Angel Messengers

   Throughout history God has sent his messengers (Angels) to make announcements of great importance to people. Sometimes these messengers are seen as heavenly beings, at other times they appear as normal men, but the message is just the same, moving.

Abraham met three men at his tent

     Take for instance the day that three men show up at Abraham’s tent in Genesis 18. In traditional Bedouin hospitality, Abraham says, “Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree.” after the traditional informalities, one of the men asks, “Where is your wife Sarah?” and follows up with the statement, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.”

Farm fields in Israel

     In a more dramatic fashion a man of God who looked like an angel of God came to Manoah’s wife in Judges 13. He likewise announced the birth of a son who would “be a Nazirite, dedicated to God from the womb. He will take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines.”
     The Bible says, “the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush.” (Ex 3:2) Joshua “looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand.” (Josh 5:13) “The angel of the Lord came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat.” (Judges 6:11) “David looked up and saw the angel of the Lord standing between heaven and earth.” (1 Chronicles 21:16) and the Angel of the Lord met Elijah the Tishbite. (1 Kings 1:3)
     When an angel speaks to a person, it is always life changing. But, beware, “do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” (1 John 4:1; 1 Kings 13:18; Jer 14:14; 23:16; Mt 7:15). Paul said, “even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!” (Galatians 1:8) Check the message before you believe it!
     John did check the message of the Angel. He asked, “How can I be sure of this?” And even though the angel replied, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God,” John dubious until the baby, John the Baptist, was born. But history records he was born, and all things occurred according to the word of God. (Deut 18:18)

Advent Devotions, Walk the Bible

     You can read more about the meeting between Zechariah and Gabriel in the book Advent Journeys, available as a book, as a Kindle e-book, and readable through Amazon Prime) Order, or read the book today!

Heaven

     Have you ever wondered what Heaven will be like? In real life sometimes we can catch glimpses of Heaven through the words of the dying, who see through the valley of the shadow of death, and tell us the things they have seen. A few people have come back from near death experiences and describe the things they have seen. More profound, Jesus tells us about heaven, and shares his credentials as the one who came down from heaven. (John 3:13; 6:38; 8:58)
     Throughout the Bible details are shared of what Heaven will be like. Some of these are simple, and show the real life going on in Heaven (Zech 8:3-6). Other scenes are more lofty and tell of the beauty of heaven (Revelation 21). The Bible says those who believe will go to heaven, while the ones who choose to fight God will suffer punishment.
     I have heard many who describe heaven as a place where we receive our angel wings and spend the day playing harps. But through this statement, people miss the things the Bible teaches about heaven. When we get to heaven and lie down in green pastures, life does not stop. Our life continues. God will show us things we could not understand on earth. We will enjoy great times of worship before the throne of God in heaven. And we will get to hang out with friends, new and old. Life will go on, but life will be much better than what is experienced here on earth.
     When I studied for and wrote chapter 9 of Spring: Connecting with God (Kindle), I found a unique picture of heaven in Psalm 23. I invite you to order and read this book. And through the book, I hope you will see how much God loves us and calls us to enjoy the life He has offered both here and in heaven.