Almighty God falls over me. I know when He comes and I see when His Shadow falls, whether my eyes are open or closed, whether it is daytime or nighttime. Psalm 91:1 -- ”He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the Shadow of the Almighty.”
Many times, a spiritual Mantle is thrown over my shoulders. It is like someone standing behind me and throwing a cloak over my shoulders. I know Who that Someone is! Praise the Lord.
In the early hours of the morning, I am awakened by the Holy Wind of the Spirit of the Living God. The Wind of the Holy Spirit is blown into my ear, usually my left ear. Isaiah 50:4 -- ”He wakeneth (me) morning by morning, He wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.”
Sometimes I experience the Rain and the Dew of the Holy Spirit falling over me. At times it is cold and at times I could only describe it as Liquid Fire. When the Dew falls over me, it is like a light sprinkle compared to the Rain. Isaiah 44:3 -- ”For I will pour Water upon him that is thirsty, and Floods upon the dry ground: I will pour My Spirit upon thy seed, and My blessing upon thine offspring.”
Every one of my finger tips have become raised. Our Church family calls them “fire blisters”. They are most pronounced when I speak about our Lord Jesus Christ and the Anointing of the Holy Spirit. These fire blisters, which are on all my fingers, are visible to the eyes. I asked the Lord what this means. He laid upon my heart that He had left His mark on my hands. To our lovely Lord Jesus Christ be all the glory, honour, praise and credit. I lift HIM up.
When God anoints a vessel, it is for service. I thank the Lord for this great privilege He has given each one of us to serve Him.
A couple of years ago, our family doctor scheduled me for an electrocardiogram as part of an annual check-up. As I lay down on the bed, the nurse cautioned me not to touch the wall. While I was lying on the bed, the anointing of the Lord came upon me. I could physically feel the Oil of the Holy Spirit leaking down my head. As the nurse was watching the needle on the graph, it took an unusual jump up and down. “I told you not to touch the wall!” she exclaimed, somewhat aggravated. “I'm not touching the wall,” I answered. When the electrocardiogram was finished, I explained to her what had happened, and showed her my fingertips which were still raised up. She was stunned.
When the anointing is on me in an increased way, I literally hear the sound of it. The best way that I can describe it is that it sounds like very dry firesticks burning briskly. It is like a crackling sound. It is the anointing of the Holy Ghost and Fire! Praise the Lord!!
I believe God is preparing this vessel for a time such as this. I vow to give Him all the glory, honour, praise, and all the credit. I don't understand all that is happening, but I know it is of God and so my heart is at rest. I love my Lord with every ounce of my being. May the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit of the Living God be glorified! Jesus Christ is Lord. Amen.
I asked the Lord to give me Scripture to back up my experience. He gave me Romans 8:26-27 -- “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
The Journey continues . . .
Many things continue to happen since that wonderful visitation by the Holy Ghost. People have been healed and continue to be healed, to the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
On a daily basis, I experience the Golden Oil of the Holy Spirit running down my head. I actually feel the physical sensation of this happening. Psalm 23:5 -- “Thou anointest my head with Oil; my cup runneth over.” See also Psalm 89:20.
During my fellowship and prayer time with the Lord, the Shadow of Almighty God falls over me. I know when He comes and I see when His Shadow falls, whether my eyes are open or closed, whether it is daytime or nighttime. Psalm 91:1 -- ”He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the Shadow of the Almighty.”
Many times, a spiritual Mantle is thrown over my shoulders. It is like someone standing behind me and throwing a cloak over my shoulders. I know Who that Someone is! Praise the Lord.
In the early hours of the morning, I am awakened by the Holy Wind of the Spirit of the Living God. The Wind of the Holy Spirit is blown into my ear, usually my left ear. Isaiah 50:4 -- ”He wakeneth (me) morning by morning, He wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.”
Sometimes I experience the Rain and the Dew of the Holy Spirit falling over me. At times it is cold and at times I could only describe it as Liquid Fire. When the Dew falls over me, it is like a light sprinkle compared to the Rain. Isaiah 44:3 -- ”For I will pour Water upon him that is thirsty, and Floods upon the dry ground: I will pour My Spirit upon thy seed, and My blessing upon thine offspring.”
Every one of my finger tips have become raised. Our Church family calls them “fire blisters”. They are most pronounced when I speak about our Lord Jesus Christ and the Anointing of the Holy Spirit. These fire blisters, which are on all my fingers, are visible to the eyes. I asked the Lord what this means. He laid upon my heart that He had left His mark on my hands. To our lovely Lord Jesus Christ be all the glory, honour, praise and credit. I lift HIM up.
When God anoints a vessel, it is for service. I thank the Lord for this great privilege He has given each one of us to serve Him.
A couple of years ago, our family doctor scheduled me for an electrocardiogram as part of an annual check-up. As I lay down on the bed, the nurse cautioned me not to touch the wall. While I was lying on the bed, the anointing of the Lord came upon me. I could physically feel the Oil of the Holy Spirit leaking down my head. As the nurse was watching the needle on the graph, it took an unusual jump up and down. “I told you not to touch the wall!” she exclaimed, somewhat aggravated. “I'm not touching the wall,” I answered. When the electrocardiogram was finished, I explained to her what had happened, and showed her my fingertips which were still raised up. She was stunned.
When the anointing is on me in an increased way, I literally hear the sound of it. The best way that I can describe it is that it sounds like very dry firesticks burning briskly. It is like a crackling sound. It is the anointing of the Holy Ghost and Fire! Praise the Lord!!
I believe God is preparing this vessel for a time such as this. I vow to give Him all the glory, honour, praise, and all the credit. I don't understand all that is happening, but I know it is of God and so my heart is at rest. I love my Lord with every ounce of my being. May the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit of the Living God be glorified! Jesus Christ is Lord. Amen.
Dreams And Visions Given To Pastor Prema By The Lord
My first encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ was at the tender age of twelve. This beautiful Person came to me, knelt near me, tenderly dried my weeping eyes and spoke to me. You may read more about this in my testimony at www.rlwc.ca. May you, dear reader, be blessed by some of the dreams and visions God has granted me. All for the glory of our lovely Lord Jesus Christ.
MY GOD-ORDAINED HUSBAND
In 1986, eight years before I met my husband, the Lord showed him to me in a dream. We were both in Sri Lanka and he was preaching the Word. I was standing with my Bible held high up in the air. We met in 1994, and seven weeks later we were married. Today we both preach the Word, to the glory of God.
THE AGONY OF THE CHRIST
One night I saw thousands of angels entwined in a circle around the sky. In the center was the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord was nailed to the Cross. He was still alive. I saw Him from a side view. His leg was jerking with agony. The angels were looking on.
THE LORD SPEAKS ABOUT HIS PRECIOUS BLOOD
One night the Lord appeared to me in a dream. As we walked, I told Him how grateful I was to Him for dying on the Cross for me. I thanked Him for shedding His most precious Blood for me and for this world. He replied, “Yes, it was not the blood of seven thousand chickens. It was My Blood. My Precious Blood.” We walked without speaking another word. Then the Lord stopped. He said to me, “Meet Me here every morning.” It was about 2:30 AM.
