I Have Put My Hope In Gods Word
Angels, Angels, Everywhere
by Dr. John Ankerberg, Dr. John Weldon
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IPS Note: What Christians call “Demons” are no more than the fallen angels who, already condemned, are seemingly determined to take as many people with them as possible. Sadly humans fall, in vast numbers, for their deceptions, never taking the time or the effort to find out whether the apparitions that regularly contact them are who they say they are. Humans, who are never entirely sure that advertising hype is equivalent to the truth when it comes to choosing a cell phone or insurance policy, and will more often than not double check what they are being told, fall down drastically when it comes to spiritual matters. They never seem to stop to even consider the possibility that these beings are lying in their teeth. Everything that a mysterious voice, enigmatic stranger says is taken at face value, put into a book and launched on a spiritually illiterate works. Sadly they will pay the price.
For example Alice Bailey, under the guidance of an ectoplasmic apparition from hell, who called himself Djwhal Khul ("The Tibetan"), wrote some 24 books and founded the Lucis Trust (formerly Lucifer Publishing Co.) which enjoys "Consultative Status" with the United Nations and has not only spawned several other organization… the Arcane School, Triangles, World Goodwill, Lucis Publishing, Lucis Productions, Lucis Trust Libraries, the New Group of World Servers, but also maintain the UN meditation room. And the purpose of these groups? At their core ALL of them exist for one purpose ..in their words “the helping of the Great Ones and the rendering to Them of that intelligent assistance which will make their plans for humanity materialize”. A plan that is centered around making conditions suitable (By occult meditation and reciting of the Great Invocation) for what they call “The Reappearance of The Christ. Except that this Christ has nothing to do with Jesus Christ of the Bible. [Read Article]
Also See Evaluating Today’s Angel Craze
Part 1
Why is it Important That We Know About Angels?
Angels shouldn’t be ignored if for no other reason than they constitute perhaps the most intriguing subject one could ever study. We agree with leading philosopher Mortimer J. Adler, editor of the Encyclopedia Britannica and architect of The Great Books of the Western World series who stated that angels were more fascinating than either science fiction or the concept of extraterrestrial beings. [1] Why?
According to the Bible, angels have literally shaped the course of human history and continue to do so today. Consider the fallen angel in the Garden that slyly engineered the moral Fall of the entire human race (Genesis 3). Or the angels who spoke and mediated the Law of Moses which literally changed the Western world (Acts 7:53; Heb. 2:2). Or the literally thousands of angelic encounters throughout history in the lives of ordinary and famous individuals, including Abraham Lincoln, boxer Evander Holyfield and rock stars George Harrison and Carlos Santana (who invokes the presence of angels before each concert). [2] The noted mystic William Blake said he was under the guidance of angels night and day. [3]
Also See Carlos Santana: Saint or Satanic And Rock and The Occult
From the terrifying angels of the book of Revelation—whose power over nature and humanity is so awesome simple mortals can hardly comprehend it (Rev. 8:6-12; 9:15), to the angels who helped Christ in His wilderness and Gethsemane temptations and assisted the early Church (Matt. 4:6, 11; Luke 22:43; Acts 10:22; 12:7), angels have influenced, either directly or indirectly, the lives of everyone on earth.
See The Judgment of God... The First Six Trumpets
The world is, quite literally, alive with angels. In its cover story on angels, Time magazine for December 27, 1993 observed, "If there is such a thing as a universal idea, common across cultures and through the centuries, the belief in angels comes close to it." [4] Angels appear in every civilization and every culture, have played a major role in almost every world religion, and are far more active in human affairs than most people would ever suspect. The "Angel Gabriel" for example, supposedly gave Muhammad the revelations in the Qur’an, which now influence over a billion Muslims. [5] So who can ignore the subject of angels?
And yet until recently in most quarters, angels have been ignored—even by the Christian Church in whose scriptures angels play a major role. When Billy Graham wrote his best-selling book, Angels: God’s Secret Agents, he was surprised at how few books existed on the subject and further, he reflected that he had never once heard a sermon preached about them. [6]. [See Billy Graham]
Today angels are no longer ignored. In theater, television, literature, film, art, music—and even among skeptics, who sometimes can’t seem to help themselves, [7] angels are back in the popular mind.
We think this is all to the good for at least three reasons. First, angels inherently remind people of God—and of their responsibility to Him. Second, the very subject of a spiritual race of beings naturally brings to mind the deepest personal questions men have asked throughout history. If angels exist, then we are not the only form of life in the universe and we certainly didn’t evolve naturalistically from primordial interstellar gases. [8] If angels exist, a spiritual universe must exist—which naturally carries us back to the profound question of God as Creator and such related questions as: Who am I? Where did I come from? What is the purpose of my life? Where am I going when I die?, etc.
But a final reason why angels should not be ignored is because not all angels are good—and people need to know this today more than ever before. In fact, the Bible suggests the number of evil angels is very large (Matthew 12:26; Rev. 12:3-4, 7-9)—one out of every three may actually be malicious (cf., Rev. 12:4). Consider that the Bible tells us there were rebellious angels in heaven. They chose to follow Satan and actually waged "war in heaven" against the good angels. But "they were not strong enough" and "Satan…was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him" (Rev. 12:7-9).
For most people, however, the very concept of an evil angel is a self-contradiction, like dry water or cold heat. Aren’t all angels good by definition? But what if all aren’t? Biblically, given their numbers and influence, if we don’t take the time to consider at least the possibility of evil angels, any one of us may suffer for it.
Regardless, when human history is over, and all is said and done, the influence of angels in this world, despite their invisibility, will probably be more obvious and certainly more profound than even that of mankind. As theologian J. I. Packer commented, "Both as communicators and as guardians their work is ordinarily unnoticeable, and not until we get to heaven shall we know how much we owe to it." [9]
Just How Popular Are Angels Today—And Why?
Recent polls indicate that almost three out of four adult Americans, including teenagers, believe in angels. That’s about 200 million people! [10] Now, every year, the "American Conference on Angels" holds meetings to discuss the subject; there are angel seminars, angel newsletters, college courses on angels, and angel sections in bookstores. Besides the Hell’s Angels, "Charlie’s Angels" and Guardian Angels, there is the Angel Collectors Club of America, the National Association of Angel Lovers, and dozens of angel enterprises, such as the "Angels for All Seasons" store in Denver, Angels in Heaven Day Nursery in Cleveland, and Angel Threads, a children’s boutique in Tucson.
The December 27, 1993 Time article noted that five of the ten books on the religious best-seller list for Publisher’s Weekly were about angels, commenting, "This rising fascination is more popular than theological, a grass-roots revolution of the spirit in which all sorts of people are finding all sorts of reasons to seek answers about angels for the first time in their lives." [11]
Angels have almost universal good press today—from "Clarence" in the popular Jimmy Stewart movie, "It’s a Wonderful Life," to Michael Landon’s angel role in "Highway to Heaven," and the more recent "Touched By An Angel" TV series—to the many recent prime-time network specials where angels are always engaged in good and wonderful deeds.
With literally tens of millions of people now interested in angels—and even open to personal contact with them—no one can deny the importance or relevance of this topic.
Perusing a sampling of titles of recent angel books is illuminating:
Angels on Assignment, Angels Watching Over Me, Devotion to the Holy Angels, 100 Ways to Attract the Angels, Send Me Your Guardian Angel, Know Your Angels, Angel Book Catalog, Ask Your Angels, Angels For Your Children, Commune with the Angels, The Little Book of Angels, The Circle of Angels, Angels Elect and Evil, Touched by Angels, Angels in Art, The Tongues of Angels, Do You Have a Guardian Angel?, Creating with the Angels, Angels of Mercy, Messengers of Light: The Angel’s Guide to Spiritual Growth, Angels Among Us, Angel Wisdom, Answers from the Angels, Angel Voices, The Angels Within Us, Angel Messenger Cards, and There’s an Angel on Your Shoulder: Angel Encounters in Everyday Life, A Treatise on Angel Magic, Meetings with Angels, Commune with the Angels, Angels and Mortals: Their Co-Creative Power.
These are only a few of the titles that could be listed—and most suggest that people are now seeking to commune with angels in quite intimate ways. Today’s popular angels play roles from personal friends to guidance counselors to spiritual advisors. And much more.
Perhaps angels are here to stay.
But all this doesn’t answer the question as to why angels should be so popular. There are probably several reasons.
First, this generation has witnessed a dramatic spiritual revival which includes everything from Christianity to the New Age movement to the darker forms of the occult —and has undoubtedly increased an interest in the subject of angels and spirits.
Second, there is kind of an innate fascination with the subject because of its larger implications.
Third, a pre-existing belief system for angels is already in place from Christian, pagan and virtually every other religious tradition. For example, most Roman Catholics are brought up to pray to their guardian angels, while major holidays like Christmas and Easter recall angel stories year after year.
Fourth, as people are increasingly searching for answers and meaning to life, angels are now thought to play a major role in providing those answers. There is even a growing movement teaching people that angels reside within us already and are waiting to tap our human potential, enhance our creativity, and provide us with psychological fulfillment and spiritual self-enlightenment. Thus, promoters of angel contact offer people what they want and need in troubled times—assurance, love, and guidance. For example, "The angels hold the answers to many of our questions" and "spiritual help is always available from the angels" or, "The angels want us to become enlightened…" and "The angels are the caretakers of our souls…. Their wonderful love [is] everywhere." [12]
Fifth, in the majority of men’s minds, there is a prior assumption that angels are only good and therefore that contacting them is also only good and therefore without risk. If angels really can be contacted, why not?—and what an adventure!
