Do Angels Visit us Today?
Do Angels Visit us Today?
The answer is a simple NO. The reason being is because Jesus Christ has given us the Holy Spirit.
15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever– 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
From a casual reading of Scripture, a person might get the idea that angelic appearances were somewhat commonplace, but that is not the case. Likewise, in our society there has been a radical increased interest in angels, and it would seem that angelic appearances are commonplace today. Angels appear in every religion, and generally seem to have the same role of messenger. In the Old Testament angels seldom visited people and when they did come it was under very special or dire circumstances. Below I have listed every visitation of an angel mentioned in scripture (except the book of Revelation). In just over 4000 years, angels have appeared approximately only a number of times:
- Genesis 3:24, when Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden. God placed guardian angels, or cherubim, to block the entrance with a flaming sword.
- Genesis 16:7, about 1900 years later. Hagar, the Egyptian servant who bore Ishmael to Abraham, was instructed by an angel to return and submit to her mistress, Sarai.
- Genesis 18:2, Abraham was visited by God and two angels, when God informed him of the impending destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
- Genesis 19:1-11, The same two angels visited Lot and instructed him to escape the city with his family before it was destroyed.
- Genesis 32:1, When Jacob saw angels he immediately recognized them as the army of God.
- Exodus 23:20-22, God sends an angel to lead Moses
- Daniel 6:19-22, Daniel in the Lion’s Den
- Numbers 22:22, An angel confronted the disobedient prophet Balaam, but Balaam did not see the angel at first, although his donkey did.
- Matthew 2:13, Mary received a visit an angel who told her that she would be the mother of the Messiah, and Joseph was warned by an angel to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt to protect them from Herod’s edict.
- (Judges 6:22; 1 Chronicles 21:30; Matthew 28:5) Often when angels appear, those who see them are struck with fear,
- Luke 2:13, The shepherds were visited by a heavenly choir as they were told of the birth of Jesus.
- John 20:11-15, The Resurrection of Jesus – Mary stayed outside the tomb weeping, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there.
- Acts 12:7-10, Peter is saved by an angel out of prison.
- Acts 1:10-11, After Jesus ascended to heaven.
- etc, etc, etc
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Let’s look at the Holy Spirit and what He has to offer
Below are some of the names and descriptions the Bible uses for the Holy Spirit:
He is the Author of Scripture: (2 Peter 1:21; 2 Timothy 3:16) The Bible is inspired, literally “God-breathed,” by the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit moved the authors of all 66 books to record exactly what He breathed into their hearts and minds. As a ship is moved through the water by wind in its sails, so the biblical writers were borne along by the Spirit’s impulse.
He is a Comforter / Counselor / Advocate: (Isaiah 11:2; John 14:16; 15:26; 16:7) All three words are translations of the Greek parakletos, from which we get Paraclete, another name for the Spirit. When Jesus went away, His disciples were greatly distressed because they had lost His comforting presence. But He promised to send the Spirit to comfort, console, and guide those who belong to Christ. The Spirit also “bears witness” to our spirits that we belong to Him, and thereby assures us of salvation.
He is the Convicter of Sin: (John 16:7-11) The Spirit applies the truths of God to men’s own minds in order to convince them by fair and sufficient arguments that they are sinners. He does this through the conviction in our hearts that we are not worthy to stand before a holy God, that we need His righteousness, and that judgment is certain and will come to all men one day. Those who deny these truths rebel against the conviction of the Spirit.
He is our Deposit / Seal / Earnest: (2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5; Ephesians 1:13-14) The Holy Spirit is God’s seal on His people, His claim on us as His very own. The gift of the Spirit to believers is a down payment on our heavenly inheritance, which Christ has promised us and secured for us at the cross. It is because the Spirit has sealed us that we are assured of our salvation. No one can break the seal of God.
He is our Guide: (John 16:13) Just as the Spirit guided the writers of Scripture to record truth, so does He promise to guide believers to know and understand that truth. God’s truth is “foolishness” to the world, because it is “spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14). Those who belong to Christ have the indwelling Spirit who guides us to the knowledge of all we need to know in regard to spiritual matters. Those who do not belong to Christ have no “interpreter” to guide them to know and understand God’s Word.
He Indwells the Believer: (Romans 8:9-11; Ephesians 2:21-22; 1 Corinthians 6:19) The Holy Spirit resides in the hearts of God’s people, and that indwelling is the distinguishing characteristic of the regenerated person. From within believers, He directs, guides, comforts, and influences us, as well as producing in us the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). He provides the intimate connection between God and His children. All true believers in Christ have the Spirit residing in their hearts.
