Too many angels

[other one]

I a pleasantly surprised that everyone (including me) is in agreement with the OP. I know of people who say they are seeing angels also, I've personally seen some things that I don't think are angels that are still worshiping the Father, but that's another story.

Wonder how many of those people who are seeing those angels have some spiritual baggage they are dragging around that they are not aware of.... I remember a book I read by Malachi Martin about being perfectly posessed...... We'll see how it all comes out in the wash

[methinkshe]

Thank you all for confirming what the Spirit is witnessing in me. I am deeply troubled as to how to respond to a particular young man who has recently accepted Jesus as Saviour (or so he says) yet who delights in nothing more than recounting the conversations he has with angels who appear to him on and off throughout the day. Now, I have been a Christian for many years and I have to say that I have never seen an angel, and if I have, I must have entertained him unawares. That doesn't make me a rule of thumb. Maybe God does allow some poele to see angels - I don't know. But I am wary of his angelic encounters and just as wary of quashing one so young in the Lord. On the other hand, it would be very deficient of me, would it not, to allow him, without any questioning, to go off on an angel-worshipping tangent. Do I suggest that he may not be seeing angels from the Lord but that he could be seeing demons appearing as angels of light? Or do I just smile sweetly and nod whilst reserving judgment (what I am currently doing but with not a little discomfort). I'm not quite sure how to challenge this young man or even whether I should. What would any of you do?

In Jesus,

Ruth

What are these conversations about?

Why are the angels there?

Are they giving him some sort of message or is it just idle chitchat.

I would confront him and ask what the mission of the angels are. I don't believe God would send His angels to someone just to keep them company.

And I don't believe He would send His angels as some sort of sign of His existance.

Ask him what it all means. What's the worst that could happen?

From what I can gather they are mostly rather glib assurances along the lines of : I am with you. Trust me. Rather anodyne expressions, more often than not rather self-congratulatory; keep on doing what you are doing, what a clever man you are type of stuff. But maybe that's just my scepticism putting a slant on the accounts. What bothers me is that it is these so-called angelic encounters that seem to guide him whereas I would have hoped for a sudden revelation of a truth from studying God's Word. I remain unconvinced that these apparent visions of angels are from Jesus. Yet I do not want to hinder his growth in the Lord by suggesting that he could be listening to demons appearing as angels of light, if indeed that is the case, which I have to admit, I strongly suspect. This man has a history of inventing somewhat fantastical lies that he believes will make him acceptable to present company and I have little reason to believe that he is not still pursuing the same objective albeit within a Christian context. Yet he claims to have acknowledged Jesus as saviour and that I do not want to quash. I find myself in a quandary. Who am I to judge whether he has or has not genuininely been born again? Or whether he has just found a more convenient way to perpetuate his Walter-Mittyish type fantasies. At the moment I am reserving judgment and awaiting fruits - I don't know what else I can or should do.

Thank you for your consideration.

In Jesus,

Ruth

[RustyAngeL]

While I believe in angels and the Bible is clear there is such a thing as angels they are not to take the place of a relationship with Jesus. Yes I agree with 100%.

[Guest man]

Thank you all for confirming what the Spirit is witnessing in me. I am deeply troubled as to how to respond to a particular young man who has recently accepted Jesus as Saviour (or so he says) yet who delights in nothing more than recounting the conversations he has with angels who appear to him on and off throughout the day. Now, I have been a Christian for many years and I have to say that I have never seen an angel, and if I have, I must have entertained him unawares. That doesn't make me a rule of thumb. Maybe God does allow some poele to see angels - I don't know. But I am wary of his angelic encounters and just as wary of quashing one so young in the Lord. On the other hand, it would be very deficient of me, would it not, to allow him, without any questioning, to go off on an angel-worshipping tangent. Do I suggest that he may not be seeing angels from the Lord but that he could be seeing demons appearing as angels of light? Or do I just smile sweetly and nod whilst reserving judgment (what I am currently doing but with not a little discomfort). I'm not quite sure how to challenge this young man or even whether I should. What would any of you do?

In Jesus,

Ruth

What are these conversations about?

Why are the angels there?

Are they giving him some sort of message or is it just idle chitchat.

I would confront him and ask what the mission of the angels are. I don't believe God would send His angels to someone just to keep them company.

And I don't believe He would send His angels as some sort of sign of His existance.

Ask him what it all means. What's the worst that could happen?

