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Angels And Heavenly Beings - Part 3 - Warnings About Angels Series
Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Feb 28, 2023 (message contributor)
Summary: The Bible mentions Angels over 300 times and reveals that God created them, along with all things "visible and invisible" (Colossians 1:16). This study will look at Angels, both Faithful and Fallen, Heavenly Beings, and warnings about them.
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Every Born-Again Christian has been commanded to focus totally on Jesus and not on any other created thing - including Angels. Good Angels are subject only to God. There is a growing interest in summoning Angels. Some people have placed them amongst the ranks of the saints of old as idols of worship, which is warned against in the Scriptures. (Galatians 1:8, 13; 1 John 4:1; 1 Timothy 4:1) This has brought about a "religion" of Angels (Colossians 2:18).
Every Angel, including those who fell, believes that Jesus Christ is the Lord and Creator of the universe and "there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12 ESV). This is why they remain anonymous, and the Redeemed (us!) are forbidden to try and communicate with them (Judges 13:18).
A spirit being that proclaims any other Gospel is to be accursed (Galatians 1:8). God wants every Born-Again Christian to "test everything," including the spirit beings because they could be a deceitful and lying spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:21 ESV).
"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are of God…" Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God…" (1 John 4:1 ESV)
"Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons" (1 Timothy 4:1 ESV)
The Holy Spirit was sent to be the only guide for the Christian - not Angels! (See John 14:20) He will direct a person to the words of Jesus. Even though He may occasionally choose to use Angels, He does not need Angels to do this.
God condemns the intentional seeking out of any paranormal information through Angels or any other entities (See Deuteronomy 18:9-12). He has given the gift of "distinguishing between spirits" because not all "spirits" are good (1 Corinthians 12:10 NIV). The Born-Again Christian must learn to test everything - including experiences - with the only reliable reference point - the Bible (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
Intentional interaction with Angels is a dangerous game for both the young and mature Born-Again Believer. It can open them up to demonic encounters and manifestations of demons masquerading as Angels of light. Angels are simply messengers of God. It is best to seek after the message maker rather than the message giver.
God never instructed an Angel to have an ongoing discourse or get involved in a relationship with people. Nowhere in the Scriptures are Christians instructed to pursue experiences in the spirit realm and seek out and summon directly, command, talk to, or interact with Angels for guidance or to work alongside them in ministry.
God's Word must be the only foundational standard of truth - not experience or intuition. After the end of days, Christians will rule and reign over the Earth with Jesus (Revelation 5:10), but they will not rule over Angels. Christians will judge the fallen Angels and are implored not to take their eyes off Jesus - who alone is Lord, Savior, and Healer.
The Doorway for Visiting Angels
Before the turn of the 21st century, there began a dramatic increase in the number of those who say they are experiencing Angelic visitations due to heavenly "energy portals" (doorways) opening up in various locations where Angels ascend and descend. Indeed, God can sovereignly send an Angel through a "portal." Although they are not explicitly called "portals" in Scripture, the locations of these events are recorded in Scripture and should not be dismissed as imaginary or purely demonic.
John the Beloved, while exiled on the island of Patmos, had a vision when he was "in the spirit" and was able to see and experience the realm of the third Heaven when he entered via a "door standing open in heaven" that allowed him to see the sights and hear the sounds of that reality (Revelation 4:1-2 NIV). It was a "door" and not a spiritual entry point of light or a mystical portal, funnel, channel or tunnel between Heaven and the Earth below to receive power or journey as a heavenly tourist.
Jesus said, "where I go, you cannot come, and He promised the Disciples, "…I am going there to prepare a place for you And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am" (John 8:21, 14:2-3 NIV).
There is a danger when intentionally looking for these "energy portals" because it is primarily a pagan practice dating back thousands of years that the Occult has warmly embraced. Jesus warned that there is a "portal" many will enter that is wide, and the path to it is "broad." Yet, He said it "leads to destruction" (Matthew 7:13 NIV).