{"id":3584,"date":"2017-06-27T06:50:26","date_gmt":"2017-06-27T11:50:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/?page_id=3584"},"modified":"2023-07-04T07:04:18","modified_gmt":"2023-07-04T12:04:18","slug":"angels","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/angels","title":{"rendered":"Angels ***"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>BIBLICAL IMAGERY AND MYTH<\/strong><br \/>\nAlong with the devil, demons, and their mythical cousins (i.e. the serpent, evil spirits), angels have a long history in mythology and culture. And, like other Biblical concepts adopted from mythology, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/dictionaries\/bakers-evangelical-dictionary\/angel.html\">angels fit prominently in religious cultures &#8212; especially Christianity &#8212;<\/a> but angels are not what people imagine them to be.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/serpent-devil-satan-adversary-demons-evil-spirits-and-anti-christs\/4#angelsanddemons\">this link for a comparison of angels and demons<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>People who like to believe that angels exist as they are imagined in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?safe=active&amp;q=angels+art+images&amp;tbm=isch&amp;source=univ&amp;client=firefox-b-1-d&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjW-baR7dHoAhXcJzQIHc1YBWMQsAR6BAgKEAE&amp;biw=1920&amp;bih=903\">art<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=angels+movies&amp;tbm=isch&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj3hpa97dHoAhX0IX0KHV81C18Q2-cCegQIABAA&amp;oq=angels+movies&amp;gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzICCAAyAggAMgYIABAFEB4yBggAEAUQHjIGCAAQBRAeMgYIABAFEB4yBggAEAUQHjIGCAAQCBAeMgYIABAIEB4yBggAEAgQHjoECAAQQ1Dl_wJYoZYDYNWdA2gAcAB4AIABnAGIAfEMkgEEMC4xMpgBAKABAaoBC2d3cy13aXotaW1n&amp;sclient=img&amp;ei=VhuKXveDIvTD9APf6qz4BQ&amp;bih=903&amp;biw=1920&amp;client=firefox-b-1-d&amp;safe=active\">movies,<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=angels+books&amp;tbm=isch&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiX2bjs7dHoAhXZAzQIHYVKC1oQ2-cCegQIABAA&amp;oq=angels+books&amp;gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzICCAAyBggAEAUQHjIGCAAQBRAeMgYIABAFEB4yBggAEAUQHjIGCAAQBRAeMgYIABAFEB4yBggAEAgQHjIGCAAQCBAeMgYIABAIEB46BggAEAoQGFCMnQFYtbkBYJbJAWgAcAB4AIABkwGIAYkQkgEEMC4xNZgBAKABAaoBC2d3cy13aXotaW1n&amp;sclient=img&amp;ei=uRuKXteYKtmH0PEPhZWt0AU&amp;bih=903&amp;biw=1920&amp;client=firefox-b-1-d&amp;safe=active\"> books<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=angels+poetry&amp;tbm=isch&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjY0Ky17dHoAhUOBDQIHcJAA48Q2-cCegQIABAA&amp;oq=angels+poetry&amp;gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQDDICCAA6BggAEAgQHjoECAAQHjoGCAAQBRAeUNErWIZQYNV2aABwAHgAgAGZAYgByBGSAQQwLjE2mAEAoAEBqgELZ3dzLXdpei1pbWc&amp;sclient=img&amp;ei=RhuKXtiVCY6I0PEPwoGN-Ag&amp;bih=903&amp;biw=1920&amp;client=firefox-b-1-d&amp;safe=active\">poetry<\/a>, will be very disappointed to learn that these images are not what God has in mind when he uses this term in the Bible. For God, an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/hebrew\/nas\/malak.html\">angel is nothing more, or less, than a messenger.<\/a> An angel is just another word to describe <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">true prophets, <\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">messiahs<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">, <\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/the-high-priest\">high priests<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">, <\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenants-part-2\/7#godspeaksfromcloud\">witnesses<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/model-warriors\">warriors<\/a>. Jesus, in fact, was an angel because <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=john+14:24;+john+5:47;+john+7:16;+john+12:49;+john+14:10;+john+10:25;+john+8:46;+john+10:37;+john+8:45;+john+17:6-10\">he spoke God&#8217;s message<\/a> to people who could not hear God&#8217;s voice.<\/p>\n<p>We should understand that angels are not real because these mythical creatures were common in ancient religions before Bible times. Like many other physical features of religions (e.g. temples, altars, priests, offerings, etc.) that preceded Judaism and Christianity, God has borrowed the imagery of angels to communicate spiritual truths in physical terms that people could understand. Therefore, the world believes that angels are supernatural beings that live in heaven but come down to earth to protect people and do good things for them. In a sense, this is true for God&#8217;s idea of angels, but there are several important differences between God&#8217;s idea of angels and man&#8217;s idea:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>For God, an angels are not the kind of supernatural beings with wings as they are represented in pictures and statues.