Angels When A Believer Dies Series

Angels: Activating God’s Secret Agents

Angels When the Believer Dies

February 21, 2010

Introduction

A Don’s story of his dad

B God has used His angels in your life to direct, guide, protect, strengthen, encourage, bring health/favor, & provision.

1 We can’t begin to understand what we call “near misses” were actually times when the hands of angels moved us at just the right moment.

a Let love of the brethren continue.2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it. Heb 13:1-2 (NASB)

b We’ll never know how many times we’ve gotten counsel, help from strangers who were actually angels, secret agents of the Most High God.

2 I believe angels were watching you when you got saved.

a "In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." Luke 15:10 (NASB) Heaven exploded with joy when you got saved!

b They saw you weep your way to Christ, trusting only in His blood & the power of His life-giving resurrection.

c I believe your angel jumped the highest, shouted & sang the loudest, danced the fastest.

3 As you have grown in the Spirit, you have been watched in wonder & amazement as your relationship with Christ has bloomed.

a It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look . 1 Peter 1:12 (NASB)

b You know Jesus in a way angels do not.

aa They have never sinned, have no need of redemption, have never been lost, blind, sick, healed.

bb You have been washed in the blood, filled with the Holy Ghost, blind, sick, lost...

C If angels have been set in charge over you during your life, you can rest assured they will be there when you die.

I The angels & death

A Paul reminds us the “last enemy destroyed will be death.” The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 1 Cor 15:26 (KJV)

1 The moment a Christian dies, the spirit departs the body & enters the atmosphere, air.

a Eph. 2:2 tells us that the air is the realm that the enemy/devil is prince over–enemy territory. ...in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Eph 2:2 (NASB)

aa Daniel 10 describes a battle in that realm when his own angel was held up for 21 days fighting with the head demon of the region of Iran.

bb There are spiritual battles going on now, just above us in the invisible realm.

b The moment a Christian dies is the last opportunity the devil has to attack the believer.

2 I believe one of the main reasons God’s angels are sent at the moment of a Christian’s death is because of the last enemy, battle.

a The sting of death has been removed by Christ’s work on the cross, but we’ve still got to cross the valley of the shadow of death...enemy territory.

b When Christ came to earth in the flesh He was escorted by angels. In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.12 "This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger ."13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." Luke 2:8-14 (NASB)

aa When He returns, He will be escorted by angels. For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every man according to his deeds . Matt 16:27 (NASB)

bb Spiritual battles in the heavenlies are being constantly waged by the enemy of God.

3 I believe the angels who’ve guided, counseled, protected, ministered, shielded will actually escort me into the presence of the Lord, and the reason they are sent is because the last battle I’ll ever fight with the devil is death. The last enemy is death! The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 1 Cor 15:26 (KJV)