From what I can gather they are mostly rather glib assurances along the lines of : I am with you. Trust me. Rather anodyne expressions, more often than not rather self-congratulatory; keep on doing what you are doing, what a clever man you are type of stuff. But maybe that's just my scepticism putting a slant on the accounts. What bothers me is that it is these so-called angelic encounters that seem to guide him whereas I would have hoped for a sudden revelation of a truth from studying God's Word. I remain unconvinced that these apparent visions of angels are from Jesus. Yet I do not want to hinder his growth in the Lord by suggesting that he could be listening to demons appearing as angels of light, if indeed that is the case, which I have to admit, I strongly suspect. This man has a history of inventing somewhat fantastical lies that he believes will make him acceptable to present company and I have little reason to believe that he is not still pursuing the same objective albeit within a Christian context. Yet he claims to have acknowledged Jesus as saviour and that I do not want to quash. I find myself in a quandary. Who am I to judge whether he has or has not genuininely been born again? Or whether he has just found a more convenient way to perpetuate his Walter-Mittyish type fantasies. At the moment I am reserving judgment and awaiting fruits - I don't know what else I can or should do.

Thank you for your consideration.

In Jesus,

Ruth

Ok, check this out. I know you already know this but let's just throw it out there and have a look.

2 Corinthians 11:14-15 And no wonder! For satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

The devil knows the Word of God and so do all his minions. They can quote scripture forward, backward, upside down, in any language. Unless you're secure in the knowledge of God, it wouldn't be very hard for one of these things to lead you astray.

Angels do exist and we do come in contact with them from time to time. Hebrews 13:2 tells us this. It also tells us we are unaware of these meetings.

I don't believe God would send an angel down to us just to give us a pat on the back. The devil on the other hand would. Because by doing so, he draws our attention away from the Lord. Even though he may be pointing to the Lord, he is instilling upon us the doctrine of angels.

I would have no problem exposing this person to the Truth. If he's talking to you about his "angel meetings", how many other people do you think he's talking too?

Bringing the truth to light is not judging. If he rejects what you have to say, then leave it at that. He is the one who will have to try and explain himself on the day he stands before God.

Pray about it. Ask the Lord to touch his heart.

[Floatingaxe]

I don't believe God would send an angel down to us just to give us a pat on the back. The devil on the other hand would. Because by doing so, he draws our attention away from the Lord. Even though he may be pointing to the Lord, he is instilling upon us the doctrine of angels.

I would have no problem exposing this person to the Truth. If he's talking to you about his "angel meetings", how many other people do you think he's talking too?

Bringing the truth to light is not judging. If he rejects what you have to say, then leave it at that. He is the one who will have to try and explain himself on the day he stands before God.

Pray about it. Ask the Lord to touch his heart.

Excellent advice! I would take it.

Speak up, asking God for wisdom in your choice of words, and expect that what occurs is exactly what God ordains. Rejoice in whatever the outcome!

[methinkshe]

Thank you all for confirming what the Spirit is witnessing in me. I am deeply troubled as to how to respond to a particular young man who has recently accepted Jesus as Saviour (or so he says) yet who delights in nothing more than recounting the conversations he has with angels who appear to him on and off throughout the day. Now, I have been a Christian for many years and I have to say that I have never seen an angel, and if I have, I must have entertained him unawares. That doesn't make me a rule of thumb. Maybe God does allow some poele to see angels - I don't know. But I am wary of his angelic encounters and just as wary of quashing one so young in the Lord. On the other hand, it would be very deficient of me, would it not, to allow him, without any questioning, to go off on an angel-worshipping tangent. Do I suggest that he may not be seeing angels from the Lord but that he could be seeing demons appearing as angels of light? Or do I just smile sweetly and nod whilst reserving judgment (what I am currently doing but with not a little discomfort). I'm not quite sure how to challenge this young man or even whether I should. What would any of you do?

In Jesus,

Ruth

What are these conversations about?

Why are the angels there?

Are they giving him some sort of message or is it just idle chitchat.

I would confront him and ask what the mission of the angels are. I don't believe God would send His angels to someone just to keep them company.

And I don't believe He would send His angels as some sort of sign of His existance.

Ask him what it all means. What's the worst that could happen?