AN ANGEL HELPS ME PUT GAS IN MY CAR
On my way to church one evening, my son and I were a short block away from the gas station when the car ran out of gas. I usually drive with at least half a tank full. But I had used the car quite a bit and I had reasoned that I would fill up on my way to church. Sanjay was only nine at the time. I left him in the car and started to walk to the gas station, praying quietly, “Lord, I need Your help. I don't know how to put gas in the car.” (I know now.) Suddenly a man stepped across my pathway, carrying a briefcase under his arm. I asked for his help. He was so kind and helpful. I invited him to church and thanked him for being so kind. I asked him if he was “Born Again.” He said, “My Father is.” I was curious about his profession. He told me that he was in the insurance business. We got to the car. He shook Sanjay's hand. He helped put the gas in my car. As I sat in the driver's seat, he stood outside the car in a friendly way. I slightly turned my head to pull the seat belt. As I turned back, HE WAS GONE! The Lord sent His angel to help me fill the gas! When I finished shouting with joy and calmed down, the Lord gave me the interpretation of my encounter. Angels cannot be “Born Again.” They are created. Also, the angels are sent by God to insure the protection of God's people (Psalm 91). They are our insurance agents! Glory! I just knew as we drove to church that he was sitting on the top of the car, having a great time!
ANGEL JUDAH
One night I had a vision of a very tall, blonde, blue-eyed angel standing at the foot of my bed. He was all smiles. I felt so peaceful and happy. I asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Judah.” Judah is a Hebrew word which means praise. Because I love to praise the Lord with all my being, I believe that the Lord sent me an angel of praise.
THE BRICK OF GOLD, THE BUNCH OF FRUIT, AND THE WORD OF GOD
One night in a vision, I walked with an angel from 10 PM to 4 AM. As we walked, we communicated by thought. He knew all my thoughts and questions, and I knew his replies as he thought them. We passed by this house of rich but wicked folks. Since I was a new Chistian, I questioned how wicked people could be rich. The angel walked me to a concrete room which had no doors or windows. He used the rod which he carried and struck the wall. A door formed and we walked inside. He went to a corner of this room and struck the wall again with his rod. A brick of gold came shooting out from the wall. He took it and handed it to me. I shook my head “No.” He walked back to the corner of the room and struck the wall again. Out came a very large bunch of fruit, still on the vine. He handed it to me. This time, I gladly accepted. My arms were full of the fruit as I embraced the vine. I ate as much as I could. I actually felt my tummy puffed with the fruit. Then I stepped outside and gave the rest of the fruit to every one who passed by.
Shortly afterwards, the Lord gave me the interpretation of this vision. I had chosen to refuse the world and its wealth in order to pursue the wealth of the Lord. I would eat the Word of God and then share His Word with others. I have not regretted my choice! Glory! He adds the blessings!
TWO VISIONS OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IN AN ALL-NIGHT PRAYER MEETING
One night, two of my friends and I were praying throughout the night, as we usually did. At 2:20 AM, I felt very hot Oil being poured into the skull of my head. The Lord Jesus then appeared to me, nailed to the Cross. He was wearing a loin cloth. His chin was drooped down. As I saw this vision of my Lord, tears stung my eyes. I suddenly realized that I was out of my body. My body was half-kneeling, half sitting. My spirit was standing. In a moment, the vision was taken away, and my spirit was back in my body. The Lord appeared to me again. This time, the Christ was in His royal robe of splendor! He was high and lifted up and His train filled the temple! This flowing robe was light blue in color. He was about two feet above the altar area. I shyly looked at my Lord. What a Beauty to behold! My Lord forcefully extended His hands to me as if to say, “Come to Me, My child!” At that moment, I noticed His wonderful eyes. They were a beautiful mix of blue and green, and they drew me to Him. I could only describe my Lord's eyes as a tumbling river of love, pulling me towards Him. And His smile! O, His smile. “Perfectly beautiful” is putting it mildly! His hair was light brown in color, shoulder-length, and with many curls. His smile is always before me. The vision vanished, but I always remember Him as I saw Him that night.
Such an anointing came over me that I felt as if I could lift a ton. I started to shout. “I saw the Lord! I saw the Lord!” By this time, it was around 4:30 in the morning. My sisters Doris and Rosa and I grabbed all the tambourines we could find and at that time of the morning, we marched several times around the sanctuary of the church. We sang the chorus, “I saw the Lord, I saw the Lord. He was high and lifted up and His train filled the temple!...” To God be all the glory!
THE DOVE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
One morning I saw the Dove of the Holy Spirit. He was sitting in a circular frame, like the frame of a round clock. He was staring intently at me.
THE GOD WHO ANSWERS BY FIRE
One day I saw a Fiery Personality standing in our apartment. I got afraid. I rebuked this vision. To my utter amazement, as I went into the kitchen, here He was again. This time peace flooded my soul. This Person was the God Who answers by Fire.
These are just a few encounters in the spirit realm that I share with you. Praise the Lord! God bless you!
My first encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ was at the tender age of twelve. This beautiful Person came to me, knelt near me, tenderly dried my weeping eyes and spoke to me. You may read more about this in my testimony at www.rlwc.ca. May you, dear reader, be blessed by some of the dreams and visions God has granted me. All for the glory of our lovely Lord Jesus Christ.
MY GOD-ORDAINED HUSBAND
In 1986, eight years before I met my husband, the Lord showed him to me in a dream. We were both in Sri Lanka and he was preaching the Word. I was standing with my Bible held high up in the air. We met in 1994, and seven weeks later we were married. Today we both preach the Word, to the glory of God.
THE AGONY OF THE CHRIST
One night I saw thousands of angels entwined in a circle around the sky. In the center was the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord was nailed to the Cross. He was still alive. I saw Him from a side view. His leg was jerking with agony. The angels were looking on.
THE LORD SPEAKS ABOUT HIS PRECIOUS BLOOD
One night the Lord appeared to me in a dream. As we walked, I told Him how grateful I was to Him for dying on the Cross for me. I thanked Him for shedding His most precious Blood for me and for this world. He replied, “Yes, it was not the blood of seven thousand chickens. It was My Blood. My Precious Blood.” We walked without speaking another word. Then the Lord stopped. He said to me, “Meet Me here every morning.” It was about 2:30 AM.
AN ANGEL HELPS ME PUT GAS IN MY CAR
On my way to church one evening, my son and I were a short block away from the gas station when the car ran out of gas. I usually drive with at least half a tank full. But I had used the car quite a bit and I had reasoned that I would fill up on my way to church. Sanjay was only nine at the time. I left him in the car and started to walk to the gas station, praying quietly, “Lord, I need Your help. I don't know how to put gas in the car.” (I know now.) Suddenly a man stepped across my pathway, carrying a briefcase under his arm. I asked for his help. He was so kind and helpful. I invited him to church and thanked him for being so kind. I asked him if he was “Born Again.” He said, “My Father is.” I was curious about his profession. He told me that he was in the insurance business. We got to the car. He shook Sanjay's hand. He helped put the gas in my car. As I sat in the driver's seat, he stood outside the car in a friendly way. I slightly turned my head to pull the seat belt. As I turned back, HE WAS GONE! The Lord sent His angel to help me fill the gas! When I finished shouting with joy and calmed down, the Lord gave me the interpretation of my encounter. Angels cannot be “Born Again.” They are created. Also, the angels are sent by God to insure the protection of God's people (Psalm 91). They are our insurance agents! Glory! I just knew as we drove to church that he was sitting on the top of the car, having a great time!
