Angels...

My friend Skip Taylor sent out an email talking about what angels are and what they are not. I thought it was great and with his permission I'm posting it here. GOoD Stuff!!

Loved Ones,

The recent passing of one of my all time favorite artists has had one of his greatest songs playing in my head and also in the light of several friends losing loved ones recently and some of their comments referring to "Heaven gained another angel today" as well as being asked from time to time by believers if people, particularly children, become angels when they die. Has stirred this struggler to submit these thoughts for your consideration.

No, I'm no angel. Scripture teaches that death is a relocation of the same person from one place to another. The place changes, but the person remains the same person. The same person who becomes absent from his or her body becomes present with the Lord {2 Corinthians 5:8}. The person who departs is the one who goes to be with Christ (Philippians 1:23).

Angels are angels. Humans are humans. Angels are beings with their own histories and memories, with distinct identities, reflected in the fact that they have personal names, such as Michael and Gabriel. Under God’s direction, they serve us on Earth {Hebrews 1:14}. Michael the archangel serves under God, and the other angels, in various positions, serve under Michael {Revelation 12:7}. In Heaven human beings will govern angels {1 Corinthians 6:2-3}.

Understanding that angels have served us on Earth will make meeting them in Heaven particularly fascinating. They may have been with us from childhood, protecting us, standing by us, doing whatever they could on our behalf {Matthew 18:10}. They may have witnessed virtually every moment of our lives. Besides God himself, no one could know us better.

What will it be like not only to have them show us around Heaven but also to walk and talk with them on the New Earth? What stories will they tell us, including what really happened that time a couple of years ago at Lake Issyk-kul, when my stupid prideful self almost drowned? 😱

In reality they have guarded us, gone to fierce battle for us, served as God’s agents in answer to prayers. How great it will be to get to know these brilliant ancient creatures who’ve lived with God from their creation. We’ll consult them as well as advise them, realizing they too can learn from us, God’s image-bearers. Will an angel who guarded us be placed under our management?

If we really considered that angels were with us daily, here and now, should it not motivate us to make wiser choices? Should we not feel an accountability to holy beings who serve us as God’s representatives?

Despite what some popular books say, there’s no biblical basis for trying to make contact with angels. For we are to ask God, not angels, for wisdom {James 1:5}. Moreover, Scripture clearly warns that Satan’s servants can “masquerade as servants of righteousness” and bring us messages that appear to be from God but are not {2 Corinthians 11:15}

Never the less, because Scripture teaches that one or more of God’s angels may be in the room with me now, every once in a while I like to say “Thank you” out loud. And sometimes I add, “I look forward to meeting you.” I can hardly wait to hear their stories.

So the bottom line is "No, I'm no angel" , but you and I will be with angels—and that’ll be exponentially better...

Thanks so much for your prayers and encouragement...

Peace be with you,

Skip