Paul's Epistles are written to the "Body of Christ"which comprise all believers through the "Gospel of the Grace of God" (Jew or Gentile) from the beginning of his special ministry until a future day in which the "Body" (whether asleep in the grave or alive) will be called up in to the air to meet our Lord Jesus Christ in the heavens. (Acts 20:24, 1 Corinthians 12:27; 1 Timothy1:12-16; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
This church called "The Body of Christ" is a "New Creature" distinct from God's people of Israel who were called "An Holy Nation." The church which is Christ's Body was brought into being for God's secret purpose called "The Mystery" - "Which He kept hid from ages and generations but now is made known..." as Paul writes; "To the intent that now unto the principalities and power in the heavenly places might be made known by the church the manifold wisdom of God. (Ephesians 1:22,23; 2 Corinthians 5:17;Galatians 6:15; 1 Peter 2:9; Ephesians 3:1-10)
In other words, God's purpose in saving us today in this "the dispensation of the grace of God" is for the purpose of teaching the angels in heaven, things that even they never knew concerning the many sides of God's wisdom.
Most importantly, it teaches the Angels how God's wisdom in the Cross has defeated Satan and openly displays Satan's ignorance as God reveals the triumph of His wisdom and power over him. (1Corinthians 2:7-9; Ephesians 1:8; Colossians 2:13-15)
In God's grace to us, He is using us to teach the Angels, and He will display us in the Heavens forever to demonstrate to the Angels "the riches of His kindness in His grace toward us" - (Ephesians 2:4-7)
Since God's program for us involves teaching the Angels, and since this truth exposes the defeat, failure and doom of the devil and his angels, this truth and those who know it are in a spiritual warfare with "spiritual beings" Ephesians 6:10-12
The armor God has given us is not "guardian Angels," but is the "truth," "righteousness," "peace," "faith" and "hope"found in our position in Christ. Furthermore, 2 Corinthians 10:4 tells us that the "weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds." They are not carnal (fleshly), but spiritual, for we do not fight against flesh and blood. Our weapon is spiritual. It is the Word of God.
Therefore, Jesus Christ through Paul, His Apostle to us, warns us over and over not to be deceived; nor lured into the worship of Angels; nor to be spoiled of our rewards through Angels appearing to teach us another gospel or any other doctrine not found in Paul's Epistles for us. (Colossians 2:18; Galatians 1:8; 2 Corinthians11:13-15; 1 Timothy 4:1,2)
Interestingly, Colossians 2:18 implies that those who would have you believe a message from an angel or to adore the Angels in worship, have never seen an Angel, though they may testify that they have seen an Angel.
To the contrary, the Apostle Paul says much about Angels observing, listening and learning of God's grace from us:
"We are made spectacles to the Angels..."1Corinthians 4:9
"We shall judge the Angels" -1 Corinthians 6:3
We ought to obey the authority God has established "because of
the Angels" - (perhaps because they are watching our obedience)- 1 Corinthians 11:10
Our position "in Christ in heavenly places" is a show of the kindness and grace of God to the Angels who never had seen such grace - Ephesians 2:4-7
And it was God's intent in forming the Body of Christ to teach the Angelic Host about His "manifest wisdom" -Ephesians 3:10
Paul acknowledges that his words are heard before "the Elect Angels" - 1 Timothy 5:21 Today, we have the privilege and the ministry of using "the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God" (particularity "the Word of His grace" to us;) and by using it we can assist in "spoiling principalities and powers" by the preaching of the Cross and thereby, through faith, save those (Jews or Gentiles) who were a part of the kingdom of Satan - "the power of darkness" and "translate them into the Kingdom of God's dear Son." - (Ephesians 6:17; Acts20:32; Colossians 2:15; Ephesians 2:8,9; Colossians 1:12-14)
As God's purpose for Israel centers around His kingdom in the earth, so God's purpose for us - the Body of Christ - centers around His kingdom in the heavens. Angels were used to help Israel by informing them and protecting them as a nation, in fulfillment of God's intent for the earth. However, today God is using the church, which is His Body, to help the Angels by informing them and warring against the spiritual wickedness in high places in fulfillment of God's intent for the heavens.
The more one understands the uniqueness of the age in which we live and how it is that we battle in a spiritual warfare for the heavenly places the more insight is gained as to the ministry of Angels today. We, the Body of Christ, are teaching and warring in the heavenly places. We accomplish unseen victories as we "stand fast in the Lord and in the power of His might" using as the weapons of our warfare "the sword of the Spirit" and "praying always"for "boldness" to proclaim "the mystery of the gospel." From that point of view, why would we have guardian Angels?
Rather than Angels helping us, God has given unto us something much more comforting and powerful. He has given to us His Holy Spirit who strengthens us with "power" and "might in the inner man" and "seals" us as God's possession unto the day of our redemption; all to His glory. - (Ephesians 3:14-21; Ephesians1:13-14)
Instead of protecting us from all the evils that may befall us-in life we are instructed to be "filled with the Spirit" and to learn that God's grace is sufficient. In fact, we begin to understand that in our weakness God is made strong in us so that while we may suffer need, go hungry, be afflicted with pain, or suffer loss; we "can do all things through Christ who strengthens us!" What a testimony this is to the power of God's grace in us, both unto man and the Angels. (Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:22,23; 2 Corthinians12:7-10; Philippians 4:11-13)
There is an amazing truth which can only be received by faith.We are told in scripture that our afflictions in this life are working for us. As we walk by faith, motivated by grace, strengthened by God's Spirit, guided by His Word through all the difficulties of life we will be rewarded "a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." If guardian Angels prevented such afflictions, they would be working against you, robbing you of rewards, and the glory God receives through His working in your life. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18; Romans 8:16-18; 2 Timothy 2:9-13; 4:6-8)
How God Saves Men
Believing Christ DIED, that’s HISTORY.
Believing Christ DIED for YOU SINS and Rose again that’s SALVATION.
Read Romans 1:16, Romans 10:9-10 and 1. Corinthians 15:1-4
Believing Christ DIED, that’s HISTORY.
Believing Christ DIED for YOU SINS and Rose again that’s SALVATION.
Read Romans 1:16, Romans 10:9-10 and 1. Corinthians 15:1-4
(A 10 Minute Video)
Posted By Cecil and
Connie Spivey
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