<\/li>\n<li>Gd&#8217;s angels are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/3\">human and sons of God<\/a> because they have been <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">anointed by God<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=mark+13:27;+matthew+24:31;+revelation+22:6;+hebrews+1:7;+psalm+104:4;+hebrews+1:14\">sent by God <\/a>to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/servants\">serve God by speaking for God<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Symbolically speaking, all <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">true prophets,<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">messiahs,<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/the-high-priest\">high priests,<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenants-part-2\/7#godspeaksfromcloud\">witnesses<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/model-warriors\">warriors<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/servants\">servants, shepherds<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/greek\/nas\/apostolos.html\">apostles are angels.<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Symbolically speaking, Jesus was an angel sent by God because <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/5\">he spoke God&#8217;s words.<\/a><\/li>\n<li>The way God uses angels to watch out for people and do good things for them is to speak <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/faith-grace-mercy-peace-love-heart-glory-blessing-spirit-and-truth\/13\">truth<\/a> to them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Speaking for God is all that angels do. They do not have spiritual power and authority to affect time or space. They cannot do physical miracles. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/the-law-is-a-stumbling-block\/signs-wonders-and-miracles\">Not even God does physical miracles<\/a>. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/the-law-is-a-stumbling-block\/signs-wonders-and-miracles\/4\">God does only one kind of miracle<\/a> and he does it through <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=mark+13:27;+matthew+24:31;+revelation+22:6\">angels who speak for him.<\/a> That is all that they have authority to do. Anything else that people imagine that angels have power to do is religion with no power.<\/p>\n<p>Angels were common in ancient religions before Bible times, but as Christianity emerged as a major world religion, their popularity increased in both religious and cultural terms. Current cultural acceptance of these entities is documented in a<a href=\"http:\/\/www.pewresearch.org\/daily-number\/goblins-and-ghosts-and-things-that-go-bump-in-the-night\/\"> 2008 Pew research report that says that two-thirds of Americans believe that angels and demons are active in the world today.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.jewishencyclopedia.com\/articles\/1521-angelology\">Jews, it appears, readily accept the existence of angels but<\/a><a style=\"outline: 1px dotted; outline-offset: 0px;\" href=\"http:\/\/judaism.about.com\/od\/judaismbasics\/a\/jewishbeliefsatan.htm\"> hold rigidly to their monotheistic beliefs by rejecting the existence of Satan, or the Devil, as an independent, spiritual entity.<\/a> The way we see it, Jews got it right about Satan but are wrong about angels.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">STUDY TIPS: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/4\">History of Religion<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Zoroastrianism\">Zoroastrianism<\/a> for more about the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=antecedents&amp;ie=utf-8&amp;oe=utf-8&amp;safe=vss\">antecedents<\/a> of Judaism and Christianity.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">Also see <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/serpent-devil-satan-adversary-demons-evil-spirits-and-anti-christs\">Serpent, Devil, Satan, Adversary, Demons, Evil Spirits and Anti-Christs <\/a> for more about mythical figures in ancient religion.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">Also see <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1997\/05\/10\/us\/is-satan-real-most-people-think-not.html\">this link<\/a> for research by others on what some people believe about the reality of Satan and the Devils. These articles are written by Old\/First Covenant religionists who interpret the Bible literally and must therefore be read with extreme discernment.