Click the "Sermons" button for access to hundreds more messages and
PowerPoint Presentations!
Part 3
has some great new slides and templates!
Use the controls, below, just like you would a VCR. Click the "Play"
arrow to begin. This page must remain open to continue listening. To browse the internet while you listen, open a new browser window by clicking on "File", then "New", then "Window".
Click the slide links above to bring up PowerPoint visual aides which go along with
the sermon above them.
[A new window will open and remain blank until fully loaded.
It may take 1-5 minutes to open.] Once the first slide appears you can
follow along with the message and use the arrow keys to advance the slides.
"It's amazing that this ministry is free...no one else is doing this with
Sermons and PowerPoints!" Subscriber
Please help keep it free by
honoring our system:
Click here to vote for this sermon. [A new window will open.
Scroll to the bottom of the new page to enter your
vote. Then close the page to return to this page.]
If you appreciate this sermon ministry
then help spread the Word and recommend it to others by casting your vote.
With 273 verses in scripture dealing with
angels, you have to wonder why most preachers don’t deal with the subject
anymore.
3 reasons many churches
don’t talk about angels:
1. Reaction against
speculation.
Theologians are often guilty of dealing w/
questions nobody cares about, that don’t matter. Such as: How many angels
can sit on the head of a pin? / How much time passed between the creation of
angels and the fall of 1/3rd of them? / Is there a guardian angel
assigned to every child born? None of these are addressed in the Bible, but
scholars love to talk about them, and it’s a turnoff to most of us who want
to know, not what they think, but what God has said!
2. Reaction against the
worship of angels by the Roman
Catholic Church.
They, of course, worship saints, Mary, and
others, in addition to God. But since the 4th C. they have also
promoted the worship of angels.
Sept. 29th is a holiday called
‘Michael mass’, which focuses on worship of the archangel.
Col. 2:18
Let no man beguile you of your reward in
a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things
which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind…
As a knee-jerk reaction, Bible believing
churches have been guilty of backing off of the subject of angels, fearing
lest they be accused of giving them too much attention. Just like us
Baptists are often guilty of backing off of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit,
just because some other groups have abused it to great extremes.
3. Reaction against
paganism.
Did you know that in every known pagan group
in the world, the people believe in spirits, demons, and angels? Hindus,
Muslims, Buddhists, and the endless Indonesian and jungle tribes of the
world.
Ill.—The pagoda styled roofs in China are
that way because they believe demons who try to slide down their roof will
stick themselves and not come back! Same concept as with earrings and other
piercings.
We’ve now covered the basics about angels, in
our first 4 messages…now we get more detailed, and there will be powerful
applications to each of us as we go along…
Angels aren’t soft, cloud-clothed babies
floating around. They are God’s secret agents, and messengers, and also
Warriors!
God sends them on missions to kill and
destroy, and to make war, as well as to protect His own.
Ill.—Twice I have had the privilege of
leading music in special services for Missionary J.T. Lyons, and heard him
tell his now famous story of his experience with angels. [This has been
quoted and misquoted in many various forms over the years, so I feel
privileged to have the ‘inside track’ on the true details of his encounter.]
Bro. Lyons spent a lifetime working in Africa, and much of that time in
dangerous areas w/ remote tribes, some of which were cannibals and head
hunters. He recounted how they warned him they were coming after his family
on a certain night, and how all they could do was remain in their hut and
pray for God’s protection…but then they heard it, their war cry and their
violent approach. They still had children in the home, and these natives
were known to rape and abuse before killing their victims. They were
prepared to die if it was their time, and willing to do so for their Lord,
but they prayed for God’s protection. You get chills when you hear Dr.
Lyons tell the story of how their cries and their music just stopped cold.
Looking out, he saw them standing motionless in the moonlight, almost as in
shock, and then seeing them quickly and quietly retreat back into the
jungle. They thanked God for His protection, but it was a year later before
they learned what had happened from a chief in that tribe who had just got
saved. Bro. Lyons asked him why they didn’t attack that night, and his
response was something like this, and now I’m paraphrasing: “Because of the
men who appeared all around your hut.” When asked whom he was talking
about, he said, “the men you had protecting you, they scared us with their
swords and their shining clothing.”
You’ll never convince Dr. Lyons that those
were any other than God’s heavenly warriors, sent to protect them that
night, because their ministry was not done, and because that chief and many
others were still to be saved!
