angels

[Taipan]

I was just listening to what if she's an angel? by tommy shane steiner and it made me think...do you guys take angels as from heaven, or just as those few wonderful people who seem to be angels? So much of the bible seems to be metaphoric and maybe angels stand for the people who bring love and happiness into our lives. I'm not trying to offend anyone, and I hope I don't, but I'd be interested to hear your views...

[mandoBob]

I believe angels are from heaven. They are spiritual beings that have at times taken on human bodies (somewhat like Jesus did, but not exactly the same way). They Bible describes them as having wings and such at times (like in Revelation), but you can take that literally or not...the Bible is metaphoric at times, but not at others, so it's always good to look carefully at the context.
So I dont think it's JUST that angels are wonderful people, b/c that would be against what the Bible says. There's lots of angel activity early in the book of Luke, for instance...I'm Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God... Wow! That alone says they're something special.
I appreciate the metaphor in saying so-and-so is an angel, and on occasion perhaps they really are angels sent from heaven. But watch out for those fallen angels, b/c they're wanting nothing but to lead us astray...

[mindy]

The bible tells us there are angels in heaven. i don't think it's metaphoric. maybe God just uses people here on earth to touch the lives of others in His own special way. Those are just my thoughts. I believe God is always using events, people, etc. to bring people close to Him!!!!!!


mindy :)

[mlhewett]

Not to be too heavy but...

I believe angels are real beings created by God.

They are spiritual beings and immortal. They are holy, innumerable, wise, powerful, elect, meek, unmarried, invisible, obedient, possess emotions, are concerned in human things, take human form at times, not perfect, and are organized in ranks or orders. (I can get you scripture to back these up if you want.)

They were created by God to guide, provide for, protect, deliver, comfort, and minister to believers. (Again, I have scripture.)

God has also used them to bring destruction, curses, pestilence, sudden death, and persectution on unbelievers. Not so angelic things.

They were important in the life of Christ. Announcing His conception, heralding His birth, sustaining Him, witnessing and proclaiming His resurrection, and accompanying Him to heaven were just the few things we were told about.

They were there when the world was created. They were there on Mt. Sinai when the law was given.

They have appeared countless times to many Old and New Testament characters. With God being God and being the same past, present, and future, I believe he still uses them today in many ways. He even told us to be careful that we may be entertaining them without even knowing it. Which has happened, I believe, in my presence a few times when I was growing up.

BUT God will also use regular people to accomplish His goals if we are listening when He calls. That's the part that bothers me sometimes. That I'm not listening hard enough. Cause you know He said My sheep hear my voice...

OK here is the part that whether you believe it or not is personal to me and you can take it for what it's worth. One night when I was alone at home, (my hubby and son were out of town) I dreamed that there was a bad guy on my lawn. He didn't look bad but I could feel that he was bad. (Remember this is a dream.) I saw from his point of view that I was looking at him out of my front door and for some reason he got nervous and left. Later, in the same dream, one of my neighbors wanted to know what I was doing with three men in my house when my husband wasn't home. (I'm sorry, I'm still, after all this time, LMAO at the thought of me with three men.) All of a sudden I saw myself again looking out the front door and behind me were three huge, mean-looking men in overalls behind me. (Have you ever seen that Menthos commercial where the guys move that girl's car for her?) That's what made the bad guy leave.

Now for the really freaky part: A few months later I told my dad and mom about the dream. My dad was amazed and he explained to me why. When I was about 14 one of our friends was headed to college at NCSU and there had been a murder of a girl at that same college. They had found her body in a dumpster. My dad had prayed right then over the THREE of us girls telling God that WE were not trash and we would not be treated as such. He asked God to give us THREE of the meanest, short-temperedest angels he had to watch over us. I guess instead of each of us getting one, we all got THREE. LOL I thought it was cool.

Sorry to be so long winded but that's my angel philosophy. My biggest worry is that people sometimes focus too much on the creation (angels) and forget the CREATOR.

Lowell

[sarah]

the bible says in hebrews that angels are ministering spirits sent to help those who will inherit salvation.

[NCFan4Ever]

*i believe in angels,
*the kind that Heaven sends
*but I don't call them angels:
*I call them my Best Friends.

i love that quote!