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Since angels figure prominently in the Bible, it seems important to discuss what it really says about them and separate truth from myth. Since Judaism and Christianity have had such a strong influence on the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/secular?show=0&amp;t=1406113010\">secular<\/a>, non-religious culture, it seems important to set the record straight, best we can, for everyone &#8212; both the religious and secular.<\/p>\n<p>Because these <a href=\"http:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/entities\">entities<\/a> are historical myths, they are not worthy of study by serious disciples. However, because so many religious people hold on to the belief that they are real and make religious decisions based on that belief, they must be studied so that those who are deceived might be edified and corrected in beliefs that have made their way into religious life through preaching, books, movies, art and music. They are ripe topics for money-making enterprises whereby religious leaders prey on ignorant followers. Moreover, wrong thinking about these mythical beings has a way of diverting ignorant people from the truth about God and themselves.<\/p>\n<p>To make this point more finely, we will say that religious people in a wide spectrum of religions are being deceived by religious leaders who teach, publish and promote heresy about angels. They also engage in <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-commerce\">Commercial Religion<\/a> by marketing the myths to ignorant religionists who wrongly think they are spiritual because they believe in angels. Maybe the producers of teaching and products believe what they say, or maybe not. It does not matter. What matters is that they peddle heresies for their benefit while exploiting ignorant followers who make decisions, both financial and religious, based on their teaching. People who doubt such a statement may be convinced by checking the following links:<\/p>\n<table border=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hierarchy_of_angels\">Wikipedia Article: <span dir=\"auto\">Hierarchy of Angels<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.angelsinheaven.org\/\">Angels in Heaven<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.guideposts.org\/inspiration\/angels-on-earth\">Angels On Earth<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/digital.library.unt.edu\/ark:\/67531\/metadc798908\/m2\/1\/high_res_d\/vol11-no1-49.pdf\">Angel in Near-Death Experiences<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>This list, of course, is only a very small sample of thousands of resources, including movies, books and music, that employ the imagery of angels for commercial and religious purposes. In the religious realm, there are cults built around <a href=\"http:\/\/isearch.avg.com\/search?q=angel%20cult%20worship&amp;cid={F5577822-B271-4C24-AEE4-B0ED53184E27}&amp;mid=d114a5a4a80347d0a08a2104e484245a-9c9f1eacbc1499475ffced00203e9eee8ccccc8f&amp;lang=en&amp;ds=ts026&amp;coid=&amp;cmpid=&amp;pr=sa&amp;d=2012-03-24%2017:27:34&amp;v=17.3.0.49&amp;pid=avg&amp;sg=0&amp;sap=dsp&amp;snd=hp&amp;sap_acp=0\">angel worship<\/a>. It is hard to call these cults mainstream religion, but they are accessible for those who are inclined toward superstition and magic.<\/p>\n<p>It is worth noting that people do not need to belong to a cult with a name that meets together regularly in order to be considered a member of a cult. Anyone who simply believes in angels, talks about them as if they were real, gives them credit for having power to do good things may be rightly considered a follower of the angel cult. If they go the additional step of purchasing products (e.g pictures, statues, books, movies, etc.) that represent angels as real beings, they affirm their status as angel cult followers.<\/p>\n<p>Since <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=mark+10:18;luke+18:19\">God alone is good<\/a>, to say or infer that angels or any other real or imagined entities are good is a statement that gives angels\u00a0 status equal with God. People who give honor to imaginary entities (i.e. gods) that are not real, and represent them as being real when they are only imaginary, effectively <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/search\/?s=bibles&amp;q=serve%2Bother%2Bgods&amp;t=nas&amp;c=all\">serve these other gods<\/a> by recognizing them and honoring them as entities that do do things that are comparable to the good things (e.g. protect, help, give messages, etc.) that God does. This is a form of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-sin\/religion-is-idolatry\">idolatry<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<p><strong>WORD DEFINITIONS<\/strong><br \/>\nTo begin to understand angels we must look at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/hebrew\/nas\/malak.html\">definition of an angel as a messenger\/ambassador.