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)
cc The Revelator saw 10,000 x 10,000 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands...Rev 5:11 (NASB)
dd The author of Hebrews: too many to count... “an innumerable company.” But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels...Heb 12:22 (KJV)
2 I believe this angel army is better organized, equipped, trained, experienced than the armies of Alexander the Great, Napoleon, Patton, Petrais.
B Angels are organized into ranks & operate in a military fashion.
1 Cherubim: guard the throne of God upon earth.
a When God manifests Himself here, these angels come with Him.
aa He rode upon a cherub and flew; and He sped upon the wings of the wind. Psalms 18:10 (NASB)
bb A cherubim placed in the east of the Garden of Eden.
cc A cherubim embroidered into the temple veil; gold cherubim on the ark (mercy seat).
b There I will meet with you; and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are upon the ark of the testimony, I will speak to you about all that I will give you in commandment for the sons of Israel. Ex 25:22 (NASB) The real cherubim were assigned to defend God’s throne when Israel refused to honor God.
c Ezek. 10, cherubim described with four faces; Rev. 4: “living ones”.
2 Seraphim: these angels are linked to the manifest presence of God.
a When these angels intersect, there is a fire in our hearts for God’s holiness, presence, & power (means “burning one.”)
b In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple.2 Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.3 And one called out to another and said,"Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory."4 And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke.5 Then I said,"Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts."6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs.7 He touched my mouth with it and said, "Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven ." Isaiah 6:1-7 (NASB) (only reference in Scripture to a Seraph!)
aa Isaiah’s cousin king died, & needed a word from God!
bb Holy of Holies, sees seraphim, “holy, holy, holy”
cc Sees his own sinfulness, unworthiness
c A seraph takes coal & puts it upon Isaiah’s lips (cleanses him/redirects)
aa When seraph show up, people get hungry for God.
C There is also Michael, Gabriel, & “Angel of the Lord”.
1 Michael (who is like God), in New Testament & Old Testament-Secretary of War.
2 Gabriel (Vice President of Communications): shows up to answer prayer, interpret dreams (David), & release the word of God (Mary).
3 Angel of the Lord (63x’s in Scripture, 13x’s in New Testament): I believe this angel is God’s accompanying angel.
a This angel’s anointing is so great, God’s presence is recognized & worshiped.
b See for yourself:
aa It was this angel that stopped Abraham’s hand from sacrificing Isaac. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am."12 He said, "Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me." Gen 22:11-12 (NASB)
bb Stretched his sword over Jerusalem, causing its destruction in David’s day.
cc Killed 185,000 Assyrians in one night
dd Ordered watching angels to do surveillance of the whole world in Zechariah.
ee Directed choir over Bethlehem
ff Appeared to Mary & Joseph to guide them safely to Egypt.
gg Struck Peter to wake him/led him out of prison.
4 Principalities, powers, thrones, & dominions. Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come...Eph 1:21 (KJV)
a Angels who rank over regions, nations, cities, communities (good or evil).
b Struggle in the heavenlies between light & darkness (more next week).
III Agents of miracles
A Paul describes angels as “mighty”. ...and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire...2 Thess 1:7 (NASB)
1 “Mighty” is “dunamis”, which means “innate supernatural power.”
a By this nature, angels are miracle-working beings full of God-given power & might.
b God can/does work His will through His hosts.
2 I’m going to deal with this point all next Sunday.
B They have access to spiritual weapons in the “heavenlies”, & they fight for God’s chosen/elect.
IV Love the living God
A Angels are first and foremost worshipers of God (as we are!)
1 "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding,5 Who set its measurements? Since you know. Or who stretched the line on it?6 "On what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone,7 When the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Job 38:4-7 (NASB) See their ancient past
a Shout as God creates creation!
b The angels shout “Holy” not just because that’s what they do up there, but also they are responding appropriately yo what God has just done.
2 Every time God acts, the act is holy, & so the heavenly hosts bear witness to that holy act & cry out, “Holy!”
B But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels ,23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.Heb 12:22-24 (NASB)
1 I believe when we worship, really worship, angels show up!
a Why? To give God glory
b We are “temples of the Holy Ghost”
aa Holy of Holies (intimate worship)
bb Angels are drawn to that passionate worship
2 Real
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