In this blog, I would like to discuss the ministry of angels.  We need to recognize that a spirit realm exists and some particular beings within that realm are deployed by God to help us.

 In Hebrews 1:13 and 14, "But to which of the angels has He ever said: "Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool"? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?", the author, in comparing Jesus to angels tells us that angels are 'ministering (relating to the performance of service) spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation' (those who have believed that Christ is the Son of God, come in the flesh, so that we would be rescued from the penalty of sin.)

 The words used for "angel" in the Hebrew (mal'ak) and Greek (angelos) are both translated - messenger.  We see in the following verses that angels are created beings who serve the purposes of God. Psalm 148:2 and 5, "Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts! ... 5 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for He commanded and they were created." 

Colossians 1: 16, "For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him."  Psalm 103:20 and 21, "Bless the Lord, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word, feeding the voice of His word. 21 Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, you ministers of His, who do His pleasure."

Angels are powerful intelligent beings that have been created to heed His voice and do His pleasure or will.

 Contrary to popular belief, angels are not humans who have died and were transformed into angelic beings.  The TV shows which were so popular, portrayed angels inaccurately and not according to what the scripture says.  Angels are spiritual beings created specifically by God for His purposes.  Even though angels can take on the appearance of men or women, they are not, nor have they ever been human beings.

  Daniel 8:15 and 16, "Then it happened, when I, Daniel, had seen the vision and was seeking the meaning, that suddenly there stood before me one having the appearance of a man. 16 And I heard a man's voice between the banks of the Ulai, who called, and said, "Gabriel, make this man understand the vision." The Lord sent the angel, Gabriel, who had the "appearance " of a man to help Daniel understand the vision he had been given.

 Daniel 10:5,6, " I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in linen, whose waist was girded with gold of Uphaz! 6 His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze in color, and the sound of his words like the voice of a multitude... 13 "But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes (the princes of angels, the archangels), came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia."  Verses 5 and 6 reveal to us that, the angel here,  appears as a bright shining being, who was sent in response to Daniel's words.  In verse 13, we learn that Michael is a warrior angel who was sent to withstand the demonic spiritual beings who fought against God's message getting through to Daniel.

 The words angel or angels is used about 290 times in Scripture.  You will find them approximately 90 times in the New Testament.  Let's look at a few more scriptures to gain more insight.

 Angels are not to be worshipped :

 Luke 4:7 and 8, " Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours." 8 And Jesus answered and said to him, "Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.' "Colossians 2:18, "Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind."

 Regarding guardian angels:

 Matthew 18:10, "Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. "Acts 12:15, " But they said to her, "You are beside yourself!" Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, "It is his (Peter's) angel."   I understand the phrase "guardian" angel is not used in the Scripture, however, these verses would indicate that everyone has an angel who looks after them.

 Angels deliver us:

 Psalm 34:7, "The angel of the Lord encamps (dwells) all around those who fear Him, and delivers them. "Psalm 91:11, "For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways." Note that this reference mentions that He gives His "angels" charge over us.  The word for 'charge' in the Greek means, "to delegate with commands, to commission"

 Releasing the Apostles and Peter from prison:

 Acts 5:19, " But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said…. "Acts 12:7-11, " Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, "Arise quickly!" And his chains fell off his hands. 8 Then the angel said to him, "Gird yourself and tie on your sandals"; and so he did. And he said to him, "Put on your garment and follow me." 9 So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. 11 And when Peter had come to himself, he said, "Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people."

 Giving directions or guidance:

 Acts 10:30-32, " So Cornelius said, "Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, 31 "and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God. 32 'Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.'"

 Giving encouragement:

 Acts 27:23, "For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, 24 "saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.'"

 Angels play a large part in God's interaction with men.  Even as we have looked at the activity of angels in the Scriptures, there are many modern day examples of appearances of angels as well.  Angels have appeared in various ways and forms for various purposes.

 While attending Grace Fellowship Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, I saw an example of the ministry of an angel.  One Sunday morning, a young man from Oral Robert's University was trying, without much success, to give his testimony.  He was very nervous and simply could not get his thoughts together.  As he was struggling, a friend of mine a couple of seats away, became very excited and started pointing toward the platform.  I later found out that he had seen an angel cross the platform, bend down as though whispering in the young man's ear, and then exit the same way he had come.  It was at this time, that the young man got his thoughts together and gave an excellent testimony.  The next Sunday, this experience was confirmed by several others who had also seen the angel.  He was described as being about seven feet tall and wearing a white robe.

 David Stuart of Mission City, British Columbia told of a man appearing in the back seat of his car as he was driving to a meeting.  The doors of his car were all locked.  David asked the man if he was a stranger and the man replied, "I am a stranger to many."  The man then told him, "I just want you to remember one thing; Jesus is coming soon."  As David turned to reply, the man was gone.  He then realized that he had received a message from an angel.

 The Reverend John G. Paton, a missionary in the New Hebrides Islands, told a thrilling story involving the protective care of angels.  Hostile natives surrounded his mission headquarters one night, intent on burning the Patons out and killing them.  John Paton and his wife prayed that God would deliver them, all night, during the terror filled night. When daylight came, they were amazed to see the attackers remarkably leave.  The Patons thanked God for delivering them! A year later, the chief of the tribe was converted to Jesus Christ, and Mr. Paton, remembering what had happened, asked the chief what had kept him and his men from burning down the house and killing them.  The chief replied in surprise, "Who were all those men there?"  The missionary answered, "There were no men there; just my wife and I."  The chief argued that they had seen many men standing guard - hundreds of big men in shining garments with drawn swords in their hands.  They seemed to circle the mission station so that the natives were afraid to attack.  Only then, did Mr. Paton realize that God had sent His angels to protect them.

 God's angels help us in many ways.  They bring messages, protect us, deliver us, guide us and minister in a myriad of ways.  God blesses in many ways and His army of angels also minister to us in many ways.

 Be encouraged as you realize that the Lord has given His angels charge over you today to minister to you in whatever way is needed.

 God has your back!