Angel Or Adversary

Colossians 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,

19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

I am concerned that there is a great many people intruding into things they have not seen and are puffed up by their fleshly mind. In any given week, it seems that more angels are seen and communicated with then in all of the Bible which covers thousands of years.

Hebrews 1:13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?

14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

They are called ministering spirits, but how do they do that? We are not told, but actual appearances and interactions are rare. No one was having daily coffee with one. That fall that should have broken bones or killed us, the close call on the highway or other things of that nature. Was that the work of our ministering angels? Possibly.

The word angel in Greek means messenger and we know that they have been heralds of important conceptions such as appearing to Abraham, Samson's parents. John the Baptist's father and of course Mary. They drug Lot's family out of Sodom and Gomorrah. One spoke to Daniel, though many feel that was a pre-incarnate or theophany of Christ as well as who appeared to Joshua. They shut the mouth of the lions. John spoke with one in Revelation. Elijah was allowed to see those protecting him for his servant's sake. Elijah did not need to see as he knew they were there. No one saw the death angel in Egypt, but saw what he did. Angels have been used to defeat God's enemies, but they were unseen. They ministered to Jesus in the Garden, but no one else saw them. There may be a couple of other instances, but that is all my memory will allow me this morning.

All in all, overt interactions have been rare. They appear to have a primary mission of ministering in the background. When we get to glory we might find there were a hundred scenarios where we could have died, people who meant to do us harm were diverted from their mission and plethora of other ways God ordained them to minister to us without us having any knowledge.

We do know we are not to worship them because John was told not to bow before one. Because angelic appearances have been so rare, I would have be very suspicious and cautious around a person who seems to have access to many and has afternoon tea with one or more especially if they say an angel revealed to him/her some secrets that have been hidden. That is Joseph Smith, the angel Moroni and golden tablets written in Reformed Egyptian kind of stuff. I would put Scripture shields up and ask the Holy Spirit to arm His phasers and load the torpedoes.

2 Cor 11:13 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.

Just because someone can appear to be a minister of God does not mean they are. The enemy can deceive many because they trust more in men than God and want a "gospel" they like and thrills and chills. Satan does not care if you go to Hell as an addicted degenerate or as a pillar in the church. I cannot emphasize enough that the folks in Matthew 7:21-23 had what appeared to be miraculous truth and Jesus never knew them.

Seek the Word and allow the Holy Spirit to point out doctrinal error. The teacher of those errors may be sincere and deceived so pray they will come to the truth. Others are intentional ministers of error and they can also be saved. Call out the error and the teacher, but pray for their soul and the souls of the people who have believed the error.

Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

Be vigilant!! Maranatha!!!