Sixth, angels by definition seek to interact with humanity. The very purpose of the good angels is to help us—and the very goal of the evil angels is to deceive us.
In essence, angels are now popular because given their nature and ours, and modern culture, it couldn’t be otherwise.
Notes:
1 In Marilynn Carlson Webber and William D. Webber, A Rustle of Angels: Stories About Angels in Real-Life and scripture (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994), p. 19.
2 Angels II: Beyond the Light, NBC, October 30, 1994, 7:00 p.m., host Stefanie Powers.
3 Ibid.
4 Cover story, Time magazine, December 27, 1993, p. 58.
5 cf., John Ankerberg, John Weldon, The Facts On Islam (Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 1992).
6 Billy Graham, Angels: God’s Secret Agents (Dallas: Word, 1975), p. 17.
7 cf., M. Cameron Gray (ed.), Angels and Awakenings: Stories of the Miraculous by Great Modern Writers (NY: Doubleday, 1994), pp. xv, xvi.
8 See John Ankerberg, John Weldon, The Facts On the Creation v. Evolution (Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 1993).
9 Timothy Jones, Celebration of Angels (Nashville: Nelson, 1994), p. xii.
10 Time, December 27, 1993, p. 56; David Briggs, "Heavenly Messengers Offer Comfort in Difficult Times," Chattanooga News-Free Press, September 19, 1992, p. B5.
11 Time, December 27, 1993, p. 58.
12 Terry Lynn Taylor and Mary Beth Crain, Angel Wisdom: 365 Meditations and Insights from the Heavens (NY: Harper-Collins, 1994), February 3, 23; May 18; November 16 and passim.
Part 2 The Good Angels
What Is the Meaning of the Biblical Words for Angel?
The Hebrew word, mal’akh, and the Greek word, aggelos, both mean messenger. This indicates the term angel can be used of either men or spirits. For example, in Mark 1:2 aggelos is applied directly to John the Baptist, "Behold I send my messenger (aggelos) before your face…." while the Hebrew word mal’akh is used in the corresponding prophecy of Malachi 3:1.
Because the meaning of the word angel is simply that of messenger, it is only reading the context that determines if one is referring to a human or angelic messenger, and, in rare cases, it is difficult to determine which is meant. By far, the most common use of the term angel in the Bible is of a godly spirit messenger, what we normally think of as a good angel.
When scripture uses the term "holy angel" or "angel" it refers to the godly and unfallen spirits created directly by God (Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26; Acts 10:22; Rev. 14:10). When it refers to "Satan’s angels," "evil spirits" "unclean spirits," etc., it refers to fallen angels who are the servants of Satan. (Matt. 12:24; 25:41)
The word angel itself appears some 300 times in twenty-four books of the Bible, however this does not include additional words that also designate angels, such as "sons of God," "holy ones," "morning stars," "cherubim," "seraphs," "ministering spirits," "watchers," etc. In all, the term angel or its equivalent is found in thirty-five books of the Bible.
What Are Angels?
Angels are spirit beings created directly by God prior to the creation of the universe (cf., Job 38:7). They were created as servants of God, Christ, and the Church in order to perform the will of God in the earth (Heb. 1:6, 14). Apparently innumerable in number, they are of various ranks, abilities and have various duties (Rev. 5:11; 8:2; 9:15; 12:7; Eph. 1:21; Col. 1:16). When they appear, they almost exclusively take the form of a man—however there is one recorded instance of what appears to be feminine angels (Zech. 5:9).
Angels are clearly personal spirits. They have personal wills (Hebrews 1:6), expressed joy at the creation of the world (Job 38:7), rejoice over a sinner’s repentance (Luke 15:10), and convey concern and consternation, as when the Apostle John wrongly attempted to worship an angel (Rev. 22:9). In addition, they are curious (1 Peter 1:10-12); talk to each other (Revelation 14:18), worship and praise God (Rev. 7:11), and in human form can communicate directly with men (Genesis 19). Angels may command other angels (Revelation 7:3; 14:17-18) or battle demons (Daniel 10:13; Revelation 12:7-8). They may appear in dreams as to Joseph (Matthew 1:20), or visibly as normal men (Genesis 18:1-8), or as beings of incredible brightness or in shining garments (Luke 24:4). When they appear directly to men, the result is usually one of emotional shock or fear hence the common biblical refrain of the angels, "Fear not" (Luke 1:12; 2:9). In the Bible, only three angels are ever named: Michael, Gabriel and Lucifer.
Angels are immortal and can never die (Luke 20:35). As we will see, they are incredibly powerful and they have great intelligence and wisdom. They use the same measurements as men (Rev. 21:17) and may eat either human or angelic food (Gen. 19:3; Psa. 78:23-25).
Angels apparently have spiritual bodies; 1 however they never marry (Luke 20:35-36) and are without sex, at least as we know it.
In their natural state, angels can move at tremendous speeds and are not bound by space and time, at least not in the manner we are. They can be present in great numbers in limited space since seven demons simultaneously inhabited Mary Magdalene and it seems that thousands of demons may have inhabited the Gadarene, Legion’s body, at the same time (Mark 16:9; Luke 8:30). (Thus, if they are not bound by space, one assumes that the number of angels that could sit on a head of pin would be infinite.) They can, by whatever means, be aware of things like men’s prayers and future events (Luke 1:13-16). However, despite their abilities, they have evident limits in both knowledge and power (Dan. 10:13; Matt. 24:36; 1 Pet. 1:11-12; Rev. 12:7).
Morally, there are two categories of angels, the holy or elect angels (1 Tim. 5:21), and the fallen angels who are described in the Bible as evil spirits or demons. Again, these demons are the rebellious angels who will not be redeemed (Heb. 2:11-17), whose final end is the lake of fire (Matt. 25:41). However, while some of these fallen angels are now free to roam, others are currently kept in eternal bonds (Jude 6; 2 Pet. 2:4).
Different classifications among the angels include the cherubim, apparently the highest class of angels having indescribable beauty and power. These angels were placed at the east of the Garden of Eden to guard the way to the tree of life after man was expelled (Genesis 3:24). They appear in connection with the dwelling place of God in the Old Testament (Exodus 25:17-22, cf., Hebrews 9:5) and are primarily concerned with the glory and worship of God. For example, the four living creatures of Ezekiel are cherubim (Ezek. 1:1, 28; 10:4, 18-22). Although the cherubim are never termed angels, this is probably because they are not specifically messengers; their main purpose is to proclaim and protect God’s glory, sovereignty and holiness. Satan was also apparently part of the cherubim class, making his rebellion and fall all the worse. ("Cherubim" is the Hebrew plural of "cherub," cf., Ezekiel 28:12, 14, 16).
A second class includes the seraphim who are consumed with personal devotion to God (cf., Isaiah 6:3). There are also archangels such as Michael, angels of yet lower rank, and special groups of angels (Rev. 1:7; 8:2; 15:1, 7, etc.).
Perhaps we should mention here that a specific term, "the angel of the Lord" (Malach-YHWH) is used throughout the Old Testament (e.g., see Genesis 22:11-12; Ex. 3:2; 2 Ki. 19:35). But this term does not refer to a created angel. It refers to Jesus Christ. Many people think that Christ first appeared on earth only at the point of the incarnation when He was born in Bethlehem. In fact, Christ has repeatedly appeared to men and is spoken of throughout the Old Testament under the name, "the angel of the Lord." The angel’s identity as Christ is indicated not only by the attributes of deity He possesses, but by the fact that the Jews themselves held this angel to be the divine Messiah. [2]
Although the godly angels are considered to reside in heaven (Rev. 10:1), we are not told the nature of their specific dwelling places, if any. Of course, if angels do have spiritual bodies of some sort, this might indicate they have fixed dwelling places (cf., Jude 6).
How Powerful Are Angels?
Angels are incredibly powerful. Peter puts the case mildly when he says they are "greater in power and might" (2 Pet. 2:11). For example, only one angel was sent to destroy the entire city of Jerusalem (1 Chron. 21:15) while only two angels were needed to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and all the surrounding cities (Genesis 19:13, 24-25). One angel is even able to lay hold of Satan himself to bind him for ten centuries (Rev. 20:1-3). Destroying angels produced the ten plagues on Egypt, including the death of all Egypt’s first born, i.e., millions of people (Exodus 12:13, 23, 29-30; Psa. 78:43, 49; Hebrews 11:28). The four angels of Revelation have power over the winds of the entire earth (Rev. 7:2-3).
Other angels are indirectly associated with the destruction of one-third of the entire heavens and earth—one-third of the seas, the rivers, the vegetation and of the sun, moon and stars (Rev. 8-9). In Revelation 9:14-15 four angels actually destroy one-third of the earth’s entire population.
At the end of the world, the angels will gather all the spirits of the saved and unsaved dead: they gather believers at Christ’s return to earth (Matt. 24:30-31) and they gather the unbelievers for eternal judgment (Matt. 13:39-43).
