Surprising Answers from the Scriptures (Part 2)
If you bring up the topic of angels in any kind of women’s group, you’re likely to open up a lively discussion. Angels seem to be everywhere today—in books, on T.V. and in movies. Scripture is our sole reliable source about who angels really are and what they do. One Bible researcher offers his solid answers to some common questions about angels.
Read Part 1 here…
6. Aren’t all angels wonderful and kind?
There are two kinds of angels: good ones and evil ones. Satan—whose name means “adversary” and whom the Bible portrays as God’s chief enemy—is a rebellious angel. In the Gospels Jesus demonstrates his authority over Satan and his angels, also called “evil spirits,” “unclean spirits” or “demons” (See Matt 8:28-32). There is no redemption for fallen angels (Rev 20:10) and they oppose Christians through deception and false teaching (1 Tim 4:1). Christians need to be on guard (1 Pet 5:8) but are not to fear (2 Thes 3:3). They should submit to God so the devil will flee (James 4:7).
7. Do angels start new religions?
We must compare any new religion or any new form of Christianity with the teachings of the apostles of the New Testament—even if it was apparently delivered by an angel (Gal 1:8). Jesus Christ is God’s ultimate revelation to the world (Heb 1:1-2), with the New Testament being God’s inspired “commentary” explaining the meaning of the coming of Christ.
8. Will angel encounters make you feel good?
It’s very hard to prove or disprove a private angel encounter. Rather than focus on the feelings, it’s better to check the experience against Scripture. True angels from God glorify Christ (Luke 2:10-11) and give messages consistent with the apostles’ teaching (Eph 2:19-20). True angels do not introduce new extra-biblical practices or doctrines (Gal 1:8) and they do not offer an assurance of salvation or spiritual comfort to those who don’t believe in Jesus Christ (Rom 5:1-11).
9. Should you be on a first-name basis with angels?
Rock musician Carlos Santana claims that he’s been in touch with an angel named Metatron who resembles Santa Claus and operates as his “inner voice.” No one in the Bible ever calls on an angel, prays to an angel, asks God for an angel, or calls an angel a “friend.” Scripture makes it clear that the only supernatural being to whom we should speak and call upon in prayer is the Lord (Matt 6:9). God encourages believers to call on him as Abba or Father (Rom 8:14-17) and invites us to approach His throne of grace with confidence (Heb 4:16).
10. Is Jesus just an angel?
The term “angel” in both Hebrew and Greek means “messenger,” and angels were created to serve as messengers for God. Christ on the other hand, is the one who made the angels (Heb 1:6-7) and to whom all the angels give worship (Heb 1:6). Jesus is infinitely superior to all the angels including the archangel Michael, a high ranking angel who was given a special assignment to protect Israel (Dan 12:1).
I’m indebted to this excellent and thoroughly biblical booklet, “10 Questions and Answers on Angels” by Robert M. Bowman, Jr. (Rose Publishing, 2008). For more clarification and in depth information, be sure to take a look. I highly recommend it.
Related: "Was Lucifer Heaven's Worship Leader?" by Chrysalis
If you bring up the topic of angels in any kind of women’s group, you’re likely to open up a lively discussion. Angels seem to be everywhere today—in books, on T.V. and in movies. Scripture is our sole reliable source about who angels really are and what they do. One Bible researcher offers his solid answers to some common questions about angels.
Read Part 1 here…
6. Aren’t all angels wonderful and kind?
There are two kinds of angels: good ones and evil ones. Satan—whose name means “adversary” and whom the Bible portrays as God’s chief enemy—is a rebellious angel. In the Gospels Jesus demonstrates his authority over Satan and his angels, also called “evil spirits,” “unclean spirits” or “demons” (See Matt 8:28-32). There is no redemption for fallen angels (Rev 20:10) and they oppose Christians through deception and false teaching (1 Tim 4:1). Christians need to be on guard (1 Pet 5:8) but are not to fear (2 Thes 3:3). They should submit to God so the devil will flee (James 4:7).
7. Do angels start new religions?
We must compare any new religion or any new form of Christianity with the teachings of the apostles of the New Testament—even if it was apparently delivered by an angel (Gal 1:8). Jesus Christ is God’s ultimate revelation to the world (Heb 1:1-2), with the New Testament being God’s inspired “commentary” explaining the meaning of the coming of Christ.
8. Will angel encounters make you feel good?
It’s very hard to prove or disprove a private angel encounter. Rather than focus on the feelings, it’s better to check the experience against Scripture. True angels from God glorify Christ (Luke 2:10-11) and give messages consistent with the apostles’ teaching (Eph 2:19-20). True angels do not introduce new extra-biblical practices or doctrines (Gal 1:8) and they do not offer an assurance of salvation or spiritual comfort to those who don’t believe in Jesus Christ (Rom 5:1-11).
9. Should you be on a first-name basis with angels?
Rock musician Carlos Santana claims that he’s been in touch with an angel named Metatron who resembles Santa Claus and operates as his “inner voice.” No one in the Bible ever calls on an angel, prays to an angel, asks God for an angel, or calls an angel a “friend.” Scripture makes it clear that the only supernatural being to whom we should speak and call upon in prayer is the Lord (Matt 6:9). God encourages believers to call on him as Abba or Father (Rom 8:14-17) and invites us to approach His throne of grace with confidence (Heb 4:16).
10. Is Jesus just an angel?
The term “angel” in both Hebrew and Greek means “messenger,” and angels were created to serve as messengers for God. Christ on the other hand, is the one who made the angels (Heb 1:6-7) and to whom all the angels give worship (Heb 1:6). Jesus is infinitely superior to all the angels including the archangel Michael, a high ranking angel who was given a special assignment to protect Israel (Dan 12:1).
I’m indebted to this excellent and thoroughly biblical booklet, “10 Questions and Answers on Angels” by Robert M. Bowman, Jr. (Rose Publishing, 2008). For more clarification and in depth information, be sure to take a look. I highly recommend it.
Related: "Was Lucifer Heaven's Worship Leader?" by Chrysalis
Photos: ickso & slopjop (Flickr)
Coming Soon—Family Life: Baby Sign Language (Video)
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5 Comments:
This has been so interesting! Spiritual people always have questions about angels and this will help me answer them. Thanks!
A good continuation post. Thanks for the direct scripture links:)
It is interesting how people will almost always talk about angels even if not saved or even if they have a big distaste for GOD conversation. I feel like it is a hint of the spiritual whole in us all but also a sign of our sins stubborn nature in not being willing to focus on the really answer to our spiritual need and instead try to have an easy fix with angels and such.
Sandra: You're welcome. I'm glad you found this post helpful!
Mac an Rothaich: Your comment is so insightful. Angels do represent our spiritual side, but they don't require any change of belief or behavior. The source of angels--God--does however. Thanks for your thoughts!
I know that we entertain Angels unaware, Hebrews 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. But as has been stated by several others, Christ should always be our focus.
There have been several times in my life when I have received "messages" that could only have come from God, but they came in the form of visions or dreams, not angels.
PhoenixPhire: Yes, according to Scripture, God is more likely to speak to us through dreams and visions than through angels.
However, as you point out, no doubt we have been graced by an angel's presence and not known it. Likely Heb 13:2 is likely referencing Abraham's angel encounter in Gen 18:8. As was mentioned in my first angel post, the main point this verse is that we should show hospitality to strangers, not that we should seek the company of angels!
Thanks for stopping by today. ღ
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