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WALKING IN THE OLD PATHS Jeremiah 6:16 By the late Jack Scott 1. Angels

Angels, Angels, Angels. The ubiquitous angel. We find them in the Avon catalogue, in the jewellery shop window, and on the covers of glossy and not so glossy magazines. People claim to talk to angels, receive messages from angels and have angel companions. Many of those who pay great attention to the angelic hosts, oddly enough have little time for the Creator of angels or for His precious Word.

The reality of angels is not to be doubted. There are frequent references to them in the Bible. In fact, if you are interested in numbers, angels are mentioned 108 times in the Old Testament and 165 times in the New Testament. The writer to the Hebrews reminds Christians that "Ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels." [/b](Hebrews 12:22).

Yes, indeed there are angels, but how did they come into existence, what is their function and what is their relationship to the Eternal Son of God?

David, King of Israel reminds us in Psalm 148 that God created all things in heaven and on earth. Verses 2 and 5 read as follows, "Praise ye Him, all His angels: praise ye Him all His hosts. Let them praise the name of the Lord; for He commanded and they were created."

Paul the Apostle assures us in Colossians 1 that this one who created all that "IS" was the Son of God. "For by Him were all things created that are in heaven and that are in earth visible and invisible".[/b] (For the context, it is suggested that Colossians 1:12-19 be read).

These heavenly created beings have many tasks to perform, ranging from chanting the praises of the triune God to executing judgment on fallen angels and those among humankind who reject the saving work of the Lord Jesus Christ. ?One of their principle activities is to minister to God?s people. "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister to them who shall be heirs of salvation?"[/b] (Hebrews 1:14)

Some people have tried to teach that Jesus Christ is an angelic being, the first created being and therefore the chief angel. Nothing could be further from the truth. The book of Hebrews in the New Testament (Hebrews 1:5-14) makes it very, very clear that while angels are created beings, the Son of God is the King Eternal uncreated and without beginning.

It is this same Jesus who became a man, lived a sinless life and has become the sacrifice for sin for all who will believe in Him. "Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God." (Romans 3:25)

Just a word of warning: not all angels are good. There are fallen angels too. These are enemies of God and of the souls of humans. Those who feel that they receive guidance from angels need to be very careful. Should anyone, human or angelic point you to any other source other than Christ for salvation or direct you to take actions condemned in the word of God, flee from that being and turn quickly to Jesus Christ the Saviour of men.

"I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel which is not another: but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed." (Galatians 2:6-9 New King James).

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Jack Scott loved his Lord! He passed away on January 10, 2001 after a lengthy illness.
He is missed greatly by his family.

Pat that is a good article, lets also remember that these fallen angels could take on a very real physical presence, and bring human offsprings into the world as we see in Genesis before the flood. If this could happen then, how much more likely in these last days, could we be subjected by Satan and his minions to experiencing all sorts of demonic deceptions, signs and lying wonders.
   Very often the scriptural references to angels refer to actual persons, messengers, lit, angels, bringing messages that will upbuild and strengthen the church, eclesia, both as a body and as individuals.

It may be  just barely worthwhile to note that the Greek for angel is the Greek for messenger.  When the Scripture refers to an angel, it may merely be referring to a human messenger.  Only the context cn enlighten us on that.  It's Ho angelos both ways.