ANGEL JUDAH
One night I had a vision of a very tall, blonde, blue-eyed angel standing at the foot of my bed. He was all smiles. I felt so peaceful and happy. I asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Judah.” Judah is a Hebrew word which means praise. Because I love to praise the Lord with all my being, I believe that the Lord sent me an angel of praise.
THE BRICK OF GOLD, THE BUNCH OF FRUIT, AND THE WORD OF GOD
One night in a vision, I walked with an angel from 10 PM to 4 AM. As we walked, we communicated by thought. He knew all my thoughts and questions, and I knew his replies as he thought them. We passed by this house of rich but wicked folks. Since I was a new Chistian, I questioned how wicked people could be rich. The angel walked me to a concrete room which had no doors or windows. He used the rod which he carried and struck the wall. A door formed and we walked inside. He went to a corner of this room and struck the wall again with his rod. A brick of gold came shooting out from the wall. He took it and handed it to me. I shook my head “No.” He walked back to the corner of the room and struck the wall again. Out came a very large bunch of fruit, still on the vine. He handed it to me. This time, I gladly accepted. My arms were full of the fruit as I embraced the vine. I ate as much as I could. I actually felt my tummy puffed with the fruit. Then I stepped outside and gave the rest of the fruit to every one who passed by.
Shortly afterwards, the Lord gave me the interpretation of this vision. I had chosen to refuse the world and its wealth in order to pursue the wealth of the Lord. I would eat the Word of God and then share His Word with others. I have not regretted my choice! Glory! He adds the blessings!
TWO VISIONS OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IN AN ALL-NIGHT PRAYER MEETING
One night, two of my friends and I were praying throughout the night, as we usually did. At 2:20 AM, I felt very hot Oil being poured into the skull of my head. The Lord Jesus then appeared to me, nailed to the Cross. He was wearing a loin cloth. His chin was drooped down. As I saw this vision of my Lord, tears stung my eyes. I suddenly realized that I was out of my body. My body was half-kneeling, half sitting. My spirit was standing. In a moment, the vision was taken away, and my spirit was back in my body. The Lord appeared to me again. This time, the Christ was in His royal robe of splendor! He was high and lifted up and His train filled the temple! This flowing robe was light blue in color. He was about two feet above the altar area. I shyly looked at my Lord. What a Beauty to behold! My Lord forcefully extended His hands to me as if to say, “Come to Me, My child!” At that moment, I noticed His wonderful eyes. They were a beautiful mix of blue and green, and they drew me to Him. I could only describe my Lord's eyes as a tumbling river of love, pulling me towards Him. And His smile! O, His smile. “Perfectly beautiful” is putting it mildly! His hair was light brown in color, shoulder-length, and with many curls. His smile is always before me. The vision vanished, but I always remember Him as I saw Him that night.
Such an anointing came over me that I felt as if I could lift a ton. I started to shout. “I saw the Lord! I saw the Lord!” By this time, it was around 4:30 in the morning. My sisters Doris and Rosa and I grabbed all the tambourines we could find and at that time of the morning, we marched several times around the sanctuary of the church. We sang the chorus, “I saw the Lord, I saw the Lord. He was high and lifted up and His train filled the temple!...” To God be all the glory!
THE DOVE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
One morning I saw the Dove of the Holy Spirit. He was sitting in a circular frame, like the frame of a round clock. He was staring intently at me.
THE GOD WHO ANSWERS BY FIRE
One day I saw a Fiery Personality standing in our apartment. I got afraid. I rebuked this vision. To my utter amazement, as I went into the kitchen, here He was again. This time peace flooded my soul. This Person was the God Who answers by Fire.
These are just a few encounters in the spirit realm that I share with you. Praise the Lord! God bless you!
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Prayer
Principles Concerning Prayer
When I first made the decision to allow my prayer
times to be led by the Holy Spirit, I was wary because I did not know for sure
where the boundaries were, and I did not want to fall into error. Therefore, I
studied the biblical principles concerning prayer to give me an understanding
of the kinds of prayer we can pray, the areas we are to pray in, the principles
which are part of effective prayer, etc. I am listing these below along with
Scripture verses supporting each. In the weeks that follow, I suggest you look
up these verses, write them out, and meditate and journal about them, asking
God what He wants to say to you concerning the application of each one to your
life.
1. Forgive
everything against everyone — Mark 11:25; John 15:9,12,13; 1 John 4:7,8,12,18-21;
Matthew 6:12,14-15
Following is a simple exercise to help you
forgive from your heart: a) Use vision, seeing the person at the point they
hurt you; b) Invite Jesus into the scene and ask Him to show you what He was
doing and saying. Tune to spontaneous thoughts and pictures and write down what
is flowing within you; c) In prayer, forgive the offender in the name of Jesus
Christ; d) Like Job, pray God’s blessing upon him (Job 42:10).
2. Walk in
holiness — Psalm 66:18; Isaiah 59:1,2; Hebrews 5:7; 12:1; James 5:16
3. Prayer
must flow together with rhema (Rhema gives heart faith, reveals God’s will, and is to abide in you.) — Mark
11:22-24; Romans 10:10a,17; 1 John 5:14-15; John 15:7; Hebrews 11:1,6; James
1:6-7
4. Pray
fervently and earnestly with your whole heart — James 5:17-18; 1 Kings
18:43 and context; 2 Chronicles 15:15b
5. Pray in
Jesus’ name — John 14:13; Mark 16:17
6. Speak to
the mountain rather than simply praying to Jesus. Hold fast to your
confession — Mark 11:23; Matthew 8:26; Hebrews 10:23
7. See it done. Believe that what you say
is going to happen. Letting God show you a vision of the completed action will
cause your heart to believe — Mark 11:23,24
8. Pray until you praise. A need is not
prayed for until it has been overcome in prayer by the power and promises of
God, and you have entered into peace — Philippians 4:6,7
9. Pray persistently and exercise patience
— Luke 11:8-10; 18:1,7; Hebrews 6:12
10. Fortify prayer with fasting — Isaiah
58; Matthew 9:15; 17:21
11. Pray with intensity, with compassion
and a sense of burden, with a broken heart, with agony, groaning and travail —
Matthew 20:34; Psalm 34:18; 62:8; Hebrews 5:7; Luke 22:44; Romans 8:26
12. Pray when you need God’s strength. Do
not hide yourself in shame at your weakness — Hebrews 4:16; Psalm 50:15
13. Pray in secret — Matthew 6:6
14. Pray specifically — Acts 4:29-31
15. Resist satan’s attack by calling upon God.
Do not fight satan yourself. You will lose — 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; James 4:6-8;
Ephesians 6:10-13
16. Sow bountifully, for in so doing, you
will reap bountifully — 2 Corinthians 9:6-8; Philippians 4:16-17,19
17. Avoid vain repetition — Matthew 6:7;
Luke 20:47
18. Do not seek your own pleasure — James
4:3
Areas of Prayer
As we examine the Lord’s Prayer and other prayers in
the Bible, we find that there are various areas of prayer in which we can
engage. Seven of these areas are listed below. They will not all be found in
every prayer session, nor will they follow a legalistic order or a rigid time
slot. They are to flow as directed by
the Holy Spirit. We are always to “pray in the Spirit” (Eph. 6:18), meaning
that all our prayers are to be inspired, guided, energized and sustained by the
Holy Spirit. Through Logos, we find
what these seven prayer areas can encompass; through rhema, we find daily direction for our prayers.
