The Power of Angels

Part One

Pastor John Hamel

“And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:” (2Thessalonians 1:7-8)

Jesus is coming! When He arrives He will be accompanied by both Holy Saints and His powerful angels.  That is the subject of this message. 

The word “mighty” used here concerning His angels is “dunamis.” It means “Worker of miracles, strength, violent, mighty wonderful works.”  The Apostle Paul used the same word when writing to the Church at Rome.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power (dunamis) of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16)

Much is stated throughout Scripture about the supernatural power of angels, but never is it even implied that they are omnipotent.  To be omnipotent is to be all powerful.  Only God is omnipotent.  Angels are not omniscient.  To be omniscient is to be all knowing.  Only God is omniscient.   

Angels cannot create, they cannot search the hearts and minds of human beings and they are unable to reproduce themselves.  

Nonetheless, angels are capable of amazing feats of strength and supernatural power.  

My wife, Barbara, and I were once exiting I-40 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. As we were on the exit ramp, I looked and saw red and blue flashing lights positioned on the on-ramp to I-40.  There was a crushed vehicle which had apparently rolled from attempting to approach the freeway at an excessive speed.  There were emergency personnel around the vehicle and a tow truck in front of the vehicle which was now standing back upright on its tires.  The vehicle had been thoroughly destroyed and I wondered if someone had been killed.

As I looked straight ahead to be sure I did not go off the exit ramp, there was a 12 to 14 foot man in white walking directly in front of our vehicle.  He was obviously leaving the accident scene.  He seemed unmoved or unaware that we were about to intersect and I was about to run directly into him. He literally stepped in front of me. I slammed on the brakes and shouted to my wife, "Do you see that?"  She had not seen anything.  

He was headed directly towards the woods on the other side of the field to my left.  Excitedly I asked my wife again, "You don't see him? It's a giant man in white.  He walked right in front of us and I didn't hit him.  He just kept walking.  That's why I slammed on the brakes."  She assured me she had seen absolutely nothing except the accident scene to our right.

I followed the giant being as he continued to walk across the open field away from the exit ramp.  Accelerating, I shot down the ramp and across the road along the bottom of the field and over to the wood line to get a closer look at him before he disappeared into the woods.  By the time I was able to get to the wooded area, he disappeared into the stand of trees.

I have often wondered why that giant angel was coming from the scene of that horrific accident.  Possibly he had just saved someone's life keeping them from dying in the crushed vehicle.  Possibly he was there to extract the injured from the vehicle.  I simply cannot be sure, but one thing I do know is that the giant man-like being was actually an angel who looked like a man and that he had something to do with delivering someone in that accident.  

This was the Discerning of Spirits in operation in my life.  This was not the first or the last time this gift has gone into operation in my life.  As a matter of fact, I have had eight different visitations of angels. I have also had six visitations of Jesus Christ. Something similar could possibly also happen for you.

Angels Ascend and Descend from Heaven to Earth and Back

“And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.” (Genesis 28:12)

One night Jacob dreamed a dream.  In that dream it was revealed to him that the angels of God continually go back and forth from Heaven to Earth in service to man. The Apostle Paul said the angels of God are sent into the Earth to minister assistance to those who belong to God through Christ. 

This happens, even for you, all the time whether you are seeing it or not.

“Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14)   

When Nathaniel first met Jesus, Jesus told him how He had seen him in the spirit earlier.  Jesus described to Nathaniel what He had seen him doing.  Nathaniel was absolutely astonished.  

Jesus said something very interesting to Nathaniel at that time. "…Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.” (John 1:51)

Angels ascend and descend on behalf of men and women even as they did on behalf of Jesus when He was in the Earth.  

The angels of God are messengers, providers, warriors and protectors sent forth into the life of the Christ Believer. 

Angels Even Appear to Animals

“And when the ass saw the angel of the Lord, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff. And the Lord opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times? And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.” (Numbers 22:27-29)

Balaam was a good Prophet gone bad.  He was on his way to pronounce a curse on the nation of Israel when God's angel stopped him.  The donkey on which Balaam was riding saw the angel and became fear-stricken, freezing in place.  Balaam began beating the donkey, attempting to force him to move forward when the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey who asked Balaam, "What are you beating me for?"  Balaam explained to the donkey that he was beating him because he would not move and told him, "I'd kill you if I could."  

So here we have an angel of God intervening on Israel's behalf, stopping the false Prophet Balaam by appearing to his donkey.  Not only was the false Prophet engaging in conversation with the donkey, but he was acting like one himself.  It is a miracle that this donkey actually spoke to Balaam in the voice of a man. (2 Peter 2:16)

Angels are everywhere, appearing to both humans and animals according to the will of God.

Angels Drive Chariots in God’s Military

Here we find the Prophet Elijah being taken up to Heaven by God’s Inter-Planetary Airport Limousine Service. 

“And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces. He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan;” (2 Kings 2:11 -13)

In the Bible, the “Chariot of Israel” is a reference to God’s personal chariot.  The “horsemen thereof” are the angels of God who drive them.  The Bible reveals that God travels with twenty thousand chariots surrounding Him and that angels drive them all.

"The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place." (Psalm 68:17)  

This event reveals what is going on all around us daily, unbeknownst to those who do not know God's Word.