<\/a> This definition exists in the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/hebrew\/kjv\/malak.html\">Old Testament, <\/a>and the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/greek\/kjv\/aggelos.html\">New Testament<\/a> and agrees with the<a href=\"http:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/angel\"> definition in common English usage<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The notion of an angel as a messenger is our first clue as to what God means to represent symbolically through angels. For example, the Hebrew word <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/hebrew\/kjv\/malak.html\">Mal&#8217;ak<\/a> is translates as angel one hundred and eleven times as messenger ninety-eight times and as ambassador four times in the KJV. In the NAS, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/hebrew\/kjv\/malak.html\">Mal&#8217;ak<\/a> is translated as ambassador two times, as angel one hundred and one times, as angels nine times, as envoys one time, as messenger or messengers one hundred times. Clearly angel, messenger, ambassador and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/search\/?q=envoy&amp;c=&amp;t=nas&amp;ps=10&amp;s=Bibles\">envoy<\/a> are interchangeable translations. How <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/hebrew\/kjv\/malak.html\">Mal&#8217;ak<\/a> is translated in any Bible version depends on the personal choice and theology of translators who are strongly influenced by the historical acceptance of mythical angels in traditional theology. That theology is a spiritual <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-a-stronghold-of-wrong-thinking\">stronghold<\/a> that shapes how they interpret the Bible.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">AUTHORS&#8217; NOTE: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/egypt-and-babylon\/2\">Origins of Judaism and Christianity <\/a>for understanding of how God uses religious myths to convey spiritual truth. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/dictionaries\/bakers-evangelical-dictionary\/angel.html\">Also see this link for a review of angels in Christian thought and doctrine.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>In the New Testament, the Greek word <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/greek\/kjv\/aggelos.html\">Aggelos<\/a> is translated as angel one hundred and seventy-nine times and as <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/search\/?q=messenger&amp;c=nt&amp;t=kjv&amp;ps=10&amp;s=Bibles\">messenger five times in the KJV<\/a>. In the NAS, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/greek\/kjv\/aggelos.html\">Aggelos<\/a> is translated as angel one hundred and sixty-nine times, as <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/search\/?q=messenger&amp;c=nt&amp;t=nas&amp;ps=10&amp;s=Bibles\">messenger or messengers seven times<\/a> and as <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/passage\/?q=2+corinthians+5:16-21;ephesians+6:18-22;philemon+1:1-9\">ambassador three times<\/a>. Again it is clear that the use of angel or messenger is a matter of choice by translators &#8212; not of doctrine. And so we conclude that angels can also be called messengers or ambassadors or envoys without affecting the meaning to the Biblical text.<\/p>\n<p>This leads us to the conclusion that angels in the Bible are just another example of God using a mythical character from another religion to represent a spiritual truth. In the case of angles\/messengers\/ambassadors\/envoys, the truth is that God sends New Covenant disciples (i.e.angles\/messengers\/ambassadors\/envoys) to help Old\/First Covenant religionists recognize their sin and make the transition to becoming New Covenant disciples. The <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/#definitionofsin\">sin of which they speak is listening to false prophets<\/a> which is also called <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-sin\/religion-is-idolatry\">idolatry<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-sin\">religion<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Only New Covenant disciples know the truth because they have not <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/passage\/?q=exodus+17:1-7;numbers+20:1-13;hebrews+3:1-19;hebrews+4:1-12;2+peter+1:16-21;psalm+95:1-11\">hardened their hearts to hearing God&#8217;s voice<\/a>. Therefore, they are the only ones qualified to share the truth of God&#8217;s spoken word with others. The Bible also calls these messengers <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">messiahs<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/the-high-priest\">high priests<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/model-warriors\">warriors<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">prophets<\/a>. All others are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\">false prophets<\/a> who speak lies.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">AUTHORS&#8217; NOTE: See\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\" aria-haspopup=\"true\">God\u2019s Written Word and God\u2019s Spoken Voice Part 1<\/a> for understanding about hearing God&#8217;s voice.<\/p>\n<p>The next step in understanding angels is to see how the words translated as angel and messenger are used in the Bible. In the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/search\/?q=angel%2Bof%2Bthe%2BLord&amp;c=&amp;t=nas&amp;ps=100&amp;s=Bibles\">NAS we find the phrase &#8220;angel of the Lord&#8221; appearing sixty-four times.<\/a> It also appears <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/search\/?q=angel%2Bof%2Bthe%2BLord&amp;c=&amp;t=kjv&amp;ps=100&amp;s=Bibles\">sixty-four times in the KJV<\/a>, with the phrase appearing in both the Old and New Testaments. That an <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/search\/?q=angel%2Bof%2Bthe%2Blord&amp;c=&amp;t=kjv&amp;ps=100&amp;s=Bibles\">angel is &#8220;of the Lord&#8221;<\/a> is a clue that the messenger is a New Covenant disciple and not an independent spiritual agent that circulates around heaven and earth delivering messages or doing good deeds for people on its own authority. An angel of the Lord is the spiritual equivalent of a New Covenant disciple, a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=1+john+3:10;john+1:12;romans+8:16;1+john+3:1-2\">child of God<\/a>, who is &#8220;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=john+3:6-8;john+3:3-7;1+peter+1:3;1+peter+1:22-24;1+john+3:10\">born again by the spirit.<\/a>&#8221; They all hear God&#8217;s voice and then speak what they have heard to others.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/the-law-is-a-stumbling-block\/signs-wonders-and-miracles\/5\">this link<\/a> for understanding of &#8220;born again.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>It is critical to understand that all who presume to speak for God and pretend to be children of God or born again are not what they claim to be. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/john\/5-31.html\">Their testimony of themselves is not true<\/a>. Similarly, the testimony of others about their Godly status is not true because <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/passage\/?q=john+5:39-44;+1-thessalonians+2:1-6\">men are only exchanging their glory with one another <\/a>so that they can all feel like they are close to God.<\/p>\n<p>People who truly hear from God have no need or desire to advertise or promote themselves as Godly or spiritual. They are completely at rest knowing that God will testify about their spirituality to others when and if such testimony is necessary. Just like Jesus, they <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/john\/passage\/?q=john+5:39-44\">neither desire nor receive glory from men<\/a> for anything they might do or say. They know that the<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/greek\/kjv\/doxa.html\"> only glory (i.e. honor, praise) that matters is that which comes from God.<\/a> Thus anyone who desires or receives glory\/praise from others is a false prophet and not a true angel as God considers angels.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/fakefaith\/2018\/02\/18\/making-a-name-for-yourself\/\" data-slimstat=\"5\">Making a Name for Yourself,<\/a>\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/fakefaith\/2012\/05\/24\/tebows-broad-phylacteries\/\">TEBOW&#8217;S BROAD PHYLACTERIES<\/a>, and\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/pride\">Pride, Arrogance, Boasting, Power and Humility<\/a> for more examples of how people seek glory for themselves.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/3\">The way to identify an evil angel (i.e. false prophet)<\/a> is to look at their religion. If you can see their religion it is <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/5#puredefiledreligion\">Defiled Religion<\/a> and they are false prophets.