Holy Spirit and the Angels (2) Angels

Angels respond to the prayers and prophecies of the saints. They act when given authority by a person with authority on earth. Frank Peretti’s Piercing the Darkness is wrong when it gives the impression at the end of the book that more Christians shouting louder gives angels more power. One person with authority in a situation is sufficient to release angels to do the will of God. (The problem is that in many situations, there is no Christian with sufficient authority).

Whereas the Holy Spirit is spirit and needs a person to work through on earth, angels are spirits with the ability to do things in the physical world. In this context:

• Angels can prevent evil spirits of various kinds from acting (Dan 10:13).

• They can provide for protection for servants of Jesus (Dan 12:1).

• Some evil spirits can prevent angels from operating, if they have greater rank, ie many evil spirits are working for them (Dan 10:12).

• Angels can carry messages to God’s people.

• They can strengthen God’s people in their struggle (Matt 4:11). I presume by physically strengthening and chasing away harassing evil spirits.

• Angels can provide food and other physical needs for Gods people (1 Kings (19:6).

• Angels can deceive the enemies of God, people and evil spirits (1 Kings 22:22). The angels that gather the nations for battle are deceiving angels. They deceive the spiritual powers that control the nations. They also deceive the leaders of the nations.

• During a physical war, angels can disrupt the enemies of God’s people (2 Kings 6:17).

  • Blind them, so they go to the wrong place (2 Kings 6:18).
  • Stir up wild animals and dangerous insects (Deut 7:20)
  • Send down hailstones and other forms of bad weather (Jos 10:11).
  • Direct their weapons accurately (1 Sam 17:49).
  • Do things to makes soldiers fear and flee (Jud 7:13).
  • Cause soldiers to fight against each other (Jud 7;22; 2 Chron 20:23)).
  • Confuse military leaders to think the defenders are stronger than they are (2 Sam 5:24)/
  • Angels can set up ambushes (2 Chron 20:22)
  • Send sickness and plague amongst the enemy army (Is 37:36)
  • Cause rebellion against political leaders (2 Chron 32:21).
  • Angels can strike down enemy soldiers (2 Sam 5:24)