From what I can gather they are mostly rather glib assurances along the lines of : I am with you. Trust me. Rather anodyne expressions, more often than not rather self-congratulatory; keep on doing what you are doing, what a clever man you are type of stuff. But maybe that's just my scepticism putting a slant on the accounts. What bothers me is that it is these so-called angelic encounters that seem to guide him whereas I would have hoped for a sudden revelation of a truth from studying God's Word. I remain unconvinced that these apparent visions of angels are from Jesus. Yet I do not want to hinder his growth in the Lord by suggesting that he could be listening to demons appearing as angels of light, if indeed that is the case, which I have to admit, I strongly suspect. This man has a history of inventing somewhat fantastical lies that he believes will make him acceptable to present company and I have little reason to believe that he is not still pursuing the same objective albeit within a Christian context. Yet he claims to have acknowledged Jesus as saviour and that I do not want to quash. I find myself in a quandary. Who am I to judge whether he has or has not genuininely been born again? Or whether he has just found a more convenient way to perpetuate his Walter-Mittyish type fantasies. At the moment I am reserving judgment and awaiting fruits - I don't know what else I can or should do.

Thank you for your consideration.

In Jesus,

Ruth

Ok, check this out. I know you already know this but let's just throw it out there and have a look.

2 Corinthians 11:14-15 And no wonder! For satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

The devil knows the Word of God and so do all his minions. They can quote scripture forward, backward, upside down, in any language. Unless you're secure in the knowledge of God, it wouldn't be very hard for one of these things to lead you astray.

Angels do exist and we do come in contact with them from time to time. Hebrews 13:2 tells us this. It also tells us we are unaware of these meetings.

I don't believe God would send an angel down to us just to give us a pat on the back. The devil on the other hand would. Because by doing so, he draws our attention away from the Lord. Even though he may be pointing to the Lord, he is instilling upon us the doctrine of angels.

I would have no problem exposing this person to the Truth. If he's talking to you about his "angel meetings", how many other people do you think he's talking too?

Bringing the truth to light is not judging. If he rejects what you have to say, then leave it at that. He is the one who will have to try and explain himself on the day he stands before God.

Pray about it. Ask the Lord to touch his heart.

Sound advice! He may not want to hear it but I do believe that's what he needs. Oh it's so difficult to make oneself unattractive sometimes. I am such a conciliator, an avoider of confrontation, that I can do mental and spiritual somersaults to save myself such a confrontation even though I know it is what is required. It's not that I want to be liked....except, it probably is.....Oh dear, I really do need to pray for God's strength to minster truth to this young man. I always feel such a hypocrite knowing how far from perfect I am and therefore how dare I judge another.....But on this occasion, I really do not want to see this young man being led astray...I shall pray the Lord to give me the opportunity and wisdom and strength to guide him into the path of truth...please pray that I will not turn him away from the Lord.

Ruth

[Openly Curious]

The Bible has a lot to say concerning angels. I believe in the angelic host of God and that His angels are ministering spirits that are sent forth to minister on our behalf in the spiritual realm. I also believe in the demonic realm that wars against us as the devil most certainly uses ministers in order to decieve as some have already brought up in this thread and I agree. But the Bible speaks to those who claim they have seen angels and I would like to share a verse of scripture from the text I am referring to here with you and you can go back and read it further in your own time if you are interested in it also I'll add a few more scriptures for reference to think about as well. The scripture I am about to type out is a very interesting one especially in light of this thread is concern and it says much in regards to those who say they have in fact seen an angel.

Colossians 2:18-23----(vs 18)--"Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath "NOT SEEN" vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind."

Wow this verse tell us not to let those who say such things beguile us or lead us astray into the worship of angel instead of Christ who is the head of the body as the scripture text goes on to say. We are not to let these types trick us out of our reward being our salvation that is in Christ.

Not only that but this verse says that these people are actually intruding into a realm that was not meant to be explore by us humans and also notice very carefully what it says it says these people have NOT SEEN angels at all so they are lying to us in fact. But the word says that these people are vainly puffed up by their fleshly carnal or worldly minds and are not spiritual minded at all and leading people astray in the body of Christ aside into a voluntary humility of their own wills as they are being lead aside to worshipping of angels.

These people are decievers plan and simple seducing people from the faith transforming themselves right in our midst and we must be on guard to this kind of deception and stand up for the truth when we come across those who do this.

Hebrews 1:4-7, 13, 14; 2:5-9

I would be interested in others comments towards Colossians 2:18 to see your interpretation of it as I found it very insightful

OC

[Scarletprayers]

OC, I think your absolutely correct!