He is our Intercessor: (Romans 8:26) One of the most encouraging and comforting aspects of the Holy Spirit is His ministry of intercession on behalf of those He inhabits. Because we often don’t know what or how to pray when we approach God, the Spirit intercedes and prays for us. He interprets our “groanings,” so that when we are oppressed and overwhelmed by trials and the cares of life, He comes alongside to lend assistance as He sustains us before the throne of grace. – This is NOT Tongues!
He is a Revealer / Spirit of Truth: (John 14:17; 16:13; 1 Corinthians 2:12-16) Jesus promised that after the Resurrection, the Holy Spirit would come to “guide you into all truth.” Because of the Spirit in our hearts, we are able to understand truth, especially in spiritual matters, in a way that non-Christians cannot. In fact, the truth the Spirit reveals to us is “foolishness” to them, and they cannot understand it. But we have the mind of Christ in the Person of His Spirit within us.
He is Spirit of God / the Lord / Christ: (Matthew 3:16; 2 Corinthians 3:17; 1 Peter 1:11) These names remind us that the Spirit of God is indeed part of the triune godhead and that He is just as much God as the Father and the Son. He is first revealed to us at the creation, when He was “hovering over the waters,” denoting His part in creation, along with that of Jesus who “made all things” (John 1:1-3). We see this same Trinity of God again at Jesus’ baptism, when the Spirit descends on Jesus and the voice of the Father is heard.
He is the Spirit of Life: (Romans 8:2) The phrase “Spirit of life” means the Holy Spirit is the one who produces or gives life, not that He initiates salvation, but rather that He imparts newness of life as opposed to the Law, which, according to Romans 7, produces death and condemnation. When we receive eternal life through Christ, the Spirit provides the spiritual food that is the sustenance of the spiritual life. Here again we see the triune God at work. We are saved by the Father through the work of the Son, and that salvation is sustained by the Holy Spirit.
He is our Teacher: (John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 2:13) Jesus promised that the Spirit would teach His disciples “all things” and bring to their remembrance the things He said while He was with them. The writers of the New Testament were moved by the Spirit to remember and understand the instructions Jesus gave for the building and organizing of the Church, the doctrines regarding Himself, the directives for holy living, and the revelation of things to come.
He is our Witness: (Romans 8:16; Hebrews 2:4; 10:15) The Spirit is called “witness” because He verifies and testifies to the fact that we are children of God, that Jesus and the disciples who performed miracles were sent by God, and that the books of the Bible are divinely inspired. Further, by giving the gifts of the Spirit to believers, He witnesses to us and the world that we belong to God.
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No Christian will EVER prefer an angel or want to see an angel over having the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Who in their right mind would want to see a lesser being than have Jesus himself abide in you and give you all the above? Jesus, who made the angels and receives their worship, has promised us His own presence in our lives. Jesus Himself has said, “Surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20)
Now, the Holy Spirit is our comforter, but the Holy Spirit is not someone who can rescue us when we are in trouble. This is where the Angels step in. Angels can and will help people out of dire circumstances, for example; a person’s life saved by an angel. Like when the Apostle Peter was in prison the angel came to rescue him.
But for an angel to bring us messages (when everything we need to know is in the bible), healing, gifts, teaching us, guiding us, etc? No!
Satan on the other hand loves to appear as an ANGEL OF LIGHT and will gladly parade himself in front of you, full of stories that contradict the Bible.
2 Corinthians 11:14-15 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.”
All Satan hopes for is that you are gullible enough to fall for his lies and then he’s got you in his claws. And the chance that you do fall for it is great because NO ONE reads, let alone UNDERSTANDS the Bible. And why do people not understand their bibles? Because they think they are Christian, but they aren’t and have not the Holy Spirit abiding in them.
Would you add The Holy Spirit as The Restrainer of Evil perhaps…. Or?
Dele
No. The restrainer I believe is Michael the Archangel
You forgot Acts 1:10-11 after Jesus ascended to heaven. But yes, point well taken, we ought to seek the leading of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, not seek angelic experiences.
Jason
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I KNEW there was another one LOL. I’ll add it quick 😉 thanks.