As you pray, cultivate a constant openness to seeing
and sensing the spiritual realm. Through dream, vision and imagery, you are
able to see with the eye of faith what God is doing just as Jesus did (John
5:19-21; 8:38). Through sensing peace, burdens and other movings in your
spirit, you are able to feel those things which God is feeling and impressing.
By so doing, your prayer life will ascend above dry rationalism into the beauty
and power of spiritual experiences. For prayer to be meaningful, it must be
more than simple rationalism. Write out and prayerfully ponder the verses
below.
1. Confession of Sin — 1 John 1:7-10; Psalm 139:23,24
2. Praying with the Spirit — 1 Corinthians 14:2,4a,14a,15,18
3. Praise, Thanksgiving, Singing, Worship, Adoration — Psalm 100:1-4;
1 Thessalonians 5:18
4. Receiving: Waiting, Watching, Listening, Writing, Meditating —
Psalm 46:10a; Ecclesiastes 5:1,2; Habakkuk 1:1; 2:2
5. Personal Petitions — Matthew 6:11; 7:7; Psalm 50:15
6. Intercession for Others — 1 Timothy 2:1-4
7. Speaking to the Mountain — Mark 11:23
Posted by Innocent Morris
Angels
Theologians have often viewed angels as a very difficult
subject.[1]
Why? Because, while there is abundant mention of angels in the Bible, the
nature of this revelation is without the same kind of explicit description we
often find with other subjects developed in Scripture:
Every reference to angels is incidental to some other topic.
They are not treated in themselves. God’s revelation never aims at informing us
regarding the nature of angels. When they are mentioned, it is always in order
to inform us further about God, what he does, and how he does it. Since details
about angels are not significant for that purpose, they tend to be omitted.[2]
Though theologians have been cautious in their study of
angels we have been bombarded in recent years by what could easily be called Angelmania. In fact, this is the title
of an article by Dr. Kenneth Gangel in “Kindred Spirit” on the widespread
discussion and fascination with angels in our time by the secular world.[3]
Gangel writes,
In his 1990 book, Angels:
An Endangered Species, Malcolm Godwin estimates that over the last 30 years
one in every ten pop songs mentions an angel. But that was just romantic fun.
Now our culture takes angels seriously, if not accurately. In
the last two years Time, Newsweek,
Ladies’ Home Journal, Redbook, and a host of other popular magazines have
carried articles about angels. In mid-1994, ABC aired a two-hour, prime time
special titled “Angels: the Mysterious Messengers.” In Newsweek’s November 28, 1994 issue an article titled “In Search of
the Sacred” observed that “20% of Americans have had a revelation from God in
the last year, and 13% have seen or sensed the presence of an angel” (p. 54).
Newsweek is right;
modern society, so seemingly secular and hopelessly materialistic, desperately
searches for some spiritual and supernatural meaning. If angels can provide it,
then angels it will be.[4]
The bookstores abound with books on this subject. These
books not only claim encounters with angels, but instruct people on how to
contact them. We now have a weekly program on one of the major networks
entitled “Touched By An Angel.” Certainly, one might argue, this is just a
story for entertainment. However, this show not only demonstrates our
fascination with this topic, but a illustrates a very poor grasp of what the
Bible really teaches about angels and about God along with some very definite
distortions of Scripture. By these comments I do not mean to discount all the
so-called encounters with angels that we occasionally read or hear about. Why?
Because, as will be discussed in more detail later, angels are servants of God
and described by the author of Hebrews as, “ministering spirits, sent out to render
service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?” See also Psalm 91:11
and Matthew 4:11. So certainly, for those who believe the record of Scripture,
we can trust completely in the Bible’s teaching on angels and, “with a perhaps
lesser degree of certainty, consider the personal accounts of reputable
Christians.” [5]
A good illustration of the latter can be found in an
article by Sue Bohlin entitled, “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.” She writes:
I was about thirteen years old when I had my first encounter
with an angel. I was going upstairs to my room, pulling my entire weight on the
handrail, when it suddenly came off in my hand. I fell backwards, head first.
Halfway into a terrible fall, I felt a strong hand on my back push me upright.
There was nobody there—well, nobody visible!
Angel stories are always fascinating, and in this essay I
address angels: the good, the bad, and the ugly. The good angels are the holy
ones, the bad angels are the evil ones, which the Bible calls demons, and the
ugly angels are demons disguising themselves as good angels. These ugly angels
have deceived many people in a culture that has embraced “angel mania.” [6]
While many details about angels are omitted in the Bible,
it is important to keep in mind three important elements about the biblical
revelation God has given us.
(1) The mention of angels is inclusive in Scripture.
Depending on the Bible translation searched, these celestial beings are
referred to from 294 to 305 times in the Bible. References to angels occur at
least 116 times in the Old Testament and 175 times in the New Testament.
(2) These many references are found in at least 34 books
from the very earliest books (whether Job or Genesis) to the last book of the
Bible (Revelation).
(3) Finally, there are numerous references to angels by
the Lord Jesus, whom Scripture declares to be the creator of all things, which
includes angelic beings. Paul wrote, “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth,
visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities (a
reference to angels)—all things have been created by Him and for Him” (Col.
1:16).
It is out of the this extended body of Scripture that the
study presented here will be developed. The Bible will be the authority for
this study and not the speculations of men nor their experiences nor what
people think sounds logical.
A Simple Definition
Angels are spiritual beings created by God to serve Him,
though created higher than man. Some, the good angels, have remained obedient
to Him and carry out His will, while others, fallen angels, disobeyed, fell
from their holy position, and now stand in active opposition to the work and
plan of God.
The Nature of Angels
Angels are created beings
The fact of their
creation is brought out in Psalm 148. There the psalmist calls upon all in
the celestial heavens, including the angels, to praise God. The reason given
is, “For He commanded and they were created” (Ps. 148:1-5).
The time of their
creation is never stated, however, we know they were created before the
creation of the world. From the book of Job we are told that they were present
when the earth was created (Job 38:4-7) so their creation was prior to the
creation of the earth as described in Genesis one.
The agent of their
creation is specifically stated to be Christ as the One who created all
things (cf. John 1:1-3 with Col. 1:16).[7]
The nature of their
creation is as a host or a company, simultaneously. Unlike human beings and
the animal kingdom created in pairs and who procreate, angels were created
simultaneously as a company, a countless host of myriads (Col. 1:16; Neh 9:6).
This is suggested by the fact they are not subject to death and they do not or
were not to propagate. They are nevertheless an innumerable host created before
the creation of the earth (cf. Job. 38:7; Neh. 9:6; Ps 148:2, 5; Heb 12:22; Dan
7:10; Matt 26:53; Rev. 5:11; with Matt. 22:28-30; Luke 20:20-36).
Angels are spirit creatures
(1) Angels are spirit beings. Though at times they
have been given the ability to reveal themselves in the form of human bodies as
in Genesis 18:3, they are described as “spirits” in Hebrews 1:14. This suggests
they do not have material bodies as we do. Hence, they do not function as human
beings in terms of marriage and procreation (Mark 12:25) nor are they subject
to death (Luke 20:36).