Truly, angels "excel in strength" (Psa. 103:20). But what is perhaps most amazing for the simple believer in Christ is that God tells us that we will one day judge and perhaps rule angels themselves (1 Cor. 6:2-3)!
What Are Some Popular But False Ideas About the Good Angels?
Given the degree of biblical ignorance concerning angels in our culture, as well as the revival of the New Age movement, cults and the occult, it’s not unexpected that some false concepts about angels could arise. Among these erroneous beliefs are the following: 1) that angels are the human dead, i.e., that we become angels at death; 2) that angels perform God’s work through various occult activities and practices; 3) that the devil isn’t a fallen angel, or that Jesus Christ was only an angel; and 4) that simply because they are angels, all angels can be trusted to be good. Obviously this ignores the fact that perhaps one-third of the angels rebelled against God and are now evil spirits whose sole purpose is to accomplish the will of the devil. These kinds of false beliefs indicate it is especially important to ascertain what scripture does and does not teach about both the good angels and the evil angels.
Notes:
1 cf., A. C. Gaebelein, What the Bible Says About Angels (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1987), pp. 29-35.
2 Gaebelein, Ch. 3; C. Fred Dickason, Angels: Elect and Evil (Chicago: Moody Press, 1975), Ch. 6; John Ankerberg, John Weldon, The Facts On Jesus the Messiah (Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 1993).
Part 3... What's Behind the Sudden Craze over Angels?
In its December 27, 1993 issue, Time magazine commented, "If there is such a thing as a universal idea, common across cultures and through the centuries, the belief in angels comes close to it" (p. 58). Polls indicate that almost three out of four adult Americans, including teenagers, believe in angels. At one point, five of the ten books on Publishers Weekly best-seller list dealt with the subject of angels and six prime time TV specials have captivated millions.
But what is most noteworthy about the modern, popular angels is their dissimilarity when compared with the biblical angels. The popular angels of today deny Christ’s teachings, are related to the modern channeling movement and the world of the occult, seek to possess people, are very concerned about the environment in a pantheistic/nature worship sense, engage in distorting the scriptures in their revelations, appear in near-death experiences, and perhaps not surprisingly, are very concerned with self-esteem/self-love teachings, the practice of divination and the "faith"/positive confession movement.
For example, consider one popular angel book in which the author tells us, "The angels are extremely practical in showing us our false beliefs." 1 Yet, the angel’s teachings proceed to distort what scripture teaches. Concerning the greatest commandment (Matt. 22:37), the angel tells us, "Start with the first and greatest commandment, which is to love the Lord Self with every particle of feeling you have…."2 Or consider the following personal meditation provided by the angels, "All that God is, I AM…I AM divine purity…I AM perfect love…I AM the peace that goes beyond understanding… I AM omnipotent…I AM perfect judgment… the I AM THAT I AM…for I AM the joy of the world."3
In our article next month, we will examine and document why we believe that millions of Americans are currently being deceived by this modern fascination with angels.
What Are the Dangers to the Church?
Recent polls indicate that almost three out of four adult Americans, including teenagers, believe in angels. That’s a whopping two hundred million people! In late 1993 Time magazine noted that five of the ten books on the religious best-seller list for Publishers Weekly were about angels, and currently there are some 200 books either in print or being rushed to print on the subject. At least half a dozen one to two hour national prime-time specials on angels have also captivated millions of people.
In one sense, this is really nothing new; the spiritism that has been making its way into the American mainstream for the past 25 years has simply been repackaged in a more benevolent light. Put another way, the recent angel craze is simply occultism with a divine twist marketed under new management, so to speak.
How do we know that the popular angels are not who they claim to be? Because their activities and teachings reveal their true identity. Not only do these angels function in the manner similar or identical to occult spirit guides, they are contacted through traditional occult methods.
Thus, the teachings of the angels given in popular angel literature are no different than the teachings found in modern channeled literature. For example, "You and God are one" and "all religions… worship the same God." [4] [See Section on Religious Pluralism]
Again, this is nothing new. It is the fallen angels which the Bible identifies as demons or evil spirits that have been behind the majority of false religious beliefs of humankind. For example, "angels" were predominant in either the origin or sustenance of most major world religions, such as Islam (the "Angel Gabriel" who gave the revelations in the Qur’an), Hinduism and Buddhism. "Angels" are influential in cults as well. In Mormonism it was the "Angel Moroni" who led Joseph Smith to the alleged gold plates from which the Book of Mormon was occultly translated. In the Jehovah’s Witnesses and their biased New World Translation of the Bible, "angels" have also played a key role as we documented in The Facts on Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Other cults and religions sporting angelic influence include Emmanuel Swedenborg’s The Church of the New Jerusalem, Rudolph Steiner’s Anthroposophy, Silva Mind Control, the Self-Realization Fellowship, and the Unity School of Christianity. These are only a few of the religions and cults in which angels have played either a dominant or important role. [5]
What is perhaps most disconcerting is the manner in which the "popular" angels have influenced some Christians. Books such as the Reverend Edward W. Oldring’s I Work With Angels and I Walk and Talk With Angels; minister G. D. Gilmore’s Angels, Angels, Everywhere, and Rev. Roland Buck’s Angels on Assignment are only three of many whose teachings prove that the angels spoken of are not the godly angels. Despite their semblance of Christianity, these books either deny biblical teachings or actually teach occultism in various forms. [6] Indeed, most popular angel books support the world of the occult.
In Angel Wisdom we find the encouragement to use mantras and mandalas; shamanistic vision quests and contacting one’s power animal (a spirit guide who appears in the form of an animal); manipulation of chakras, psychic healing, etc. [7] In Angelic Messenger Cards, we find divination and people guided to accept contacting the dead. [8] In Creating With the Angels we find dreamwork: "Dream time is spirit time and offers a great opportunity to play with the angels…. Allow the angels to help you interpret your dreams."[9] In The Angels Within Us, we find angels taking people deep into altered states of consciousness in order to establish contact with them. [10] The angels also support New Age Medicine and occult holistic health practices. [11]
But what is even more troubling is the connection existing between the popular angels and the Christian "faith" or "positive confession" movements.
Angels and "Positive Confession"
In spite of their spiritistic nature, many of the modern angel books use terminology directed toward Christians. One particularly potent occult text encourages the reader to "endow each angel with the Will of God, the Love of Christ, and the Action of the Holy Spirit." [12] Although discerning Christians can easily see through such ruses, there is one area in particular that uninstructed Christians may be vulnerable. Both the modern "Faith" and "New Age" movements share particular teachings concerning angels. Therefore, Christians who are instructed in the former area may also be vulnerable to the more pervasive deceptions in the latter.
IPS Note: While the majority of people may be unable to define New Thought, hundreds of thousands are increasingly becoming influenced by it, since it is the cornerstone for most of the formulas for happy and successful living. Reduced it to it’s essentials, New Thought very simply believes that your thoughts play a crucial role in the kind of life you experience. It is unlikely that many Christians are aware of the the common roots of some popular beliefs in the church, and the New Thought beliefs without. From Clement Stone’s Positive Mental Attitude to Robert Schuller’s Possibility Thinking and Oral Roberts’ seed-faith principles, they all stem from common sources and pretty much say the same thing. See Roots of Evil which includes a very telling chart
As we documented in The Facts on the Faith Movement and The Facts on False Teachings in the Church, the modern faith/positive confession teachers almost universally claim that they have received their unique teachings by direct divine revelation, including through the mediation of angels. In those book, we have proven that these teachings are not biblical and hence could not have come from God or the good angels. [13] So where did they come from?
Perhaps it is significant that many spirit guides today have entire series of positive confession tapes which are sold by their mediums. (The tapes by "DaBen" and "Orin" include such titles as, "Creating Money: The Spiritual Law of Prosperity and Abundance" and "Awakening Your Prosperity Self." [14])
Also See The Prosperity Doctrine
But the popular angels also actively support and endorse positive confession teachings. As Terry Lynn Taylor remarks, "Angels are the missing link in the chain of…self-help, self-development, and self-reliance programs…. Angels are heaven-sent agents who are always available to help you create heaven in your life."[15]
The entire purpose of the book, Creating With the Angels: An Angel-Guided Journey into Creativity, is to use angels to create success in every area of life. 16 As one angel says, "Abundance is a state of mind that leads to physical manifestation of physical resources. But, more important, abundance is a state of spirit that initially awakens the mind to its creative possibilities. You are being led toward abundant thinking, feeling, loving, and participating in life so that you will be in a position to encourage wholism in every form, wherever you find it." [17]
In fact, the angels speak in exactly the same terms and cite exactly the same scriptures as the modern Christian prosperity teachers. For example, in the occult text, The Angels Within Us, we read, "The Bible also says, ‘By your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned’ (Matt. 12:37); ‘Death and life are in the power of the tongue’ (Prov. 18:21); And ‘Thou shall also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee’ (Job 22:28). Charles Fillmore, cofounder of Unity, wrote, ‘the spoken word carries vibrations through the universal ether…. And Ernest Holmes, founder of the Church of Religious Science, has written, ‘The word gives form to the unformed….’" [18]
Now consider other teachings from this same occult book that reflect basic "Christian" prosperity beliefs:
"…we should meditate for an understanding of what produced the original condition of lack in our minds, speak the word for a healing of that mental-emotional condition, and then work consciously with the Angel of Abundance to reveal a divinely prosperous life." [19]
Or, "Abundance is the true nature of God… And when you identify this Spirit of God within as your abundance, your consciousness becomes the principle of prosperity. The energy flows into manifestation through you, forever reproducing the vibration of your consciousness in the world of form." [20]
Or, "When you contemplate the God Self I Am as infinite supply...you are deepening your awareness of the truth of your Reality." [21]
Consider the following advice by the angel: "I have promised you unlimited prosperity…. I am the Lord your healer, I heal all your diseases, restore health to you, and heal your wounds. This is not to come. It is. In truth, you are healed now; you are whole." [22] Thus, the author tells his readers,
"Make contact with the angel and ask how you are limiting your own success. Let him show you any false beliefs that may be blocking the flow from his perspective." [23 ]
Also See The Prosperity Doctrine
Now consider similar teachings from other contemporary books on angels: "True abundance is the ability to see the abundance that is already ours." [24] "I harness the power that enables me to realize all of my desires and objectives…. I have the power to know what is best." [25] "If we believe that we can have something…our higher selves—the parts of our psyches that are in communication with the angels—will begin to create it for us." [26] "I create my own miracles." [27]
ll this is proof positive that the modern Christian prosperity movement has aligned itself with the very same teachings given by the spirit world. Now, if we know that these kinds of teachings derive not from the good angels but from the fallen angels or demons, and if we know that the faith teachers claim to receive unbiblical teachings by supernatural inspiration, the conclusion would seem self-evident.