You made a valid point on why angels do not visit us; however, this is not what the L-rd tells us. The angels are ministering spirits and they are our brethren. (Heb 1:14 | Rev. 19:10 | Rev. 22:8-90) We are not to seek their presence or to worship them, but from what I read in the scriptures their ministry varies in accordance to G-d’s will not ours. (Ps. 103:21 | Col 2:18 | Lu. 1:19) We are not fully aware of all their duties. For it is written, “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” (Heb. 13:2) The point is that all saints and ministering spirits are to serve the L-rd G-d and obey His will. Thank you for your website and your time.
Shera
I have a migraine today, I will answer you tomorrow 🙂 thanks.
Shera
Thank you for your comment. I agree with you all the way. For who are we say what He will or will not, or can or cannot do. Revelations tells us that in the last days the angels will spread and proclaim Him.
God is Holy and He is Spirit. Just like Paul said in his letters that in his spirit he is with the congregation. That does not mean that there is a second Paul. The Trinity idea comes from Rome and all the other pagan religions that always had 3 in their godhead. Martin Luther broke away from the Roman church, good, but he took with him a lot of the roman doctrine that we still cling to while the Word is telling us to come out of BABILON!!
Shera
Tell me something, before you wrote your comment did you ACTUALLY READ MY ARTICLE and PROPERLY? Because you are saying stuff that I have already catered for in my article. And I especially left out Revelation because it applies to a time that we are not in – yet
No wonder I end up with migraines.
Minnie
That same applies for you. DID YOU ACTUALLY READ MY ARTICLE CAREFULLY??
I did not include the Revelation Angels because these are for during the Tribulation – a time we are not in yet, but almost!
>>>> God is Holy and He is Spirit. Just like Paul said in his letters that in his spirit he is with the congregation. That does not mean that there is a second Paul.
What on earth are you trying to say?
>>> The Trinity idea comes from Rome and all the other pagan religions that always had 3 in their godhead
Talk nonsense, pagan religions never always had 3 in their godhead.
But I am guessing you reject that there is God the FATHER, the Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit and there are 3 of them in One?
Shera… Is that a nic?
Interesting that I just did a piece on She-ra.. “princes of power” and female of He-rah. (TV animation series)
Thank you for your reply. Yes, I read your article and I understand your point. However, I still stand firm by my original reply. I’ve read some of your articles and have learned a lot from your hard work and studying of our L-rd’s Word, but on this point we disagree. Again, thank you for your website.
Thank you, Minnie. Believe it or not, I stop using the word Trinity many years ago when speaking concerning our L-rd. However, I do adhere to John 5:7-8 and understand our L-rd is one. (Mark 12:29)
Hmm.., Robbie – Sherah is in the Bible. Look it up. The name means something totally different that cartoon. If you have problem with this name, bring it to the L-rd in prayer and wait for His answer.
no no… ’tis fine. It was her descendants who built the Palestinian cities…
I read this in a book and it really helped me to put the trinity in perspective…It it like a light bulb…With God as the electricity …Jesus as the bulb and the holy spirit as the light. Three different but all one…
I also had a very unusual experience several years ago . I thought I had seen angels in human form but now I am not so sure. I was having a problem with my son who was a teenager at the time. I went to a book store and prayed that God would lead me in the right direction as I looked through the Christian Book section. I saw these two men and immediatly sensed something strange about them. They were both dressed in black pants and black shirts. But there was something about their faces. There faces were pale but had a look about them that I have seen in people that were very spiritual. It’s hard to explain but it was kind of like an aura…They walked over a picked up a book and one of them said to the other. “This book has really made an impact on teenagers or something to that effect.
I thought that God had answered my prayers and lead me to what I needed.
The book was called “The Magic of Believing”. The “Magic” in the title made me skeptical…but I tried reading it several times and could never even get through the first chapter. I am still to this day confused about that experience.
This is the problem with religion and the bible.. nothing is ever clear and we humans are left to interpret vague statements. I was raised to believe in God, Jesus, and the holy spirit. But I must say sometimes , a lot of times, I wonder why so much mystery?
Rudy
The Bible is not a mystery. But in order to understand the bible you need to be BORN AGAIN – you need the Holy Spirit abiding in you as He is the one that teaches you how to understand the bible. Without the Holy Spirit the Bible is just words on paper and unbelievers never truly understand it. Do you want to accept Jesus into you life? so that you can learn what the Bible says?
Rudy
Bible is written by the inspired… to be read (and understood) by the inspired.
The demons also believe in what you believe. (they tremble tho) Exactly What Deborah says. Be born again, be converted and be forgiven.