<\/p>\n<p>If someone speaks for God and does not do the things that religious people do, but practices <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/5#puredefiledreligion\">Pure Religion<\/a> with a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/place-where-god-will-place-his-name\/4#goodpureheart\">pure heart<\/a>, and does not do <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/fakefaith\/2018\/05\/20\/disconnects\/\">religious things in public<\/a>, then that person might be a true angel. In all cases, however, it is critical to test every message, the spirit of the messenger and the message itself against scripture. People who follow these cautions will guard against being deceived.<\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<p><strong>HUMAN ANGELS\/MESSENGERS<\/strong><br \/>\nIn ancient mythology,<a href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Angel\"> angels are depicted as supernatural spiritual beings who mediate between God and men in a variety of ways<\/a>. This characterization of angels has been adopted more or less intact by contemporary religions including Christianity and Judaism. The fact that contemporary theology of angels closely imitates ancient mythology is our first clue that they are not what contemporary religionists imagine them to be.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">AUTHORS&#8217; NOTE: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/egypt-and-babylon\">Egypt, Babylon and Canaan\u00a0 <\/a>for review of the origins of mythology present in Judaism and Christianity.<\/p>\n<p>Our purpose in this series of pages is to demonstrate through scripture that angels are nothing more or less than human messengers. If we can accept that angels are not supernatural beings with wings flying around heaven and earth delivering messages and helping people who are in trouble, we are still left with the challenge of understanding what they are and what they do in God&#8217;s terms. In other words, we need to know what angles symbolize in spiritual terms. What we will show is that they are humans with unique spiritual functions.<\/p>\n<p>The short, simple explanation is that they are ordinary, flesh and blood people. They are not ordinary, however, in the respect that the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=jeremiah+31:31-34;ezekiel+37:13-14;isaiah+32:15;ezekiel+11:19;ezekiel+36:27;ezekiel+39:29;joel+2:28-29;zechariah+12:10\">spirit of the living God lives within them<\/a>. They are, as we have claimed above, New Covenant disciples who understand and practice <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/5\">Pure Religion.<\/a> They were once Old\/First Covenant religionists who practiced <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/5\">Defiled Religion<\/a> but whose <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/passage\/?q=isaiah+35:1-10;matthew+9:26-31;luke+24:28-32;john+9:14-32;john+9:35-41;john+9;isaiah+9:1-2;acts+9:1-9;acts+26:1-32\">eyes have been opened so that they can now see the light.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Those who live in darkness still see angels as supernatural beings. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/1-john\/passage\/?q=1-john+1:1-7\">Being in the spiritual darkness, these Old\/First Covenant religionists will not easily accept the truth<\/a> that angels are mere mortal men. One good way to help break the power of that imagery is to look at the many scriptures in which it is clear that <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/hebrew\/kjv\/malak.html\">Mal&#8217;ak<\/a> are flesh and blood people who function as messengers in both the Old Testament and New Testament.<\/p>\n<p>In reading those stories we see that some messenger\/angels are sent by Godly people for Godly purposes. These angels are also called\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">true prophets<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">messiahs<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/the-high-priest\">high priests <\/a>and\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/model-warriors\">warriors.<\/a> They are anointed by God to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=1-corinthians+2;+john+7:16;+john+12:49;+john+14:10;+john+14:24-31;+john+16:13;+1-corinthians+2:12-13;+psalm+143:10;+luke+12:11-12;+matthew+10:17-20;+mark+13:11;+1-thessalonians+2:13;+exodus+4:12;+deuteronomy+18:18;+john+5:19;+matthew+26:39;+john+5:30;+john+6:38;+john+6:68;+john+8:28;+acts+4:29\">speak on his behalf<\/a> to Old\/First Covenant religionists whose habit is to listen to false prophets. The most notable Biblical examples of such angels are Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Jesus, Paul and John, but there were many others.