What all this means is that the "Faith" teachers who instruct millions of Christians may unwittingly be influencing them to also accept the teachings of demons masquerading as angels.
Consider the following and listen to the words of the "Faith" teachers themselves before you make a decision.
Kenneth Copeland teaches, "…when you use the Word in the name of Jesus [that is, in positive confession] they [angels] are obligated to follow your command." [28] Gloria Copeland suggests there may be at least 40,000 angels assigned to each believer, thus, "there is no shortage of angel power;" [29] and, "how long do you think it would take them to make you wealthy?" [30] Unfortunately, "for the most part, the heirs of the promise have not been using the angel power available to them." [31] Thus, "Your words put the angels to work on your behalf to bring to pass whatever you say…the words of your mouth bind them or loose them to work for you." [32]
Charles Capps says God supernaturally revealed the same truths to him. In Angels he says, "You need the supernatural beings of God working for you here on earth." [33] In Releasing the Ability of God, he states, "The Spirit of God spoke this into my spirit just as plainly as if I heard it with my ears…. He said: ‘The Word says the angels are ministering spirits. These ministering spirits stand beside you daily and listen to the words that you speak…. but you are the one who tells them what to do." [34] Thus, "Angels will work for you. They will become involved in every area of your life—your home, your business, everything—but only to the extent that you allow them to operate." [35]
Prosperity teacher Kenneth Hagin claims that in 1958 "the Lord Jesus suddenly appeared" before him, with an angel standing three feet behind Him. In I Believe in Visions, he reveals, "He [Jesus] said, ‘This is your angel.’ ‘My angel?’ I asked. ‘Yes, your angel, and if you will respond to him, he will appear to you as I will at times; and he will give you guidance and direction concerning the things of life,…" [36]
Jerry Savelle says that when we apply the principles of the Faith Movement, "…the angels come on the scene to see that what you say comes to pass." [37]
John Osteen teaches, "When you become a covenant-person, God assigns angels to watch you and your family…." [38]
Robert Tilton says, "When you talk positively about your dream, you not only release its substance, but you release the angels to work for you, causing your dream to come to pass." [39]
Benny Hinn also accepts the supposed ministry of the "faith" angels. [40]
But by teaching Christians that angels are indeed anxiously standing by to do one’s personal bidding, prosperity leaders are conditioning Christians to have a particular expectation about angels that is not biblical. To teach that angels will give personal "guidance and direction," that they "will become involved in every area of your life" and generate "financial prosperity" is exactly what channelers with spirit guides claim for the spirits they contact. In essence, Christians who think that the primary purpose of the angels is to service them with prosperity may be more open to establishing contact with the prosperity "angels" of the New Age movement.
Also See Section...
The Word of Faith / Positive Confession... as applied to Prosperity and Healing
Consider that in 1987 charismatic and "prosperity" evangelist Kenneth Copeland gave a prophecy "from Jesus Christ" in which "Jesus" promised that new and dramatic angel manifestations were going to increase in the church and that many "will have visitations from the spirit realm." Concerning angels, "Jesus" allegedly told Copeland:
A very outstanding time is on the way. A time is coming when there will be a manifestation of angels more than usual, more than what there has been in the past. Many of you are going to witness for yourselves the angel that has been put in charge and in command of your ministry and your life. Many of you are going to have visitations from the spirit realm. Many of you will have divinely appointed visions and dreams. …Oh, there’s no time nor distance in the spirit realm. You’ll be connected together at times like you’ve never witnessed before. Suddenly, you’ll be standing in that [spiritual] country, and suddenly you’ll deliver a message and then suddenly you’ll be brought back in your kitchen again. Oh, I have some outstanding things, sayeth the Lord. [41]
But incredibly, this "Jesus" who promised the increased manifestation of angels went on to deny His own deity:
"Don’t be disturbed when people accuse you of thinking you are God…. They crucified me for claiming that I was God. But I didn’t claim I was God; I just claimed I walked with Him and that He was in me. Hallelujah. That’s what you are doing." [42]
See Did Jesus Claim To Be God?
If Christians listen to such a "Jesus" and contact the "angels" he promises to send them, perhaps they should not be surprised at the outcome (See Ezekiel 13:1–9).
In The Facts on Angels, we document a great deal more about the modern angel phenomenon, including what the Bible teaches about the good angels, and how the modern "popular" angels seek to distort the Bible. We also discuss why they are interested in supporting the environmental movement, how they appear in near-death experiences and are related to Unidentified Flying objects, their moral and ethical views and their relationship to practices of divination and self-love/self-esteem/positive thinking teachings. We further show how and why the popular angels seek to possess people just like the demons of old.
For now, it should be evident that the modern angel phenomenon is not what it claims to be. No one anywhere, least of all Christians, should become involved with the popular angels, whether by channeling, seeking to develop "angel consciousness," or to contact angels as personal friends and guidance counselors. To do so is to place one’s soul at risk.
Notes:
1 John Randolph, The Angels Within Us: A Spiritual Guide to the Twenty-Two Angels that Govern Our Lives (New York, NY: Fawcett-Columbine, 1993), p.62.
2 Ibid., p. 63.
3 Ibid., p. 276.
4 Meredith L. Young-Sowers, Angelic Messenger Cards: A Divination System for Spiritual Discovery (Walpole, NH: Stillpoint, 1993) 58; Terry Lynn Taylor and Mary Beth Crain, Angel Wisdom: 365 Meditations and Insights from the Heavens (NY: Harper Collins, 1994), April 13.
5 See John Ankerberg, John Weldon, The Facts on Angels (Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 1995).
6 Ibid.
7 Taylor and Crain, June 18th, 28th; July 8th, 22nd; October 20th.
8 Meredith L. Young-Sowers, p. 31.
9 Terry Lynn Taylor, Creating with the Angels: An Angel-Guided Journey Into Creativity (Tiburon, CA: H. J. Kramer, 1993), pp. 39, 41.
10 Price, The Angels Within Us, p. 16.
11 "Angels II: Beyond the Light," NBC, October 30, 1994, 7 P.M., Host: Stefanie Powers.
12 Price, The Angels Within Us, p. 31.
13 Available from the Ankerberg Theological Research Institute or your Christian bookstore.
14 Sanaya Roman and Duane Packer, Opening to Channel: How to Connect with Your Guide (Tiburon, CA: H. J. Kramer, Inc. 1987), pp. 231-232.
15 Terry Lynn Taylor, Messengers of Light: The Angel’s Guide to Spiritual Growth (Tiburon, CA: H. J. Kramer, 1990), xvi.
16 Taylor, Creating With the Angels, vii-xi.
17 Young-Sowers, Angelic Messenger Cards, p. 214.
18 Price, 268.
19 Ibid., p. 58.
20 Ibid., pp. 56-57.
21 Ibid., pp. 88, 96.
22 Ibid., pp. 263-264.
23 Ibid., p. 286.
24 Taylor and Crain, Angel Wisdom, February 8.
25 Ibid., January 11, 21.
26 Ibid., May 22.
27 Ibid., September 14.
28 Kenneth Copeland, The Laws of Prosperity (Fort Worth, TX: Kenneth Copeland Publications, 1974), p. 104.
29 Gloria Copeland, God’s Will is Prosperity (Fort Worth, TX: Kenneth Copeland Publications, 1978), pp. 84-85.
30 Ibid., p. 86.
31 Ibid., p. 65.
32 Ibid., p. 88.
33 Charles Capps, Angels (England, AZ: Charles Capps Publishers, 1984), p. 80.
34 Charles Capps, Releasing the Ability of God (England, AZ: Charles Capps Publishers, 1978), pp. 100-101, 105.
35 Capps, Angels, p. 173.
36 Kenneth Hagin, I Believe in Visions (Tulsa, OK: Kenneth Hagin Ministries), p. 93.
37 Jerry Savelle, Energizing Your Faith (Fort Worth, TX: Jerry Savelle Ministries, 1983), p. 45.
38 John Osteen, Unraveling the Mystery of the Blood Covenant (Houston, TX: John Osteen Ministries, 1987), p. 45.
39 Robert Tilton, Climb Your Ladder of Success (Dallas, TX: Robert Tilton Ministries, 1988), p. 54.
40 In The Christian Sentinel, Vol. 1, No. 1., p. 13. The word "spirit" was capitalized in this quotation. However, since this was a claimed supernatural prophecy to Copeland, the use of capitals was an editorial assumption.