I’ve read some of your articles and generally find them well researched and helpful. But your first statement in this article is not correct, or put otherwise, the Bible doesn’t say that. The answer to the question whether Angels visit us today is NOT simply NO.
Having given us the Holy Spirit doesn’t stop God choosing to give us angelic visitations. Of course, Angels do not visit us inorder to teach us or give us new revelation like many claim, but moving from there to categorically altogether dismiss their visitation is not correct! Besides, we’ve been given clear aid on how to distinguish between angels of light and angels of darkness (the latter having no problem requiring worship from men).
One more thing, You didn’t give ALL instances of angelic visitations in the Bible apart from Revelations. I will not go now into all the cases you left out (that’s not the main goal of this writing, albeit an important point, for one should not make such a strong statement lightly!) An instance you left out is in Judges 13 concerning the birth of Samson. This is in the Old Testament and, therefore, the Holy Spirit was not yet given, fine.
But what about one of the New Testament instances you left out: Acts 27:23, where an Angel of the Lord appears to Paul (I dare say Paul was full of the Holy Spirit, don’t you think?) to encourage him in the midst of the storm?
In as much as people today, even among true christians, have a (perverse) yearning for angelic and similar ‘spiritual’ encounters without submitting to Jesus Christ who is the only Way to the Father, and that Satan uses this urge to confuse many with His angels of darkness who can disguise themselves as angels of light, we dare not in our zeal to correct an ill rob God of His supremacy in choosing how and when to minister unto us (e.g. encouragement)! This will be a fulfillment of the proverbial throwing out the baby with the bath water! We have Scripture to guide us in discerning these things! Remember, counterfeit currency in a backhanded fashion actually proves that authentic money actually does exist! Satan mostly only perverts the good things God has given or gives!
Much of the article was spent on explaing what the Holy Spirit has to offer. Of course, I understand this is to buttress the fact of the sufficiency we’re given in the person of the Holy Spirit. But justice was not given to the original title of your article.
Once more, thanks for your articles and for the time you spend researching these things.
Jon
Oh boy, it irks me when people don’t read properly…what do I say in the article?
I say…”I do believe however that Angels can and will help people out of dire circumstances, for example; a person’s life saved by an angel. Like when the Apostle Peter was in prison the angel came to rescue him.” and we can add your example of when the angel appears to Paul to encourage him in the midst of a storm and to give Paul a message that all the men on the ship would be saved.
Deborah,what you revealed is true.Satan is trying by all means to get us caught in his demons without us realizing that.I think that these things you are talking about has been collected by the Roman Catholic church from all over the world and now the church is distributing them.I say this because in one of the Vatican conferences called Vatican 2 or (ii),they discussed how to get people to worship God trough feelings than sober minded.God want us to be sober and vigilant and in clear mind as we worship him but Satan want us to be in altered state of mind.This is what again the Catholic church want for ecumenism’s success….to worship blindly and with no reasoning.
Wednesday came to a close no different than any other day that week. My wife was at Bible study and my youngest son was staying with his older brother in Indianapolis, IN. Around 9:20 pm I decided to take my dog for a walk. The sun had set leaving the air comfortably warm and with just enough light that the surroundings were painted with soft tones of muted evening colors.
The Holy Spirit’s presence was unusually powerful that evening as He whispered to my heart about my heavenly Father’s love. The reality of the kind of love needed for Jesus to die such a horrible death and for His Father to endure the scenes of rejection, torture, and crucifixion of His beloved Son, became intensely heartfelt.
I asked God to forgive my sins and especially my ungrateful attitude. I had been complaining about situations in my life that seem to never go away. Because of this insightful understanding of the tremendous sacrifices that my heavenly Father and Jesus made on my behalf, I stated that if He had done nothing more for humanity than offering His Son as the sin sacrifice, it would still be more than we deserve. I prayed that His “will” be accomplished in my life. My prayer ended with a request for a hug. Sometimes I prayed for a sign, but I am hesitant because we are to walk by faith and not sight. Admittedly, over the past twenty years, I have asked to see an angel. However, my heavenly Father has provided me with hugs vicariously through the following signs: a kind word from a brother, a smile from a loved one, a personal message in a sermon, a friendly hug or kind gesture from a stranger, an odd coincidence, favor, an unexpected meeting with a total stranger that brings me peace, and the list goes on. Not a sign or miracle that defied the natural laws governing this earth, but inconspicuous acts that only I recognize as a miracle. I don’t need a sign to believe in God, but on occasion my flesh needs a word of encouragement.