Why must they fight and make war? Why do
they wipe out entire cities, entire armies, and other huge people groups in
the Bible, both OT and in the end times? Why does God have this standing
army, prepared to spring into battle?
There is a mighty
angelic conflict being fought…because Satan, and a multitude of other
angels chose to rebel against God.
Jesus said in Luke 10:18, "I beheld Satan as
lighting fall from heaven."
Isaiah 14:12-15
How art thou fallen from heaven, O
Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which
didst weaken the nations! [13] For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into
heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon
the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: [14] I will ascend
above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. [15] Yet thou
shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
And another passage about Satan’s fall…
Ezekiel 28:13-19
Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God;
every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond,
the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the
carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was
prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. [14] Thou art the
anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the
holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and
down in the midst of the stones of fire. [15] Thou wast perfect in thy ways
from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. [16]
By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with
violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of
the mountain of God: and I will
destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. [17]
Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy
wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will
lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. [18] Thou hast defiled thy
sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy
traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it
shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the
sight of all them that behold thee. [19] All they that know thee among the
people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt
thou be any more.
[the beginning, above, seems to indicate
that Satan had to do w/ the music in heaven in some regard…so, watch out for
those music directors who want to become the pastor…wait a minute, that’s
me! J]
Lucifer was his name at that time, and he was
bright, beautiful, and full of wisdom. He had a position of authority over
other angels. But he wanted more…the throne of God! And there’s been war
ever since, raging in the heavenlies!
The Bible speaks of Satan’s angels…
Rev. 12:7
And there was war in heaven: Michael and
his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels…
[who is the dragon?]
Rev. 12:3-6
And there appeared another wonder in
heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and
seven crowns upon his heads. [4] And his tail drew the third part of the
stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before
the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon
as it was born.
How do we know that stars represent angels in
Revelation?
Rev. 1:20
The mystery of the seven stars which thou
sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars
are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou
sawest are the seven churches.
1/3rd of the host of heaven
followed Lucifer and fell to the earth, becoming disembodied demon spirits.
So a war rages, and for the next couple of
weeks we’ll study God’s Heavenly Warriors in more detail.
But let’s make some practical application
before quitting: What can we learn from Satan’s rebellion?
“We are never more like
Satan than when we rebel against authority.”
Here’s an amazing verse:
The context is the rebellion of Saul…who
rebelled against what God had told him to do. Samuel the prophet confronted
him here in…
1 Samuel 15:23
For rebellion is as the sin of
witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.
Rebellion is a form of Satan worship, because
Satan himself is the author and inventor of rebellion.
We live in a day of wholesale rebellion—in
every area of our lives. Children against parents & teachers / wives
against husbands and vice versa / men rebelling against God / employees
against their boss / people against their government / and in churches, as
sheep rebel against the shepherd God places over them.
Anything w/ 2 heads is a monster, and so God
provides us authority and headship, leadership in all areas of lives. Many
of us are leaders, but all of us are followers in some form or fashion,
myself included. I may be the pastor here, but I also work under some of
you in some areas of ministry, such as our Wed. nite food ministry…and it’s
refreshing once in a while to just take orders and do some grubby work, not
make any decisions for a change!
But as Pastor, my job is to “lead and feed,”
and your job is to “swallow and follow!” And even on wed. nites my
servant’s position is to feed!
But here's an important balance: Not every leader is truly 'of
God'...and a spiritual dictator is not worthy of having any following
whatsoever. The proper platform of leadership is example.
Worthiness of followship should be demonstrated, and respect should be
earned, not demanded. Any member deserves this, and if they don't feel
they have it, they should do what the Bible says and "Go to him...alone"
[Mt. 18:15]. If that fails, then move along w/ the Biblical
progression, and if all else fails, you should quietly go and find the kind
of place that you as a child of God deserve.
I’m so thankful for such a great following of
people here. Your loyalty and submissive spirit is uncharacteristic of the
age we live in, and even in recent days many of you have pledged your
loyalty and given your help in letting me know things I need to know, or
where the devil may be trying to gain a foothold.
