Angel
Sorry
to squelch your superhero dreams, but you will not morph into "Angel
Man" upon your death. As appealing as it might seem to us, humans
do not become angels when they die.
God
specifically created angels to be his assistants. Their job description
includes: worshiping God; relaying messages to people; protecting people;
administering encouragement, guidance and punishment to people (on an
as-needed basis); and fighting the true forces of evil.
Angels
are not worthy of worship. They are created servants of God. Satan, along
with legions of evil angels (demons) who followed him in his rebellion
against the Lord, were evicted from heaven. Far from the benign, shoulder-perching
devils of cartoons, demons are truly evil. Their intent is to keep us
from God and drag us into hell with them. Fortunately, God has more power
than Satan and his minions. God and his angels are on our side. While
the true forces of evil will suffer throughout eternity in the lake of
fire, angels will fulfill their ultimate purpose of offering continuous
praise to God.
Angels are
spirit beings, distinctly different from humans. They work on behalf of
God's people.
Psalm 8:4-5; 34:7; 91:9-12
Acts 12:5-11
1 Corinthians 6:3
Hebrews 1:7,14
Angels are innumerable and vary in appearance.
Genesis 3:22-24
Isaiah 6:1-3
Daniel 10:13
Matthew 26:53; 28:2-4
Hebrews 12:22
Revelation 5:11
Good angels obey and worship God.
Psalm 103:20-21
1 Peter 3:21-22
Revelation 5:12; 7:11-12
Evil angels, called demons, followed Satan in his rebellion against
God and are now our enemies. Their fate is sealed-They will spend eternity
in hell.
Matthew 25:41
2 Peter 2:4
Jude 6
Revelation 12:7-13; 20:10
Satan wants people to worship demons. Even good angels are not
to be worshiped.
Deuteronomy 32:17
1 Corinthians 10:20-21
Colossians 2:18
Hebrews 1:4-6,13
Revelation 19:9-10; 22:8-9
We do not know for sure if the "angel of the Lord" was
an angel with unique authority or if the angel was God himself; but this
angel is referred to in several Old Testament passages.
Genesis 16:7-13; 22:11-18
Exodus 3:2-6
Numbers 22:21-35
Judges 6:11-24
While we will struggle against evil forces that try to harm us
or destroy our faith, we have Jesus Christ within our hearts. He is God;
therefore, no demon can overpower him or steal our souls.
Acts 16:18
Romans 8:37-39
Ephesians 6:10-18
Colossians 1:13-14
1 John 5:18
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