Heading back home, I began walking up the driveway. I noticed the star in the Southwestern sky that I have always called Alfa Centauri, because it is the first to appear. It seemed unusually bright that evening, so I stood gazing up at the celestial wonder. Suddenly, below the star and against the tree line across the road, there was a motion – like a bird flapping its wings. It appeared as if the bird was caught in a fabric and imprinted on the fabric was the view before me. Whatever was thrashing seemed to fly up above the tree line and now is against the evening sky. Unexpectedly, it was as if a dozen sparklers had been lit causing me to ask, “Is this a meteor?” There was a tremendous burst of light resulting in a hole, window, or portal of sorts. I will describe it another way. The scene before me (sky, trees, yard, etc.) was like a piece of fabric and behind this drapery was a bright light that began burning holes in the fabric revealing a view of the other side.
Through the opening, I saw the backside of a winged creature and its wings were moving quickly. Suddenly, the wings stopped moving and then the creature spread them open like a bird drying its wings in the sun. At that moment, I realized that the winged creature was an angel. Visible was the angel’s left wing, because the right side was beyond the window opening. To the left of the angel’s wing and in the background was a crystal blue sky filled with white clouds brilliantly illuminated by a light. A beautiful white light was shining in the distance, but its source was out of view. The light was similar to what you see in a morning sky only more radiant and a hundred times whiter. The angel’s wing glowed as it reflected the light. The wing was translucent and looked like it was made of glass or crystal. Luminous colors ran through the wing changing colors and direction. As I think back, the best way to describe how the colors moved in the angel’s wing would be similar to the cuttlefish. The colors instantly appeared and continually changed colors as they coursed through the crystal-like framework of the wing.
All at once, the angel’s wings started to flutter and instantly the hole in the evening sky was repaired. The entire phenomenon seemed to last about ten seconds. I don’t remember if there was sound associated with this supernatural manifestation, for the visual overpowered the audio senses.
The window that appeared in the sky that evening was small; however, what God allowed me to see has been difficult for my mind to process. I flew out of town the next day for a meeting, and in every waking minute I was in a mental tug-of-war; vacillating between the natural and spiritual. When something happens that defies human logic our natural mind tries to dismiss it. I no longer question the legitimacy of what I saw that evening, even though it has taken several days for my mind to absorb. However, my question now is, “What is the lesson God wants me to learn from this vision?”
Two weeks later, a thought surfaced about my reaction at the time of the vision. My thoughts, as I gazed at the light of God’s Glory and upon an angel who was present when God spoke the world into being, were not: “God is real”, “The Bible is true”, “Jesus does exist”, or “There really is a heaven”. These thoughts never entered my mind. Over the years, my Christian journey has removed all doubt about whether God is real and that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. The reason that God allowed me to see a glimpse of heaven was not so that I would believe. For I had walked with my heavenly Father long enough that a sign was not necessary.
Signs and wonders will follow those that already believe, not to convince one to believe. Signs and wonders strengthen God’s children as they walk through the storms of life. Blessed are they that have not seen, refers to Jesus’ gentile bride; those who worship a risen Savior, but have never seen Him in the flesh. “Jesus saith unto him, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” (John 20:29, ASV).
After walking with God for twenty-nine years, He decided to answer my prayer for a hug in a miraculous way. The heavenly Father was encouraged with my heartfelt empathy regarding the costly sacrifices made by Him and His Son and for my deepest gratitude for His love. Almighty God seared an opening in the fabric (veil) of creation to give me a glimpse of my future home and the light of His glory. God didn’t do this because I am more special to Him than any other born-again believer. However, like any parent whose child comes to a full understanding of the sacrifices his or her parents have made for them, we (the parents) react with uncommon favor toward that child.
