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Angelic Responsibilities
Sermon/Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsGod has commissioned His angels to guide events for the benefit of the elect. For example, when Abraham was seeking a wife for his son Isaac, he told his servant that God would send His angel to guide and prosper the servant's way, leading to the successful union with Rebecca. God has also commissioned His angels to provide for us, especially in times of need. An angel provided food and water to Elijah while he was escaping into the wilderness, sustaining him for his journey. Furthermore, God has commissioned His angels to protect us. This protection is not automatic but is given to those who are loyal and obedient to God. Psalm 91 indicates that God's angels will bear us up in their hands, preventing harm and ensuring our safety. Daniel's experience in the lions' den shows that God sends His angels to protect those who are innocent and respectful of authority. God has commissioned His angels to deliver us from danger. The example of Peter's miraculous release from prison by an angel demonstrates this function. Despite being heavily guarded, an angel led Peter out of prison, illustrating the angels' role in rescuing God's people. Additionally, God has commissioned His angels to comfort us. In the case of Paul during a storm at sea, an angel reassured him, providing comfort and guidance. Lastly, God has commissioned His angels for a future gathering of the elect at Christ's return, as mentioned in Matthew 24:29-31. This gathering will be a significant event facilitated by the holy angels under God's direction.
The Ministry of Angels
Article by Martin G. CollinsGod's holy angels, powerful and obedient beings, serve as ministering spirits to the elect, carrying out His will with purpose and faithfulness. They have no authority apart from God, as Christ holds all power in heaven and on earth. These angels guide events for the benefit of the elect, as seen when God sent an angel to ensure success in finding a wife for Isaac. They provide for those in need, such as when an angel brought food and water to Elijah in the wilderness, sustaining him for a long journey. Angels also offer comfort, as when an angel reassured Paul during a tempest at sea, affirming that he and his companions would survive to fulfill God's plan. They protect and deliver the faithful, encamping around those who revere God, as David wrote, and guarding Daniel in the lions' den due to his innocence and respect for authority. In New Covenant times, an angel delivered Peter from prison under God's direction. Additionally, angels will gather the elect to Christ at His return, fulfilling specific duties with the sound of a trumpet. These loyal servants of God help the elect attain salvation, demonstrating dedication despite the greater potential of God's future sons.
Saved By His Life
Sermonette by Austin Del CastilloContrary to the belief that most of the Christian professing world hold that we are saved by the death of Jesus Christ, in reality we are saved by His life.
The Book of Daniel (Part Seven)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsAngelic intervention plays a significant role in the narrative. The archangel Gabriel is sent to Daniel to impart skill and understanding, as mentioned in Daniel 9:22-23. Gabriel's arrival is delayed by a struggle with the prince of the Persian kingdom, a powerful evil spirit, for three weeks. This conflict is resolved with the help of Michael, another archangel, who is identified as Israel's prince and protector. This intervention by Michael allows Gabriel to finally reach Daniel and deliver God's message. The angelic beings are depicted as powerful entities involved in spiritual warfare, protecting God's people and ensuring the delivery of divine messages despite opposition from evil forces.
The Spirit World
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe spirit world, often termed the angelic world, exists beyond human perception, yet angels play a significant role in God's plan. Angels, as spirit beings, are lesser than God in every way, possessing power and strength far greater than humans but limited compared to their Creator. Their responsibilities include serving God by ministering to His elect, assisting in the journey toward salvation. They are described as watchers, always vigilant and guarding sacred places or individuals as directed by God. Scripture reveals instances of angelic intervention where these beings act under God's command to protect or deliver. In Genesis 19, angels were sent to rescue Lot and his family from Sodom. During Hezekiah's time, an angel was dispatched to Jerusalem to strike down the besieging Assyrians, as recorded in II Kings and II Chronicles. Angels also comforted Jesus in Gethsemane before His arrest and rolled away the stone from His tomb. Additionally, an angel freed Peter from prison, demonstrating their role in executing God's will through direct action. A personal account illustrates this protective role when two ministers, during a church visit, faced a threatening situation. As tension escalated, a fit man appeared suddenly, restraining the aggressor and allowing the ministers to escape unharmed. This intervention was believed to be an angel sent by God to ensure their safety, underscoring the biblical role of angels as servants who care for God's elect. Angels are not merely messengers but emissaries on special missions, engaging in various tasks beyond communication. In the book of Revelation, they are depicted blowing trumpets, sending plagues, and making announcements, showing their active involvement in divine plans. Their service is oriented toward supporting God's purpose, often protecting or guiding those He has chosen, affirming their role as fellow servants in the pursuit of salvation.