41 Kenneth Copeland, "Take Time to Pray," Believer’s Voice of Victory, Vol. 15, No. 2, February 1987, p. 9.
42 Ibid.
Index to ‘The Occult’
www.inplainsite.org
by Dr. John Ankerberg, Dr. John Weldon
Please Note: Each coloured link within the article will lead you to a related topic on a different page of this site. However while the text is part of the original article, the links are not. The author of this article may or may not agree with the views expressed on those pages.
IPS Note: What Christians call “Demons” are no more than the fallen angels who, already condemned, are seemingly determined to take as many people with them as possible. Sadly humans fall, in vast numbers, for their deceptions, never taking the time or the effort to find out whether the apparitions that regularly contact them are who they say they are. Humans, who are never entirely sure that advertising hype is equivalent to the truth when it comes to choosing a cell phone or insurance policy, and will more often than not double check what they are being told, fall down drastically when it comes to spiritual matters. They never seem to stop to even consider the possibility that these beings are lying in their teeth. Everything that a mysterious voice, enigmatic stranger says is taken at face value, put into a book and launched on a spiritually illiterate works. Sadly they will pay the price.
For example Alice Bailey, under the guidance of an ectoplasmic apparition from hell, who called himself Djwhal Khul ("The Tibetan"), wrote some 24 books and founded the Lucis Trust (formerly Lucifer Publishing Co.) which enjoys "Consultative Status" with the United Nations and has not only spawned several other organization… the Arcane School, Triangles, World Goodwill, Lucis Publishing, Lucis Productions, Lucis Trust Libraries, the New Group of World Servers, but also maintain the UN meditation room. And the purpose of these groups? At their core ALL of them exist for one purpose ..in their words “the helping of the Great Ones and the rendering to Them of that intelligent assistance which will make their plans for humanity materialize”. A plan that is centered around making conditions suitable (By occult meditation and reciting of the Great Invocation) for what they call “The Reappearance of The Christ. Except that this Christ has nothing to do with Jesus Christ of the Bible. [Read Article]
Also See Evaluating Today’s Angel Craze
Part 1
Why is it Important That We Know About Angels?
Angels shouldn’t be ignored if for no other reason than they constitute perhaps the most intriguing subject one could ever study. We agree with leading philosopher Mortimer J. Adler, editor of the Encyclopedia Britannica and architect of The Great Books of the Western World series who stated that angels were more fascinating than either science fiction or the concept of extraterrestrial beings. [1] Why?
According to the Bible, angels have literally shaped the course of human history and continue to do so today. Consider the fallen angel in the Garden that slyly engineered the moral Fall of the entire human race (Genesis 3). Or the angels who spoke and mediated the Law of Moses which literally changed the Western world (Acts 7:53; Heb. 2:2). Or the literally thousands of angelic encounters throughout history in the lives of ordinary and famous individuals, including Abraham Lincoln, boxer Evander Holyfield and rock stars George Harrison and Carlos Santana (who invokes the presence of angels before each concert). [2] The noted mystic William Blake said he was under the guidance of angels night and day. [3]
Also See Carlos Santana: Saint or Satanic And Rock and The Occult
From the terrifying angels of the book of Revelation—whose power over nature and humanity is so awesome simple mortals can hardly comprehend it (Rev. 8:6-12; 9:15), to the angels who helped Christ in His wilderness and Gethsemane temptations and assisted the early Church (Matt. 4:6, 11; Luke 22:43; Acts 10:22; 12:7), angels have influenced, either directly or indirectly, the lives of everyone on earth.
See The Judgment of God... The First Six Trumpets
The world is, quite literally, alive with angels. In its cover story on angels, Time magazine for December 27, 1993 observed, "If there is such a thing as a universal idea, common across cultures and through the centuries, the belief in angels comes close to it." [4] Angels appear in every civilization and every culture, have played a major role in almost every world religion, and are far more active in human affairs than most people would ever suspect. The "Angel Gabriel" for example, supposedly gave Muhammad the revelations in the Qur’an, which now influence over a billion Muslims. [5] So who can ignore the subject of angels?
And yet until recently in most quarters, angels have been ignored—even by the Christian Church in whose sc
Today angels are no longer ignored. In theater, television, literature, film, art, music—and even among skeptics, who sometimes can’t seem to help themselves, [7] angels are back in the popular mind.
We think this is all to the good for at least three reasons. First, angels inherently remind people of God—and of their responsibility to Him. Second, the very subject of a spiritual race of beings naturally brings to mind the deepest personal questions men have asked throughout history. If angels exist, then we are not the only form of life in the universe and we certainly didn’t evolve naturalistically from primordial interstellar gases. [8] If angels exist, a spiritual universe must exist—which naturally carries us back to the profound question of God as Creator and such related questions as: Who am I? Where did I come from? What is the purpose of my life? Where am I going when I die?, etc.
But a final reason why angels should not be ignored is because not all angels are good—and people need to know this today more than ever before. In fact, the Bible suggests the number of evil angels is very large (Matthew 12:26; Rev. 12:3-4, 7-9)—one out of every three may actually be malicious (cf., Rev. 12:4). Consider that the Bible tells us there were rebellious angels in heaven. They chose to follow Satan and actually waged "war in heaven" against the good angels. But "they were not strong enough" and "Satan…was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him" (Rev. 12:7-9).
For most people, however, the very concept of an evil angel is a self-contradiction, like dry water or cold heat. Aren’t all angels good by definition? But what if all aren’t? Biblically, given their numbers and influence, if we don’t take the time to consider at least the possibility of evil angels, any one of us may suffer for it.
Regardless, when human history is over, and all is said and done, the influence of angels in this world, despite their invisibility, will probably be more obvious and certainly more profound than even that of mankind. As theologian J. I. Packer commented, "Both as communicators and as guardians their work is ordinarily unnoticeable, and not until we get to heaven shall we know how much we owe to it." [9]
Just How Popular Are Angels Today—And Why?
Recent polls indicate that almost three out of four adult Americans, including teenagers, believe in angels. That’s about 200 million people! [10] Now, every year, the "American Conference on Angels" holds meetings to discuss the subject; there are angel seminars, angel newsletters, college courses on angels, and angel sections in bookstores. Besides the Hell’s Angels, "Charlie’s Angels" and Guardian Angels, there is the Angel Collectors Club of America, the National Association of Angel Lovers, and dozens of angel enterprises, such as the "Angels for All Seasons" store in Denver, Angels in Heaven Day Nursery in Cleveland, and Angel Threads, a children’s boutique in Tucson.
The December 27, 1993 Time article noted that five of the ten books on the religious best-seller list for Publisher’s Weekly were about angels, commenting, "This rising fascination is more popular than theological, a grass-roots revolution of the spirit in which all sorts of people are finding all sorts of reasons to seek answers about angels for the first time in their lives." [11]
Angels have almost universal good press today—from "Clarence" in the popular Jimmy Stewart movie, "It’s a Wonderful Life," to Michael Landon’s angel role in "Highway to Heaven," and the more recent "Touched By An Angel" TV series—to the many recent prime-time network specials where angels are always engaged in good and wonderful deeds.
With literally tens of millions of people now interested in angels—and even open to personal contact with them—no one can deny the importance or relevance of this topic.
Perusing a sampling of titles of recent angel books is illuminating:
Angels on Assignment, Angels Watching Over Me, Devotion to the Holy Angels, 100 Ways to Attract the Angels, Send Me Your Guardian Angel, Know Your Angels, Angel Book Catalog, Ask Your Angels, Angels For Your Children, Commune with the Angels, The Little Book of Angels, The Circle of Angels, Angels Elect and Evil, Touched by Angels, Angels in Art, The Tongues of Angels, Do You Have a Guardian Angel?, Creating with the Angels, Angels of Mercy, Messengers of Light: The Angel’s Guide to Spiritual Growth, Angels Among Us, Angel Wisdom, Answers from the Angels, Angel Voices, The Angels Within Us, Angel Messenger Cards, and There’s an Angel on Your Shoulder: Angel Encounters in Everyday Life, A Treatise on Angel Magic, Meetings with Angels, Commune with the Angels, Angels and Mortals: Their Co-Creative Power.
These are only a few of the titles that could be listed—and most suggest that people are now seeking to commune with angels in quite intimate ways. Today’s popular angels play roles from personal friends to guidance counselors to spiritual advisors. And much more.
Perhaps angels are here to stay.
But all this doesn’t answer the question as to why angels should be so popular. There are probably several reasons.
