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Moreover, Scripture gives us no authorization to seek appearances of angels. They manifest themselves
unsought. To seek such appearances would seem to indicate an unhealthy curiosity or a desire for some
kind of spectacular event rather than a love for God and devotion to him and his work. Though angels
did appear to people at various times in Scripture, the people apparently never sought those
appearances. Our role is rather to talk to the Lord, who is himself the commander of all angelic forces.
However, it would not seem wrong to ask God to fulfill his promise in Psalm 91:11 to send angels to
protect us in times of need.

The Appearance of Angels Today

There is no doubt that the earliest period of the church’s history angels were active. Before we can
approve the appearance of angels today, we must consider the following:
1. The sufficiency of Scripture and the closing of its canon.
2. Extreme cautions in receiving guidance from angels that is contradict Scriptures.
Grudem states that an angelic appearance today would be unusual. If one should occur, we should
evaluate it with caution. But there is no convincing reason for saying that such an event absolutely could
not happen, particularly in a time of extreme danger or intense conflict with the forces of evil.
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Furthermore, the author of Hebrews encourages his readers, none of whom are apostles or even first-
generation believers associated with the apostles (Heb. 2:3), that they should continue to show hospitality
to strangers, apparently with the expectation that they too might sometime entertain angels without
realizing it (Heb. 13:2).

What we believe about angels must be based on the Word of God. All our doctrines should not be built
on an experience someone claims to have had. Simply because someone says he or she saw or heard an
angel does not mean what they saw or heard was in fact an angel. A controversial “Pastor” Uebert Angel
wrote a book called provoking the angels of Money. In his book he claims that God visited him and
revealed how believers can provoke the angels of money and how they serge beyond the principle of
seeding and tithing. This is bad theology and should not be embraced.

We are to focus on the Lord, not angels. Angels have never witnessed for Christ. That is our task. Angels
have never prayed for lost souls. That is our job. Angels do not distribute the Word of God to people
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either. That is a privilege God has given us. We must realize that worshiping or praying to angels robs
God of the glory that belongs to Him alone. It was God, not angels, who sent His Son to die for us, who
loves and cares for us, and who alone is worthy of our highest esteem.

15.4 Let’s Practice this Lesson. . .

1-5 List five ministries of angels in God’s purposes and plan?

6. What is the chief assignment given to angels?

7. Explain the danger of the doctrine of angelology?

8. What passage in the Bible forbids the worship of angels and why?

9. what passage clearly states that angels will be judged by men? (1 Cor. 6:3).

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