INTRODUCTION
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Our study of angels as “Ministering Spirits” has shown how they ministered to…
- The people of God in the Old Testament
- Jesus in the flesh, and continue to serve Him in heaven
- The people of God in the Old Testament
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It is understandable that Christians often wonder…
- Do angels minister in our behalf today?
- If so, in what way?
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Christians have good reason to wonder about such things…
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By God’s grace we have “become heirs according to the hope of eternal life”
- Titus 3:7 (NKJV) 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
- Titus 3:7 (NKJV) 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
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b. Angels are said to be “sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation” – He 1:14
- Hebrews 1:14 (NKJV) 14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?
- Hebrews 1:14 (NKJV) 14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?
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- Do angels minister in our behalf today?
Let’s first review what we know about the angelic ministry
I. ANGELS AND THE EARLY CHURCH
A. PROVIDED DELIVERANCE FROM PRISON…
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In the case of the twelve apostles –
- Acts 5:17-20 (NKJV) 17 Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, 18 and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. 19 But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.”
- Acts 5:17-20 (NKJV) 17 Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, 18 and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. 19 But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.”
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In the case of Peter – Ac 12:7-11
- Acts 12:7-11 (NKJV) 7 Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. 8 Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.” 9 So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. 11 And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.”
- Acts 12:7-11 (NKJV) 7 Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. 8 Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.” 9 So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. 11 And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.”
B. INVOLVED IN CONVERSION…
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Sending Philip to meet the Ethiopian Eunuch
- Acts 8:26-28 (NKJV) 26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert. 27 So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28 was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet.
- Acts 8:26-28 (NKJV) 26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert. 27 So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28 was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet.
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Appearing to Cornelius to send for Peter
- Acts 10:1-8 (NKJV) 1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, 2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. 3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!” 4 And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?” So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. 6 He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do.” 7 And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually. 8 So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa.
- Acts 10:21-22 (NKJV) 21 Then Peter went down to the men who had been sent to him from Cornelius, and said, “Yes, I am he whom you seek. For what reason have you come?” 22 And they said, “Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you.”
- Acts 11:12-13 (NKJV) 12 Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 And he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, ‘Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter,
- Acts 10:1-8 (NKJV) 1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, 2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. 3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!” 4 And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?” So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. 6 He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do.” 7 And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually. 8 So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa.
C. AN INSTRUMENT OF JUDGMENT…
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In the case of Herod, who delivered a great oration – Ac 12: 21-22
- Acts 12:21-22 (NKJV) 21 So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. 22 And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!”
- Acts 12:21-22 (NKJV) 21 So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. 22 And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!”
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He failed to give God glory, so an angel struck him with a terrible disease – Ac 12:23
- Acts 12:23 (NKJV) 23 Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died.
- Acts 12:23 (NKJV) 23 Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died.
D. BROUGHT REASSURANCE…
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Appearing to Paul, while on his journey to Rome
- Acts 27:21-23 (NKJV) 21 But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. 22 And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve,
- Acts 27:21-23 (NKJV) 21 But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. 22 And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve,
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Assuring him that he and his fellow travelers would eventually arrive
- Acts 27:24 (NKJV) 24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’
- Acts 27:24 (NKJV) 24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’
E. REVEALED THE LORD’S WILL…
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In the book of Revelation – Re 1:1; 22:16
- Revelation 1:1 (NKJV) 1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants–things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John,
- Revelation 22:16 (NKJV) 16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”
- Revelation 1:1 (NKJV) 1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants–things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John,
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Depicted throughout the Revelation as serving Christ
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Praising Him around the throne – Re 5:2,11
- Revelation 5:2 (NKJV) 2 Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?”
- Revelation 5:11 (NKJV) 11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands,
- Revelation 5:2 (NKJV) 2 Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?”
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Carrying out the Lord’s warnings and judgments | sounding the seven trumpets – cf. Re 8:2,6 | pouring out the seven bowls of wrath – cf. Re 16:1
- Revelation 8:2 (NKJV) 2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets.
- Revelation 8:6 (NKJV) 6 So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.
- Revelation 16:1 (NKJV) 1 Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth.”
- Revelation 8:2 (NKJV) 2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets.
