A Brief History of Your Angel

by Phillip Goodman

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Your Personal Angel

There has been a remarkable rise in interest about angels. Unfortunately this has not been accompanied by a corresponding Biblical knowledge about angels—that is, a true knowledge about angels. Since the Bible teaches a special relationship between angels and believers in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and since angels are destined to play a prominent role in the drama of the last days, then it is important to remember what the Bible says about their very personal interaction in the life of each Christian. First, your PERSONAL ANGEL!

-On the 1st day of creation, your name, as one who would one day believe in Christ, was written in the Book of Life (Re 13.8).

-The angels were created within the 6 days of creation, with at least 1 angel being assigned the primary purpose of serving you (He 1.14).

-This special angel seems to have been assigned to you at the time of your birth—a guardian angel (Ma 18.10).

-Apparently, since angels are specifically concerned with the magnification of our Lord (Re 22.8+), your angel[s] played a major role in leading you to salvation in Jesus (albeit a subordinate role to that played by the Holy Spirit, 1 Co 12.3).

-At your salvation, your personal angel[s] was overjoyed with the whole heavenly multitude “in the presence of the other angels” (Lk 12.8; 15.10).

-Many of the “circumstantial” blessings of your life have undoubtedly been ‘arranged’ by this lifelong Guardian[s] of our wellbeing and safekeeping (Ps 34.7; 91.11).

-Always faithful in service, your angel[s] has marveled at your growth in Jesus, your giftsharing and fruitbearing (1Pe 1.12).

-Finally, your lifelong CompanionServant will guide you through the Valley of the Shadow of Death (Lk 22.43) and escort you into the eternal portals of heaven (Lk 16.22).

These are not the “angels” of TV or the ‘pop Christian’ media’—for real angels would shrink from “angel worship”

And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said to me, “Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of yours and your brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus; worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” (Re 19.10).

These are Angels of the Living God! Take Comfort.

Angels Are Real!

Perhaps Daniel chapter 10 gives us the greatest insight into the reality— and the very real activity— of angels, both good and evil. In this amazing passage, just as the ultimate evil angel, Satan, is referred to as the “prince of the power of the air” in Ephesians 2:2, so to are these angels (good and evil) referred to using the term “prince.” The evil angels in this passage even have dark responsibilities: here we see them lurking behind the thrones of kings of equally dark earthly kingdoms such as Persia (modern Iran) and Greece in the “latter days.”

“But the prince (demonic angel) of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me (an angel of God, probably Gabriel) for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael (the archangel of God), one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia. (Da 10.13)

“What [Daniel chapter 10 adds to the Old Testament’s teaching on angelology is significant. It shows that angels were created by God with varying powers—or ranks—in angelic armies. [It] reveals that an invisible war is taking place between the angel armies of God and those of Satan, fought with forces whose numbers and power we cannot begin to imagine. It shows that nations as well as individuals are participants in the invisible war and that one facet of the hidden battle is waged to influence political events in our world of space and time.

What we are shown here and in the rest of the Old Testament is at best a glimpse—a hint of wonders hidden from us, trapped as we are in the material universe. But what we are shown is compelling evidence that there is a spiritual universe that exists alongside the universe we know through our senses. The angels and other spiritual beings are real. And our God is the ultimate ruler of the invisible as well as of the visible.”

(Lawrence O. Richards, commenting on Daniel 10.10-21 in Expository Dictionary Of Bible Words, pp. 44-5.)

And of course, the Lord Jesus had a very real encounter with Satan on the “mount of temptation.” Conversations and debates were part of that encounter. There was reasoning and communication, and, indeed, temptation. But the Lord of history, being sinless, resisted, setting the pattern for us. Satan departed, defeated for the moment, to return another day, awaiting his ultimate defeat.

“…and he said to Him, “All these things will I give You, if You fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Begone, Satan! For it is written, ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.’” Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him. (Ma 4.9-11)

The same pattern will occur in your life if you are saved and if you commit yourself to pray and walk by the Holy Spirit. Note what the scripture says:

Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU. (Ja 4.7)

And…

Are they [Holy Angels] not all ministering spirits, sent out to RENDER SERVICE for the sake of THOSE WHO WILL INHERIT SALVATION? (He 1.14)

Take Heart! Your personal guardian angel is at work.

Angels For & Against Us

If God is for us, who is against us? The answer, given by God Himself, is that nothing in all of creation can separate us from His unfailing love.

For I am convinced that [nothing] shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Ro 8.31-39)

And this includes “[evil] angels, principalities, powers, or any created thing”—i.e., Satan and his demonic angels. vv. 38-9

There are, of course, mighty spirit forces aligned against us. (see Ep 6.12) Satan and a horde of powerful demonic beings are actively engaged to destroy the lives of God’s people. But it won’t happen!

First, the Lord has equipped us with the spiritual armor needed to ride out the storms of life and remain ultimately secure. Remember—if God is for us, who is against us…i.e., who can possibly be victorious over a child of God?