Mankind, including our incarnate Lord, is “lower than the
angels” (Heb. 2:7). Angels are not subject to the limitations of man,
especially since they are incapable of death (Luke 20:36). Angels have greater
wisdom than man (2 Sam. 14:20), yet it is limited (Matt. 24:36). Angels have
greater power than man (Matt. 28:2; Acts 5:19; 2 Pet. 2:11), yet they are
limited in power (Dan. 10:13).
Angels, however, have limitations compared to man, particularly
in future relationships. Angels are not created in the image of God, therefore,
they do not share man’s glorious destiny of redemption in Christ. At the
consummation of the age, redeemed man will be exalted above angels (1 Cor.
6:3).[8]
This also means they are not omnipresent. They cannot be
everywhere at once.
(2) All angels were created holy, without sin, and in
a state of perfect holiness.
Originally all angelic creatures were created holy. God
pronounced His creation good (Gen. 1:31), and, of course, He could not create
sin. Even after sin entered the world, God’s good angels, who did not rebel
against Him, are called holy (Mark 8:38). These are the elect angels (1 Tim.
5:21) in contrast to the evil angels who followed Satan in his rebellion
against God (Matt. 25:41).[9]
(3) As created beings, they are mere creatures. They are not
divine and are not to be worshipped (see Rev. 19:10; 22:9). As a separate order
of creatures, they are both distinct from human beings and higher than humans
with powers far beyond our abilities in this present age (1 Cor. 6:3; Heb.
1:14; 2:7). But as creatures they are limited in their powers, knowledge, and
activities (1 Peter 1:11-12; Rev. 7:1). Like all of creation, angels are under
God’s authority and subject to His judgment (1 Cor. 6:3; Matt. 25:41).
The Types of Angels
(Good and Evil)
While all the angels were originally created holy and
without sin, there was a rebellion by Satan, who, being lifted up by his own
beauty, sought to exalt himself above God and rebelled. In his rebellion, he
took with him one-third of the angels (Rev. 12:4). This rebellion and fall is
probably described for us in Isaiah 14:12-14 and Ezekiel 28:15 embodied in the
kings of Babylon and Tyre.[10]
Prophesying of a future angelic conflict that will occur in the middle of the
Tribulation, John wrote, “And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels
waging war with the dragon. And the dragon and his angels waged war” (Rev.
12:7). In other words, there are good angels and there are evil angels.
As is clear from Revelation 12:7 and many other passages,
the leader of these fallen angels (or demons as they are also called) is Satan
(cf. Matt. 12:25-27). Satan, the leader of unholy angels, is a liar, a
murderer, and a thief (John 10:10). As God’s great antagonist, He hates God and
God’s people. Scripture teaches us that he prowls about like a roaring lion in
search of those whom he may devour by his nefarious schemes (1 Peter 5:8). As
an angelic being, Satan, along with his demon-like angels who operate under his
authority, is supernaturally powerful and brilliant, and he uses all his powers
against humanity. Not only is he a liar, a thief, and a distorer, but that
which characterizes him above all else is deception. John describes him as the
one “who deceives the whole world” (John 12:9). In his cunning, he disguises
himself as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14). So, in view of this, the Apostle
Paul wrote, “Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise
themselves as servants of righteousness . . .” (2 Cor. 11:15). More
will be said on this below.
The Ministry of Good Angels
The good and loyal angels are the mighty servants of God
who constantly serve him always doing His will. The Psalmist described them as,
“Bless the LORD, you His angels, Mighty in strength, who perform His word,
Obeying the voice of His word! Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, You who serve
Him, doing His will” (Ps. 103:20-21). It is no wonder, then, that the author of
Hebrews, in showing the superiority of Christ to even the mighty angels, asked
(the question here demands a positive answer both in the Greek text and
contextually), “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render
service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?” (Heb. 1:14). The
answer is “Yes!” Though God can always act independently without the use of
agents, He has chosen to use both angelic and human instruments to accomplish
His will. In keeping with this, over and over again in the Bible, we find
angels acting as God’s servants involved in variegated ministry to people.
Angels Protect
Perhaps
no aspect of their ministry to man is more talked about than the idea of a
“guardian angel.” Over the years, I have often been asked, “Does everyone have
a guardian angel?” While no passage specifically states that every person has a
guardian angel, the Bible does teach that angels do guard or protect as Psalm
91:11 declares. In addition, Matthew 18:10 may suggest a guardian angel because
of the statement Christ made regarding little children when He said, “See that
you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you, that their
angels in heaven continually behold the face of My Father who is in heaven.”
But it should also be pointed out that Psalm 91:11 is directed to those who
make the Lord their refuge.
The psalmist explained that no
harm or disaster can befall those who have made the Lord
their refuge (mah£seh, “shelter
from danger”; . . . ) because He has commissioned angels to care for them. angels protect
from physical harm and give believers strength to overcome difficulties, pictured
here as wild lions and dangerous snakes. Satan, in tempting Christ, quoted
91:11-12 (Matt. 4:6), which shows that even God’s most marvelous promises can
be foolishly applied.[11]
Some would claim that this Old Testament passage should
not be applied in modern times, but the author of Hebrews does not seem to draw
that distinction. That they are ministering spirits who minister to the saints
is presented as a general truth of the Bible and should not be restricted to
Bible times. Also, Scripture suggests that Michael, the archangel, is
particularly involved in ministry to Israel. Concerning the reference to
Michael in Daniel 10:13, Ryrie writes:
Michael, which means “who is like God?” (v. 21; 12:1; Jude 9; Rev.
12:7), is the special guardian of the affairs of Israel (12:1) and is
designated the archangel (Jude 9). One of the chief princes shows a hierarchy
among the angels (cf. Eph. 1:21). I had
been left there with the kings of Persia. The good angel (cf. vv. 5-6),
with Michael’s help, was left in a place of preeminence in influencing Persia.
But the battle between good and evil angels over the control of nations
continues (see v. 20 and Rev. 20:3).
Regarding accounts of angelic protection, Dr. Kenneth
Gangel gives the following account which is similar to others I have heard
about, especially with missionaries:
A veteran missionary friend of mine (now retired) tells the
story about a woman missionary alone on a compound in northern Africa during a
riot by one of the local tribes. She hid in a closet and prayed as warriors
advanced along the dusty road toward the houses where the white intruders
lived. Amazingly, she never heard them. No one ever entered her building, and
there was no evidence of any turmoil. My friend learned later that the
warriors, who intended to kill everyone at the missionary compound and burn it
to the ground, instead retreated when they found the compound guarded by tall
warriors dressed in white and carrying large swords. Angels?
Another and similar account was also reported by a medical
missionary at his home church in Michigan:
While serving at a small field hospital in Africa, I traveled
every two weeks by bicycle through the jungle to a nearby city for supplies.
This required camping overnight half way. On one of these trips, I saw two men
fighting in the city. One was seriously injured, so I treated him and witnessed
to him of the Lord Jesus Christ. I then returned home without incident.
Upon arriving in the city several weeks later, I was approached
by the man I had treated earlier. He told me he had known that I carried money
and medicine. He said, “some friends and I followed you into the jungle knowing
you would camp overnight. We waited for you to go to sleep and planned to kill
you and take your money and drugs. Just as we were about to move into your campsite,
we saw that you were surrounded by 26 armed guards.”