The Angel of God
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIn the spirit world, angelic intervention plays a significant role, often manifesting through the presence and actions of the Angel of the Lord, who is a commanding and awe-inspiring Being. This singular Angel appears at critical junctures in Israel's history to move events according to God's plan, revealing vital information, giving blessings, or enacting punishment. When the Angel of the Lord appears, individuals recognize His superior nature, responding with worship, awe, and obedience. The first recorded appearance to Hagar, an Egyptian woman, sets a precedent for the Angel of the Lord's purpose. He seeks her out in the wilderness with a personal message to return to Sarai and submit, ensuring Ishmael is born in Abraham's house to fulfill prophecy. This intervention corrects Sarai's abuse and sets events in motion for future conflict, promising Hagar a legacy through her son, who will be a wild man in constant strife yet united with his brethren. Fifteen years later, the Angel of the Lord, also called the Angel of God, intervenes again for Hagar and Ishmael, ensuring their survival in the wilderness by providing water, symbolizing life, to fulfill prophecies of Ishmael becoming a great nation. This act underscores God's commitment to His plan, maintaining Ishmael's role in the ongoing narrative. In the case of Abraham and Isaac on Mount Moriah, the Angel of the Lord calls from heaven, halting the sacrifice of Isaac and providing a ram as a substitute, symbolizing spiritual life for many. This intervention reveals profound truths, including the location of God's name, the concept of a substitutionary sacrifice, and the blessing of all nations through Isaac's seed, demonstrating the Angel's role in unveiling essential elements of God's design. At the burning bush, the Angel of the Lord appears to Moses, identifying Himself as the I Am and commissioning him to lead Israel out of Egypt. This powerful display of an unconsumed burning bush impresses upon Moses God's ability to do the impossible, emphasizing His holiness and personal involvement in delivering Israel, setting the stage for significant revelations and instructions central to God's covenant with His people. The Angel of the Lord also appears as the Commander of the Lord's army to Joshua, presenting Himself with a drawn sword and asserting His sovereign authority above all sides. This encounter emphasizes His role as the ultimate leader in fulfilling God's will, demanding submission and obedience from Joshua, who responds by removing his sandals in the presence of holiness, aligning himself with God's purpose. Additionally, the Angel of the Lord intervenes in various instances, such as wrestling with Jacob, acting as the Death Angel during the first Passover, guiding Israelites in the wilderness through a pillar of cloud and fire, fighting for them, encountering Balaam, calling Gideon, announcing Samson's birth, and delivering prophecies in Zechariah. Each appearance underscores His pivotal role in advancing God's plan at strategic moments. Beyond specific interventions by the Angel of the Lord, angels in general are ministering spirits to those who inherit salvation, as seen in rare instances where their actions parallel scriptural accounts. Though human insight into the angelic world is limited, even with God's Spirit, these beings perform their duties seriously and humbly, often unseen, guarding and aiding God's people as part of the broader spiritual reality.
Jesus the Door
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIn the context of Jesus Christ as the Door of the Sheep, His role extends to providing protection through angelic intervention against unseen spiritual forces. God's angels surround us, acting as protectors, encamped around those who are the apple of His eye. These servants of God shield us from the constant assaults of demons, who strive to hinder our spiritual progress. An illustration from Daniel reveals this ongoing battle, where an angel, Michael the Prince, was dispatched immediately in response to Daniel's plea for help. However, the god of this world in Persia resisted Michael for three weeks, and only with Gabriel's assistance was the adversary held at bay, allowing God's message to reach Daniel. This demonstrates the spiritual conflict surrounding us, where demons attempt to block answers to our prayers, creating delays and obstacles. Yet, Christ as the Door offers protection against these powerful spirit beings, who are our deadly enemies seeking to destroy our opportunity for eternal life. With a word, He can sweep them aside if we show faith in Him, emphasizing the need for daily prayers for His safeguarding presence.
Acts (Part Seven)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughIn the early history of the church, as recorded in Acts, a remarkable instance of angelic intervention occurred during a critical moment for the apostles. While they were imprisoned, an angel facilitated their escape, not merely setting them free but also delivering a powerful command. The angel instructed them to stand their ground and not back down in the face of opposition. This divine directive urged them to remain steadfast in their mission, to go on the offensive, and not to budge an inch from what they knew about God and His purpose. Unbeknownst to the high priest and the Sanhedrin, who still believed the apostles to be in custody, Peter and the others were already out preaching at the temple. This intervention by the angel not only preserved their freedom but also emboldened their resolve to continue their work amidst growing challenges and opposition from the authorities.