It’s not that way everywhere, so I’m thankful
for how good we have it here. Kimberly and I both grew up in the ministry,
and now have been at it ourselves for over 15 years. We know how it can
be. I have over 1,000 pastors on my Grace Notes subscription list, and
every week I get emails or calls from some who are so broken hearted over
constantly dealing with people rebelling to their God-given authority, or
who feel they have been given authority of God to become armchair pastors or
“the pastor police” as some call them. Well, I say this w/ great
fear...but 'God is big enough to deal with his man.'
Rebellion is akin to witchcraft / Satan
worship. A study of Satan is a study in rebellion, so God is in control of
these comments, tho’ they may not be needed today, there may come a day when
they are!
And all of our homes can benefit from this,
husbands and wives…and our teens and children can benefit from hearing this as I address you parents:
“don’t put up with rebellion”…don’t put up with the “I will’s” of rebellious
kids!
What can we learn from Satan’s rebellion?
“We are never more like Satan than when we
rebel against authority.”
Also, “Sins of
the heart are the most dangerous!”
2 reasons why the latter
is true:
They are easy to
hide from other people.
They are sometimes
hidden even from ourselves.
—we can easily be blinded to our own
sins.
Think about it—the difference between drunkenness and envy. The Bible says as much about one as the other. But
jealousy or envy is hidden away, but a drunk is easy to spot!
Ill—a drunk staggers down the aisle and comes
to the platform, and wants to sing a song…
[sing] “I’m sorry I broke your heart
mother!” That’s sin. And it’s easy to spot.
But here’s another scenario: a soloist sings
a special, and someone sitting in a pew says, “that should be me up
there…if they had half a brain they’d ask me to do a special before her!”
That’s sin, but easily hidden!
That’s why it says in…
Proverbs 4:23
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for
out of it are the issues of life.
Man looks on the outward appearance, but God
looks on the heart!
You can fool all the people some of the
time…some of the people all the time…but you cannot fool God anytime, who
says in…
Proverbs 10:18
He that hideth hatred with lying lips,
and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.
Proverbs 26:26
Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his
wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
Guard your heart from hidden sins, such as
rebellion.
And let’s be thankful for God’s special
forces for good, protecting us, ministering to us, and fighting mighty
battles for our Lord and our benefit.
Click here to vote for this sermon. [A new window will open.
Scroll to the bottom of the new page to enter your
vote. Then close the page to return to this page.]
God’s Heavenly Warriors, pt. 1
Colossians 2:18
3 reasons many churches don’t talk about
angels:
1. Reaction against
s .
2. Reaction against the w
of angels.
3. Reaction against p
.
There is a m angelic
c being fought…because Satan, and a multitude of other
angels chose to rebel against God.
God’s angels are warriors, because they HAVE to
be, due to Satan’s rebellion, and 1/3rd of their # that chose to
follow him!
Last time I showed you Satan’s fall, and Jesus
saw it happen! [Another verse from Isaiah] Then we made this
statement:
There is a mighty angelic
conflict being fought…because Satan, and a multitude of other angels chose
to rebel against God.
“We are never more like Satan than when
we rebel against authority.”
1 Samuel 15:23
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft,
and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.
But here's an important balance: [read
email from subscriber]
Not every leader is truly 'of God'...and a
spiritual dictator is not worthy of having any following whatsoever. The
proper platform of leadership is example. Worthiness of followship should be
demonstrated, and respect should be earned, not demanded. Any member deserves
this, and if they don't feel they have it, they should do what the Bible says
and "Go to him...alone" [Mt. 18:15]. If that fails, then move along w/ the
Biblical progression, and if all else fails, you should quietly go and find
the kind of place that you as a child of God deserve.
In order to understand angels as God’s army of
warriors, we must understand the enemy. Let’s move along from Satan to his
demon following…
Demons:
1. They are
spiritbeings just as the angels of God are.
Matthew 8:16
When the even was come, they brought unto
him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his
word, and healed all that were sick:
People don’t become angels after they die. Nor
do people become demons after they die [some become demons after 9 PM! J
]
Seriously, they do not have the power to return
and haunt you. The number is fixed. No more angels or demons are being
created.
2. They are real.
They are not the product of imagination.
Mark 5:1-9
And they came over unto the other side of
the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. [2] And when he was come out of
the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs [the possessed are
obsessed w/ death…just look at the rock groups like Mega Death, Slaughter,
Poison, etc.] a man with an unclean spirit, [3] Who had his dwelling among
the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: [4] Because that he
had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked
asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. [5] And always, night and
day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself
with stones. [6] But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,
[7] And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus,
thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.