I laughed at this and said I was certainly all alone out in that
jungle campsite. The young man pressed the point, “No, sir, I was not the only
one to see the guards. My Jave friends also saw them and we all counted them.
It was because of those guards that we were afraid and left you alone.”
At this point in the church presentation in Michigan, one of the
men in the church jumped up and interrupted the missionary, and asked, “Can you
tell me the exact date when this happened?” The missionary thought for a while
and recalled the date.
The man in the congregation told this side of the story: “On
that night in Africa it was morning here. I was preparing to play golf. As I
put my bag in the car, I felt the Lord leading me to pray for you. In fact, the
urging was so strong that I called the men of this church together to pray for
you. Will all of those men who met with me that day please stand?”
The men who had met that day to pray together stood—there were
26 of them!
Again we ask, were these angels? While I cannot verify
this story, I have no doubt whatsoever that it could be true.
Angels Provide
As angels were sent by God to provide sustenance for the
Lord at the end of his forty days in the wilderness (Matt. 4:1-11), so he has
undoubtedly on occasion done so for believers in our day. Some would include
the provision of bread and water for Elijah (1 Kings 19:5-6), but this was a
ministry of “the Angel of the Lord” which could simply mean, angel sent from
the Lord, but it’s probably best to understand this as a reference a theophany,
a manifestation of God to Elijah.[12]
As an illustration of possible angelic provision, Sue
Bohlin gives the following account:
In 1944, the penniless wife of a pastor and evangelist in
Switzerland, Susie Ware prayed, “God, I need five pounds of potatoes, two
pounds of pastry flour, apples, pears, a cauliflower, carrots, veal cutlets for
Saturday, and beef for Sunday.” A few hours later, someone knocked on the door,
and there was a young man carrying a basket, who said, “Mrs. Ware, I am
bringing what you asked for.” It was precisely what she’d prayed for—down to
the exact brand of pastry flour she wanted. The young man slipped away, and
even though Rev. and Mrs. Ware watched at the window to their building, the man
never exited. He just disappeared (Anderson, Joan Wester. Where Angels Walk, New York: Ballantine Books, 1992, pp. 60-62).[13]
My wife’s sister, Connie Griffith, had an experience about
15 years ago which is recorded in Jodie Berndt’s book, Celebration of Miracles.[14]
Connie, and her husband Geoff, were missionaries in Africa working with Hindu
people and had an opportunity to visit missionaries in India. The trip involved
a 38-hour train ride from New Delhi to an orphanage in the south. They had been
warned not to eat the food on the train, but they had taken very little food
with them and Connie was so famished she decided to take her chances. She ate
some curried mutton, and was soon extremely ill.
After arriving at the orphanage, Connie went to bed where
she remained for three days. Geoff was traveling during that time and the
missionaries thinking she was reacting to the miserable poverty of their
surroundings thought she didn’t want to be bothered and left her alone. It was
not until it was time to move on to the next orphanage that they realized she
was desperately ill. They realized she needed to get to a hospital fast so they
set out for the nearest one which was three hours away. About fifteen minutes
into the ride Connie’s muscles began to cramp. First her fingers then her knees
and toes curled inward and her facial muscles contracted so she was unable to
speak. Finally she found herself paralyzed as the jeep bounced along the
primitive road.
They were concerned, thinking she might not make it
because she was so dehydrated. Geoff cried out to God, “please do a miracle! Do
something!” Suddenly the missionary
who was driving spotted a small Red Cross building just off the trail. As the
jeep pulled to a stop, Connie tried to protest. She was concerned about the
rampant AIDS epidemic in these remote areas and the practice of reusing
needles. As the group made their way into the building which was well lit and
very clean, an Indian man, dressed in white shirt and baggy pants, greeted them
in perfect English. He said, “I know what’s wrong with her. She’s dehydrated. I
have some electrolytes here in this packet. This water has already been
boiled.” He mixed the electrolytes with the water and handed Geoff an eye
dropper encased in a plastic bag. “It’s sterile,” he said, looking right at
Connie.
Geoff was given instructions to put one drop at a time in
Connie’s mouth (which had locked open) until they reached the hospital. When
they reached the hospital an hour-and-a-half later, her muscles had relaxed and
she was able to walk into the hospital. The doctor said it was the worst case
of dehydration he’d ever seen. Her body had literally sucked the water out of
the cells and she’d come within hours of dying.
A few weeks later, after returning to Africa, they
received a letter from the missionary couple in India. They said, “You won’t
believe this, but when we returned to our village via the route we had taken to
get you to the hospital, that Red Cross building was gone. There was nothing
there in the place where it was.” Was this the work of one of God’s ministering
spirits? One day we will know, but in the meantime, we can certainly give
praise to the Lord.
Angels Proclaim God’s Truth
Throughout the Bible we find angels involved in
communicating God’s truth or message as the Spirit of God directed them. This
is, of course, is very much in keeping with the basic meaning of the word
angel. Both the Hebrew word for angel (mal`ak,)
and the Greek word (aggelos, pronounced
angelos) mean “messenger.” In a number
of passages we are told that angels were instruments God used to reveal His
Word (cf. Acts 7:38, 53; Gal. 3:19; Heb. 2:2). But that is only half the story.
Numbers of times they appeared to announce an important message. They announced
the birth of John the Baptist and Jesus (Luke 1:11f, 26f; Matt. 1:20f). In the
Tribulation, God will use them to announce key events (cf. Rev. 14:6). Today,
however, God’s canon of Scripture, the Bible, is complete. Beware, therefore,
of anyone claiming to have new revelation as given by an angel or of anyone
claiming to be an angel with new revelation. Remember, Satan is a deceiver with
his own angels of deceit promoting false doctrine (2 Cor. 11:1-4, 12-13; 1 Tim.
4:1).
Angels Punish or Carry Out God’s Judgments
With their enormous God-given power, they can carry out
anything God sends them to do. It is no wonder then that we find them as vital
agents in pouring out the awful judgments of the Tribulation as described in
Revelation and even in doing battle with Satan and his evil angels to restrict
them from any access to heaven, confining them to the realm of this earth and
its immediate atmosphere in the middle of the Tribulation (Rev. 12:7f). This
will be done in anticipation of Satan’s bondage and final defeat as described
in Revelation 12 and 20.
But such is not the picture we find in our modern day
fascination with angels. As Gangel writes, “I doubt that many figurines of
punishing angels found their way into gift boxes last Christmas, but the Bible
doesn’t hesitate to describe this part of their activity.” [15]
Final Thoughts on the Ministry of Angels
Surely it is comforting to know that God may protect,
provide, and encourage us is supernatural ways, but this does not always
guarantee such deliverance and certainly and we should never presume on this
provision of God. So having consider the various ways angels minister, we
should keep in mind that God does not always deliver us from danger or supply
our needs in such miraculous ways whether by angels or by His direct
intervention. For His own sovereign purposes in His plan for using suffering (a
tool of growth, to manifest the character of Christ, to witness to others,
etc.), the opposite is sometimes His will, as life clearly illustrates and
Scripture declares (see Heb. 11:36-40).
