What I'm Reading...

I know, I'm such a book nerd. I'm obsessed with Frank Peretti http://www.frankperetti.com/ it's my 3rd book this month by him. I've never read Christian fiction before, but being a big Robin Cook, Steven King fan...and just sometimes getting weary of the language, I thought I'd try Frank Peretti...apparent master of Christian Suspense...and I love it. He has really opened my eyes in this current novel to how real spiritual warfare really is...of course it's fiction, and it's likely way over the top, but who knows? Could there really be a spirit of "doubt" or a spirit of "contention" that kicks us when we're down...could be maybe. Reading this book has definitely put a new spin on what I have always imagined. It's scary, but it's also encouraging, to think (& know) that there are angels right there with us when those discouraging times come around. I've always been fascinated by angels in the Bible, and I once did a Bible study entirely on them. I did some research and here's what I found; just some interesting facts: (it's kinda' long, but I think you'll find it worth reading; once you get started)

"All angels were created as holy angels, but about a third of them rebelled against God and fell from their sinless position (Revelation 12:9). Satan, the leader of the "bad" or fallen angels, is a liar, a murderer, and a thief. (John 10:10) He hates God and - - NEWS FLASH! He passionately hates God's people. The Bible tells us that he prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). We need to remember that Satan and all the demons are supernaturally brilliant, and Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14). Masquerading as a holy angel, Satan and his demons are behind the current angel craze in our culture. Under the covert operation of the master deceiver, America is experiencing a wave of angel-mania!"

What do Angels look like, and how do they act?

To understand the differences in angelic beings, look around you. God likes variety, it seems. Everything He created is different in some way. Even the angels. Sometimes they have wings, sometimes they are like fire. From reading many Scripture references, it appears that angels are not confined to any specific form or shape, but assume various forms and appearances according to the nature of the work they are required to perform and the will of God. In many instances they behave and act just like we do. They sit, stand, look like women, look like men, talk, eat and sing. In other instances, the Bible describes them as being spirits, wind and fire. Take a look at the descriptive information in the Bible:

• They sit down: Judges 6:11 And there came an angel of the Lord and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah.


• They stand: Isaiah 6:2 Above it stood the seraphims (Angelic creatures)


• They look like women and have wind in their wings: Zechariah 5:9 Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and behold there came out two women, and the wind was in their wings, for they had wings like the wings of a stork...


• They look like men; and eat: Genesis 18:2 And he lifted up his eyes and looked, and lo three men stood by him.


• They are spirits: Psalms 104:4; Hebrews 1:7 Who maketh his angels spirits


• They are like fire: Psalms 104:4 His ministers a flaming fire

What do Angels do?

• They Feed Us: 1st Kings 19:5 "And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat."


• They Deliver Us: Acts 5:17-21 "But the high priest rose up and all who were with him, that is, the party of the Sadducees, and filled with jealousy they arrested the apostles and put them in the common prison. But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out and said, 'Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.' And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and taught."
  


• They Give us Warning of Impending Danger: Genesis 19:15 "When morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, "Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city."
  


• They Guard and Protect Us: Psalm 91:11-12 "For He will give His angels charge of you, to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone." Psalm 34:7 "The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them"
  They Go Ahead to Prepare our Way: Exodus 33:2 "And I will send an angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanites, the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites."
  


• They Deliver God's Message: Luke 1:11 "And the angel answered him, 'I am Gabriel, who stand in the presence of God; and I was sent to speak to you , and to bring you this good news."
  


• They Direct Us: Acts 8:26-29. "But an angel of the Lord said to Philip, 'Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.' This is a desert road. And he rose and went. And behold, an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a minister of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of all her treasure, had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, 'Go up and join this chariot.'"
  


• They Will be Instrumental in the Last Day Judgement of God: Matthew 13:41-42 "The Son of man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and throw them into the furnace of fire; there men will weep and gnash their teeth."

Does each person have a guardian Angel?

Matthew 18:10 "Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in Heaven."
It seems here that Jesus Christ himself is saying that every person has a guardian angel and that these angels always have access to God.

How many angels are there?

Daniel 7:10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him.
Revelation 5:11, NIV "Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand."

Probably the most intriguing Scripture reference to angels that I found, was (from a human perspective) is the one that says, "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." (Hebrews 13:2). Wow! Doesn't that make you stop to think about how you treat and relate to people? Another fascinating Scripture that causes me to pause and give thanks is found in Psalm 91:11-12 "For He will give His angels charge of you, to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone."

I'm sorry if this was long-winded, but I just thought it was interesting and wanted to share.