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Amazing Facts

Angels

Joe Crews

The Angels, Part 1

Upon the very highest authority, it has now been established that spirits from other worlds do visit this earth from time to time.

You've probably encountered 1 of these visitors from outer space without realizing it.

In just a moment, you'll hear the amazing facts about these creatures and what they look like.

Hello, this is Joe Cruz and the Amazing Facts broadcast, facts which affect you.

You know, some of the most fascinating discussions taking place in the world today revolve around the possibility of visiting other planets in the space age future.

There has also been a great deal of talk about visitors from other worlds making contact with this earth.

Well, friends, the amazing fact is that these visitors are already here.

For many years now, visitors from outer space have been going back and forth and have actually appeared to individuals living right here in this world.

Now I don't want you to take my word for it today.

Here is a text right out of the great source book of all truth, the Bible.

Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

Now notice this is talking about the angels who were sent forth from God in heaven to minister to people right here on this earth.

So it's literally true that these angels are called spirits.

They do come from another world and they are constantly speeding back and forth on their missions for God.

Now before we go any further today, let me clarify some false impressions held by many people regarding the angels.

Mothers have been known to tell their children that if they would be good, someday they could be angels in heaven.

Now is it true that the angels are actually the spirits of the dead?

Do the godly mothers of this earth turn into angels when they die?

First of all, we know that angels existed before any of the human family had died.

They don't depend on the death of mortals for their existence.

Notice these words in Genesis 3.24, So he drove out the man, and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden cherubims, and a flaming sword, which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life." Now there you notice that no 1 had yet died, and there were cherubims, there were angels.

Furthermore the Scriptures make it clear that angels were made before man, and they belonged to an entirely different order of beings.

The psalmist tells us in Psalms 8, 4-8, What is man, that thou art mindful of him, and the Son of man, that thou visitest him?

For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor.

Yes, the fact is that we can never hope to be angels.

Even though we belong to the same great family of God, there is a vast difference of order which separates the earthly from the heavenly members of that family.

All right, if they are not related to earthly beings, then where did the angels come from?

The answer is found in Colossians 1, 16, and 17.

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers.

All things were created by him, and for him.

And he is before all things, and by him all things consist." Yes, they were created by God, sometime back there in the vast eternity of the past, before the creation of this world even, they were formed by the power of God.

Apparently, of course, there are various types of good angels among those heavenly hosts.

Psalms 99, 1 describes the cherubim with their 2 wings arched over the very throne of God.

Isaiah 6, 1-7 speaks of seraphim who have 6 wings and seem to have separate duties to perform.

They are real beings who simply possess powers that you and I do not have.

In Genesis 18, 1-8, we are told that some angels appeared to Abraham in the plains of Mamre.

With typical Eastern hospitality, Abraham prepared a meal for his guest, and the record says, He stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.

Now, friends, if they had been bodiless spirits, this act of eating would have been an impossibility.

They had bodies just as real as yours and mine.

We find no evidence that these heavenly visitors are indefinite, formless, vacuous objects.

The Bible reveals they have personality, knowledge, and so forth.

1 Peter 1.12 says, Which things the angels desire to look into.

And then again in 2 Samuel 14.20 we read, According to the wisdom of an angel of God.

Now, if they are real beings, some might ask why we can't see them.

How many believe that a glass of water is full of little wiggling bits of life?

That water is full of germ life, And if we could look at a drop through the microscope right now, it would be alive with movement.

There are a lot of things that are real that we can't see or hear.

The room you're sitting in is full of voices and music of all kinds at this very moment, but you can't hear it.

However, all we need do is bring a radio into the room and turn it on, and immediately you will hear these sounds which fill the air.

The fact that we cannot see or hear a thing is no proof that it does not exist.

The truth is that men have seen angels, of course, and even animals have seen angels.

In Numbers 22, 20-33, a certain man by the name of Balaam was riding along on his donkey 1 day.

The animal suddenly stopped in its tracks at a narrow place between 2 walls.

Even though Balaam beat the donkey unmercifully, it refused to move because its eyes were open to an angel standing there.

In a few moments Balaam also saw the angel, and he realized why the animal had not moved forward.

Now 1 reason angels are not seen by men more often is that we are so awed by the supernatural.

In Revelation 22, 8 and 9 we read this, And I, John, saw these things, and heard them.

And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which showed me these things.

Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not.

For I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book.

Worship God." Now here the great prophet John had to be rebuked for trying to worship an angel.

If their supernatural glory had such an effect upon that great man of God, What would our reaction be?

If God permitted them to make frequent appearances in their glory, men would make angels an object of adoration and worship.

Generally, the special appearance of angels on the earth today is in the form of human beings.