First, this generation has witnessed a dramatic spiritual revival which includes everything from Christianity to the New Age movement to the darker forms of the occult —and has undoubtedly increased an interest in the subject of angels and spirits.
Second, there is kind of an innate fascination with the subject because of its larger implications.
Third, a pre-existing belief system for angels is already in place from Christian, pagan and virtually every other religious tradition. For example, most Roman Catholics are brought up to pray to their guardian angels, while major holidays like Christmas and Easter recall angel stories year after year.
Fourth, as people are increasingly searching for answers and meaning to life, angels are now thought to play a major role in providing those answers. There is even a growing movement teaching people that angels reside within us already and are waiting to tap our human potential, enhance our creativity, and provide us with psychological fulfillment and spiritual self-enlightenment. Thus, promoters of angel contact offer people what they want and need in troubled times—assurance, love, and guidance. For example, "The angels hold the answers to many of our questions" and "spiritual help is always available from the angels" or, "The angels want us to become enlightened…" and "The angels are the caretakers of our souls…. Their wonderful love [is] everywhere." [12]
Fifth, in the majority of men’s minds, there is a prior assumption that angels are only good and therefore that contacting them is also only good and therefore without risk. If angels really can be contacted, why not?—and what an adventure!
Sixth, angels by definition seek to interact with humanity. The very purpose of the good angels is to help us—and the very goal of the evil angels is to deceive us.
In essence, angels are now popular because given their nature and ours, and modern culture, it couldn’t be otherwise.
Notes:
1 In Marilynn Carlson Webber and William D. Webber, A Rustle of Angels: Stories About Angels in Real-Life and sc
2 Angels II: Beyond the Light, NBC, October 30, 1994, 7:00 p.m., host Stefanie Powers.
3 Ibid.
4 Cover story, Time magazine, December 27, 1993, p. 58.
5 cf., John Ankerberg, John Weldon, The Facts On Islam (Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 1992).
6 Billy Graham, Angels: God’s Secret Agents (Dallas: Word, 1975), p. 17.
7 cf., M. Cameron Gray (ed.), Angels and Awakenings: Stories of the Miraculous by Great Modern Writers (NY: Doubleday, 1994), pp. xv, xvi.
8 See John Ankerberg, John Weldon, The Facts On the Creation v. Evolution (Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 1993).
9 Timothy Jones, Celebration of Angels (Nashville: Nelson, 1994), p. xii.
10 Time, December 27, 1993, p. 56; David Briggs, "Heavenly Messengers Offer Comfort in Difficult Times," Chattanooga News-Free Press, September 19, 1992, p. B5.
11 Time, December 27, 1993, p. 58.
12 Terry Lynn Taylor and Mary Beth Crain, Angel Wisdom: 365 Meditations and Insights from the Heavens (NY: Harper-Collins, 1994), February 3, 23; May 18; November 16 and passim.
Part 2 The Good Angels
What Is the Meaning of the Biblical Words for Angel?
The Hebrew word, mal’akh, and the Greek word, aggelos, both mean messenger. This indicates the term angel can be used of either men or spirits. For example, in Mark 1:2 aggelos is applied directly to John the Baptist, "Behold I send my messenger (aggelos) before your face…." while the Hebrew word mal’akh is used in the corresponding prophecy of Malachi 3:1.
Because the meaning of the word angel is simply that of messenger, it is only reading the context that determines if one is referring to a human or angelic messenger, and, in rare cases, it is difficult to determine which is meant. By far, the most common use of the term angel in the Bible is of a godly spirit messenger, what we normally think of as a good angel.
When sc
The word angel itself appears some 300 times in twenty-four books of the Bible, however this does not include additional words that also designate angels, such as "sons of God," "holy ones," "morning stars," "cherubim," "seraphs," "ministering spirits," "watchers," etc. In all, the term angel or its equivalent is found in thirty-five books of the Bible.
What Are Angels?
Angels are spirit beings created directly by God prior to the creation of the universe (cf., Job 38:7). They were created as servants of God, Christ, and the Church in order to perform the will of God in the earth (Heb. 1:6, 14). Apparently innumerable in number, they are of various ranks, abilities and have various duties (Rev. 5:11; 8:2; 9:15; 12:7; Eph. 1:21; Col. 1:16). When they appear, they almost exclusively take the form of a man—however there is one recorded instance of what appears to be feminine angels (Zech. 5:9).
Angels are clearly personal spirits. They have personal wills (Hebrews 1:6), expressed joy at the creation of the world (Job 38:7), rejoice over a sinner’s repentance (Luke 15:10), and convey concern and consternation, as when the Apostle John wrongly attempted to worship an angel (Rev. 22:9). In addition, they are curious (1 Peter 1:10-12); talk to each other (Revelation 14:18), worship and praise God (Rev. 7:11), and in human form can communicate directly with men (Genesis 19). Angels may command other angels (Revelation 7:3; 14:17-18) or battle demons (Daniel 10:13; Revelation 12:7-8). They may appear in dreams as to Joseph (Matthew 1:20), or visibly as normal men (Genesis 18:1-8), or as beings of incredible brightness or in shining garments (Luke 24:4). When they appear directly to men, the result is usually one of emotional shock or fear hence the common biblical refrain of the angels, "Fear not" (Luke 1:12; 2:9). In the Bible, only three angels are ever named: Michael, Gabriel and Lucifer.
Angels are immortal and can never die (Luke 20:35). As we will see, they are incredibly powerful and they have great intelligence and wisdom. They use the same measurements as men (Rev. 21:17) and may eat either human or angelic food (Gen. 19:3; Psa. 78:23-25).
Angels apparently have spiritual bodies; 1 however they never marry (Luke 20:35-36) and are without sex, at least as we know it.
In their natural state, angels can move at tremendous speeds and are not bound by space and time, at least not in the manner we are. They can be present in great numbers in limited space since seven demons simultaneously inhabited Mary Magdalene and it seems that thousands of demons may have inhabited the Gadarene, Legion’s body, at the same time (Mark 16:9; Luke 8:30). (Thus, if they are not bound by space, one assumes that the number of angels that could sit on a head of pin would be infinite.) They can, by whatever means, be aware of things like men’s prayers and future events (Luke 1:13-16). However, despite their abilities, they have evident limits in both knowledge and power (Dan. 10:13; Matt. 24:36; 1 Pet. 1:11-12; Rev. 12:7).
Morally, there are two categories of angels, the holy or elect angels (1 Tim. 5:21), and the fallen angels who are described in the Bible as evil spirits or demons. Again, these demons are the rebellious angels who will not be redeemed (Heb. 2:11-17), whose final end is the lake of fire (Matt. 25:41). However, while some of these fallen angels are now free to roam, others are currently kept in eternal bonds (Jude 6; 2 Pet. 2:4).
Different classifications among the angels include the cherubim, apparently the highest class of angels having indescribable beauty and power. These angels were placed at the east of the Garden of Eden to guard the way to the tree of life after man was expelled (Genesis 3:24). They appear in connection with the dwelling place of God in the Old Testament (Exodus 25:17-22, cf., Hebrews 9:5) and are primarily concerned with the glory and worship of God. For example, the four living creatures of Ezekiel are cherubim (Ezek. 1:1, 28; 10:4, 18-22). Although the cherubim are never termed angels, this is probably because they are not specifically messengers; their main purpose is to proclaim and protect God’s glory, sovereignty and holiness. Satan was also apparently part of the cherubim class, making his rebellion and fall all the worse. ("Cherubim" is the Hebrew plural of "cherub," cf., Ezekiel 28:12, 14, 16).
A second class includes the seraphim who are consumed with personal devotion to God (cf., Isaiah 6:3). There are also archangels such as Michael, angels of yet lower rank, and special groups of angels (Rev. 1:7; 8:2; 15:1, 7, etc.).
Perhaps we should mention here that a specific term, "the angel of the Lord" (Malach-YHWH) is used throughout the Old Testament (e.g., see Genesis 22:11-12; Ex. 3:2; 2 Ki. 19:35). But this term does not refer to a created angel. It refers to Jesus Christ. Many people think that Christ first appeared on earth only at the point of the incarnation when He was born in Bethlehem. In fact, Christ has repeatedly appeared to men and is spoken of throughout the Old Testament under the name, "the angel of the Lord." The angel’s identity as Christ is indicated not only by the attributes of deity He possesses, but by the fact that the Jews themselves held this angel to be the divine Messiah. [2]
Although the godly angels are considered to reside in heaven (Rev. 10:1), we are not told the nature of their specific dwelling places, if any. Of course, if angels do have spiritual bodies of some sort, this might indicate they have fixed dwelling places (cf., Jude 6).
How Powerful Are Angels?
Angels are incredibly powerful. Peter puts the case mildly when he says they are "greater in power and might" (2 Pet. 2:11). For example, only one angel was sent to destroy the entire city of Jerusalem (1 Chron. 21:15) while only two angels were needed to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and all the surrounding cities (Genesis 19:13, 24-25). One angel is even able to lay hold of Satan himself to bind him for ten centuries (Rev. 20:1-3). Destroying angels produced the ten plagues on Egypt, including the death of all Egypt’s first born, i.e., millions of people (Exodus 12:13, 23, 29-30; Psa. 78:43, 49; Hebrews 11:28). The four angels of Revelation have power over the winds of the entire earth (Rev. 7:2-3).
