Angels Watching Over Me? Part Three

WHAT IS THEIR ROLE?

“Are they not ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1: 14)

They act out of love for God to encourage us to love God more completely. They are servants of saints. They are not little gods we talk to, worship, or pray to. They do not call attention to themselves, but to Jesus.

DO THEY EVER APPEAR TO HUMAN BEINGS?

Rarely do they appear to people. However, they have on rare occasions. Don’t be disappointed if you never see one. Remember, Billy Graham said he had never seen one.

How often, however, have we encountered angels being “unaware” they were angels.

IS THERE SUCH A THING AS A GUARDIAN ANGEL?

Good news! Yes, every person has a guardian angel or angels. That means you are so important to God He wants to provide you with a special guard. To shun this companionship is to abandon help offered by God. Again, it is our text that reassures us of the guardian role they play in our lives: “Are they not ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation.” (Heb. 1: 14)

“For He shall give His angels charge over you to keep you in all your ways” (Psalm 91: 11).

“The angel of the Lord encamp round about them that fear Him, to deliver them.” (Psalm 34: 7).

Guardian angels are with us everywhere. Remember that.

A special word of caution is needed here. Don’t pray to angels. This is unbiblical. Jesus taught us to pray, “Our Father…” Believers have direct access to God the Father through Jesus Christ, God the Son.  We are warned not to let anyone trick us into worshiping angels. “Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshiping angels.” (Colossians 2: 18)

They are not to be objects of our worship. Neither are we to be preoccupied with them, but with Christ. “Let no one defraud you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels….” (Colossians 2: 18)

The Greek word “angelos,” translated angel means “a messenger.”  In the Old Testament the Hebrew word with the same meaning is “mal’akh.” They are servants of God. Excelling in strength they await the slightest intimation of God’s will to carry it out. “Bless the Lord, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word.” (Psalm 103: 20)

DO ANGELS HAVE A FREE WILL?

Obviously the original created order of angels were initially given a choice. Lucifer, who guarded the throne of God, the most beautiful of angels, led a revolt against God (Isa. 14: 12 – 15; Ezek. 28: 11 – 19). In his pride he sought to elevate his throne above God. His revolt gave angels a once and for all moment of decision. Once that decision was made the result was fixed for eternity. 

Lucifer was successful in leading one third of the angels to revolt (Revelation 12: 3, 4). 

Those who followed him immediately became once and for all non posse non pecarre, not able not to sin. The remaining two-thirds became non posse pecarre, not able to sin.

From that point on the loyal angels are called God’s holy or elect angels (Mark 8: 38).

OUR FINAL ESCORTS

From the experience of Lazarus, the beggar who died, we know we will have an angelic escort in our journey from this mortal body into our immortal home of heaven. He was “carried by the angels” into the very presence of God. (Luke 16: 22)

WILL I EVER BE AN ANGEL?

No. Human beings are not creatures in transition on their way to becoming angels. When a believer dies that one becomes a perfected saint. Born again human beings are “heirs of God….”