Angels 3 Ministers to man
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Ministers to man
Ministers to man
Angels are God's ministers, and they minister on behalf of one who has inherited a greater name.
Hebrews 1:7
Hebrews 1:7
And of the angels He says: “Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire.”
Hebrews 1:14
Hebrews 1:14
Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?
From the beginning, God has used angels as His emissaries in conveying love and concern for His children.
Sometimes their assignments are very grand and have significance for the whole world.
Sometimes the messages are more private.
Occasionally the angelic purpose is to warn.
But often it is to comfort, to provide some form of merciful attention, guidance in difficult times.
They were sent to bring food and drink to Elijah, as he lay dying in the wilderness.
1 Kings 19:1-8
1 Kings 19:1-8
And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.” And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!” Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat.” 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. 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.” 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.
They ministered to Daniel in the lion’s den.
Daniel 6:20-22
Daniel 6:20-22
And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”
They ministered to Jesus in a time of great need.
Matthew 4:11
Matthew 4:11
Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.
They ministered to Peter, in prison.
Acts 12:5-11
Acts 12:5-11
Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. 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. 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.” 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. 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. 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.”
Guardians and guides
Guardians and guides
Nowhere does Scripture use the phrase "guardian angels", but we can see from Scripture that guarding and guiding man is part of their ministry.
2 Kings 6:16-17
2 Kings 6:16-17
So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
Psalm 91:10-12
Psalm 91:10-12
No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
This is the verse that was used by satan as he tried to tempt Jesus.
Satan uses the verse out of context, as a temptation to put God to a test.
This verse teaches that angels sometimes act as protectors, but we should never use that knowledge to try to test our Lord.
Matthew 18:10
Matthew 18:10
“Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.
do not despise. I. e., spurn or belittle another believer by treating him or her unkindly or indifferently.
"Their angels." This does not suggest that each believer has a personal guardian angel. Rather, the pronoun is collective and refers to the fact that believers are served by angels in general.
These angels are pictured “continually” watching the face of God so as to hear his command to them to help a believer when needed.
It is extremely serious to treat any fellow believer with contempt since God and the holy angels are so concerned for their well-being.
Exodus 32:34
Exodus 32:34
Now therefore, go, lead the people to the place of which I have spoken to you. Behold, My Angel shall go before you. Nevertheless, in the day when I visit for punishment, I will visit punishment upon them for their sin.”
An angel leading the way, would certainly provide unseen protection.
OBSERVERS
OBSERVERS
They observe, because in some amazing way, God uses us to teach the angels.
Ephesians 3:8-13
Ephesians 3:8-13
To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
1 Timothy 3:16
1 Timothy 3:16
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.
1 Corinthians 4:9
1 Corinthians 4:9
1 Corinthians 4:9 (NKJV)
For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.
1 Corinthians 11:10
1 Corinthians 11:10
1 Corinthians 11:10 (NKJV)
For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.
”because of the angels”?
”because of the angels”?
Why would women need a symbol of authority on here head because of the angels? What about the angels would require this? Perhaps this will explain:
Genesis 6:1-3
Genesis 6:1-3
Now it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them, that the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose. And the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.”
It could be that the symbol of authority is to remind the angels that women are under man’s authority, not theirs. Women were created for man, to make man whole. Women were not created for the angels.
Luke 15:10
Luke 15:10
Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Not only do angels rejoice when a sinner repents, they are the believer's companion for their journey home.
Luke 16:22
Luke 16:22
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.
In our greatest times of need, God uses angels to minister to us. Whether seen or unseen, angels are always near. This should be a comforting thought for the believer, but even more comforting, is the knowledge that our greatest comfort and protection comes from God Himself.
Jesus gives us peace that passes all understanding.
Philippians 4:7
Philippians 4:7
and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
God comforts.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
God provides the ultimate protection.
Ephesians 6:13-17
Ephesians 6:13-17
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;