Other angels are indirectly associated with the destruction of one-third of the entire heavens and earth—one-third of the seas, the rivers, the vegetation and of the sun, moon and stars (Rev. 8-9). In Revelation 9:14-15 four angels actually destroy one-third of the earth’s entire population.
At the end of the world, the angels will gather all the spirits of the saved and unsaved dead: they gather believers at Christ’s return to earth (Matt. 24:30-31) and they gather the unbelievers for eternal judgment (Matt. 13:39-43).
Truly, angels "excel in strength" (Psa. 103:20). But what is perhaps most amazing for the simple believer in Christ is that God tells us that we will one day judge and perhaps rule angels themselves (1 Cor. 6:2-3)!
What Are Some Popular But False Ideas About the Good Angels?
Given the degree of biblical ignorance concerning angels in our culture, as well as the revival of the New Age movement, cults and the occult, it’s not unexpected that some false concepts about angels could arise. Among these erroneous beliefs are the following: 1) that angels are the human dead, i.e., that we become angels at death; 2) that angels perform God’s work through various occult activities and practices; 3) that the devil isn’t a fallen angel, or that Jesus Christ was only an angel; and 4) that simply because they are angels, all angels can be trusted to be good. Obviously this ignores the fact that perhaps one-third of the angels rebelled against God and are now evil spirits whose sole purpose is to accomplish the will of the devil. These kinds of false beliefs indicate it is especially important to ascertain what sc
Notes:
1 cf., A. C. Gaebelein, What the Bible Says About Angels (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1987), pp. 29-35.
2 Gaebelein, Ch. 3; C. Fred Dickason, Angels: Elect and Evil (Chicago: Moody Press, 1975), Ch. 6; John Ankerberg, John Weldon, The Facts On Jesus the Messiah (Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 1993).
Part 3... What's Behind the Sudden Craze over Angels?
In its December 27, 1993 issue, Time magazine commented, "If there is such a thing as a universal idea, common across cultures and through the centuries, the belief in angels comes close to it" (p. 58). Polls indicate that almost three out of four adult Americans, including teenagers, believe in angels. At one point, five of the ten books on Publishers Weekly best-seller list dealt with the subject of angels and six prime time TV specials have captivated millions.
But what is most noteworthy about the modern, popular angels is their dissimilarity when compared with the biblical angels. The popular angels of today deny Christ’s teachings, are related to the modern channeling movement and the world of the occult, seek to possess people, are very concerned about the environment in a pantheistic/nature worship sense, engage in distorting the sc
For example, consider one popular angel book in which the author tells us, "The angels are extremely practical in showing us our false beliefs." 1 Yet, the angel’s teachings proceed to distort what sc
In our article next month, we will examine and document why we believe that millions of Americans are currently being deceived by this modern fascination with angels.
What Are the Dangers to the Church?
Recent polls indicate that almost three out of four adult Americans, including teenagers, believe in angels. That’s a whopping two hundred million people! In late 1993 Time magazine noted that five of the ten books on the religious best-seller list for Publishers Weekly were about angels, and currently there are some 200 books either in print or being rushed to print on the subject. At least half a dozen one to two hour national prime-time specials on angels have also captivated millions of people.
In one sense, this is really nothing new; the spiritism that has been making its way into the American mainstream for the past 25 years has simply been repackaged in a more benevolent light. Put another way, the recent angel craze is simply occultism with a divine twist marketed under new management, so to speak.
How do we know that the popular angels are not who they claim to be? Because their activities and teachings reveal their true identity. Not only do these angels function in the manner similar or identical to occult spirit guides, they are contacted through traditional occult methods.
Thus, the teachings of the angels given in popular angel literature are no different than the teachings found in modern channeled literature. For example, "You and God are one" and "all religions… worship the same God." [4] [See Section on Religious Pluralism]
Again, this is nothing new. It is the fallen angels which the Bible identifies as demons or evil spirits that have been behind the majority of false religious beliefs of humankind. For example, "angels" were predominant in either the origin or sustenance of most major world religions, such as Islam (the "Angel Gabriel" who gave the revelations in the Qur’an), Hinduism and Buddhism. "Angels" are influential in cults as well. In Mormonism it was the "Angel Moroni" who led Joseph Smith to the alleged gold plates from which the Book of Mormon was occultly translated. In the Jehovah’s Witnesses and their biased New World Translation of the Bible, "angels" have also played a key role as we documented in The Facts on Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Other cults and religions sporting angelic influence include Emmanuel Swedenborg’s The Church of the New Jerusalem, Rudolph Steiner’s Anthroposophy, Silva Mind Control, the Self-Realization Fellowship, and the Unity School of Christianity. These are only a few of the religions and cults in which angels have played either a dominant or important role. [5]
What is perhaps most disconcerting is the manner in which the "popular" angels have influenced some Christians. Books such as the Reverend Edward W. Oldring’s I Work With Angels and I Walk and Talk With Angels; minister G. D. Gilmore’s Angels, Angels, Everywhere, and Rev. Roland Buck’s Angels on Assignment are only three of many whose teachings prove that the angels spoken of are not the godly angels. Despite their semblance of Christianity, these books either deny biblical teachings or actually teach occultism in various forms. [6] Indeed, most popular angel books support the world of the occult.
In Angel Wisdom we find the encouragement to use mantras and mandalas; shamanistic vision quests and contacting one’s power animal (a spirit guide who appears in the form of an animal); manipulation of chakras, psychic healing, etc. [7] In Angelic Messenger Cards, we find divination and people guided to accept contacting the dead. [8] In Creating With the Angels we find dreamwork: "Dream time is spirit time and offers a great opportunity to play with the angels…. Allow the angels to help you interpret your dreams."[9] In The Angels Within Us, we find angels taking people deep into altered states of consciousness in order to establish contact with them. [10] The angels also support New Age Medicine and occult holistic health practices. [11]
But what is even more troubling is the connection existing between the popular angels and the Christian "faith" or "positive confession" movements.
Angels and "Positive Confession"
In spite of their spiritistic nature, many of the modern angel books use terminology directed toward Christians. One particularly potent occult text encourages the reader to "endow each angel with the Will of God, the Love of Christ, and the Action of the Holy Spirit." [12] Although discerning Christians can easily see through such ruses, there is one area in particular that uninstructed Christians may be vulnerable. Both the modern "Faith" and "New Age" movements share particular teachings concerning angels. Therefore, Christians who are instructed in the former area may also be vulnerable to the more pervasive deceptions in the latter.
IPS Note: While the majority of people may be unable to define New Thought, hundreds of thousands are increasingly becoming influenced by it, since it is the cornerstone for most of the formulas for happy and successful living. Reduced it to it’s essentials, New Thought very simply believes that your thoughts play a crucial role in the kind of life you experience. It is unlikely that many Christians are aware of the the common roots of some popular beliefs in the church, and the New Thought beliefs without. From Clement Stone’s Positive Mental Attitude to Robert Schuller’s Possibility Thinking and Oral Roberts’ seed-faith principles, they all stem from common sources and pretty much say the same thing. See Roots of Evil which includes a very telling chart
As we documented in The Facts on the Faith Movement and The Facts on False Teachings in the Church, the modern faith/positive confession teachers almost universally claim that they have received their unique teachings by direct divine revelation, including through the mediation of angels. In those book, we have proven that these teachings are not biblical and hence could not have come from God or the good angels. [13] So where did they come from?
Perhaps it is significant that many spirit guides today have entire series of positive confession tapes which are sold by their mediums. (The tapes by "DaBen" and "Orin" include such titles as, "Creating Money: The Spiritual Law of Prosperity and Abundance" and "Awakening Your Prosperity Self." [14])
Also See The Prosperity Doctrine
But the popular angels also actively support and endorse positive confession teachings. As Terry Lynn Taylor remarks, "Angels are the missing link in the chain of…self-help, self-development, and self-reliance programs…. Angels are heaven-sent agents who are always available to help you create heaven in your life."[15]
The entire purpose of the book, Creating With the Angels: An Angel-Guided Journey into Creativity, is to use angels to create success in every area of life. 16 As one angel says, "Abundance is a state of mind that leads to physical manifestation of physical resources. But, more important, abundance is a state of spirit that initially awakens the mind to its creative possibilities. You are being led toward abundant thinking, feeling, loving, and participating in life so that you will be in a position to encourage wholism in every form, wherever you find it." [17]
In fact, the angels speak in exactly the same terms and cite exactly the same sc
Now consider other teachings from this same occult book that reflect basic "Christian" prosperity beliefs:
"…we should meditate for an understanding of what produced the original condition of lack in our minds, speak the word for a healing of that mental-emotional condition, and then work consciously with the Angel of Abundance to reveal a divinely prosperous life." [19]
Or, "Abundance is the true nature of God… And when you identify this Spirit of God within as your abundance, your consciousness becomes the principle of prosperity. The energy flows into manifestation through you, forever reproducing the vibration of your consciousness in the world of form." [20]
Or, "When you contemplate the God Self I Am as infinite supply...you are deepening your awareness of the truth of your Reality." [21]
Consider the following advice by the angel: "I have promised you unlimited prosperity…. I am the Lord your healer, I heal all your diseases, restore health to you, and heal your wounds. This is not to come. It is. In truth, you are healed now; you are whole." [22] Thus, the author tells his readers,
"Make contact with the angel and ask how you are limiting your own success. Let him show you any false beliefs that may be blocking the flow from his perspective." [23 ]
Also See The Prosperity Doctrine
Now consider similar teachings from other contemporary books on angels: "True abundance is the ability to see the abundance that is already ours." [24] "I harness the power that enables me to realize all of my desires and ob
ll this is proof positive that the modern Christian prosperity movement has aligned itself with the very same teachings given by the spirit world. Now, if we know that these kinds of teachings derive not from the good angels but from the fallen angels or demons, and if we know that the faith teachers claim to receive unbiblical teachings by supernatural inspiration, the conclusion would seem self-evident.
