Angels: Ministering Spirits

[Aquila]

I've actually witnessed to carnal people who wanted to read me my horoscope in the break room at work by explaining the actual meaning of the Mazzaroth to them. lol

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Esaias

There is no 'white magick'.

True. Any "energy" not rooted in that emanating from God's own essence should be rejected. The Greek Orthodox Church has quite a bit of knowledge concerning the divine "energies" residing in God's essence. It helps to really know Greek. lol

[Aquila]

But back to the subject...

Yes... Satan has tried to cloud the issue with spirit guides and familiar spirits. However, the various orders of the angels and their purpose was established in eternity long before the fall of Lucifer.

[Aquila]

Ever notice that men that operate with discernment of spirits and engage in spiritual warfare are often accepted... whereas those who discern angelic presence and ministry are not?

Many of these men also invoke angels in their ministries. For example one might pray,

"Father, surround us with your angels. Send angels to guard those that are struggling against this spirit. I also ask, oh God, that you would send angels of peace to counter the angels of confusion and fear. In Jesus name. Amen."

Guess what... the Spirit filled believer invoking the powers of Heaven in Jesus name has just set off a heavenly war.

[Aquila]

Consider the following verses...

Psalm 91:11 ESV
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.

Matthew 18:10 ESV
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.

Hebrews 13:2 ESV
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Psalm 34:7 ESV
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.

Hebrews 1:14 ESV
Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

The implications of these four verses alone lend us to the idea of a very heavy angelic presence in the lives of the redeemed.

[Aquila]

Here's an interesting implication of Scripture... angels might also have some degree of control over nature and the elements:

Revelation 7:1
And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.

For example, from this verse I believe that it might be implied that there are four distinct angels that carry a considerable amount of authority with regards to winds and weather:

Angel of the North
Angel of the South
Angel of the East
Angel of the West

[Aquila]

Another interesting implication of Scripture regarding angels...

Angels can also be evangelistic...

Revelation 14:6
And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

The specific angel described here may be one of untold hundreds of thousands of angels, or an angel having authority over other angels. These evangelistic angels apparently pave the way for the Gospel to be preached by speaking into the souls of men warning and conviction for sin. Then, when we arrive and preach in the power of the Holy Spirit, there is less resistence in the minds of men.

An example of how to employ these angels...

Heavenly Father, I pray that you would send out your evagelistic angels to warn of sin and testify of your goodness and grace to those that we love so dearly who still need a revelation of who you are and what you have done for them. I pray that through this, they accept this glorious gospel of truth. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.

[Aquila]

Here’s a nice listing that briefly describes some of the biblical implications relating to the ministry of angels...

They praise God (Psalm 148:1, 2; Isaiah 6:3).
They worship God (Hebrews 1:6; Revelation 5:8-13).
They rejoice in what God does (Job 38:6-7).
They serve God (Psalm 103:20; Revelation 22:9).
They appear before God (Job 1:6; Job 2:1).
They protect God's elect (Psalm 91:11; Matthew 18:10; Psalm 34:7).
They are instruments of God's judgments (Revelation 7:1; Revelation 8:2).
They bring answers to prayer (Acts 12:5-10).
They serve the redeemed (Hebrews 1:14).
They aid in winning people to Christ (Acts 8:26; Acts 10:3).
They preach the gospel (Revelation 14:6).
They have a degree of control over the natural elements (Revelation 7:1).
They observe Christian order, work, and suffering (1 Corinthians 4:9; I Corinthians 11:10; Ephesians 3:10; 1 Peter 1:12).
They encourage in times of danger (Acts 27:23, 24).
They carry the souls of the righteous to Heaven after death (Luke 16:22).
They encourage and strengthen those experiencing trial (Matthew 4:11; Luke 22:43 )

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Esaias

I have walked the occult side of the aisle, and I have walked in the Light. And there is a major difference between the two, though to the inexperienced they may seem nearly identical or indistinguishable.

There is a lot of witchcraft/occultism being practiced and promoted among modern christians in the name of spirituality. This of course is nothing new, really, but there it is.

When I hear you talking about 'not needing text on it', about 'conversing with your guarding angel through impressions', about judging tongues and interpretations through subjective 'feelings' , and now about 'divine energies being placed into or upon physical objects' and 'taking it to the next level', alarm bells go off inside because all this is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO very familiar....from long ago.... and it wasn't from God.

I keep hearing 'personal inspiration', 'familiar spirits', 'clairvoyant divination', 'talismans and energy transference'...

Not saying that is definitely what is going on, or that you have fallen off the deep end. But when left to ourselves to judge our spirituality, especially when we are 'stepping outside the text', we place ourselves at a much greater chance of being deceived.

There is no fear (other than reverential fear of God) in seeking to be used by God's Spirit. But there is great need for 'fear' of being deceived into falling prey to seducing spirits. They don't show up claiming to be 'demons from hell', they 'appear' to us as 'angels of light' and as 'ministers of righteousness'.

Just saying.

Well said. As I said before... the children of this world are often more wise and have a deeper understanding of spiritual things than the children of the Kingdom. Why? We can be bound by so much tradition and interpretations that hinder our growth in these things.

[Abiding Now]

Speaking of witchcraft, there was palm reader/fortune teller "Sister Mary" that really flourished big in a town near me, until her house and parlor burned to the ground and she lost every thing.

THINK about that a minute.