What more does the Bible tell us about angels?
We can confirm that angels are more than what we see and
hear about at Christmas, even though they have key roles in the Christmas
story.
Many places in the Bible tell of angels carrying out very specific
and demanding assignments for the GOD.
Because they are created
beings, angels don’t know all that GOD does (Matthew
24:36) but, because GOD created them a
little above humans, angels seem to have greater knowledge and ability than
we do. This is true for both good and evil angels (demons.)
With their superiority over humans, angels have the ability
to impact our lives both for good and for evil.
Can angels be good as well as evil?
GOD created angels with the power to choose and some chose
evil over good.
Good angels chose to love and worship
GOD; obey
Him and praise
Him. They rejoice
in everything GOD does. They carry out GOD’s commands to serve
and encourage His people and care
for us in our dying. “…angels
are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.”
Hebrews 1:14
On the other hand, evil angels, or fallen angels, chose to rebel
against GOD’s authority. Christian scholars agree that one-third of
the angels GOD created make up the fallen angels group. The good news is, a
two-thirds majority remain with GOD.
The fallen angels GOD cast out from heaven permanently, and for
all eternity. They could never be redeemed and be saved. 2
Peter 2:4
From Creation these evil spirits have been working to
discredit GOD in the eyes of His people and GOD’s people before Him. The Bible
calls their leader Satan, which means “Resister,” and the devil, which means
“Slanderer.”
It was Satan, disguised as a serpent, who enticed Eve to
disobey GOD in the Garden of Eden and caused the fall of all mankind. Genesis
3:1-7. This same evil angel tried to tempt JESUS into worshiping him
in the wilderness, so he could ruin GOD’s plan for our promised redemption. Matthew
4:8-11.
Are Satan and his evil band of angels still tempting people today?
Obviously, the devil didn’t succeed in his attempts with
JESUS. But his life focus daily is still about
one-upping the Creator and the people GOD loves are his weapon of
choice. He attempts to do damage to GOD’s
Kingdom through us.
Satan uses the same methods
of deception he tried with JESUS in the wilderness against us today. All designed to lure us over to the side of
evil and away from GOD and holiness. Matthew
4:1-11
What is Satan’s strategy?
- Attack us where and when we are most vulnerable Matthew 4:1-3
- Convince us to mistrust GOD’s providence and instead obtain success, power and popularity for ourselves, and rob GOD of the glory He deserves. Matthew 4:5-6
- Entice us to desire more of the carnal than the spiritual – to covet possessions and status, created idols we worship instead of GOD. Matthew 4:8-9
The Bible tells us that our own fleshly desires cause us to
be enticed by the devil James
1:14-15. But GOD has given us a
way out and power to resist. “...the
Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials…” 2 Peter 2:9.
Satan tempted JESUS but He never
sinned – we don’t have to either.
How did JESUS resist Satan?
At every turn, JESUS directed Satan’s attention to the only
commands He was willing to listen to and obey; GOD’s WORD. Matthew
4: 4, 7, 10.
The WORD still works. It’s as powerful a weapon today as
it was then and will cause the devil to leave us alone today just as it did
then.
Our heavenly Father never leaves His children defenseless –
He gives us everything we need to fight off Satan’s schemes
and deceptions – the full armor of GOD
which includes the sword of the Spirit,
the WORD of GOD. Ephesians
6:11-17.
GOD also gives us a sound warning to stay on high alert and
be aware that the devil is always looking for someone to devour. 1
Peter 5:8-9
Stand firmly upon the WORD of GOD and you can resist the devil.
Conclusion
GOD created angels and humanity. While
humans have physical bodies with a spiritual side, angels are spiritual beings
that can take on physical forms to some degree.
Humans are also created
in GOD’s image while angels are not.
Angels are not the passive,
airy-fairy, or chubby infant-like creatures often depicted today; they
can be intimidating and powerful. The Bible tells us that a single angel killed
185,000 soldiers over-night at the LORD’s command. 2
Kings 19:35
The majority of angels serve GOD and
His people but some are “fallen angels” who are evil and will use GOD’s people
to oppose GOD’s will, whenever they can.
Important lessons for the people of GOD –
- Our sole allegiance is to GOD, our Creator.
- Demons know it and are terrified! James 2:19
Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship
the Lord your God, and serve him only.” Matthew 4:10
Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy Father, thank YOU for JESUS who taught us
that we will be tempted by the devil but we do not have to sin against YOU. Thank YOU for the
inerrant WORD that is everything we need for life and for godliness. Thank YOU
for being the Creator of our joy and everything for YOUR glory. Like the angels,
we stand amazed by YOU! We rejoice in all YOU do! All things in JESUS NAME.
Amen.
Always by GOD’s WORD and prayer,
Cecile
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