Angels

I want to say thank you to all of you who were praying for me yesterday. I knew when I did not post, that you would know that I was having an extremely bad day. Actually I am going through one of my bad cycles and will be having problems for a few more weeks before it lets up.
Let's just jump right into our devotion this morning. What exactly is an angel? In Col. 1:16, we see that they are created beings. They have not always existed, and they have jobs to do in God's kingdom. First let's look at how the angels are classified. The first classification is the archangel. There is only one particular angel associated specifically with this role, Michael. However in Daniel 10:13 we are given an indication that there might be more than just one archangel. Then there is Gabriel, let's call him God's messenger. Next is the cherubim, it appears their role is as a guardian. First in the garden of Eden after the banishment, on top of the ark of the covenant. Then there is the seraphim, only mentioned once in the Bible in
Isaiah chapter 6. The only thing we know about them is they cry to each other "Holy holy, holy is the LORD of host; the whole earth is full of His glory". Although they may have other roles, we are not told about.
"Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation"? Heb. 1:14. The first way we see the angels ministering to us, is by guarding us. There was Daniel in the lions den, then in 2 Kings 6 we see where Elisha was going up against the king of Syria. Elisha's servant saw the Syrian army and was afraid, so Elisha prayed that the man's eyes would be opened, "and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha". God had sent an army of angels to protect Elisha. Then there was Peter and John in prison, and during the night an angel entered the jail, opened the doors and brought them out. Don't forget when Peter was in prison alone, and the angel led him out past the guards who did not see Peter walking out. In Matt. 18:10 we are told that our angels "do always behold the face of My Father, who is in heaven".
We should be able to take comfort in knowing that the angels transport us. Look at the story of Lazarus and the rich man. When Lazarus died he was "carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom". Jesus said the angels carried him, not escorted but carried him.
We see several times in scripture when an angel delivered a message from God to a man. There was Lot before Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed. Moses, Balam, Joshua, Gideon Manoah, Zechariah and David all received visits from angels. In the New Testament there was Zachariahs before the birth of John the Baptist, Mary and Joseph, the shepherds all foretelling the birth of Christ. Then an angel brought the good news of the resurrection. The apostle Paul in Acts 27:22-25 concerning the safety of the passengers on the ship.
"Do we receive special messages through angelic visitors today"? I believe that once the scriptures were completed most all communication with angels ceased. With the Bible complete there is no need for special divine revelation. Rev. 22:18 tells us, "If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book". However, I am not saying all communication has ceased, after all Heb 13:2 says "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unawares". If you remember a couple of months ago, I told you about my friend that had an experience that we believe was a visit from an angel.
We also see in scripture, where the angels rejoice over a sinner who repents. In Revelation we see all the things the angels will do concerning the rapture, and second coming, and the defeat of Satan's army.
Now I want to make this clear, Col. 2:18 "Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshiping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind". Under no circumstance are we to worship angels. They are God's servants, and nothing more. Worship of angels, is actually worship of false gods. God uses His angels to minister to us, to guard us, to communicate with us, and to fight Satan's army. God will have an angel deliver a blessing to us, but the angel on their own can do nothing to bless us, or minister to us, or even communicate with us. But, just knowing that God still uses His angels to minister to us, should give us peace when we are troubled, joy when we are sad, and hope when things appear hopeless, not because of the angel, but because of their service to God.