Angels and Spiritual Warfare

Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

Hebrews 1:14

We should all thank God for his heavenly host of angels; the ones who chose not to give up their first estate!  God created angels with different responsibilities.  Messenger angels are the group that usually relates to the believer in terms of spiritual warfare. They interpret God's will, protect, provide guidance, bring answers to prayer, announce, warn, instruct, bring judgment, encourage, sustain, deliver, and intercede on behalf of believers in battle.   God tells us in His word that angels are His servants, sent by Him into the world to serve His will.

Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.  Exodus 23:20

Angels are sent by God to protect us and help us inherit His full kingdom.

Many believers have not availed themselves of the aid available from angels because they have not been taught regarding their function in spiritual warfare. They are "ministering spirits" and can minister for you as well as to you.  Just as King David did, we too can ask God to dispatch angels to assist us in our challenges of life.  During one of King David’s battles, he did this. He prayed...

Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the Lord chase them.  Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the Lord persecute them.  Psalms 35:5-6

There are many biblical accounts of God’s heavenly host, the angels, interceding on our behalf.  Here are 3 accounts of angels participating in warring against the enemy:

And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the Lord went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.  2 Kings 19:35

Then the angel of the Lord went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.  Isaiah 37:36 

And the Lord sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword.  2 Chronicles 32:21

And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,  Revelation 12:7

Angels are holy beings with important ministries on behalf of believers. They are part of the spiritual forces of good created by God.   To us, they are powerful, majestic creatures but the Bible gives some warnings concerning angels:

Ö             Do Not Worship Them:                        

You are not to worship angels:

Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshiping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind. Colossians 2:18

And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellow servant and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: Worship God.  Revelation 22:8-9

Ö            Reject Angels Preaching "Another Gospel":

Some people have claimed to see angels who gave them a "new revelation" contrary to God's written word. Entire religious movements have been founded on such false revelations. The Bible warns us that:

But though we, or an angel from Heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.          Galatians 1:8

We are not to listen to a man, an angel, or any other being that would guide you contrary to God's Word.   One of the main strategies of Satan is deception. The Bible warns us:

And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.  2 Corinthians 11:14

Ö            Do Not Provoke The Angels:

In the account of Balaam, a prophet who was acting in disobedience to God. We find that he was opposed by an angel of the Lord. When you are disobedient to God, the angels may actually hinder you.

Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.  And the angel of the Lord said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me:  Numbers 22:31-31

You will be fighting a battle, but it will not be warfare against the enemy. Be careful that you do not provoke the angels of God

Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands  Ecclesiastes 5:6

King David, in his celebration of God in his mercy and His loving kindness towards us, also acknowledges the majesty of the angels who do God’s bidding, intervene and protect on His behalf, and are obedient to His word.

The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all. Praise the LORD, you His angels, you mighty ones who do His bidding, who obey His word. Praise the LORD, all His heavenly hosts, you His servants who do His will. Praise the LORD, all His works. Everywhere in His dominion. Praise the LORD, my soul.  Psalms 103:19-22

It is a blessing to know that God loves us so much that He has 

assigned angels to watch over us in our coming in and our going out; 

angels watching over me and you and you and you! 

 Praise God!

(Biblical Studies)

12/02/16
08/08/19
02/18/21