ACCURSED ANGELS
“But though we, or an
angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you, than that which we have
preached unto you, let him be accursed.”
Galatians 1:8
The thought of interaction with angelic beings
has occupied the minds of mankind from the dawn of Creation and continues until
this day. In the first century AD the apostle Paul, in an almost throw-away
fashion, simply stated that angels and humans can, and do, communicate with
each other. He further confirmed that this was possible with...“Be
not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels
unawares.” Hebrews 13: 1-2
A study of angels in the Holy Scriptures reveals
that “angel” and “angels” are mentioned some 280 times. Secular writings about
angels over the centuries would possibly total in the millions. Fiction and non-fiction accounts of angels
showing themselves to mankind have kept the printing presses rolling at an
amazing rate.
Our article is not concerned with
the secular, except to show some of the attitudes that the unsaved folk hold towards these fascinating
creatures.
Paul warned his Christian readers
to tread very carefully concerning our angelic friends for some had involved
themselves in the unhealthy practice of “angel worship”: “Let no man
beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of
angels...” Colossians 2:18. Whether it be those who look upon
angels as their ‘intercessors’ before God, or indeed those who make the angels
the very object of their worship - involvement with any angelic being can be
fraught with danger.
It never ceases to amaze me how
many of the recent “prophets and healers” on the world stage, proclaim the fact
that they were “called to the ministry” by some known or unknown guiding angel!
Please do not misunderstand me, I
firmly acknowledge and believe that God has placed a ministering angel beside
each and every one of His saints (Hebrews 1:14), but beloved, I refuse to
believe that said angels are sent to call any man or woman to the ministries of
God! That is a task which falls only to the Lord Himself by His Holy Spirit!
Research into those most prominent
in the “Healing Movement” from the middle of the last century will quickly
reveal the commonality of an angelic “calling”.
William Branham, for example,
credits his calling and his ministerial gifts to his “special angel”. Branham
often referred to his “troublesome angel” as “The Angel of the Lord from the Old
Testament.” This “angel” began appearing to Branham from the age of seven.
See www.williambranhamstorehouse.com
See www.williambranhamstorehouse.com
Bob Jones, “prophet from the Kansa City Five”,
claims that when he was nine years old living in Arkansas, an angel carrying a
“great trumpet” came riding down from the sky on a white horse and stopped
before him in the middle of a dirt road. Four years later, at age thirteen, he
claims he was escorted to the throne room of God in heaven by that same angel.
It was Jones who was first to identify this being as Emma, The Angel of the
Lord.
It was this “angel” whom he credits with starting the healing/prophetic movement!
Please “Google” - ‘Let us Reason’/Bob Jones: A Tail of a Prophet”
It was this “angel” whom he credits with starting the healing/prophetic movement!
Please “Google” - ‘Let us Reason’/Bob Jones: A Tail of a Prophet”
Some 60 years latter, Todd Bentley
from the Lakeland fiasco, resurrects this same “angel” as his personal “angelic
assistant” and also refers to “it,” as Emma, William Branham’s angel .
Kenneth Hagin, a contemporary of
Branham also told of his “angels” who visited him regularly and were at his
beck and call. Hagin
claimed that Jesus Christ allegedly further taught Hagin that he had personal
angels who could be commanded to do his bidding. Hagin said
Christ told him in 1963 that the angels were waiting for his command to provide
his material desires: "They are waiting on you to give them the order,
just as the waitress can’t do anything for you until you give her the
order"
Hagin- "I Believe in Visions", p.126
Hagin- "I Believe in Visions", p.126
Angels figure strongly in The Word of Faith
Movement and most of its adherents are quick to relate their experiences with
their angelic visitors. Kenneth and Gloria Copeland’s for example, follow the
Hagin line of commanding the angels to do their bidding.
Gloria writes; “Your last words either put
the angels to work, or force them to step back, bow their heads, and fold their
hands, your angels are waiting for you to give them words to bring to pass.”
“God’s Will Is Prosperity” Pg 91.
“God’s Will Is Prosperity” Pg 91.
Benny Hinn professes an almost continuous repartee
with his angel visitors and declares that his spiritual guidance now comes in
the form of Kathryn Kuhlman’s departed spirit!!!
One commentator sees Hinn’s journey into
necromancy thus: “Hinn has long been infatuated with the late faith healer,
Kathryn Kuhlman. His books and sermons are replete with the impact she
supposedly made on his life and ministry. Now, Hinn has her as a female
spirit guide. And with this claim, he is introducing a deadly spiritist
virus to his followers.” G.
Richard Fisher - “Personal Freedom Outreach”
www.pfo.org
Ellen
G. White, founder of The Seventh Day Adventist Church was another who worked
closely with her “accompanying angel”. She claimed it was this angel who
revealed to her the hidden truths of the Bible. “Present
Truth”, 1849. pp 21-22.
All
Mormon “truths” are based upon the revelations given by the angel Moroni to
Joseph Smith. The list goes on, in
fact, almost all false religions, including Islam, and apostate ‘Christianity’,
have their roots in angelic influence. Hindus and Buddhists have little to do
with their “angel gods”.
It is obvious that
Paul’s warnings concerning our unhealthy relationships with the angels have
gone largely unheeded!
Contrary to the popular
view that all things religious are on the decline, recent surveys here and
abroad show an increase of interest regarding things spiritual. The West,
whilst still holding a high regard for these things, shows a waning interest in
organized religion. “Doing Church”, it seems, has almost reached its use by
date in Australia, as the greater part of the population turns away from the
“traditional”, to seek ‘truth’ elsewhere. A Sydney Morning Herald survey
recently showed:
66% of Australians claim
that a spiritual life is important to them, and
51% of all Australians
still believe in angels!
68% believe in God
94% believe Jesus was an
historical figure
92% are “fairly
confident” Jesus was the Son of God...
(These 2 stats seem a bit confusing, given a 24% score for atheism)
15% believe that Jesus'
resurrection was an actual historical event
28% believe in the
virgin birth of Jesus
53% believe in life
after death
53% believe in heaven
37% believe in the devil
38% believe in hell
33% pray or meditate at
least weekly
However, only 17%
attended a church service more than once a month!
Even Australia’s hard
core clan of atheists (24%) has a 30% lobby for things spiritual. This group
confess to having turned their back on God but not on things “spiritual”, which
makes no sense at all to this writer. So, here we have snapshot of the place
angels (and spiritual things) hold in the minds of most Aussies.
As the source of all
truth, the Holy Scriptures attest angels do exist. However, be sure of this,
dear reader, throughout those scriptures the Godhead alone, is the only
motivating force behind every action undertaken by His angelic messengers - not
man and not Satan.
The devil, without
doubt, retains his control over the powers of darkness and the accursed angels,
so be certain of this, he is ready to deceive and destroy those who will
wantonly disregard the warnings of Paul, and others, and treat the angelic
world as their private playground!
How gracious of our
heavenly Father to grant us the privilege of knowing that He has given
us all our own ministering angel! However, that knowledge does not give us the
right to think that these magnificent creatures are here at our beck and call,
and neither are they there to fill ones life with celestial trinkets such as “angel feathers
and jewels from heaven”. Rod Rowland
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