[8] For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. [9] And he
asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for
we are many.
Demons are real, and just because you cannot
see them, doesn’t mean they aren’t there. They exist in a different
dimension.
Albert Einstein wrote “It is very possible
that right now, in a different dimension, a railroad train is coming thru the
middle of this room. We cannot perceive it only because it is in an entirely
different dimension.”
This room is no doubt filled w/ both angels and
demons at this preaching hour. Maybe one is sitting next to you! J
Billy Graham, in his book, ‘Angels: God’s
Secret Agents’ said, “I do not believe in angels because someone has told me
about a dramatic visitation from an angel, as impressive as such testimonies
may be. I do not believe in angels because UFOs are astonishingly
‘angel-like’ in some of their reported appearances. I do not believe in
angels because ESP experts are making the realm of the spirit world seem more
and more plausible. I do not believe in angels because of the sudden
world-wide emphasis on Satan and demons. I do not believe in angels because
I’ve ever seen one, because I have not. I believe in angels because the Bible
says there are angels, and I believe the Bible to be the true Word of God.”
And that means what the Bible says about
demons is true, too!
You cannot have it both ways…you wanna believe
in heaven, you must believe in hell. You wanna believe in angels? Well,
demons come with them. It is all or nothing.
3. They usually
deceive by appearing as angels of light and ministers of righteousness.
2 Cor. 11:13-15
For such are false apostles, deceitful
workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. [14] And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of
light. [15] Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be
transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to
their works.
Most think of demons as grotesque, slimy,
green, pointy, ugly creatures. They think of something repulsive and
nauseating. They’ve been watching too many horror movies. Acc’d to these
verses, demons have the ability to transform themselves, or possess or inhabit
someone, thus transforming them.
Angels can take on a human form, tho’ we don’t
believe it to be a ‘possession’, as we think of it.
Angels appeared as humans to Abraham, to Jacob
[wrestled], and to many others in human form. And demons have this same
ability. But it won’t appear in a scary form, but will try to be beautiful
and believable, so it can be most effective!
It will probably carry a Bible and talk
religious talk, and even it’s handshake would likely be warm and firm. And
so, in the day and time in which we live, we need to follow the Bible command
to ‘test the spirits’, whether they be of God.
Don’t believe everything you hear just because
it’s on Christian television or radio. Just because it’s in a book on a shelf
doesn’t make it true. Just because you find it on the internet, doesn’t mean
it’s correct!
Paul warned us about listening to ‘another
gospel’ or worshipping ‘another Jesus.’ Satan is all about counterfeiting!
Ill.—the call of the true gospel is not ‘come
and be wealthy / happy / healthy’…it’s ‘come and die’ – to self, the flesh,
habits, to sin!
4. They oppose
the children of God.
·They try to
separate the believers from God.
Rom. 8:38
·They bring
fear into our lives.
I Jn. 4:18
·They try to
create an unforgivingspirit.
II Cor. 2:10-11
·They try to
corrupt sounddoctrine.
I Tim. 4:1-3
·They try to
destroy Christian fellowship and unity.
I Cor. 10:20
And that list is not exhaustive!
We need to watch and protect these things,
knowing that demons will try to destroy them!
Ill.—TV evangelist not long ago said, “it
doesn’t matter if you believe the church will go thru the tribulation or
not.” He personally was like us, believing the rapture precedes it. But to
compromise and say it doesn’t matter…that’s something the demons want us
preachers to do. He didn’t want to offend. But my Bible indicates that if I
don’t offend somebody once in a while I’m probably not doing my job right…if
they are offended at the doctrine of the Word. Obviously, when we offend, it
should only be by our position, and not our disposition!
We are to contend for the faith! Pray for
me…the temptations are great to water it down, or to leave something out for
the sake of someone present who may think it’s directed at them. If God is
leading the preaching of His Word then it may indeed be directed at them!
But Christians are more
than conquerors thru Christ. We
have a power source greater than Satan and his angels.
I John 4:4 “Greater is He…”
We can stand against Satan clothed in the armor
of God. [Eph. 6]
We’ve already established that God’s angels are
mighty warriors, and are killing machines, and why they are so!
New info: God’s angels are organized into
an intricate system of rank, position, and authority.
