For Real, For Real: The Reality Of Angels Series

Angels: Activating God’s Secret Agents Series

For Real, For Real: The Reality of Angels (1 of 3) 2/7/2010

Introduction:

A In 1991, during Operation Desert Storm, 35 nation coalition plus US (36) against Saddam Hussein to bring back Kuwait under the leadership of the emir of Kuwait.

1 After six-weeks of bombing, and 4-day ground campaign, Iraq surrendered. (Incredibly successful!)

a This coalition of nations knew the goal, coordinated troops, shared information, pooled resources against a common enemy.

b Did you know that the present war in Iraq is the longest war in American history?

aa Cost us more then we intended to pay, went longer than we intended to stay . . . one of the main reasons is we have no allies.

bb Unlike Desert Storm, we’ve had a difficult time finding nations to be our allies in the Persian Gulf theater.

2 A very similar scenario is played out in the life of believers today living with lack of joy, victory in their own lives.

a Surrounded by heavenly allies, but they fail to employ & deploy the hosts of heaven that are surrounding them.

b In Scripture, all the great men/women of faith operated with assistance of various angelic allies.

B Beginning today, three weeks series on Angels.

1 We’ll be learning origin, protect, their role at the time of death.

a We’re not worshiping, exalting, praying to angels.

b Acknowledging they’re real, present day ministry, “proper to love them. . . give them a place in our heart’s warmest love.” -C.H. Spurgeon.

2 Let’s begin by learning more of how these angelic hosts of heaven came about, where they come from, and why they’re here.

3 Pray

I Realm of angels

A Quantum physics studies the origin of matter, & this science believes the world had a beginning, therefore, a greater world existed & still thrives beyond our own cosmos.

1 In our world, we live in four dimensions: length, width, height, & time, but in quantum physicists (like Dr. Brian Greene, The Elegant Universe) have discovered there are at least 7 other dimension (11 total).

a These dimensions have been set in motion by God, running in straight, linear lines.

b God created them, but He’s not captive to them.

aa God lives above/beyond history

bb When we see there are plains/dimensions beyond our limited perspective, we can once again live in surprise, wonderment.

2 Paul refers to this realm as “third heaven- I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven.2 Cor 12:2 (NASB); Solomon called it “heaven of heavens”- But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You, how much less this house which I have built! 1 Kings 8:27 (NASB)

a This is the realm where God abides, dwells

b How do we get our dimension to reach God? Can’t...linear...God can interact with ours.

aa Everything that is in the new (God’s) dimension becomes accessible in our dimension.

bb When God interrupts our reality with presence/glory & changes the ordinary to extraordinary; natural to supernatural.

cc We get to live in wonder! Hope! Impossible becomes possible because “God is with us.”

B God is not alone in the eternal dimension, realm.

1 This realm isn’t geographic, on a map (close as your next breath).

a Angels live in that eternal realm, but are allowed to come out of it into our realm to give us help.

b They operate interdimensionally in order to operate on our behalf.

2 Jesus came out of that realm to show us the way home!

II Established order

A There was a time when angels did not exist; just Triune God: Father, Son, Holy Spirit. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.Col 1:16 (NASB)

1 They, like humankind, were created by God.

a Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation? Heb 1:14 (NASB) “Ministering spirits”, so intrinsically, they don’t possess physical bodies, but God can make them visible /physical any time He wants.

b They are mentioned over 300x’s in the Old Testament, New Testament; same angels criss-crossing testaments.

c How many?

aa David saw 20,000 The chariots of God are myriads , thousands upon thousands; the Lord is among them as at Sinai, in holiness. Psalms 68:17 (NASB)

bb Moses saw 10,000 He said,"The Lord came from Sinai, and dawned on them from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran, and He came from the midst of ten thousand holy ones; at His right hand there was flashing lightning for them. Deut 33:2 (NASB)