Angels: Ministering Spirits - Page 12

Aquila · #**111** 03-15-2013, 12:39 PM

While studying this subject I've become convinced that there are at least 9 (maybe 10) kinds of "angels" comprising three distinct orders.

The Highest Order: Thrones, Cherubim and Seraphim.
The Middle Order: Authorities, Dominions and Powers.
The Lowest Order: Principalities, Archangels and Angels.

Humanity could be classified as the last order, but is more a "spiritual being" that gives worship and is considered a "messenger" (angel) of God. With regards to man, the term "angel" is used loosely because man technically isn't an angelic being. And man will never be an angelic being, instead, man will be glorified and elevated in being through the very divine nature of God's own indwelling Spirit (Christlikeness). This is why man will one day judge the angels.

Also, I've found it rather interesting to note that many ancient and Jewish and Christian theologians perceived angels as "emanations" of God. Meaning, they poured fourth from God's own being in accordance with His own desire to express and serve His creation through them. Therefore, while an angel is a "creation" and has free will... it's essentially a reality, emanated from God, through which God speaks, works, and is revealed. Thus, angels reflect the very glory of God in their being. Therefore, an angel might speak as an angel... or as God Himself (much as a prophet would). The mysterious "Angel of the LORD" is often viewed as the angel through which God speaks and reveals Himself throughout the OT. The Word of the LORD, the Logos, is the emanating mind, word, or thought of God that pours forth through this angel. It was this emanating expression of God's mind that was "made flesh" in the man Jesus Christ, the Living Word. As a result, God no longer speaks to man through the angels... but directly through the man Jesus Christ, as one of us... God made man.

Each order of angel is seen by some to have a mission on a given level of existence, or Heaven.

The First Heaven (our world or planet): Principalities, Archangels and Angels
The Second Heaven (the universe wherein celestial bodies abide, space): Authorities, Dominions and Powers
The Third Heaven (Heaven of Heavens, the abode of God): Thrones, Cherubim and Seraphim

God's various modes of being are therefore expressed creatively through the Father, redemptively through the Son, and regeneratively through the Holy Ghost. Emanating realities through which God works, the angels, are primarily concerned with more worldly affairs such as protection (physical & spiritual), encouragement, and revelation/guidance.

Any angelic communication must be authenticated by Scripture. No Holy (or Elect angel) will ever give a message that is opposed to Scripture or the deity of Jesus Christ.

Any other spirit being outside of the Heavenly Orders is classified as "demon". This of course defines fallen angels, Nephilim (speculative), and or ghosts of the unsaved (speculative). Each are to be rebuked as one would deal with any of the demonic forces.

Thoughts????

Aquila · #**112** 03-15-2013, 01:48 PM

I'd say that each angelic order and the angels therein are in authority over a different aspect of creation. Starting with the lowest first the First Heaven...

Angels: individual human beings
Archangels: ethnic groups or nations
Principalities: nation states

Now, just through prayerful speculation the remainder of the spheres could be something like this... the Second Heaven

Powers: planets
Dominions: Solar Systems
Authorities: Galaxies

The Third Heaven...

Seraphim: Heavenly worship
Cherubim: Heavenly Guardians/Worship Leading
Thrones: Heavenly Council (24 Elders of Heaven)

Satan, or Lucifer, was one of the Cherubim (Ezekiel 28:14).

Aquila · #**113** 03-15-2013, 01:59 PM

Another group of angels serving throughout creation might be the "Watchers". These record the works of man, people groups, and nations. Think of these as Heavenly Scribes or Historians. Some speculate that these might be the the "sons of God" of Genesis 6.

I'd like to see "the books" they've written. Imagine an indepth and comprehensive, all encompassing, history of the entire creation written from Heaven's point of view. The heavenly library would be beyond imagination.

Aquila · #**114** 03-15-2013, 02:08 PM

I worked with a nurse who was an old school Pentecostal about 12 years ago. She was VERY into angels. In her opinion, a "Guardian Angel", was much like a personal spiritual guard and/or guide that served the born again believer throughout their lives, or for a limited period of time.

Aquila · #**115** 03-15-2013, 02:14 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzIABaImiK4

Aquila · #**116** 03-15-2013, 02:17 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AubFjOuL3fo

jen4yeshua · #**117** 03-15-2013, 05:39 PM

Aquila, I have experienced a watcher I think.I will tell you later.

Aquila · #**118** 03-18-2013, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jen4yeshua

Aquila, I have experienced a watcher I think.I will tell you later.

Excellent testimony. Thank you for sharing. Angels can be very facinating.

jen4yeshua · #**119** 03-18-2013, 06:28 PM

No problem. I wasnt sure if my pm went through as my sent messages folder shows as empty.

Aquila · #**120** 04-08-2013, 12:34 PM

I was sitting at my desk here at work at about 1:30 pm and suddenly I was prompted by the Spirit to pray for someone going through a trial. I had no idea who I was to pray for or specifically why I was supposed to pray. So, I did what anyone might do in the year 2013... I posted it on Facebook in the hopes that the person who needed it might receive it. Here is the prayer I was prompted to pray:

Heavenly Father, I do not know who this is for. However, I feel that within the past 30 minutes someone has become in great need of prayer. We call upon your grace and your mercy in the name and authority of Jesus. We stand against the discouragement and lies of the enemy. Heavenly Father, I pray that angels of peace and encouragement surround whomever this is intended for. Set a hedge about them, and may your angels speak words of peace into your child's spirit. May the Holy Spirit, our Comforter, enshroud them and may the gift of faith flow until this trial passes. We give you thanks and praise in all things. In Jesus name I pray.

Amen.

What intrigued me was the prompting to pray for angelic assistance. I prayed it without hesitation. But I do sometimes wonder, are angels prepared to minister through our prayers??? How do we "activate" them? How do we set a "spiritual tone" wherein they can manifest and work? Do we bind the hands of angels through negativity and doubt? How do they "minister"? Can they "speak" into our spirits? What do you do if you sense that an angel is attempting to communicate to you?

I have a lot of thoughts on this subject, some are just my own conclusions from experience, study, and prayer. Hardly dogma or what I'd consider "doctrine".

Lastly, what are "angels"? Yes, we know that they are living spirits. However, are they "creations" or "emanations"??? In my studies some have proposed that angels are creations while others have proposed that they are emanations from God's own being and are thus living extentions of the finer points of His nature. Is it possible that some angels are creations and others (the Angel of the LORD for example) are emanations?

Some real wild stuff. Thought I'd post and ramble just see what might become of the conversation.

God bless.