Peek a Boo, The Spirits See You

If you have been following my past few posts we have been looking a bit at the spiritual realm. Those, mostly hidden, creatures that both honor their creator and rebel against Him. In some ways they have a common trait or two with those of the human and material existence. Scripture tells us they are there. It warns us of the dark spirit's desire to embezzle our lives and leave us empty and useless. It also tells of the spirits of light who comfort, intercede and minister to the saints. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that we do not fight against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers and rulers of this dark age. There is an ongoing battle between light and darkness and it pervades our very souls whether we recognize the battle or not. So we must be discerning and test the spirits (1 John 4:1) so we are not deceived when the dark ones come disguised in light.

However, there is more going on than just these truths. The spirits are watching us. They are watching you and they are watching me. Both the angelic being of light who serve Yahweh and the saints as well as the emissaries of darkness and the agents of the night. We may not be aware but we are on display. The question is what do they see? Just what do the spirits think of you? It is a question worth pursuing for it is one that God presents in His Word. So I ask again, what do the spirits think of you? Does it really matter? 

Yahweh's angelic messengers keep watch over us (Psalm 91:11). They minister to those who are heirs of salvation (Heb. 1:14). They watch over children (Mt. 18:10). We might entertain them unawares (Heb. 13:2). All pretty cool thoughts. However, they also look upon us with wonder. I Peter 1:12b, " things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into." Peter is speaking of the wonder of the death and resurrection of Messiah, God's plan to deliver us and to bring us into His kingdom. Peter says God's angels "desire", a strong word also translated to lust or covet or long for. Angels desire to "look", to inspect carefully, to become acquainted with, what God has done for us as human beings. They watch us and marvel at the love their God and Lord has for us. They cannot know redemption as we do. Messiah did not die for them.

They know us well. They have from the very beginning. The were there in Eden when we were cast out from the garden. They know of our disobedience. They have been messengers of hope and God's instruments of judgement in the past and they will be in the future. One of them observed the pain Messiah endured awaiting the cross. He saw his Master and Creator sweat blood as he comforted and strengthened Him in the garden (Luke 22:43). The holy angels know of our rebellion. So they marvel at the love Yahweh and His Son have for us. It is simply beyond their comprehension. They observe us. Just what do they see? Yeshua tells us they express joy in heaven when we repent (Luke 15:10). So is it reasonable to assume we grieve them with our sin and rebellion? 

The angels of darkness also observe us. They battle against us, as we read in Ephesians 6. With God's permission, they have the power to touch our lives with pain and sorrow and even death. See the Book of Job for the unsettling details. They are close enough to inflict mental distress, to cause us to doubt. Satan accuses us before the Lord (Rev. 12:10). None of these are very pleasant thoughts, but then again Satan is not a pleasant creature. However, there is something powerful we can do. Something I had not considered until last week. Ephesians 3:10 is a remarkable verse, "to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the assembly to the principalities and powers in the heavenlies". The Principalities and powers in the heavenlies are not of flesh and blood.They are evil spirits, demons, powers of darkness. They are at war with us and want to destroy us. If not destroy they will embezzle our lives bit by bit and leave us feeling useless and despairing life itself. We are to put on the armor of God to combat them. However don't miss what 3:10 says. God's manifold wisdom is in calling us (in the context, Jews and Gentiles) to be united and citizens together of God's Kingdom. As the evil spirits observe we can testify of the greatness, power, and wonder of God. We are active witnesses to them by our active love for one another and our loving obedience to Yahweh and His Son, our Messiah. 

If he is known as our accuse the Devil must still come before the Lord  to bring accusations against humanity. Can the Lord can say, "Have you considered my servant Bob, or Alice, or Joe or Margaret or, __________ (just insert your name here)? You and I are God's witnesses to Satan and the principalities and powers of this dark world. We testify as to the greatness of God by our love for Him. Remembering, "If you love me you will keep my commandments" (John 14:15). Likewise, when we love one another we show the world that we are His disciples (John 13:35) and it appears the unseen world observes as well. Your testimony, your witness, goes beyond this world. Not only do your friends, family, co-workers and neighbors see your witness, the spirit beings do as well. It seems that God's angelic servants look upon us with wonder at the great love God has for us. It is also true that the spirits of darkness look upon us and see God's magnificent wisdom when they observe our love for Him and one another.

Each day the spirits observe you. The angels marvel at the grace poured out upon you and wish they could know, could experience, what we know and experience. The spirits of darkness are looking to accuse, looking for the rebellion they know so well. What will our witness, our testimony be to them? Loving obedience or will we be playing their game?

What do the spirits think of you?

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!!!!!!!!

