Posted on 12/28/2010 9:35:02 AM PST by wmfights
What was the great danger of the church in the city of Colossae? There were those who invoked angels for protection, help and assistance. The phrase “worship of angels” could be translated, “veneration of angels” that is, calling on angels in magical invocations.
People called on angels as intermediaries of God to protect them from evil, to give them “inner light” and help them with daily affairs of daily life. Angels were called to help heal diseases and enlisted for success in business affairs.
These people did not speak ill of Christ. They just did not consider Him as the only mediator between God and man.
Devotees preferred angels to Christ because they could be more easily manipulated. Guardian angels were thought of as “good luck charms” for protection and getting things done. They were perceived to be more accessible than Christ and even more friendly.
It occurred to me it's interesting how the fascination with Angels has been replaced to some degree with a fixation on Mary.
Just goes to show, lots of beliefs are relative.
Are there types of spirits?..
Is there good and bad spirits?..
Do animals or plants have spirits?.......
Is the Spirit(s) of God a committee?..
The best angels book I’ve ever read is still the one by
AoG Pastor of First Assembly of God of Boise Idaho:
Roland Buck [Buck knife family]’s
ANGELS ON ASSIGNMENT:
http://www.angelsonassignment.org/
Available tor ead free online at above link.
He would likely agree with your points . . . at least most of them.
I do expect angels to be appearing more and more in this END TIMES ERA.
It is important to treat them as mere messengers vs jr gods.
It is very important to not be seduced by fallen angels or anyone or anything else that does NOT acknowledge that Jesus came in the flesh and the basic doctrines of the Faith.
I will note that our very own Angel-Gal/Alamo-Girl found the book worth reading, once upon a time.
Are you absolutely sure that “lots of beliefs are relative?
This then indicates one communicates with angels or spirits which is to walk a very dangerous line Quix...not to mention those of inquiring minds can and are deceived who seek communication in the spirit world......... These experiences oftentimes create desire for more and anticipation of these.... ones faith then and over time rests in these encounters rather than on Christ.
There are many counterfeits and deceptions occurring these days ...with the focus on the individual and what they experience in the spiritual realm rather than on Christ.
Further God has stated that as time moves forward to the end times and events thereof..it will be a time of great deceptions. Our world today is ripe for this.
It's as much the enemy of men's souls diversion as those who seek and venerate anything or anyone other than Christ. The two most vicious attacks against our Savior is creating doubt of Gods word as our final authority and standard...and redirecting ones attention to "other" attractive figures in which to de-throne Christ from His rightful place. ...which includes angel worship as well as Mary worship.
Jesus Christ does not share His throne with any other nor does He accept a "divided allegiance".
Our FOCUS IS TO BE KEPT ON CHRIST, CERTAINLY.
However, GOD CHOOSES to use His angels in diverse ways. We would be foolish to resist their carrying out His orders in some direct, overt contact with us.
Scripture exhorts us to be wise about entertaining God’s angels unwittingly.
Angels are typically sent to communicate and to serve us at God’s Direction. They are not, per se, vallets, gardeners, our servants and must not be treated that way.
Folks with a proper FOCUS ON CHRIST are not likely to get caught up in wrong attitudes toward angels.
Well said!
What's so interesting to me is this desire for an alternate mediator has existed from the beginning of Christianity.
The occult is among the quickest ways to damnation.
Where I think people fall into this trap is by assuming that Angels that appear to be good actually are.
Yes. Name a belief that is not relative to another belief, instance or observation.
As to “entertaining angels unaware”....the idea is watch how you treat others....but the key word is “unaware”. We aren't going to be aware this is the case.
I do know people who have served and loved God very well who have fallen for deceptions in the spirit world..including a belief they are intended to assist angels in the heavenly battles. Of course this is the imaginations of their own mind. But you can be certain they believe they are doing just that. Thus their faith has shipwrecked and they have been further lead into the spirit world.
Yes, I certainly know that God uses His angels on our behalf. I do not believe we should seek nor desire communication with them..KNOWINGLY. Being 'unaware' is one thing...but to deliberately seek is another and God has made clear we should not do so.
THE OCCULT IS CERTAINLY TO BE AVOIDED.
The occult persistently counterfeits the authentic.
Allowing the occult to cross off any of God’s doings is a faulty response and a flawed construction on reality.
i AGREE
IT IS WISE TO SEEK ONLY GOD
AND AVOID
seeking
per se
angelic anythings.
Nevertheless.
IF AND WHEN
GOD sends one or a lot of HIS ANGELS to my side in an overt way . . . confirming that they are His . . .
I will NOT slam the door in their face.
I also believe that it will likely be angels who appear at our doors in—in millions of cases—saying
COME! as in Lot leaving Soddom etc.
And we’d best heed immediately; not look back; etc.
Certainly satanic angels of light are to be avoided regardless of their appearances.
I’ve never known of a case of an authentic earnest Christian being fooled by a counterfeit angel.
Logically there might well be such, I’ve just never known of any.
Hmmm... a call to orthodoxy... VERY TRUE. Very needful.
But one must be careful whose orthodoxy one is called to... And transversely, if one is calling something orthodox, It had better be found to be scriptural, lest one wind up preaching another christ - much as the arrogance of the Roman church, and like it.
Probably not what you were looking for from the OP, but that is the first thing I see. Good post.
How will you know?...The reason I ask this is it would seem when God sends His Angels for us it won't be a matter of our confirming....He knows who are His and we can trust that when we are called home it will be just that...He comes for us...the choice was made prior the event.
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