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Angels: Ministering Spirits

Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!"Isaiah 6:2-3 (NKJV)

When the saints of the Lord come together to pray, praise, and worship, the angels will enter into the midst of the them, making their presence known. This is when we begin to see people saved and the gifts of the Holy Spirit manifested. It is recorded in the Scriptures that the angels are in our presence to deliver to the Father our confessions.

Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God. Luke 12:8-9

The Angels of the Lord

Now it came to pass, in the morning watch, that the LORD looked down upon the army of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and cloud, and He troubled the army of the Egyptians. Exodus 14:24

The Angel of the Lord was described as being a pillar of fire and cloud. There are times, while preaching, that this same pillar of cloud comes and anoints you with fire. Could it be that the same Angel of the Lord gives us the power to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ?

There is a connection between the anointing and the Angel of the Lord. Many say that the Angel of the Lord recorded in the Old Testament was Jesus Christ Himself. Old Testament references that capitalize the word Angel could be referring to Jesus Christ. At other times it is thought that Jesus appeared and spoke as a man (Ref. Genesis 18:2-22, 32:24-30; Joshua 5:13-15). Any reference that does not capitalize the word angel could be referring to one of the other angels of the Lord.

And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." Revelation 19:10

There are many passages in which the expression "angel of God" is certainly used for a manifestation of God Himself (Ref. Genesis 22:11-12; Exodus 3:2, 6, 14). Those who believe in Jesus Christ have Him living within them; therefore, the same pillar of cloud could manifest itself today through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in an individual.

For example, the first time I preached and prophesied in a church in February of 1988, a dear woman shared with me after the service something she experienced. After preaching under the anointing of the Lord and prophesying by the spirit of prophecy, several people came to me to ask questions. However, this particular lady did not have a question, but rather wanted to share with me what she had heard and seen during the meeting. Now, this lady was by no means spiritually minded and really doubted whether the gifts of the Holy Spirit were for today. When I saw her come toward me I began to prepare myself for a good tongue lashing.

To my surprise she was crying and a bit shaken. I asked her what was wrong. She replied that while I was prophesying the Lord spoke to her and gave her a sign. I was pleased and surprised to hear that she had heard the voice of the Lord. I was even more stunned, however, to hear what she had seen as a sign from God.

This dear lady was told by the Lord to tell me that every word that was spoken by me was protected and that not one word would touch the ground. I was ready to do the Holy Ghost dance right then and there, but that was not all she had to say.

Every time I moved from the pulpit a bright light would blind her eyes until I stood still.

The sign of the Lord was shown to her while I was ministering. Every time I moved from the pulpit a bright light would blind her eyes until I stood still. She told me it appeared as if the light was hiding behind me. I believe this sign was given to this woman from God as her confirmation that she was to give me the word that He wanted me to hear. I did not know at that time how important that word would be to me later that day.

Believe God's Word, Not the Enemy's

When I finally returned home and laid down to rest, I felt the anointing leave me. As soon as the anointing left, the devil came bringing doubt and confusion. He told me I needed to get up and call various people I had prophesied over. He was telling me that the words I delivered were incorrect. He continued to torment my thoughts. He tried to convince me I had messed up someone's life and that they would perish because of what I had spoken over them.

This went on for a few minutes. Then the Holy Spirit reminded me of the word I had received from the woman who had seen the blinding light. I simply told the devil what the Lord had said, and rebuked him, and turned over and took a little nap. I had experienced what Jesus promised us will happen as soon as we deliver His word. The devil will try to steal it.

And He [Jesus] said, "To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that 'Seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.' Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved." Luke 8:10-12

I learned many things that day, but this one lesson I hope never to forget: Whenever God gives a word for someone and you are commanded to deliver it, the devil will try to steal it. It is by your faith that you delivered the word, and it will be by your faith that the word will come to pass.

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith... Romans 12:6

The devil will try to get you to come into agreement with him that the prophecy you delivered was incorrect. If you come into agreement with the devil and his word, you will give the promise of God over to him, robbing the person of their prophecy and promise. It is the enduring faith of the one who delivered His word that will keep the word until it is fulfilled.