The apostle wrote this in Hebrews 13, 2, Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Now the fact is, friend, that you may have encountered an angel yourself in the form of a stranger without even realizing it.

Angels then should not be worshipped, but we ought to have a full appreciation of their power.

Sometimes they are commissioned from God to bring judgments upon the wicked.

1 notable example of this is found in the Old Testament experience of an Assyrian army which defied the God of heaven.

During the night an angel came down among the soldiers, and the next morning 186, 000 Assyrians were found dead.

Now this is in sharp contrast to the usual work of protection carried out by those angel hosts.

But we must remember that it is towards those who fear God that angels minister with the greatest power.

Psalms 34 7 tells us, "...the angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them." Yes, angels are very real and have actually been seen.

Let's read another experience found in 2 Kings 6, 15-17.

15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, and host compassed the city both with horses and chariots.

And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master, how shall we do?

And he answered, Fear not, for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.

And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes that he may see.

And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw.

And behold, a mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

Now let me point out that angels are in close touch with members of this human family.

They watch the movements of humanity closely.

They know whether or not we pray, they know whether or not we give donations to God, whether or not we support His work.

For I turn to the book of Acts and find in the tenth chapter how an angel of God came to Cornelius and told him that his prayers and his alms had come up as a sweet savor before God.

But now listen to what he said in verses 5 and 6.

Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.

Now send men to Joppa, and call for 1 Simon, whose surname is Peter.

He lodgeth with 1 Simon a tanner, whose house is by the seaside, and he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do." Now notice something very interesting here, friends.

The Angels, Part 2

This may startle and upset you, but an eyewitness has been found who's planning to testify against you.

This witness knows something about your life that no other person in the world knows.

In a moment you will learn the amazing facts about a dramatic court scene in which you are involved.

Hello this is Joe Cruz in the Amazing Facts broadcast, facts which affect you.

Now today we continue our study of the spirits from outer space who are constantly visiting this earth.

Now on the basis of God's Word, we discovered that the angels are those spirits.

They are called that in Hebrews 1, 14, and we are told that they are sent forth from heaven itself to minister to human beings right here in this world.

By way of review, we establish the fact that angels are a special order of created beings.

They are not the spirits of the dead, and no human being can ever hope to become an angel.

These beautiful creatures were already in existence when the world was created and before our first parents were even placed in the Garden of Eden.

The angels have been here as the constant companions of the human family ever since creation.

Now it is quite evident that angels also are the administrative assistants of heaven's government.

We read in Revelation 5, 11, And I beheld, and heard the voice of many angels round about the throne, and the beast, and the elders, and the number of them was 10000 times 10000, and thousands of thousands.

Now the Old Testament confirms this also in Daniel 7, 9, and 10, I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of Days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool.

His throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.

A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him.

Thousand thousands ministered unto him, and 10000 times 10000 stood before him.

The judgment was set, and the books were opened." Now notice it says 10000 times 10000 and thousands of thousands.

Now that is over 100 million right there, besides of course multiplied billions more.

So you can see that the number of the angels are absolutely unlimited.

And of course the angelic host is made up of various ranks.

Paul writes in Colossians 1 16, For by him were all things created that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers.

All things were created by him and for him.

Now notice, the angels also were made by Jesus.

They are created beings, and so they are a part of this great creation in the beginning.

And then notice what Jesus said in Matthew 26, 53, Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than 12 legions of angels?

Now these words certainly suggest the organization of an army, don't they?

We need to be aware of the fact that angels meet us many times on the highways of life for various reasons.

It's related that just before the greatest struggle of his life, angels of God met Jacob.

I'm referring to Genesis 32, where it says, And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.

Now it is not told us here that Jacob had any conversation with them, but their coming at this particular time must have had just 1 purpose, and that was to reassure Jacob of God's interest in him.

Then sometimes I find that God's angels come as rescuers.

It was rescuing angels who came to Sodom and led Lot and his family out of that wicked city before it was destroyed.

How clearly this incident shows the tenacity and persistence of God's mercy.

Let's read there now in Genesis 19, 15, and 16, And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife and thy 2 daughters, which are here, lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.

And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his 2 daughters, the Lord being merciful unto them, and they brought him forth, and set him without the city." Now there you find angels coming down and hurrying Lot and his family out of that doomed city.

This is, of course, what they do many times in our own behalf in these modern days.

I notice also that God sends His angels to comfort and console those who love Him and who are trying to do His will.

After Christ had spent 40 days in the wilderness with those wild beasts, and had endured the temptations of the devil, angels came, and strengthened him, and comforted him, as we read in Matthew 4, 11.

Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came, and ministered unto him.

And then, of course, we remember again in the hour of Christ's anguish in the garden of Gethsemane, the angels came and strengthened him there also, as we read in Luke 22, 43, and there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

Well, friends, don't you believe that God sends His angels to minister to His people now?