The Deception of Evil, Fallen Angels
Just as people usually do not think of the punitive
ministry of angels, so here is another area that is completely ignored by the
popular ideas of angels, but that it is ignored is not without reason. The
reason lies in Satan’s deception and in the vacuum of man’s heart as he seeks
answers apart from God and His revelation of Himself and His plan of salvation
as it is revealed in the Bible. As the arch deceiver and antagonist to God, the
church, and mankind as whole, Satan is the master of disguise. It is clearly
his masquerade as an angel of light with his servant angels ,who also disguise
themselves in one way or another, that are behind the current Angelmania in our society today. As
Bohlin points out:
. . . there are many books, publications, and seminars
that are filled with demonic deception of the ugliest kind. Because when you
start talking to angels, you end up dealing with demons.[16]
Sue Bohlin has an excellent discussion of what to look for
to discern the activity of these demonic, evil angels. She writes:
You know you’re around “ugly angels,” or demons masquerading as
angels of light and holiness, when you see or hear these terms:
1. Contacting or communing with angels.
There are now books available with titles like Ask Your Angels (Daniel, Alma, Timothy
Wyllie, and Andrew Ramer, Ask your Angels,
New York: Ballantine, 1992) and 100 Ways
to Attract Angels (Sharp, Sally, 100
Ways to Attract Angels, Minnesota: Trust Publications, 1994). But the Bible
gives neither permission nor precedent for contacting angels. When people start
calling on angels, it’s not the holy angels who answer. They’re demons,
disguising themselves as good angels to people who don’t know how to tell the
difference.
2. Loving our angels, praying to our angels.
Some self-styled “angel experts” instruct their followers to
love their angels and call upon them for health, healing, prosperity, and
guidance. But angels are God’s servants, and all this attention and emphasis
and glory should go to God, not His servants. God says, “I will not share my
glory with another” (Isaiah 42:8). Scripture makes no mention of loving
angels—only God, His word, and people. And it never tells us to pray to angels,
only to the Lord Himself.
3. Instruction, knowledge, or insight from angels, particularly
ones with names.
Some angel teachers are proclaiming that angels are trying very
hard to contact us, so they can give us deeper knowledge of the spiritual
(Karyn Martin-Kuri, in an interview with Body,
Mind and Spirit Journal, May/June 1993. Also, Albright, Naomi, Angel Walk, Tuscaloosa, Alabama: Portals
Press, 1990). Invariably, this “angel knowledge” is a mixture of truth and
lies, and never stands up to the absolute truth of Scripture.
There are four angel names that keep popping up in the angel
literature: Michael, Gabriel, Uriel, and Raphael. Michael and Gabriel are the
only angels mentioned by name in the Bible. The other two show up in the
apocryphal First Book of Enoch, which
includes a fanciful account of the actions of these four beings. Those who
report modern day angel teachings are actually channeling information from
demons.
4. Special knowledge or teachings from angels.
Naomi Albright distributes teachings about the deep meanings of
colors, and numbers and letters of the alphabet which she claims is “knowledge
given from above and brought forth in more detail by the High Angelic Master
Sheate, Lady Master Cassandra, and Angel Carpelpous, and the Master Angel, One
on High.” (Paths of Light newsletter,
Angel Walk F.O.L., Followers of Light, No. 24, July 1994, p. 6-10). These same
beings told Mrs. Albright to stress two main teachings: first, that God accepts
all religions, and second, Reincarnation.(Albright, Angel Walk, p. 77-78). These two teachings keep showing up in much
of the New Age angel literature, which shouldn’t be surprising since they are
heretical lies that come from the pit of hell, which is where the angel
teachers are from.
Other angel teachings are that all is a part of God (pantheism);
the learner is set apart from others by the “deep” knowledge that the angels
give (this is a basic draw to the occult); and that eventually, the one who
pursues contact with these angels will be visited by an Ascended Master or a
Shining Angel (which is a personal encounter with a demon).
We need to remember that God’s angels are not teachers. God’s
word says they are messengers—that’s what “angel” means—and they minister to
us. God has revealed to us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter
1:3), so any hidden knowledge that spirit beings try to impart is by nature
occultic and demonic.
5. Human divinity
The message of the ugly angels is that we need to recognize that
we are one with the divine, we are divine. . . we are God. In Karen
Goldman’s The Angel Book: A Handbook for
Aspiring Angels, she says things like, “Angels don’t fall out of the sky;
they emerge from within.” (Goldman, Karen, The
Angel Book—A Handbook for Aspiring Angels, New York: Simon & Shuster,
1988, p. 20). And, “The whole purpose in life is to know your Angel Self,
accept it and be it. In this way we finally experience true oneness.” (Ibid.,
p. 95).
The following bit of heretical garbage was channeled from a
demon posing an angel named Daephrenocles: “The wondrous light of the Angels,
from the Elohim to the Archangels to the Devas and Nature Spirits, are all
bringing to you the realization that you are magnificent—you are divine now and divine first.” (These Celestial Times newsletter, Vol.
3, No. 1, Gaithersburg, Maryland, p. 4).
Much of the angel literature refers to “the angel within.” But
angels are a separate part of the creation. They were created before man as a
different kind. They are not within us. The movie “It’s a Wonderful Life”
notwithstanding, when we hear a bell ring it does not mean that an angel is getting
his wings. Nor do good people, especially children, become angels when they
die. We remain human beings—not angels, and certainly not God.
What our culture needs in response to the angel craze is strong
discernment built on the foundation of God’s word. We need to remember, and
share with others, three truths about angels:
1. The ministry of holy angels will never contradict the Bible.
2. The actions of holy angels will always be consistent with the
character of Christ.
3. A genuine encounter with a holy angel will glorify God, not
the angel. Holy angels never draw attention to themselves. They typically do
their work and disappear.
It’s very true that many have “entertained angels unaware”
(Hebrews 13:2). But we need to make sure we’re entertaining the right kind of
angels![17]
Some Warnings
(Things to Do and Not to Do)
In addition to the above warnings and in view of the
deceptions of Satan, we need to be on our guard. In this regard, here are a
number of things that I would like to suggest.
Never Worship Angels
As pointed out in the introduction to this study,
everywhere we find angels mentioned in the Bible, the reference to angels is
incidental to some other issue. They are not the primary subject of the
passage. God’s love and grace is. When
they are mentioned, it is always in order to inform us further about God, what
He does, and how He does it. This very fact should teach us that not only are
angels not the focus, but they should certainly not be worshipped.
In two places in the book of Revelation, John was so awed
by the revelation he had received from God through an angel, a very glorious
creature, that he bowed down to worship the angel.
Revelation 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he
said to me, “Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of yours and your brethren
who hold the testimony of Jesus; worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the
spirit of prophecy.”
And then again in Revelation 22 we are told:
Revelation 22:8-9 And
I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw, I
fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed me these things. 9 And
he said to me, “Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of yours and of your
brethren the prophets and of those who heed the words of this book; worship
God.”
We told not to worship angels, but why? First, they are
but “fellow servants” with believers called upon to serve the Lord. Then he was
told to “worship God.” Angels are powerful and awesome in many ways, but, like
us, they are only creatures and servants of the living God who alone deserves
our worship. This means we don’t pray to them or trust in them, even though God
may use them as our guardian. Our trust is to be in God, not angels. They
minister at His bidding.
Remember, the church at Colossae had been invaded by false
teachers who were teaching a false humility and the worship of angels, claiming
special mystic insights by way of visions in connection with their worship of
angels (Co. 2:18). This was demonic because it was usurping the preeminent
place and sufficiency of Christ as Savior and Lord. The claim was, He is not
enough for salvation and spirituality. What you need is to worship angels, etc.
