Angels, Biblically

 

Govert Flinck, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

I've read Dale Evans' book, Angel Unaware, and know that the title refers to:

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. (Hebrews 13:2 KJV)

I've also heard of people who believe that in a particular circumstance, they have been assisted by an angel, rather than a kind-hearted human. Though I have not experienced (or not noticed), I do believe that miracle can happen.

A completely different book was Tosca Lee's Demon: A Memoir. A non-Christian one-star reviewer wrote: "It preaches at some points about Man's nature and the urgent need for acceptance of Christ." While a five-star reviewer included: "Mind you she doesn't take away anything from the Bible, but merely increases the reader's knowledge about why there is such a hatred from demons towards human beings in general."

This is not a recommendation for either book, it's just as background about a human interest in angels. The Bible is full of angels - 297 references in KJV, from Genesis 16:7 through Revelation 1:20. The verse that got me thinking about angels in general is from Peter's first letter speaking of Old Testament prophets:

Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. (1 Peter 1:9-12 KJV)

The bold words were similar to the plot of Tosca Lee's book, from the viewpoint of a fallen angel, which is a total spoiler (or maybe an enticer if it makes you wonder.) Either way, humans have been interested in angels, but Peter tells us that God's salvation plan are things the angels long to see. 

Which is why I selected angels giving the good news to shepherds as today's graphic. We certainly do not know what God knows - obviously, though angels know Him, they don't comprehend His mind any more than we do. Yet they knew the birth that would change the world:

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:8-11 KJV)

Angels ministered unto Jesus twice - after the temptation, and before His crucifixion:

Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. (Matthew 4:11 KJV)

And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. (Luke 22:43 KJV)

Even Satan knew that Jesus could call upon legions of angels to protect His earthly body:

And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. (Matthew 4:6 KJV)

We serve the living God, who has given us more than He did the angels, in that we have the opportunity to turn our backs on Him and say an emphatic "No!" to the opportunity He offers to be with Him eternally. God has also shown us what it is like to live without Him, eternally, leaving the choice to each one of us:

How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (Hebrews 2:3 KJV)

Yes - Christians do what the reviewer wrote - we Christians constantly tell people "about Man's nature and the urgent need for acceptance of Christ." We also pray for those we love to understand this choice is the most important one of their lives. It is an eternal choice. To not choose God is a choice in itself, and will last through eternity. We will pray until they are no longer here, or we have gone home, as He promised:

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:3-6 KJV)