Second, we are equipped with the armor of God. Our armor includes assurance of our salvation, the righteousness of Christ (and the Spirit led ability to walk righteously), faith, the Bible, truth, prayer, and the gospel. (Ep 6.13+) But our confidence is based on the Lord’s statement “for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 2 Ch 20.15

This awesome spiritual warfare will continue until Jesus comes victorious. It is prophesied to flare up big time as the end of this age approaches.

But at the End Time the Lord has commissioned His mighty archangel Michael to lead the angelic army of “myriads upon myriads” against the forces of Satan. (see Re 12) Though Michael has been engaged in battle with these demonic creatures from early on (probably since the call of Abraham, since the book in which he first appears calls him the guardian of the Chosen People, Da 12.1), a final cosmic fight is scheduled for the beginning of the Great Tribulation. After bringing forth his Antichrist, Satan and his massive forces of darkness will meet their doom at the return of our Savior. (Re 20.1+)

Here is the archangel Michael’s amazing story across the pages of the prophetic word:

Michael contended with Satan over the body of God’s beloved prophet Moses (perhaps to prevent Satan from raising up people to enshrine and worship the burial site of Moses; God had personally buried Moses in secret site, possibly to prevent just such a tendency toward the idolatrous veneration of His prophet. De 34.6).

Michael and his angels have opposed—directly and violently—the demonic authorities who have been the “power behind the throne’ of the world’s greatest-godless empires. Da 10.13-21

Michael is “the great prince who stands guard over [lsrael]”, and will “arise” at the Time of the End. (Da 12.1)

At the time he arises, “there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time” (Da 12.1). What happens?—War in heaven!. ..Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon —Satan.

And the dragon and his angels waged war, and they were not strong enough… and the great dragon was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him… Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come sown to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time. Re 12.17+

On the earth the Great Tribulation is Satan’s last and most violently evil attempt to claim God’s creation and overcome God’s people. But, like we said earlier, it won’t happen! Since God is for us, who can possibly be against us? Revelation 12.12 gives us the resounding answer: Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God (see Ma 6.13 for Jesus’ version of this victory phrase) and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren [Satan] has been thrown down…

No indeed, these are not the angels of today’s television and movie fare, who will not name the Name of Jesus. Nor are they Satan’s cloned “angels of light” so popular among New Age-style cults. Michael and his angels are the Holy Angels—mighty servants of the Most High—ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation. He 1.14

Be bold in your faith! Look at Who is on your side.

Dark Angels

Behind the visible tanks and guns, airplanes, missiles and poison gas of the forces rising up in the Middle East—forces bent on the destruction of Israel—stand the invisible forces of Satan… thrones, dominions, rulers, authorities, powers, world forces of darkness, spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places—better known as fallen angels, or demons. Cl. 16; Ep 6.12

These ‘creatures of the dark’, representing about a third of the original angels of heaven, followed Satan in his primeval revolt and fall. Re 12.4,9 They even have names!

These angels are powerful, wicked,…and doomed! Part of the great victory won by Christ at the cross was the certainty of the judgment of Satan and his angels. Each of those named below are destined for the “eternal fire…prepared for the devil and his angels”. Ma 25.41; Jn 12.31;CI 2.15

Names of wicked angels:

Satan (Re 12.9)

Apollyon (Re 9.11)

Legion (Mk 5.9)

Prince of Persia (Da 10.20)

Prince of Greece (Da 10.20)

The prophecies point to the Euphrates River as a major center for fallen angels at the End Time,.. .and that same Euphrates River is in Iraq?

First, a rebuilt Babylon on the Euphrates will be “a dwelling place of demons and a prison of every unclean spirit”. Re 18.2

Second, four angels imprisoned at the Euphrates will be released at the End Time to lead a huge demonic army. Re9.l3+

Third, three demonic messengers will be sent forth from Satan, the Antichrist, and the False Prophet to call forth the world’s armies into the Valley of Armageddon, all of this activity having a clear connection to the Euphrates. Re 16.12+ See my book The Assyrian Connection for more—pp. 188-90. (Prescott Press)

When Christ was raised from the dead, He was seated at the right hand of God in heaven “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion [angels, including fallen angels] and every name that is named [including Buddha, Krishna, Mohammed, etc., etc.], not only in this age [the whole span of history until Christ comes], but also in the one to come”. Ep 1.20+

It will come about at that time that the ultimate answer to the phrase in the Lord’s Prayer “deliver us from evil” will actually occur. For God has issued several decrees which every believer should consider. They are part of God’s plan to guide, protect, and deliver us from those very real demonic angels pictured above.

For one, “the gates of hell shall not prevail” against us. Furthermore, as we saw on page 1 of this issue, there is absolutely nothing that can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus “. And finally, at the name of Jesus every knee will bow—those in heaven, on earth, and under the earth [angels and people, whoever and wherever they are]. It is for this reason that God can say He has summed up ‘all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things upon the earth.” It is also for this reason that the Holy Angels say to those who today are glorifying angels: ‘Do not do that; 1 am a fellow servant of yours. .. worship God” (Re 19.10; 22.9)

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