8/28/2015 0 Comments Lesson 7 - Wrapping it upWell, dear ones, we promised to take a brief look at "fallen angels". What do we mean by that phrase? Most Christians use this term to describe the group of angels that followed Lucifer after he rebelled against God. The Scripture references about this can be found in Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28. Please, read those two chapters, and then answer the following:
Now, take a look at Revelation 12 - there are several references here to the fall. Dear ones, I do not have all the answers, nor do I understand completely all of the Scriptures that pertain to Lucifer (a.k.a. satan, a.k.a. the devil, or evil one) and his followers, but that is okay. The only thing we need to understand is that Christ in us is far greater than he (satan) who is in the world! He is the enemy of our souls, but he can not remove us from the Father's love. Do not fear him, do not be "looking" for demons (as many refer to "fallen angels" by this name [I must admit, I have not found Scriptural backing for this particular belief, however]) around each corner. Instead, stay focused upon Jesus Christ, His shed blood on calvary, and through prayer and Bible Study continue to develop an intimate relationship with God. Let Him take care of giving His angels charge over us, as He sees fit. Let us remember to worship the Creator, not His created beings. Here is a wonderful bit of information some of the beliefs that are being passed around just now about angels. New Age vs. The Bible Used, with permission, from New Jerusalem Ministries New Age: Angels are here to help us through present into a New Age of enlightenment. The Bible: Angels minister (Hebrews 1:14) sent by God to accomplish His will among believers (Psalms 103:20). New Age: Angels have come to bring the message: We are God on earth. The Bible: The word "Angel" means "messenger". But their messages are from the one true God to humans who are distinct from God (Luke 1:13; Acts 10:3-33). New Age: All people, regardless of their religious beliefs, have a guardian angel to watch over them. The Bible: God's angels are guardians for Christians (Hebrews 1:14). "Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation, there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways" (Psalm 91:9-11). New Age: Angels are here to help us encounter new religious experiences. Michael, the Archangel, encourages humans to come up with their own religions. The Bible: Michael, the Archangel, is always doing the perfect will of God (Daniel 10:13-21; 12:1; Jude 9). New Age: Angels can appear to us through the lyrics of songs, newspaper stories, or human words. The Bible: Angels can visibly take on the appearance of humans beings (Hebrews 13:2), and they speak audibly (Acts 1:11). Most, however, they are an invisible spirit (Hebrews 1:14). New Age: We can communicate with angels through channeling (spiritism), visualization or meditation. The Bible: Man can not make contact with angels. "There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch. Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee" (Deut. 18:10-12). New Age: We can pray directly to the angels; or angels make sure our prayers actually reach God. The Bible: Prayer is to be done only to God (Matthew 6:9). God needs no help in hearing the prayers of His people (Psalms 34:15; 65:2). New Age: Humans can "charge" crystals with energy, and use those crystals to attract angels. The Bible: Crystals are no more than a rock which God created (John 1:3). Using crystals involves the occult and is condemned by God (Deut. 18:10-12). New Age: We can write letters to angels and "mail" them by burning them on a family altar. The Bible: Letters to angels have no Biblical foundation. It is the angels who always initiate contact (Luke 2:9-10). New Age: Angels write letters to us using our mind and our own hands. The Bible: "Automatic handwriting" is again part of the occult and condemned by God (Deut. 18:10-12). New Age: We attract angels by color-coordinating our clothes. Guardian angels like pink; cherubim like blue; Michael likes gold. The Bible: Angels involve themselves among Christians only as God directs, not because of what any human has done (Psalms 103:20). New Age: We do not have a commitment to a judgmental God; angels are always compassionate. The Bible: Angel worship is condemned (Colossians 2:18). While angels do act compassionately, they also execute God's judgments on sinful humans (Acts 12:23; Rev. 8:5-13). New Age: We obtain help from angels without having to deal with God. The Bible: Under no circumstances do angels act as mediators between man and God. Jesus Christ is the only mediator (I Timothy 2:5). New Age: Angels can bring purpose into our lives. The Bible: True purpose is found only through a personal relationship with God through Jesus (John 10:10). New Age: We can use angels as intermediaries in communicating with the dead. The Bible: God forbids contact with the dead (Deut. 18:11). New Age: Angels help us to become perfect humans. The Bible: God sanctifies us (I Thessalonians 5:23). No one becomes perfect in this life (I John 1:8). New Age: Angels have special gifts of healing. The Bible: Angels have no healing powers. God is the only true source of healing (Exodus 15:26; Numbers 12:13; Deut. 32:39; Psalms 103:3). New Age: Angels are the "higher power" that 12-step programs call for. The Bible: There is only one "higher power" for Christians, and that is God (Exodus 20:4-5). New Age: Angels are "copilots" in our lives when we surrender ourselves to them. The Bible: Christians are to surrender themselves only to God (Romans 12:1), not to the angels of God. Angels are ministering spirits (Hebrews 1:14), not controlling spirits. I would encourage you to visit their site and see the rest of their presentation of who and what angels are - it is very well done, however I did not know about it until now, or I would have shared it before. Well . . . that wraps up another time of study. Thank you to each one who has participated in this.
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