Most followers of Yahweh and His Son, our Messiah, would concur that angelic beings exist. There is clear evidence in the Scriptures that this is so. Yet, the details are a bit sketchy at best. The interest seems to ebb and flow with whatever is of current interest. With the resurgence of spirit-ism and New Age philosophy angels became a hot topic and little figurines could be found at many Hallmark Stores and Christian bookstores. They are popular tree toppers at Christmas time and make their appearance in most nativity re-enactments. But what do we really know about them? Most would say, "I believe there are angels." but ask the question, "When did you last talk to one?" you will get either a look that says you must also talk to space aliens or just a blank stare. Just what can we glean from the Scriptures?

They are created beings, for John 1:3 tells us the "Word" created all things. They are called "sons of God" in Job 1:6, where these created beings came to give an account to God. They are called "stars" in Job 38:7 as they sang together at the time of creation. Some are angels of light for if Satan may disguise himself as one there must be angels of light (see 2 Cor 11:14). They hold different positions and have varying degrees of power (see Daniel 10). They are God's servants of judgement as in Gen 19:1 at Sodom and Gomorrah, 2 Sam 24:17 as God disciplines David, and throughout the book of Revelation. They are spirits but it is clear they have the ability to take on physical form.
Perhaps one of their main responsibilities is told to us in Hebrews 1:14 "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?" They have been ministering for some time. Gen. 21:17 "And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is." 1 Kings 19:5 "And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat" where the angel ministers to Elijah. God's angel's also go before His people, Exodus 23:20 "Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared" (also see Ex 23:23, 32:34, 33:2). God's angels are personal.They speak to people. Zechariah is pretty much a conversation between Zechariah and an angel, "And the LORD answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words" (Zech 1:13). God sends an angel to help Abraham's servant find Isaac a wife (Gen 22:40). He stops the lions' mouths (Dan 6:22). God's angelic spirits are indeed ministering spirits in the Old Testament.

Their ministry does not stop there, however. In Luke 1:11-19 the angel, Gabriel, comes to Zacharias to tell of the conception and birth of his son, John the baptizer. Gabriel returns to visit Mary with the good news of Messiah's arrival through her (Luke 2:26-38). An angel also comes to Cornelius and tells him to send for Peter, "And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter" (Acts 11:13). Angels rescue Peter and John from Prison (Acts 5:19) and releases Peter (Acts 12). An angel comforts Paul as he is about to be ship wrecked (Acts 27:23). In Acts 8:26 we read that an angel speaks to Phillip and sends him to meet the Ethiopian. Angelic ministry is evident throughout the record of the early followers of Messiah. There are two other interesting passages to consider. "Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven" (Mt 18:10). It appears that God has a special assignment for His angels to watch over little children. The other comes comes from Luke 16:22, "And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom." It would appear that God's saints have angelic company as they pass from this life. from the early years to the end angels minister to the children of God. Angelic beings are there at the resurrection of the Lord to tell those at the tomb the amazing news, "He is not here for He is risen!" For me the most amazing passages are these: Matthew 4:11 "Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him." After fasting for forty days and being tempted by the Devil it is the angels who come to minister to the Son of God. Overcome by the agony in the garden we read, "And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him" (Luke 22:43). Angels, those ministering spirits, comfort and strengthen the very Son of God, our Messiah hours before He would undergo His torturous death.
 I wonder where that reality, that of the ministering spirits of light, has gone? I know, and believe that the Spirit of God is our Comforter and indwells those who believe. But, if angelic spirits ministered to Messiah in times of great distress are we exempt? If they were there for Peter, Phillip, John, and Cornelius could they be there for me?. I wonder if my "maturity" and education has left me jaded to the wonder and available comfort of the spirits of light? Does Hebrews 1:14 apply to me? Does it apply to you? Do we need an occasional "Aaaaahhhh" moment like the shepherds had at the angel's announcement of the arrival of Messiah? Do I need a refresher of the simple faith and innocence I once knew when I experienced the spirits of light. The ones that were with me when I feared and when I prayed. I am not talking about angel worship but it does seem that in God's Word there were men and women of God who were not afraid to converse with those angelic spirits of light.  Trapped in the material and logical may rob us of the spiritual and the supernatural. We need to be cautious, to "test the spirits" as John tells us, for there are principalities and powers and rulers of the darkness who also exist. But if we are to test the spirits does it not seem reasonable that there are good spirits out there as well? If the Lord sent one of His angelic messengers to visit me would I be too spiritually dull to know it?  Hebrews 13:2 "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels unaware." Maybe, we need to welcome the comfort our Lord knew in the garden. Maybe if we were more sensitive and aware we wouldn't be caught "unaware" when an angelic visitor comes to visit. Just wondering.