What all this means is that the "Faith" teachers who instruct millions of Christians may unwittingly be influencing them to also accept the teachings of demons masquerading as angels.
Consider the following and listen to the words of the "Faith" teachers themselves before you make a decision.
Kenneth Copeland teaches, "…when you use the Word in the name of Jesus [that is, in positive confession] they [angels] are obligated to follow your command." [28] Gloria Copeland suggests there may be at least 40,000 angels assigned to each believer, thus, "there is no shortage of angel power;" [29] and, "how long do you think it would take them to make you wealthy?" [30] Unfortunately, "for the most part, the heirs of the promise have not been using the angel power available to them." [31] Thus, "Your words put the angels to work on your behalf to bring to pass whatever you say…the words of your mouth bind them or loose them to work for you." [32]
Charles Capps says God supernaturally revealed the same truths to him. In Angels he says, "You need the supernatural beings of God working for you here on earth." [33] In Releasing the Ability of God, he states, "The Spirit of God spoke this into my spirit just as plainly as if I heard it with my ears…. He said: ‘The Word says the angels are ministering spirits. These ministering spirits stand beside you daily and listen to the words that you speak…. but you are the one who tells them what to do." [34] Thus, "Angels will work for you. They will become involved in every area of your life—your home, your business, everything—but only to the extent that you allow them to operate." [35]
Prosperity teacher Kenneth Hagin claims that in 1958 "the Lord Jesus suddenly appeared" before him, with an angel standing three feet behind Him. In I Believe in Visions, he reveals, "He [Jesus] said, ‘This is your angel.’ ‘My angel?’ I asked. ‘Yes, your angel, and if you will respond to him, he will appear to you as I will at times; and he will give you guidance and direction concerning the things of life,…" [36]
Jerry Savelle says that when we apply the principles of the Faith Movement, "…the angels come on the scene to see that what you say comes to pass." [37]
John Osteen teaches, "When you become a covenant-person, God assigns angels to watch you and your family…." [38]
Robert Tilton says, "When you talk positively about your dream, you not only release its substance, but you release the angels to work for you, causing your dream to come to pass." [39]
Benny Hinn also accepts the supposed ministry of the "faith" angels. [40]
But by teaching Christians that angels are indeed anxiously standing by to do one’s personal bidding, prosperity leaders are conditioning Christians to have a particular expectation about angels that is not biblical. To teach that angels will give personal "guidance and direction," that they "will become involved in every area of your life" and generate "financial prosperity" is exactly what channelers with spirit guides claim for the spirits they contact. In essence, Christians who think that the primary purpose of the angels is to service them with prosperity may be more open to establishing contact with the prosperity "angels" of the New Age movement.
Also See Section...
The Word of Faith / Positive Confession... as applied to Prosperity and Healing
Consider that in 1987 charismatic and "prosperity" evangelist Kenneth Copeland gave a prophecy "from Jesus Christ" in which "Jesus" promised that new and dramatic angel manifestations were going to increase in the church and that many "will have visitations from the spirit realm." Concerning angels, "Jesus" allegedly told Copeland:
A very outstanding time is on the way. A time is coming when there will be a manifestation of angels more than usual, more than what there has been in the past. Many of you are going to witness for yourselves the angel that has been put in charge and in command of your ministry and your life. Many of you are going to have visitations from the spirit realm. Many of you will have divinely appointed visions and dreams. …Oh, there’s no time nor distance in the spirit realm. You’ll be connected together at times like you’ve never witnessed before. Suddenly, you’ll be standing in that [spiritual] country, and suddenly you’ll deliver a message and then suddenly you’ll be brought back in your kitchen again. Oh, I have some outstanding things, sayeth the Lord. [41]
But incredibly, this "Jesus" who promised the increased manifestation of angels went on to deny His own deity:
"Don’t be disturbed when people accuse you of thinking you are God…. They crucified me for claiming that I was God. But I didn’t claim I was God; I just claimed I walked with Him and that He was in me. Hallelujah. That’s what you are doing." [42]
See Did Jesus Claim To Be God?
If Christians listen to such a "Jesus" and contact the "angels" he promises to send them, perhaps they should not be surprised at the outcome (See Ezekiel 13:1–9).
In The Facts on Angels, we document a great deal more about the modern angel phenomenon, including what the Bible teaches about the good angels, and how the modern "popular" angels seek to distort the Bible. We also discuss why they are interested in supporting the environmental movement, how they appear in near-death experiences and are related to Unidentified Flying ob
For now, it should be evident that the modern angel phenomenon is not what it claims to be. No one anywhere, least of all Christians, should become involved with the popular angels, whether by channeling, seeking to develop "angel consciousness," or to contact angels as personal friends and guidance counselors. To do so is to place one’s soul at risk.
Notes:
1 John Randolph, The Angels Within Us: A Spiritual Guide to the Twenty-Two Angels that Govern Our Lives (New York, NY: Fawcett-Columbine, 1993), p.62.
2 Ibid., p. 63.
3 Ibid., p. 276.
4 Meredith L. Young-Sowers, Angelic Messenger Cards: A Divination System for Spiritual Discovery (Walpole, NH: Stillpoint, 1993) 58; Terry Lynn Taylor and Mary Beth Crain, Angel Wisdom: 365 Meditations and Insights from the Heavens (NY: Harper Collins, 1994), April 13.
5 See John Ankerberg, John Weldon, The Facts on Angels (Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 1995).
6 Ibid.
7 Taylor and Crain, June 18th, 28th; July 8th, 22nd; October 20th.
8 Meredith L. Young-Sowers, p. 31.
9 Terry Lynn Taylor, Creating with the Angels: An Angel-Guided Journey Into Creativity (Tiburon, CA: H. J. Kramer, 1993), pp. 39, 41.
10 Price, The Angels Within Us, p. 16.
11 "Angels II: Beyond the Light," NBC, October 30, 1994, 7 P.M., Host: Stefanie Powers.
12 Price, The Angels Within Us, p. 31.
13 Available from the Ankerberg Theological Research Institute or your Christian bookstore.
14 Sanaya Roman and Duane Packer, Opening to Channel: How to Connect with Your Guide (Tiburon, CA: H. J. Kramer, Inc. 1987), pp. 231-232.
15 Terry Lynn Taylor, Messengers of Light: The Angel’s Guide to Spiritual Growth (Tiburon, CA: H. J. Kramer, 1990), xvi.
16 Taylor, Creating With the Angels, vii-xi.
17 Young-Sowers, Angelic Messenger Cards, p. 214.
18 Price, 268.
19 Ibid., p. 58.
20 Ibid., pp. 56-57.
21 Ibid., pp. 88, 96.
22 Ibid., pp. 263-264.
23 Ibid., p. 286.
24 Taylor and Crain, Angel Wisdom, February 8.
25 Ibid., January 11, 21.
26 Ibid., May 22.
27 Ibid., September 14.
28 Kenneth Copeland, The Laws of Prosperity (Fort Worth, TX: Kenneth Copeland Publications, 1974), p. 104.
29 Gloria Copeland, God’s Will is Prosperity (Fort Worth, TX: Kenneth Copeland Publications, 1978), pp. 84-85.
30 Ibid., p. 86.
31 Ibid., p. 65.
32 Ibid., p. 88.
33 Charles Capps, Angels (England, AZ: Charles Capps Publishers, 1984), p. 80.
34 Charles Capps, Releasing the Ability of God (England, AZ: Charles Capps Publishers, 1978), pp. 100-101, 105.
35 Capps, Angels, p. 173.
36 Kenneth Hagin, I Believe in Visions (Tulsa, OK: Kenneth Hagin Ministries), p. 93.
37 Jerry Savelle, Energizing Your Faith (Fort Worth, TX: Jerry Savelle Ministries, 1983), p. 45.
38 John Osteen, Unraveling the Mystery of the Blood Covenant (Houston, TX: John Osteen Ministries, 1987), p. 45.
39 Robert Tilton, Climb Your Ladder of Success (Dallas, TX: Robert Tilton Ministries, 1988), p. 54.
40 In The Christian Sentinel, Vol. 1, No. 1., p. 13. The word "spirit" was capitalized in this quotation. However, since this was a claimed supernatural prophecy to Copeland, the use of capitals was an editorial assumption.
41 Kenneth Copeland, "Take Time to Pray," Believer’s Voice of Victory, Vol. 15, No. 2, February 1987, p. 9.
42 Ibid.
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