ANGELS

ANGELS “Bye then!” I was left stranded in the middle of a main road during London rush hour, on a cold February day in 1978. As I am blind, and was unfamiliar with London traffic and was using my long cane. A passer-by had offered to help me, and he was so pompous (obviously thought he was the best thing since sliced bread!) I’m afraid he got on my nerves! I told him I am a Christian, and the opening quote was his response. This was more than I had bargained for, and I silently prayed, (or rather called) “God help!” Instantly two very tall figures appeared either side of me, and guided me to the pavement, then disappeared! I felt secure, and totally unafraid. They looked like large men, and had wings. I had better tell you a little about myself first, before I continue to describe the angels I have seen. (I read and enjoy the bible, and angels are mentioned at least 500 times. Jesus said He could have called on a legion of angels to fight for Him, when he was going to the cross.) I have made extensive use of the logical side of my brain, as I have worked as an analyst programmer for 20 years. I also studied Psychology, and I have not found angels mentioned in Psychology books either! However, despite all this, God has decided to give me the gift of seeing angels. I do not believe that this is for my benefit, but to give all of us a glimpse of heaven, and show us what really matters in life here on earth. The angels I have seen prove that there is a supernatural dimension to Christianity that is very real. The bible tells us that when the devil (Lucifer), fell from heaven, a third of the angels followed him. This means that two thirds remained, and we are told that they “serve the heirs of salvation”. I can vouch for the fact that this service is very real and tangible. They are not just airy-fairy beings, but have a very definite purpose. I will outline just some of their functions. THEY ENHANCE HUMAN PRAISE: I have discovered that in different contexts, they look totally different. For instance, when over a thousand of us were worshipping God together, I saw angels flying and worshipping in long flowing multi-coloured robes. The colours I saw then were far more beautiful, and rich in their depth, than anything I have seen on earth. Watching them, I was reminded of the verse in Hebrews where it says “you have come to angels in festal gathering.” (Heb12.22-24). they so enjoy worshipping and their faces are enraptured by the God they love. THEY AFFIRM THE WORD: I have heard their singing, which is rich in harmony, and often in an unknown language. They rejoice in the heart of the person who is speaking, not just in the words. So if you are leading a group for the first time, they are likely to be singing their hearts out, in encouragement and appreciation of you! I saw 3 extremely large angels closely pact together above Paul Del's head, when he came to address our meeting at Wembley Conference Centre, in the early 1990s. One of them said to me “we are guarding the anointing for healing.” Prior to this God had worked through Paul, to bring a woman back from the dead, who had been dead for 15 minutes. Ass a result over a thousand people came to the Lord in the local town. Paul was particularly appreciative of the word from the angels, as he was about to go to a country with a reputation for lack of faith, and as Jesus found, it is hard to perform miracles in a climate like this. Often when people open a book on angels, their first thought is of guardian angels. In my experience each person who loves God has several angels, and these have different functions. I first encountered an angel who protects me when I had been struggling with impure thoughts. I asked for God’s help and about an hour later I perceived a large angel standing on my left. I asked him “what are you doing?” and he replied “I came to guard your thoughts.” This was about 15 years ago, and he has been there ever since. God shows me angels often when I am in prayer. I sense their presence, and this makes me worship God more, so that I know they are good angels. I also spiritually see their colours, and expressions. At times in my life I have caught glimpses of the spectrum, and of people’s smiles - when I see the angels, they are far more vivid, and have more dimension. “They are all different sizes, and always in light, often translucent, like figures, but have wings as well. Their bodies are incredibly agile. They often engage in what someone once described as aerobatics, during the worship in our meetings. Many people ask me what their guardian angel is doing, being aware that God often gives me a spiritual perception of them. WARFARE: Ian Callard saw the demons put down their swords as we came down the hill in Nottingham on a Jesus march. The demons said “we don’t stand a chance against this lot.” Which makes me realise the power we carry corporately as a church. I have often seen them engaged in warfare, with the demons, wielding their swords. At one large gathering of people, I couldn’t see any, then realised they were all in amongst the people doing hand to hand warfare with the demons. Later they appeared again above the crowd, worshipping God. Baptisms are another occasion when I am conscious of them being very active. Some of the most impressive sights I have seen are when people who have been into the occult are baptised. Then the demons flee and the angels celebrate in no uncertain terms. The angels often protect these saints in larger numbers than they appear to do for the rest of us. I have also seen how clearly the angels see our hearts, and not the outward. SERVING: Watching their relationship with God is fascinating, they are so keen to serve, and stand in incredible awe of Him, and know His very heart in terms of what He longs for and desires, and know exactly their part in fulfilling His desires. Yet when we sing songs about knowing Him as our Father, they sometimes excitedly point upwards, (to Him I presume), and to us, but it is obvious that they don't enter in to the same relationship as we have. Also when the blood is talked of, they are so excited, and I have often found it convicting how in reverence of the cross they are. Only last Friday, when a brother was singing a song about what Christ suffered when God forsook Him, an angel was standing in our lounge , with tears streaming down his face. We were singing a song by Charles Wesley: “enjoy the grace to angels given, and serve the royal heirs of heaven.” I saw the large face of a radiant angel in front of me. He looked so content, as if serving people was the most satisfying thing possible to do. He inspired me to serve more. BROTHERHOOD: This is a theme that they love. After all Jesus said “they will know you are Christians by your love for one another.” And “no one has greater love than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” A group of us were singing: “oh perfect earthly rest, within the hearts of brethren, God nurtures us the best.” The angels started dancing they excitedly pointed to the heart of God, and then back to us, saying “look, they have found it! They have found it!” COMFORT: They do not condemn us for our failings, but weep over our rebellion. They provide me with comfort and strength. Their expressions are very vivid. I once saw one looking aghast when I had said something very wrong - of course I am not usually aware of them when I am angry - on this occasion, it shocked me into repentance, and I changed the conversation accordingly. Stephanie Comforting.