God’s angels have been involved with His plan with humanity from the beginning. After Adam and Eve sinned, God sent Cherubim and a flaming sword to guard the way of the Tree of Life.
So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life. Genesis 3:24
These spiritual beings proceeded from the invisible realm but were made manifest in the visible.
Angels have total allegiance to God.
When we think of angels, we may think they are loyal to us because we are children of God, but that is not completely true. They are solely loyal to God and will only execute His directions and commands. Doing His will is their highest priority and pleasure.
Thankfully, He has given His angels charge over us, so they do carefully watch over us, protect us, and are on the highest alert for our well-being and service. Yes, and they even rejoice when one sinner repents and turns to Christ (Luke 15:10) so they are emotionally exuberant about God’s redemptive plan for humanity.
Protection for Israel
The Old Testament gives multiple examples of angelic intervention for the nation of Israel. Some seem severe to us, but we must remember God’s plan was to send a Savior from Israel that would pay the penalty for the sins of the world. Israel had to have protection for this to happen, otherwise the enemy would have stomped out this tiny Jewish nation to obliterate God’s redemptive plan.
20) Now because of this King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah, the son of Amoz, prayed and cried out to heaven.
21) Then the LORD sent an angel who cut down every mighty man of valor, leader, and captain in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned shamefaced to his own land.
And when he had gone into the temple of his god, some of his own offspring struck him down with the sword there.
22) Thus the LORD saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all others, and guided them on every side. 2 Chronicles 32:20-22
This amazing deliverance is described in more detail in the 2nd book of the Kings.
32) "Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the king of Assyria: 'He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shield, nor build a siege mound against it.
33) By the way that he came, by the same shall he return; And he shall not come into this city,' says the LORD. 3
4) 'For I will defend this city, to save it for My own sake and for My servant David's sake.' "
35) And it came to pass on a certain night that the angel of the LORD went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand; and when people arose early in the morning, there were the corpses—all dead.
36) So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed and went away, returned home, and remained at Nineveh. 2 Kings 19:32-36
One mighty angel was assigned to remove the threat of Israel’s annihilation by this enemy. The angel was loyal to God and fully committed to the task he was assigned, which may have been, “Protect Jerusalem for My Name’s sake.” We are not sure, but the end result was the elimination of a great army.
God had made a promise to David that his seed would sit on the throne forever. He swore to raise up a ruler through king David’s lineage and establish His throne continually. This, of course, spoke of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and the son of David according to the flesh.
Angels render God’s judgements on earth.
A sobering thought is knowing God has an innumerable company of powerful angels ready and able to render His judgements on the earth. We find this from Genesis to the book of Revelation.
Jesus prophesied much about His return and said it would be like the days of Lot prior to His coming to rule and reign from Jerusalem. Lot was spared through the intervention and supernatural aid of two angels who were dispatched from heaven to destroy the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.
12) Then the men [two angels] said to Lot, "Have you anyone else here? Son-in-law, your sons, your daughters, and whomever you have in the city—take them out of this place! 13) For we will destroy this place, because the outcry against them has grown great before the face of the LORD, and the LORD has sent us to destroy it."
Genesis 19:12-13
You can read the complete narrative of Sodom and Gomorrah’s destruction in Genesis 19:1-25. When we consider the atrocious abominations currently taking place around us, it is clear we are extremely close to these same immoral conditions on earth today. It's only through God’s mercy we are still standing.
The thing we should note, is Lot’s deliverance came because of Abram’s intercession and the intervention of God’s angels (see Genesis 18:20-33) Prayer released angelic intervention then and will be instrumental in doing so in our day as things increasingly worsen (Luke 17:26-28). Increasingly we will need these angelic beings from God’s invisible Kingdom to operate on our behalf.
King Herod’s judgement
21) So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them.
22) And the people kept shouting, "The voice of a god and not of a man!" 23) Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died. Acts 12:21-23
Historians differ on how this played out, but it is agreed Herod died
of abdominal disease within a few days after this arrogant speech and sudden judgement.
God is a God of love, but we should never forget, He is a God of justice and wrath against all ungodliness and wickedness when men and women harden their hearts and refuse to repent and turn from their unrighteous deeds.
Paul the apostle summed it up in these words:
Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. Romans 11:22
Electricity is something we all appreciate and benefit from, but we must always remember the same electric power that runs our lights and appliances could also kill us if we mishandle it. It is no respecter of personality, race, gender, education, socioeconomic state, or age.
Jesus told His disciples:
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28
Does this mean we should walk around trembling and afraid God is going to pounce on us and wipe us off the face of the earth? Absolutely not! He sent His Son to hang upon the cross, give His life for us, and rise again. He’s adopted us through Christ as His own children, making us joint heirs with Him.
He made us His beloved children, and has brought us into His Kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy (Romans 14:17). He raised us up and made us sit in heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 2:6) that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace and kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Does that seem like He’s looking to harm us?
We are to reverentially fear God, but His greatest commandment is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart…soul…mind… and strength” (Matthew 12:30). He wants our love, which will automatically cause us to revere and honor Him.
However, if our choice were to fear God or man, we should choose to reverentially fear Him. Our respectful awe of God should be based upon our understanding of His jealous love for us (Exodus 34:14), and what He has done for us in Christ (Ephesians 2:4-9).
We’ll discover more about the realities of the invisible realm next time. Until then, may God our Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ continually bless and keep you.
James Brown
CST 08/03/2024
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