DTW, I’m not sure where on this site, I read where there are NO MORE ANGELS after the Holy Spirit was poured out?? (Acts 1:8/Acts 2:2-4) Or who made this statement? But I decided to look into the Word Of God and see if there were any appearance of angels after Peter and the others were baptized in the Holy Spirit. Well there are several recordings of ANGELS appearing after the HOLY SPIRIT filled believers! The High Priest and they that were with HIM (Sadducees/same group that pestered Jesus while He was on earth) were filled with indignation (envy) and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. But the ANGEL OF THE LORD by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth and said, “Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the WORDS OF LIFE” Acts 5:17-20 Not only was the Apostle Peter rescued ONCE by an ANGEL, but again in Acts 12: 7 & 8. In this scripture the Apostle James was killed by Herod but Peter was spared until after EASTER… But the Angel of the Lord rescued him and led the Apostle Peter from jail. Hebrews 13:2 even warned believers to be careful/mindful when entertaining strangers: for some have entertained ANGELS unawares. And of course ALL Bible believers have read of the exploits of the ANGELS in the Book of Revelation. (Chapters 7-20) Angels seem to play very important roles in the earth & heaven; even after the HOLY SPIRIT was poured out on the day of Pentecost.
Sister Dee
When I mentioned there being no more Angels after the Holy Spirit, I was referring to MESSENGER Angels. You do not need an Angel delivering you a message when you have the Holy Spirit.
In the above article I state:
Heb 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
Perhaps someone made mention of the above verse already. If so please forgive my posting of it. I was discussing this very verse to my 28 year old daughter about 3 hours ago. Anyway, to the best of my knowledge I have not ever seen an angel, nor do I know anyone who has. But the verse was put there by the writer of Hebrews (Per haps Paul) so it must at least be possible. I would be of the mind to believe that in order for an Angel to present themselves it must be remembered that they are not women, nor are they little bear bottomed Cherubs floating on a cloud. When ever angels were mentioned in the Old Testament they looked male and dressed in the garb of that time period. But I do believe in some instance they must appear or else that verse in Hebrews is false. I know the verse is true so it must be possible that at sometime an angel has appeared to perhaps someone who greatly needed them to appear. Other than that I don’t know. The Word of God is true.
Have you at least considered the restrainer may well be the Holy Spirit? That’s one point of the Rapture….where the Holy Spirit goes we will go when he is taken out of the way. Just my opinion and 58 years worth of preaching, teaching and just down right asking the Lord to show me. I figure if He made a donkey talk He can use me.
Deborah (Discerning the World) wrote:
Sharon
Yes I need to apologize for the restrainer is indeed the Holy Spirit. I had been doing a lot of reading at the time and gotten myself quite confused on this issue – I had been meaning to come and rectify what I had said but completely forgot to do that. At the end of the day I pray people don’t follow what I say and TEST my words, I too can be in error.
So to everyone, I I humbly apologise, I made a big mistake, the Holy Spirit is the RESTRAINER!
I am absolutely convinced that angels are sent to help us in certain situations. But of course, we are not to idolise angels, as some people do. Also angels are male, and not like these silly angel ornaments that you see out there! I have been in a few life/death situations, where I just knew that an angel had saved me.
@Sharon/Debs.. I agree, John Chingford and I had this discussion some time back now. I also believe the ‘restrainer’ is the Holy Spirit.
Thank you Deborah – I indeed agree that the Holy Spirit is the Restrainer. The Holy Spirit will still be present in some form after the withdrawal of the Church in the Rapture, because there will be people saved during the Great Tribulation, but the removal of the universal Church will allow the full delusion and reign of the AntiChrist to manifest.
Those who oppose the pretrib Rapture can’t seem to grasp this concept.
Sharon
>> Heb 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
Yes this verse is used a lot by WoF churches and such to try convince people that Angels still visit us today as MESSENGERS. The fact is the Apostle Paul is actually talking about our brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ 🙂
Hebrews 13:2 “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
Romans 12:13 “Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.”
1 Peter 4:9 “Use hospitality one to another without grudging.”
In the OT some thought they were not just showing courtesy merely to men,but found it was their hallowed privilege to serve angelic visitors.
Paul refers to the OT Angelic visitors:
Genesis 18:1-2 “1 And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; 2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,”
Genesis 19:1 “And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground”
No problem Deborah. I am trying to do some mentoring for my daughter-in-law. She’s only been saved a couple of years but I will say she has already learned a lot. She has so many questions that I get all of my thoughts running together and sometimes say something just not quite right. She and my son got married last October. Since that time I have seen them both grow in the Lord…PTL! My son has 2 daughters from a previous marriage and both of them know Jesus as their Savior plus both of my new grandchildren from my new daughter-in-law have recently received Jesus as their Savior…PTL again. I love ministering to women, especially divorced women. But I am very careful about what I teach them in the word. I too am divorced after 28 years of marriage. I couldn’t save my marriage by myself. So now I walk alone and try to help other women and teach them correctly.
Deborah (Discerning the World) wrote: