Friday, March 27, 2020

MINISTRY OF ANGELS PART II


MINISTRY OF ANGELS

PART II


Matthew 24:29-31   29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

This is how angels will perform at the coming of Jesus in the gathering of Gods elect.

They will come at the same time Jesus appears in the clouds. Each angel will be assigned to the job of raising the body of one of the saints.

This is the resurrection of the righteous dead to meet Jesus in the air.

The false Arc angel Lucifer the history and future.

In the beginning Lucifer who is now called Satan was a sinless and righteous being.

God says He was perfect in his ways from the day he was created, until iniquity was found in him.

Ezekiel 28:15   15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.

Ezekiel 28:17   17 Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.

Some where the will of God had become distasteful to Satan.

He wanted to exalt his throne above the stars of God, as to be like the most High..

Isaiah 14: 12-15   12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

God in His eternal plan had reserved this exaltation for His son Jesus not for Lucifer.

It was given to Jesus alone to sit with the Father in his throne.

Revelation 3:21   21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Lucifer though ‘vice regent’ was destined to hold a lesser position.

But as it turned out he was not satisfied with this.

When it became evident that he was not to have the supreme position, he saw his ambitions thwarted, or down grated to third place. It was this that prompted his rebellion.

The question I have is how Lucifer hoped to be successful in challenging God for his throne…

Obviously, the devil’s rebellion was not born on the impulse of the moment, but rather had to be a calculated plan.

But the reason for its eventual failure was because God had foreseen the entrance of evil into the universe and had prepared a plan in advance to counteract it.

It was the divine plan of redemption.

So, when Lucifer painted a glowing prospect to the angels that they would be as gods, as he did to Eve, Makers of their own destiny. They left their first home and followed him.

It came to pass that one third of the angels elected to follow Lucifer.

God had not been taken by surprise that sin had entered His universe.

It was a matter of unspeakable sorrow and grief to Him, but there was nothing he could do to prevent it.

God however had knowledge which the devil did not have. He foresaw the extent of the rebellion.

He knew that although Satan would disrupt His plan, Satan could not prevent it from eventually succeeding.

There was one thing that God held in reserve, not even the angels knew.

God had a grand plan of salvation through his Son Jesus Christ. Not even the righteous angels knew about it.

1 Peter 1:12   12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

1Peter 1: 19-20   19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

Jesus Himself would become flesh, and die in the sinner’s place.

At Calvary the devils legal authority was stripped from him, and has no further power over the believer.

Ephesians 6:12   12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.


In the Christian life we battle against rulers and authorities: the most powerful evil forces of fallen angels, headed by Satan.


To withstand their attacks, we must depend on Gods strength. We need to use every piece of his armor.


These who are not “flesh and blood” are demons over which Satan has control. They are very real.


We as Christians face a powerful army whose goal is to defeat Christ’s church.


When we believe in Jesus these beings become our enemies. They try every device to turn us away from Jesus and back to sin.


Although we are assured of victory, we must engage in the struggle until Jesus returns. Satan is constantly battling against all who are on the Lords side.


We need supernatural power to defeat Satan. God has provided this by giving us his Holy Spirit to dwell within us, with his armor surrounding us.


If you feel discouraged, remember Jesus words to Peter. Upon this rock, I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.


Matthew 16: 18   18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

We have good angels to fight for us but we also have evil angels whom we must fight against.
Prevailing intercessory prayer will hamper Satan and his wicked plans.

If necessary, it will bring angelic forces on the scene as occurred in the days of Daniel.

How important is the ministry of intercession or intercessory Prayer?

There was a time in Israel’s history God could not find and intercessor to pray for Jerusalem, so he had to allow judgment to fall on the land.

Ezekiel 22:29-31   29 The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully.
30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.
31 Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord God.

The land of Israel became overrun by the armies of Nebuchadnezzar and the children of Israel went into a 70-year captivity.

Until He could raise up Daniel for his prayer of intercession.

“Daniels vision from God”

Daniel 10:10-13   10 And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.
11 And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.
12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.
13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.

When will this great battle in the heavenlies be ended?

Revelation 12: 7-10   And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

Michael and his angels will come forth and fight against Satan and later his fallen angels will together be cast out of their positions in the heavenlies: Which is the second heaven, above Earth.

They were first forced out of the third heaven where God is, when Satan rebelled. Down to the second heaven which is above earth.

During the tribulation at the time of the rapture, Satan and his angels will then be forced down to earth from the second heaven where they will be permitted to continue their operations for a little season during the great tribulation.

 Michael and the angels are the celestial agents used in the defeat and casting down of the devil and his hosts.

It is interesting to note they overcame him, “Satan” by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony.

God is calling for men and women who will be prayer warriors in this great battle of the ages called the “end times”.

When victory comes, as it surely will, the prayer warriors will have an important part in Satan’s defeat.

Pray and stay close to God and your angels. 

Friday, March 20, 2020

Ministry of Angels Part One


Ministry of Angels Part One


The angels that are guarding us.

Psalms 91:11   11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

The bible teaches that a guardian angel watches over every human being that is born into this world.

Hebrews 1:13-14   13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?
14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

Angels are the princes of Heaven who stand before God. They are also ministering spirits to those who are heirs of salvation.

Angels are of a different order than human beings, but closely resemble humans in appearance.

They have bodies, but not physical bodies, yet they have the power to appear as physical beings at such times they choose.

Angels are of a higher order than man in his present state. The bible says that man was made a little lower than the angels.

Psalms 8:4-5   What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

These are different orders of Angels. Including seraphim, cherubim, archangels, and guarding angels.

The seraphim angels are described as having three pair of wings; they are attendants of the Lord and have special duties in proclaiming the Holiness of the Lord.

Isaiah 6:5-6   Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.
Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:

The cherubim or living creatures have two pair of wings and have certain responsibilities in guarding the throne of God.



Revelation 4:6-8   And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.
And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

Many Angels don’t have wings; if they did they would not be mistaken for human beings.

The activity of angels is ceaseless. Even though we do not see them and don’t suspect their presence they are always around.

Angels are immortal, and do not die. They are said to be innumerable. If it were not for the vigilant protection of these heavenly guardian angels the lives of Christians would be in serious trouble from evil spirits. 

Angels are always watching over all believers protecting them from the unseen dangers and evil.

Psalms 91: 11-12   11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

The bible speaks of three archangels: Michael, who is one of the chief princes at the time of the great tribulation. He will fight for the children of Israel.

Another archangel is Gabriel. He ranks high in the angelic order. Gabriel appears to be associated with the redemptive work of God.

The third archangel was Lucifer the fallen angel.

The guardian Angels…. Every one born into the world has a guardian angel assigned to him or her. It is the angels’ mission to watch over him or her.

They are delegated by divine command to accompany him or her through life.

Although an angels’ purpose is to protect us, he has not been granted unlimited authority in this respect.

If this were not so, no children would die in infancy.

God may foresee circumstances ahead in which it would be better for them to be removed from the scene and taken by the angels to the paradise of God where he or she would grow up.

Psalms 34:7   The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

Angels do not watch over Gods people in their youth only, then neglect and forget them when they come to maturity.

Daniel 3:28   28 Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.

Gods plan is that angels should attend his people all the days of their lives: they are ministering spirits unto those who are heirs of salvation.

Although the bible speaks clearly of guardian angels who watch over the saints, the evidence is that if sin is carelessly indulged in, the angel will finally take his departure and leave the person to his fate.

This is true of an individual, true of a city, and God can withdraw His protection from a whole community as He did at the flood of Noah and Sodom and Gomorrah. 

Angels record the deeds of our lives, whether they are good or bad.

Acts 3:19   19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

There is another mission performed by these invisible messengers of God. They mark the men and women who are prayer intercessors.

If you are a faithful prayer intercessor, Gods angels will place a mark of protection upon you.

For those who have fully consecrated their lives to God there is special angelic protection.

This promise is not for all, but he that dwells in the secret place of the most high, shall abide under the shadow of the almighty.

Psalms 91:1 and vs 11   He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.   11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

Here is the promise of protection over evil, the plague, accidents and the power over Satan.

When we enter into eternity and all things are revealed, we will learn that there were times we were in danger, but the angels of God saw our danger and placed our lives in the hand of God.

In the world to come, the righteous are equal to angels.

In some respects, the redeemed will excel angels, for the over comers will become the very bride of Christ.

It is a privilege which is not given to angels.

There is no higher position for created beings than membership in the bride of Christ Jesus.

Luke 20:36   36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.

Friday, March 13, 2020

LEARNING TO PRAY CORRECTLY


LEARNING TO PRAY CORRECTLY



Most people even Christians do not know there is a right way and a wrong way to pray. Neither do they know there are different prayers for different circumstances. This is why they don’t always get their prayers answered.

Prayer is a means of communication and a contact with our heavenly father that is combined with faith in Gods word. Prayer is a channel through which and by which His power can be released to meet our needs, allowing Him to get involved in our circumstances.

There is a real lack of understanding about the operation of prayer and therefore God is being falsely accused of things he had nothing to do with.

God does not hear your prayers because you cry or beg, nor because you’re on your knees, or because you are sincere. He does not hear you just because you are in church. God hears your prayers when you pray in line with his word and if you are standing in righteousness before Him.

From the standpoint of having the ability, because he is God, he bases everything upon his written word. He has designed this system of praying in accordance with his will to work for the one praying.

In the world, man, the planet, the universe, he has built certain laws that govern and control it all.

Prayer is not a Russian roulette game that you play where sometimes you hit it, also said sometimes you get the answers and sometimes you don’t. You should be getting answers to every prayer you pray, if you are praying correctly.



Philippians 2:11-12   11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

So how do we get Gods presence in the circumstances we are having in our lives. Through prayer and faith: working in conjunction with each other.

When we invite Him into our situation through prayer and faith, which are the power twins, we give him the opportunity and the permission to get involved in our circumstances on our behalf.

There are certain biblical rules and principles regarding prayer. It doesn’t matter how big your need is, even though he already knows, God does not respond to your need. He responds to his word through prayer and faith.

I have found out there are different kinds of prayer for different kinds of circumstances, and each kind of prayer has its own spiritual rules that govern it. You have to know the rules that govern the kind of prayer you are using or it will not work.

Just as there are different rules that govern Golf and Tennis there are spiritual rules that govern different kinds of prayers.

1.         Prayer of agreement: Matthew 18:19   19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

According to the scripture it is a prayer for people who live on earth and it says they have to ask and they have to be in agreement in asking it. The people who are praying must agree or it will not work.



2.         The prayer of faith – petition prayer.  Mark 11:24   24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Jesus did not say that you would receive something that resembled what you prayed for, he said whatever you ask for you get.

Matthew 21:22   22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

He did not say, see that you might receive them, he did not say understand that you receive them, he certainly did not say, feel like you receive them. He said believe you receive them.

You might ask, how can I believe that I am healed when my body still feels like it is not? Jesus said: if you believe you receive, you will have it.

When you operate in the prayer of faith there is no sight; meaning, no physical senses involved. There are many people who miss it because they are bound by their senses. Like, I don’t feel like it, or I don’t understand it.



Hebrews 11:1   11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

So, what is evidence or proof? Evidence or proof is when the thing you prayed for gets there. If faith is my evidence of things not seen, that means that I can not look to anything in the senses realm to validate my faith. I have to look to a higher source: which is the word of God.



3.         Prayer of intercession:   Romans 8:26-27   26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

This is when you pray for someone else totally and completely. There are two sides of intercession. One is where we get in agreement telling God what we want. Two is Two the very high end of intercession is where you may not even know who you are praying for the Holy Spirit will place a strong urge in your spirit to pray for something or someone. This is where you get into the true intercession. You will not do this in your natural language, because you will not know what to pray for. This is what Romans 8:26 is referring to.



4.         The prayer of praise and worship. This is a prayer between you and the Lord. All you are doing is telling him how much you love him. Not asking for anything, you are sending up a sweet savor to him of adoration, appreciation and thanksgiving.



5.         Prayer of consecration and/or dedication. This prayer is where you place yourself in a position to be used of God. You have to use “if it be your will” in this type of prayer. You can not find Gods will in the word concerning where he wants you for his purpose.

But you never use dedication and consecration prayers when you are trying to pay your bills, if you tack on, if it be thy will onto a petition prayer, you are praying in doubt. You are canceling out your prayer.

When you decide what you want from God and the scripture that promises you that and you are standing on that scripture, be prepared for a fight. If you are not prepared for a fight you are not prepared to pray. Satan is going to contest every inch of ground that you try to claim or reclaim.

You must ask, there is no such thing as a silent or unspoken request. How did God create the world? The bible says that God said it, it did not say God thought. Nothing came into existence until after God said it. Nothing is coming to you until you say it.

Titus 1:2   In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

Since God can not lie, then that means he can only tell the truth. If he can only tell the truth when he tells me to pray and believe that I receive and I shall have it. Praise God it is on its way. I have it and it is mine.

Now if you have confidence that you have prayed according to Gods will you should be confident that he heard you. You should not pray for the same thing a second time, that is like saying you did not get it the first time. It is best to Thank God for hearing and answering your prayer.

Here is a good example of how you can pray the prayer of petition in faith using Mark 11:24 and a guide.

Mark 11:24   24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Monday morning you get up and say; Heavenly Father you said in your word that what things I desire I can have.

In the name of Jesus, I desire a new pair of shoes, I pray now and I believe that I receive a new pair of shoes. You say in your word when I pray and believe I receive. I now believe that I receive a pair of brand-new shoes and you said I shall have it. I want to thank you. I believe that I receive it.

Tuesday morning the shoes have not come, so in your prayer you say Father I just want to thank you for my new shoes that I believe that I have them and I thank you for them.

Wednesday morning: Father I thank you and praise you, I believe I receive my shoes on Monday. I want to thank you. I believe that I have them. I am not going to get them; I believe that I have them by faith.

Thursday the same prayer. Never loose faith, keep thanking and praising him… it will happen.