Eph. 6:12 – ‘principalities, powers, rulers,
spiritual wickedness’ That’s about demons. But Satan is an imitator, a
counterfeit. Martin Luther called him “God’s Ape.” So this is how God’s army
is also organized. And next time we’ll look into that flow chart.
For now, we need to know our enemy, and rejoice
in the fact that we are on the winning side when it comes to the final
conflict, and focus on how to gain victories in the day to day battles right
now.
God’s Heavenly Warriors, pt. 2
Matthew 8:16
Demons:
1. They are s b
just as the angels of God are.
2. They are r .
3. They usually d
by appearing as angels of light and ministers of righteousness.
4. They o the
children of God.
·They try to
s the b from God.
Rom. 8:38
·They bring f into
our lives.
I Jn. 4:18
·They try to create an
u s .
II Cor. 2:10-11
·They try to corrupt
s d .
I Tim. 4:1-3
·They try to destroy Christian
f and u .
I Cor. 10:20
*Christians are m than c thru
Christ.
God’s Heavenly
Warriors, pt. 3
Col. 1:16
Because of the invisible spiritual war going on
in the air around us between God’s Holy Angels and those who fell w/ Lucifer,
the angels of heaven are organized into an
intricate system of rank, position and authority.
Let me first show you that as it concerns
Satan’s angels. His
demons are organized in much the same way:
Ephes. 6:12
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,
but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness
of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Here we see 4 designated positions of
authority. These are 4 classes of demons. Every commentator I read after
agrees that these are ranks…different levels of authority in the demonic
world.
J. Vernon McGee is a great commentator. I love
what he says and HOW he says it too! He has an interesting take on these
verses…tho’ this may be just speculation…it’s good food for thought:
Principalities—he
believes this would correspond to a
general in the military. This would be a very high ranking demon.
This demon would have oversight of an entire nation. In Daniel, it talks
about “the prince of Persia” in ref. to a specific demon. Other verses also
seem to indicate this. Think about America: in the last 100 years our nation
has morally and spiritually been influenced greatly by something from the
realms of darkness. There is much corruption in Washington, and I have no
problem recognizing the demonic influence upon our nation.
Revelation talks about 4 demons which are right
now bound beneath the Euphrates River. They could represent the 4 great
kingdoms of human history: Grecian, Roman, Persian and Babylonian Empires.
These 4 demons could be the prinicipalities which were over these empires.
When those empires fell, they were bound, but they will be turned loose upon
the 1 world gov’t during the tribulation.
Powers—He
believes these demons have the oversight of
powerful individuals. This could be a demon possessed world
leader, or other leader in great power. I don’t believe a Christian can be
possessed, but only oppressed. I am inhabited by the Holy Spirit and I don’t
believe an unholy spirit can also inhabit me.
Rulers of darkness—He
believes these to have oversight in
worldly business and industry. For example: how many would agree
w/ me that the Hollywood establishment is corrupt? Sure! There’s a dark
force behind that. How about the music industry? Same thing.
Spiritual wickedness in
high places—He points out that the
phrase ‘high places’ is throughout our OTs. Idol worshippers had their high
places where they worshipped Baal and other false gods. McGee thinks these
would be demons w/ oversight in areas of
religion in the world. Let’s face it, religion is not a good
thing. More people will be sent to hell by religion than by Hollywood or the
music industry! More wars are fought in the name of religion than because
somebody saw violence in a movie!
So, we have these 4 classifications of demons.
But this flow chart didn’t start w/ Satan. He is not the originator, just an
imitator.
The reason Satan organized his army the way he
did is because that’s how God did it w/ His army.
Col. 1:16
For by him were all things created, that
are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be
thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created
by him, and for him:
Col. 2:10
And ye are complete in him, which is the
head of all principality and power:
Ephes. 1:21
[21] Far above all principality, and power,
and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world,
but also in that which is to come:
Ephes. 3:10
To the intent that now unto the
principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the
manifold wisdom of God,
Here we have 4 levels mentioned among God’s
Heavenly Angels. Satan only imitates it to try to match up ‘man to man’.
What do we know about God’s Heavenly Warriors
and their flow chart or hierarchy?
We know about:
Michael—the archangel.
The prefix ‘arch’ means chief or principle. He is superior to all the other
angels. There are no [plural] archangels…only 1…his name is Michael.
He is identified with the people of God and
he is there for our defense and protection.