[Guest man]

Hello Ruth,

I think you got it right that he is trying to say the things that please you without knowing what that might be: in his ignorance, he thinks an angel discussion might impress you.

Rather than let him have it from a religious point of view, and mindful that Jesus loves him no matter what, I would proceed by helping him to uncover the truth of why he feels the need to impress people with lies. Sounds a bit sad to me.

It is easy to judge, Jesus says we are not to do it. I am judged constantly because of my Latter Rain email, for instance. Without knowing anything about the Biblical Latter Rain, or about my ministry, people jump to conclusions that I am involved in a cult of the same name, which began in the sixties. Once they have judged me that way, there is nothing I can do or say to dislodge them from their false premise: everything I say is suddenly wrong.

What I am trying to get at is, this guy could really do with you exercising some discernment about what it looks like he is up to, as opposed to what it IS, and then loving him anyway. Tis the goodness of God that leads to repentance, not a list of religious "do's and dont's".

Just my take.

Love, EphesiansGal

Good advice.

[methinkshe]

The Bible has a lot to say concerning angels. I believe in the angelic host of God and that His angels are ministering spirits that are sent forth to minister on our behalf in the spiritual realm. I also believe in the demonic realm that wars against us as the devil most certainly uses ministers in order to decieve as some have already brought up in this thread and I agree. But the Bible speaks to those who claim they have seen angels and I would like to share a verse of scripture from the text I am referring to here with you and you can go back and read it further in your own time if you are interested in it also I'll add a few more scriptures for reference to think about as well. The scripture I am about to type out is a very interesting one especially in light of this thread is concern and it says much in regards to those who say they have in fact seen an angel.

Colossians 2:18-23----(vs 18)--"Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath "NOT SEEN" vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind."

Wow this verse tell us not to let those who say such things beguile us or lead us astray into the worship of angel instead of Christ who is the head of the body as the scripture text goes on to say. We are not to let these types trick us out of our reward being our salvation that is in Christ.

Not only that but this verse says that these people are actually intruding into a realm that was not meant to be explore by us humans and also notice very carefully what it says it says these people have NOT SEEN angels at all so they are lying to us in fact. But the word says that these people are vainly puffed up by their fleshly carnal or worldly minds and are not spiritual minded at all and leading people astray in the body of Christ aside into a voluntary humility of their own wills as they are being lead aside to worshipping of angels.

These people are decievers plan and simple seducing people from the faith transforming themselves right in our midst and we must be on guard to this kind of deception and stand up for the truth when we come across those who do this.

Hebrews 1:4-7, 13, 14; 2:5-9

I would be interested in others comments towards Colossians 2:18 to see your interpretation of it as I found it very insightful

OC

Hi,

My mother gave me the Colossians verse, too, when I sought her opinion on whether all this seeing of angels was really of the Lord. I'm sure that's the word that the Holy Spirit is ministering to me in this present situation. I always hesitate to jump in with both feet first and come right out with it, but I feel like I'm sitting on a blackberry bush if I allow such things to go unchallenged. It doesn't witness to my spirit, that much I know. It makes me feel very uncomfortable when I hear all this angel talk. Yet, strangely enough, my mother did tell me a wonderful story of what appeared like angelic intervention, that made my heart swell with love and gratitude to the Lord. I'll recount it briefly - if the details aren't absolutely correct, I don't think it matters, because the principle remains the same.

A dear brother in the Lord was travelling from the UK to France to preach at a certain meeting. On a motorway in France he was suddenly taken ill with a heart attack. His wife who was accompanying him managed to phone for an emergency ambulance with the help of passers-by who had stopped. Her husband was taken away in an ambulance and the wife was left on a motorway in a strange country with no idea how to get to where they were heading. Out of nowhere, or so it seemed to her, appeared two young men who enquired what her difficulty was, and when she explained, told her to get into the back and they would drive her there. These two men then proceeded to drive her to the door of the church where her husband was meant to be preaching - and then disappeared. Now that sounds to me like an angelic visitation in line with what Paul says about entertaining strangers lest they be angels.

I'm grateful to all of you dear brothers and sisters for your advice. I want to be honouring to the Lord and the truth of His Word, but I also know I need to be careful how I approach the topic with this particular individual, as those who are young in the Lord can be very easily discouraged through a wrongly delivered criticism instead of a gently delivered admonition/word of encouragement.

In Christ Jesus,

Ruth

Edited May 1, 2007 by methinkshe