Do Not Participate in Angel Gimmickry
Closely associated with the worship of angels, but in a
more subtle way, is all the angel gimmickry going on in our culture today.
Sometimes this is not just a matter of collecting and enjoying angel figurines
much as someone would collect and enjoy figurines and pictures of eagles.
Regarding this, Gangel has a word of advice:
Of course there is nothing wrong with enjoying angel figurines
on the coffee table as long as they do not become icons that somehow replace
our dependence upon God’s Word and the role of the indwelling Holy Spirit in
our lives.[18]
Do Not Become Critical of the Reports of Angels
When we hear of reports of angels, it is only natural for
us to be skeptical, but and there is the need for a certain amount of
skepticism, what Gangel calls “healthy skepticism.” The reasons a healthy
skepticism is needed are the deceptions of Satan referred above and the
spiritually bankrupt condition of our culture and its willingness to accept
anything but the truth.
The gullibility of people today is due in part to pendulum
swings of society. Society had swung from the gross mystical speculations of
the middle ages to the rationalism of the late 1800s and early 1900s. Now due
in part to the failure of rationalism, the vacuum that naturally occurs in the
minds of people, and the rise of demonism and the occult in these last days,
the pendulum has swung back to mysticism seen so prominently in the New Age movement,
the occult, and in the cults. So belief in Satan, demons and angels is more and
more common place, not because people are believing the Bible, but because of
the rise of their spiritual emptiness. Angels have become an easy substitute, a
handy compromise to the reality of the Living God as He is revealed in
Scripture.
When asked “Do you believe in angels?” Jamal Mashburn, star
forward of the Dallas Mavericks, responded, “Yes. For me it is like an inner
voice that tells me what to do and what not to do, where to go and where not to
go. It’s somebody like God that protects and cares for me” (Dallas Morning News, 18 December 1994).
Why not? God seems so distant and austere. Angels seem so friendly.[19]
On the other hand, angels are the ministering spirits of
God and He can send them to anyone whom he pleases. I have never seen an angel
or had an experience where I was sure an angel was involved, but I do believe
many reports are true.
A good friend of ours who has gone through a whole series
of very difficult health problems told me last Sunday that at one point he was
so low that he’d given up hope of ever getting well again. During the night a
nurse came into his hospital room to check his IV and she said to him, “You
seem to be really down and are without hope, aren’t you?” He responded with,
“Yes, I am.” She knelt down, took his hand, and prayed for him. Afterward, his
spirits picked up and he quickly began to improve physically. He never saw this
nurse again, though he asked about her and watched for her. He told his doctor
about this, who happened to be a Christian, and he asked my friend if he had
considered that this might have been an angel. Was this angel? Perhaps. We
simply don’t know, but it certainly could be.
In addition, we need to avoid the critical spirit that
questions and belittles the claims of others, especially those who do not know
the Scripture. Laughing at or belittling their claims will only close the door
to opportunities to witness and point them to the truth of the Gospel and the
Bible.
Some Positive Things to Do
First, when confronted with claims of angels about which
we are skeptical, let us seek ways to use these claims to show interest in the
person and to engage them in discussion about the realities of the Savior or
the truths of God’s Word.
Second, let’s be thankful to God for the ministry of
angels and for those reports that do not contradict Scripture and may very well
be genuine cases of angelic ministry. Even though we may not be able to
validate that it was an angel, we can and should certainly praise God for the
aid or encouragement experienced, as with my friend in the hospital.
Finally, let’s know what the Bible teaches about God,
Jesus Christ, salvation, true spirituality, and the ministry of angels that we
might not fall for the satanic counterfeits that seek to cause people to bypass
the sufficiency of the person and work of Jesus Christ. The book of Colossians
is an excellent commentary on this.
Gangel closes his article on angels with the following
fitting comment:
So you’ve never seen or heard an angel? Be patient—I guarantee
it will happen. Like John we’ll all someday see and hear “the voice of many
angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten
thousand.” With them we will praise the Savior singing, “Worthy is the Lamb,
who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor
and glory and praise!” (Rev. 5:11-12).[20]
Posted by Innocent Morris
[1]
The following is a short study on angels in view of the present day fascination
with angels. It will be followed by an in depth study on the doctrine of
angelology, the study of angels as it is developed in the Bible.
[2]
Millard J. Erickson, Christian Theology,
Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, 1983, p. 434.
[3]
“Kindred Spirit,” a magazine published quarterly by Dallas Theological
Seminary, Summer 1995, pp. 5-7.
[4]
Gangel, p. 5.
[5]
Gangel, p. 7.
[6]
Sue Bohlin, “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly,” Probe Ministries at
http://www.probe.org. Probe is an excellent Christian resource and I highly
recommend it.
[7]
The Son’s Creation includes “all” things in
heaven and on earth, visible and invisible.
These indicate the entire universe,
both material and immaterial. A highly organized hierarchy of angelic beings is
referred to with the word “thrones” (qronoi), “powers” (kuriothtes), “rulers” (arcai), and “authorities” (exousiai). This not only indicates a highly organized dominion
in the spirit world of angels, but shows that Paul was writing to refute an
incipient form of Gnosticism that promoted the worship of angels in place of
the worship of Christ (cf. Col. 2:18). In this, Paul demonstrates superiority
and rightful place of worship as supreme (cf. Eph. 1:21; 3:10; 6:12; Phil.
2:9-10; Col. 2:10, 15).
[8]
Paul Enns, The Moody Handbook of Theology,
Moody Press, Chicago, 1996, electronic media.
[9]
Charles C. Ryrie, Basic Theology,
Victor Books, Wheaton, IL, 1987, electronic media.
[10]
The terms and descriptions given there certainly go far beyond that of any
human monarch. Further, other passages clearly teach us that there are often
angelic or demonic forces behind the reign of human kings or kindgoms (cf. Dan.
10; and Eph. 6:10-12).
[11]
The Bible Knowledge Commentary, OT,
John F. Walvoord Roy B. Zuck, Editors, Victor Books, 1983, 1985, electronic
media.
[12]
Regarding the mention of “the angel of the LORD” in Genesis 16:9, Ryrie writes:
“A theophany, a self-manifestation of God. He here speaks as God, identifies
Himself with God, and claims to exercise the prerogatives of God. See 16:7-14;
21:17-21; 22:11-18; 31:11, 13; Ex. 3:2; Judg. 2:1-4; 5:23; 6:11-24; 13:3-22; 2
Sam. 24:16; Zech. 1:12; 3:1; 12:8. Because the angel of the Lord ceases to
appear after the incarnation, it is often inferred that the angel in the OT is
a preincarnate appearance of the second person of the Trinity” (Charles
Caldwell Ryrie, Ryrie Study Bible,
Expanded Edition, 1986, 1995, Moody, p. 27).
[13]
Bohlin.
[14]
Jodie Berndt, Celebration of Miracles,
Thomas Nelson, Nashville, 1995, p. 105-112.
[15]
Gangel, p. 7.
[16]
Bohlin.
[17]
Bohlin.
[18]
Gangel, p. 7.
[19]
Gangel, p. 7.
[20]
Gangel, p. 7.
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