Listen, no 1 who walks the paths of duty and lives a life of prayer can live an entirely lonely life.

God will always send His angels to comfort those in their sorest time of need.

The 1 who sent His angel to help Paul through that midnight storm and to hunt him out in his chains on that Mediterranean ship, and the very same 1 who sent His angel to Peter in that dungeon to open all the prison doors and lead him out to his friends, that same 1 will not leave his true children of today without comfort and consolation either in trying hours.

Now at this point, let's consider the solemn thought that angels also make a record of our words and even our thoughts.

They will take part in the great judgment scene as witnesses, either for or against us.

In Daniel 7, 9, and 10 we read, I beheld, till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of Days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool.

Thousand thousands ministered unto him, and 10000 times 10000 stood before him, the judgment was set, and the books were opened.

Now we read this a moment ago, but I want you to notice this, friends, about the verse.

Notice that books are used in the judgment, and that innumerable angel witnesses are to have a part.

That guardian angel who kept the record of our lives will be called on to present those books out of which you and I will be judged.

Now what kind of testimony will they be able to give about our lives?

By the way, you will have a lawyer to represent you in that heavenly court scene also.

Verse 13 says, And behold, 1 like the Son of man came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought him near before him.

So there you see your case coming up in that heavenly tribunal.

Angels are there to present the evidence out of the books, and then Jesus comes to stand before the Father to plead His blood in your behalf.

Now, in Daniel 4 we find the record of Nebuchadnezzar's dream about the great tree that filled the whole earth.

This tree represented Nebuchadnezzar and his kingdom, of course, but he had to be brought to acknowledge the true God as supreme.

And so, in the dream, he saw the tree cut down, showing that his power would be taken away unless he turned to God.

The king did not repent, of course, and so the judgment of God suddenly came upon him.

And for 7 years he was bereft of his reason, and at the end of those years he turned to the God of heaven with all his heart in true conversion.

Notice how this result, though, was brought about.

When the decree was issued by God concerning the punishment that should come upon the king, the statement was made, This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones, to the intent that the living may know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men." Daniel 4.17.

Now those watchers and holy ones mentioned are the angels.

Having had experience with the first sinner, Lucifer, the angels are vitally concerned in the process of getting men ready for the kingdom of God.

Using man's reasoning, we can easily see that it must have caused some apprehension among the angels when they finally understood that God was planning to take those who had been sinners right into heaven.

Knowing what had happened to Lucifer, they might well have questioned, is it safe to bring men and women here who have sinned?

Can God be sure they will never attempt it again?

Now, no doubt God had foreseen all this, so He gave the angels the work of keeping the record of the lives of men.

And when the saved at last enter the heavenly courts, they will be admitted on the testimony of the angels according to what is written in the books of record.

And that is why, of course, God said that the decree was on the basis of the watchers and the holy ones.

The people who enter heaven will be those that the angels can vouch for, because they have record of their faithfulness.

Now the angels have been given jurisdiction over men up to a certain point.

According to Hebrews 1.14, notice the words, "...are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?" All right, so when Nebuchadnezzar went wrong, angels were called into the counsel of God to see what should be done to save him.

And this counsel of angels decided upon the course to be taken.

The Bible says that when the punishment was meted out to the king, it was, quote, by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones.

So this decree was later taken to God for ratification and was then carried out, according to Daniel 4.24.

This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which is come upon my Lord the King.

So we must remember, however, that there are 2 kinds of angels, good and bad.

We read in Hebrews 1, 14 that some are ministering spirits sent to minister to those who are heirs of salvation, but in the book of Ephesians I read that there are also wicked spirits.

Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Now we recognize, of course, 2 great hosts of supernatural beings, the good angels who are ministering spirits and the wicked angels who are spirits of devils.

1 group seeks our salvation, the other seeks our destruction.

So I want to point out today that heaven has done all it possibly can to save you and me from eternal death.

If we insist on losing our eternal salvation, it will be in spite of all that God could have done to save us from ourselves.

Yes, friends, all heaven is interested in our salvation.

Angels from the throne of God are far more eager to see you make a full surrender to Christ and prepare for the eternal home than you yourselves are.

And right now, while I am speaking to you, angels from the realms beyond are present.

Good angels are seeking our salvation, and evil angels are seeking our destruction.

In other words, we are right in the middle, friends, and there is an angel perhaps on each side, urging us to either be good or bad.

On which side are we going to cast our influence today?

No doubt Satan has commissioned an evil angel or an evil spirit to attend us through life with the purpose of destroying us.

And there we are, right in between, and our decision will determine who shall have the upper hand in our lives.

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Angels

The Angels, Part 1

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The Angels, Part 1

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The Angels, Part 2

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