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There are many references to angels in Revelation, but their ministry takes place “behind the scenes”. The visible activity of angels in the early church was very limited, as we have seen. Yet from the teachings of Christ and His apostles, what might we glean about the activity of angels today
II. ANGELS AND CHRISTIANS TODAY
A. CONCERNED FOR OUR WELL-BEING…
- They rejoice when sinners repent – Lk 15:10
- Little ones who believe are said to have “their” angels, who behold the face of God in heaven – cf. Mt 18:10
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The doctrine of guardian angels is emphatically taught in the Scriptures. See 1Ki 19:5-8; Ps 91:11; He 1:13; Ac 27:23. Who can afford to despise the children who have representatives right at the throne of God?”
- 1 Kings 19:5-8 (NKJV) 5 Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat.” 6 Then he looked, and there by his head was a cake baked on coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank, and lay down again. 7 And the angel of the LORD came back the second time, and touched him, and said, “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.” 8 So he arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God.
- Psalm 91:11 (NKJV) 11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.
- Hebrews 1:13-14 (NKJV) 13 But to which of the angels has He ever said: “Sit at My right hand,
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool”?
14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?
- Acts 27:23 (NKJV) 23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve,
- John 1:51 (NKJV) 51 And He said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”
- 1 Kings 19:5-8 (NKJV) 5 Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat.” 6 Then he looked, and there by his head was a cake baked on coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank, and lay down again. 7 And the angel of the LORD came back the second time, and touched him, and said, “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.” 8 So he arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God.
B. AGENTS OF GOD’S PROVIDENCE…
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All Christians believe in the providence of God
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God’s working in answer to prayer – e.g., Paul’s prayer to visit Rome,
- Romans 1:9-10 (NKJV) 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, 10 making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you.
- Romans 1:9-10 (NKJV) 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, 10 making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you.
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- In ways non-miraculous, but working nonetheless – e.g. Paul’s journey to Rome
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How God carries out His providence likely involves angels
- As it did in the affairs of nations according to the book of Daniel
- As it will in the affairs of nations according to the book of Revelation
- As it did in the affairs of nations according to the book of Daniel
C. COMPANIONS FOR THE JOURNEY HOME…
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As Jesus illustrated in the story of the rich man and Lazarus
- Luke 16:22 (NKJV) 22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.
- Luke 16:22 (NKJV) 22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.
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“The Jews held the opinion that the spirits of the righteous were conveyed by angels to heaven at their death. Jesus speaks in accordance with this opinion; and as he expressly affirms the fact, it seems as proper that it should be taken literally, as when it is said the rich man died and was buried. Angels are ministering spirits sent forth to minister to those who are heirs of salvation (He 1:14), and there is no more improbability in the supposition that they attend departing spirits to heaven, than that they attend them while on earth.”
- Hebrews 1:14 (NKJV) 14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?
- Hebrews 1:14 (NKJV) 14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?
D. GUARDIANS OF THE GATES OF THE ETERNAL CITY…
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As depicted in John’s vision of the New Jerusalem.
- “Stationed there as guards to the New Jerusalem. Their business seems to have been to watch the gates that nothing improper should enter; that the great enemy should not make an insidious approach to this city as he did to the earthly paradise.
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additional emblem of perfect security, while the gates being never shut (Re 21:25) imply perfect liberty and peace.” JFB
- Revelation 21:12 (NKJV) 12 Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:
- Revelation 21:25 (NKJV) 25 Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there).
- Revelation 21:12 (NKJV) 12 Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:
- “Stationed there as guards to the New Jerusalem. Their business seems to have been to watch the gates that nothing improper should enter; that the great enemy should not make an insidious approach to this city as he did to the earthly paradise.
DO NOT WORSHIP THEM
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As the angels themselves warned John
- Revelation 19:10 (NKJV) 10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
- Revelation 22:8-9 (NKJV) 8 Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. 9 Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”
- Revelation 19:10 (NKJV) 10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
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As Paul warned the Colossians
- Colossians 2:18-19 (NKJV) 18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.
- Colossians 2:18-19 (NKJV) 18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.
DO NOT HEED NEW DOCTRINES FROM THEM
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As Paul warned the Galatians
- Galatians 1:8 (NKJV) 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.
- Galatians 1:8 (NKJV) 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.
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Remember what Satan is capable of!
- 2 Corinthians 11:14 (NKJV) 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.
- 2 Corinthians 11:14 (NKJV) 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.
CONCLUSION
- With these warnings in mind, we can still praise God that among our many spiritual blessings in Christ in the heavenly places are His “Ministering Spirits” who serve us!
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Angels continue to minister for those who will inherit salvation
- Ephesians 1:3 (NKJV) 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
- Hebrews 1:14 (NKJV) 14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?
- Ephesians 1:3 (NKJV) 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,