Angels Deliver the Obedient from Unjust Treatment

The Prophet Daniel was thrown into a den of hungry lions for disobeying King Darius’ command to pray only to the king's false god.  Darius had been tricked into doing this to his friend Daniel by some jealous princes but was unable to reverse even his own decision.  King Darius stayed up all night worrying about Daniel, hoping his God was able to protect him.  When the sun rose Darius ran down to the lions' den, shouting to Daniel, "  My precious friend, was your God able to protect you?"  Daniel responded in the affirmative.

“My God hath sent His angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before Him innocence was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.” (Daniel 6:22-23)

God's powerful angel came and supernaturally shut the mouths of Darius' fierce lions.  This was a supernatural feat indeed and one that could never be imitated by any human being.   

God sent His angel to deliver Peter in a similar fashion. Herod had imprisoned Peter in order find favor with the Jews and was planning on executing him early the next morning.

“And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. 

"And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.” (Acts 12:6-10) 

God's powerful angels can pacify hungry lions, stupefy even the most alert guards and do just about anything it will take to rescue you and to deliver you when God decides to set you free from unjust treatment.

Are you being treated unjustly?  Respectfully tell the Father you are standing on His promise of Psalm 103:6.  He will respond and deliver you even by the help of His powerful angels if necessary.

"The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed." (Psalm 103:6)

Angels Ride Spirit Horses from Heaven and Back

“I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in the bottom; and behind him were there red horses, speckled, and white. Then said I, O my lord, what are these? And the angel that talked with me said unto me, I will shew thee what these be. And the man that stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, These are they whom the Lord hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth.” (Zechariah 1:8-10)

In Zechariah's vision, the Man on the red horse was Jesus Christ. Upon reading the entire chapter, one can clearly see that Zechariah spoke to Him as God, and He responded as only God would respond.  

The riders of the horses standing behind Jesus — red, speckled, and white — are invisible agencies of God sent forth into the Earth to accomplish various missions. At least they are invisible to the natural human eye, unless the Holy Spirit opens one's eyes to see them.  They are God's scouts and their job is to report earthly conditions back to Him.  In this particular case, they reported back to Holy God that all the Earth was still and at peace (Zechariah 1:8-11).  

The horses Zechariah saw were not symbolic at all.  They are real and literal creatures, spirit horses created by God to live on the Planet Heaven.  They are used by those angels whose job is to go back and forth between Heaven and Earth for the purpose expressed here, as well as in many other capacities.  

That spirit horses do indeed exist in Heaven and in heavenly realms is more than clear from Scripture.  God the Father rides horses.  Jesus the Son rides horses.  The angels of God ride horses.

As a matter of fact, the Scripture reveals when Jesus returns for the battle of Armageddon and the final destruction of Satan and demon powers, all the Saints of Heaven will return with Him - riding on spirit horses. (Revelation 19:11-21)  

Everyone in Heaven must learn how to ride horses in order to return with Him. If you have loved ones in Heaven right now, you can be sure they are riding horses.  I also believe that the raptured Saints who will go to Heaven prior to the 7-year Tribulation period will learn to ride horses at that time.  They will also be trained over that 7-year period in spiritual battle in order to return with Christ as His army.  

Someone said, "But I don't like horses and I'm afraid of them."  I said, "You'll like everything in Heaven and there is no such thing as fear there!" 

"But I'm afraid I might fall off and break my neck or even die!"

They don't do that there, either.

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." (Revelation 21:4)

Angels Possess Supernatural Physical Strength

“And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.” (Matthew 28:2)

It came time for the message to be delivered that Jesus had whipped the fire out of death, Hell and the grave, raising from the dead.  It is quite clear that the angels who came to bring the message broke the sound barrier as they entered into the Earth's atmosphere.  The Earth shook violently for the second time in three days.  Jesus Christ had actually risen from the dead and the angels were here to announce it. (Matthew 27:51)

That stone blocking the entryway to Jesus' tomb weighed approximately 4,000 lbs.  That is two tons.  Moving two tons in the days prior to steam engines or hydraulics was quite a feat. Yet, just one of God's angels had no problem at all rolling the stone away without any help.  This act represents tremendous physical strength - strength that is available to you should you ever need it.  

Over one third of all angelic appearances in Scripture are angels coming into the Earth to help human beings.  Psalm 103:20 in the original Hebrew says the angels of God "are all powerful men who excel in strength as powerful warriors with ability to produce."

Angels Are Immortal and Live Forever

The Sadducees did not believe in life after death and decided to prove to Jesus that He was wrong for His belief in life after death.  They came up with a plan to trick Him with a deep, complex question designed to make them look really smart and make Jesus look really dumb. 

Their plan backfired as usual.   

“Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him, Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man's brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children. And the second took her to wife, and he died childless. And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died. Last of all, the woman died also. 

"Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife. And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.” (Luke 20: 27-36)

When answering the Sadducees foolish question, Jesus made it perfectly clear that human beings are equal to the angels in immortality.  Angels live forever and all human beings live forever.  

It is not possible to kill angels and that is a source of tremendous frustration and anger for Satan.  He is a murderer and his desire is to kill all of God's angels in order to prevent them from protecting you.

We have discovered from Scripture that …

Angels Ascend and Descend on Behalf of Humanity

Angels Appear to Animals to Accomplish God's Will

Angels Drive God’s Chariots

Angels Deliver Believers from Unjust Treatment

Angels Ride Spirit Horses from Heaven to Earth and Back

Angels Possess Supernatural Physical Strength

Angels Are Immortal

We will discover more about the power of angels in Part Two of this lesson.   

Be Blessed ... John and Barbara Hamel

How to Be Born Again (Receive Christ as Your Savior)

How to Receive The Holy Spirit & Power

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