Daniel 12:1
And at that time shall Michael stand up,
the great prince [principality] which standeth for the children of thy people:
and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was…
This is a prophecy of what happens in Rev. 12
when Michael battles Satan and his demons.
Daniel 10:21
But I will shew thee that which is noted in
the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these
things, but Michael your prince.
[He is the chief of staff, if you will, in
God’s administration]
Rev. 12:7-9
And there was war in heaven: Michael and
his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
[8] And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. [9]
And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and
Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and
his angels were cast out with him.
It will be Michael who will accompany Jesus at
the rapture, and will announce the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ, and
will wake up the bodies of the dead in Christ. It’s not Gabriel.
1 Thes. 4:16
For the Lord himself shall descend from
heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the
trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Gabriel—God’s messenger
of mercy and promise. In the Heb. his
name means ‘hero’, ‘the mighty one’, or ‘God is great.’ He is often called
the Lord’s messenger. He appears only 4 times in the Bible, and each time
he’s delivering a message, unfolding the plans and purposes of God.
In Dan. 8 and 9 he reveals to Daniel the
chronology of the end times…the panorama of human history and the progression
of earthly kingdoms. Twice in Daniel he appears for these purposes.
Then twice in the NT: First, he announces a
birth…John the Baptist. Then he announces the birth of Christ.
Luke 1:19
And the angel answering said unto him, I am
Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee,
and to shew thee these glad tidings.
He just stands in God’s presence, just waiting
to be dispatched. He’s at God’s beck and call. That speaks to my heart,
because that’s how we ought to be…just standing in His presence, waiting for
His Word to be spoken to us.
If God had someone for you to witness to, could
you be dispatched immediately to do it? Could God trust you to be His
spokesman, and turn to you and give you the task? News flash: He does! Are
you His messenger? Ever had someone work for you that didn’t do what you
wanted? It’s frustrating. It’s hard to find good help!
The Seraphim—these
are angels of indescribably beauty, and they hover over the throne of God…their
ministry is to constantly praise and glorify God.
Isaiah 6:1-6
In the year that king Uzziah died I saw
also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled
the temple. [2] Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with
twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain
he did fly. [3] And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the
Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. [4] And the posts of the
door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with
smoke.
[5] Then said I, Woe is me! for I am
undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a
people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.
[6] Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand,
which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:
Sometimes we get to thinking we’re something,
but when you’re ready to see yourself as you really are, just spend some time
in the presence of God, and you’ll say “whoa” too! Compared to the world
around us, we sometimes can feel like we’re alright, but our sinfulness really
stands out in the presence of Jehovah!
The Cherubim—have to do
with the greatness of God, and they guard His presence.
See Ezek. 10 for further study.
Psalm 80:1
…thou that dwellest between the cherubims,
shine forth.
Psalm 99:1
The Lord reigneth; let the people tremble:
he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.
In the OT temple there were golden statues of
cherubim upon the mercy seat which was the lid for the ark of the covenant.
What were they symbolic of? They were guarding the Holy of holies, the
presence of God, from anyone who did not have access to come in.
They are agents of God’s judgment, guarding His
presence. God placed cherubim w/ flaming swords at the entrance to the garden
of Eden when Adam and Eve were expelled. They protect God’s glory and His
presence.
In summary: angels have structured activity
and clearly defined positions. They carry on God’s business on earth and in
Heaven.
They aren’t floating on clouds playing
harps. We can thank God for His heavenly army, and that we as believers can
enjoy spiritual protection by the Holy Spirit of God, and physical protection
by the might of God’s Holy Angels. Let’s do our best to be warriors for God
as well!
God’s Heavenly Warriors, pt. 3
Col. 1:16
The angels of heaven are organized into an
intricate system of r , position and a
.
Satan’s demons are organized in much the same
way:
Ephes. 6:12
Principalities—would correspond to a
g in the military.
Powers—have the oversight of powerful i
.
Rulers of darkness—have oversight in
w business and industry.
Spiritual wickedness in high places—have
oversight in areas of
r in the world.
More specifics on God’s Heavenly angels:
Michael—the a .
He is identified with the people of God and he
is there for our
d and p .
Gabriel—God’s m of
mercy and promise.
The Seraphim—their ministry is to constantly
p and
g God.
The Cherubim—have to do with the
g of God, and they
g His presence.
Help keep this service free by
recommending it using:
