| Mysteries of the Supernatural by Wiley Davis |
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Mysteries of the Supernatural
As we study the Bible, many times the things that seem to be unnatural -- things that cannot be explained by human reasoning, we tend to question.
Many people do not believe in God himself, because they cannot understand a God that cannot be limited by human limitations.
Much of the Old Testament, and also the New Testament, contain mysteries insofar as our finite minds are concerned. So, we cast the supernatural aside and say, "O the supernatural existed only during the infancy or early days of the church." Nowhere does the Scripture teach that!
Man's beginning on the earth began with the supernatural, and the end of mankind will be by the supernatural. All we know about Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, Angels, and God's miraculous dealings with man, has been revealed to us in the Bible. Anything else is speculation.
In Heb. 2:7 it tells us that man was made a little lower that the angels. Angels were a part of God's creation, and they, like men, were made for a specific purpose. The word angel means "messenger."
Even though we do not understand, and many times actually question, the Bible is full of recorded incidents where angels were active in the ordinary life of mankind. I believe there are about 300 different cases recorded where angels are mentioned. What are angels? Heb. 1:14 says, "Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those people who will inherit salvation?" They are heavenly beings who minister to people on earth. In Psm. 34:7, "The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them."
In Psm. 91:11-12 it says, "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways..." Guard you? How? I don't know, but I don't have to know -- just believe! Our ability to face reality is limited. We even have difficulties with things of nature. Do you understand how swallows and geese can travel thousands of miles and return to the same nesting place each year? Do you understand how salmon go to the ocean and after several years return to the place where they were originally hatched? No, not only are the mysteries of God beyond our understanding, but also the mysteries of nature.
Yes, angels do exist, and very likely they know far more about us than we know about them.
In Gen. 18:2 three angels appeared to Abraham and they ate and drank with him (they were in the form of men). In the next chapter, two of these angels appeared to Lot in Sodom and they warned of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Gen. 19:1. Naturally, angels are much wiser than men, and they understand the supernatural far more than men.
When Jesus returns to earth, and the day is fast approaching, He will be escorted, we're told, by mighty angels, Matt. 25:31. Paul tells us in his first letter to the Thessalonians that Michael, the archangel, will announce his coming. I can imagine that His voice will ring throughout the heavens. You'll remember that Gabriel informed Mary that she was going to be the mother of Jesus.
I believe that angels deal with people as a group, and also individually. Many accounts in Scripture confirm this. I'll mention a few incidents recorded. Jacob's experience is a good one. Gen. 32. While he was in route home, the Scripture tells us "angels of God met him." He had formerly cheated Esau and was now afraid of him... You'll remember he wrestled an angel all night.
Another story is in Ex. 3, where Moses saw a bush that was on fire, but it was not being consumed, "and the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of the bush." God explained to Moses that He was going to deliver the children of Israel from bondage and wanted him to be their leader. God had heard their cries. He knew, of course, that they were in bondage. But, Moses didn't like the idea, and tried to make all manner of excuses -- but, God doesn't accept excuses. We need to remember that!
In the New Testament (Luke 14:16-24) Jesus tells us about how excuses will be handled: "A man made a great supper and invited many -- When supper was ready, he sent his servants to tell the ones who were invited, and THEY ALL made excuses:
I've bought some property I have to look at it. I can't come." Was that very important? I've bought 5 yoke of oxen, I have to try them out -- I can't come." Was that very important? I have married a wife -- I can't come! That was surely important, but not more important than the invitation.
God does not invite us to do something that is not important.
In Acts 27:23-25, Paul on his way to Rome faced shipwreck with more than 2300 people on board. Speaking to the crew of the ship, he said: "Don't be afraid, not a one will be lost. Last night an angel of God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, Be not afraid, Paul, You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you."
There are indications that angels are given a specific charge -- that a person is assigned to a specific angel, or angels, to guard and protect. Jesus said in Matt. 18:10, "See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.
Every true believer should be encouraged knowing that God has provided an angel to guard and protect. Angels watch our activities, and, no doubt, our thoughts. When Jesus promises that we would not be tempted beyond what we are able, but with each temptation He would provide a way of escape. Do you suppose that sometimes and angel assists in helping our escape?
In I Cor. 4:9, Paul said, "We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as men." Our lives are on display -- We are being watched. The Scriptures are full of incidents showing this.
In Acts 12:5-11, Peter is in prison bound and waiting for execution. John's brother James had already been killed, and indications were that Peter would be killed very soon. As he lay sleeping under guard of soldiers, an angel appeared even though there were bars on the doors. He told Peter to dress and the doors of the prison were opened supernaturally, and shortly the angel left. Peter said, "Now I know without doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches..."
God has no favorites. What a wonderful thought! He loves us just as much as he loved Peter, Paul, and others. Angels minister to all the heirs of faith.
Heb. 11 (the faith chapter) is sometimes called "God's Hall of Fame." Most of the ones named in this chapter experienced all kinds of difficulty. Angels helped these great characters to subdue kingdoms, obtain promises, stop the mouths of lions, and other things. But, beginning with verse 35, the scene changes -- some were "tortured, not accepting deliverance." Did you notice that? They refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Wonder why? The answer may be in Matt. 26:39 as Jesus was praying in the garden; "Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet, not as I will, but as you will."
When he was ready to go to the cross, he could have called 12 legions of angels, but that was not the Father's will.
If we could only understand what was involved in our redemption, and what all it cost. Then we would know for sure that something was badly wrong with the human race.
On the third day following his death, the Scripture says: 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."
You'll remember when Mary went to the tomb where Jesus was buried, she saw "two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the bode of Jesus had lain."
I've stated many times, "If we knew to what extent spiritual beings were involved in our lives, we would be amazed." I have read many stories that most people would scoff at; but, I have no reason to doubt. When you remove the supernatural and the miraculous from Christianity, you have nothing left but an intellectual religion.
In telling the story in Luke 16 about the rich man and Lazarus, Jesus said that the beggar was "carried by the angels" to Abraham's bosom, or side.
During the early days of World War II, Britain's air force saved the country from defeat. After the war they were honoring Air Marshall Lord Hugh Dowding. All the country's dignitaries were there. The Air Marshall, in his remarks, told the story about one mission they were on. The pilots had little sleep for several days, and were greatly outnumbered; yet, their planes kept flying and fighting. On some occasions, after the pilot was dead a figure could be seen in the plane operating the controls. HE believed that angels had actually flown some of the planes. Some would laugh at the idea -- Not I, who am I to question?
In the story of Daniel in the Lion's den, Daniel said: My God sent his angel and shut the lions mouth, and they have not hurt me."
What about the three men in the fiery furnace in Daniel 3:19-27? Because they refused to worship gods or images, Nebuchadnezzar commanded his servants to heat the furnace seven times hotter than normal and cast them into the furnace with their clothes on. It was so hot that the ones casting them in were killed, but the three men's hair was not even burned.
Nebuchadnezzar was furious. No one even smelled the smoke. He said, "Didn't we cast three men bound into the fire? I see four men loose, walking in the middle of the fire." Verse 28 tells that the fourth man was God's angel. I believe it!
Brethren, we'd better open our eyes, ears, and hearts, especially our hearts, to the God we serve. Miracles happen every day. God has not retired. The Holy spirit has not retired. Jesus has not retired, and the angels have not retired.
Heb. 13:2 tells us; "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it."
In Luke 15:10 Jesus says that "there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
Are you a sinner? Yes, there is none righteous, not even one.
Angels are watching. Are you hearing the Master's voice?
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