<\/p>\n<p>People who are sent by God are angels of the Lord because<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=genesis+45:1-7;+2-chronicles+36:15;+acts+3:26;+revelation+1:1;+deuteronomy+18:18;+isaiah+51:15-16;+john+17:1-8;+isaiah+59:21;+deuteronomy+32:1;+job+22:22;+psalm+19:14;+proverbs+12:6;+jeremiah+1:9;+jeremiah+5:14;+hosea+6:5\"> God has sent them<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=deuteronomy+18:18;+isaiah+51:15-16;+john+17:1-8;+isaiah+59:21;+deuteronomy+32:1;+job+22:22;+psalm+19:14;+proverbs+12:6;+jeremiah+1:9;+jeremiah+5:14;+hosea+6:5\">God speaks through them<\/a>. These are to be differentiated from other angels\/messengers\/prophets who <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=jeremiah+27:9-10;+jeremiah+27:14-17;+1-john+4:1;+matthew+7:15;+2-corinthians+11:13-15;+galatians+1:8-9;+jeremiah+14:14;+ezekiel+13:3;+ezekiel+13:6;+proverbs+12:6;+proverbs+1:11;+proverbs+1:16;+ecclesiastes+10:12;+jeremiah+23:16;+ezekiel+33:31;+revelation+13:1-5\">speak for themselves for selfish, ungodly purposes.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Those who are not angels of the Lord cannot be called angels of the Lord because God has not sent them and has not put his words in their mouths. They are messengers who are convinced that they speak for God but who really speak <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=1-corinthians+1:18-27;+1-corinthians+3:18-21;+2-corinthians+1:12;+james+3:13-18;+1-corinthians+2:1-14;+jeremiah+4:19-22;+isaiah+5:20-21;+isaiah+29:14;+isaiah+47:10;+jeremiah+8:9;+proverbs+3:1-7;+romans+1:22\">worldly wisdom<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/literal-or-symbolic-interpretation-part-1\/5\">religious knowledge<\/a> based on the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\">literal words of the Bible &#8212; not on God&#8217;s spoken voice..<\/a><\/p>\n<p>It could be said also that prophets not sent by God are fallen angels and false prophets.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">AUTHORS&#8217; NOTE: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\">False Prophets<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/pharisees-and-scribes\">Pharisees and Scribes,<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/shepherds-sheep-priests\">Shepherds, Priests and Sheep<\/a>, and\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/apostles\">Pastors, Priests, Rabbis, Apostles, Bishops, Elders, Deacons, Overseers, Rabbis, Popes, Missionaries and Evangelists<\/a> for discussion about people who pretend to speak for God but who are only speaking out of the<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/kjv\/passage\/?q=luke+1:51;romans+1:21;2+corinthians+10:5\"> imaginations of their own minds<\/a>. God says that we <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=jeremiah+27:9-10;+jeremiah+27:14-17;+1-john+4:1;+matthew+7:15;+2-corinthians+11:13-15;+galatians+1:8-9;+jeremiah+14:14;+ezekiel+13:3;+ezekiel+13:6;+proverbs+12:6;+proverbs+1:11;+proverbs+1:16;+ecclesiastes+10:12;+jeremiah+23:16;+ezekiel+33:31;+revelation+13:1-5\">should not listen to these people.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Whether for good or bad, all those sent, whether by God or man, are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/hebrew\/kjv\/malak.html\">Mal&#8217;ak<\/a> and could have been translated as either angels or messengers. It would be wrong to conclude, therefore, that <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/hebrew\/kjv\/malak.html\">Mal&#8217;ak<\/a> are always the imaginary spiritual beings commonly pictured in Biblical stories. And it would also be wrong to conclude that these mythical beings exist today as objects worthy of worship or attention.<\/p>\n<p>It is correct to say, however, that <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/hebrew\/kjv\/malak.html\">Mal&#8217;ak<\/a> are still at work in modern times delivering messages and doing works for good or evil.<\/p>\n<p>Those doing works for good are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/2#newcovenant\">New Covenant<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/#disciple\">disciples<\/a>. Serving quietly and unobtrusively, they can be said to be &#8220;in the spirit&#8221; because everything they do shows that they are directed by the spirit of God. Unlike <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/2#oldcovenant\">Old\/First Covenant<\/a> religionists whose religious activities can always be seen and usually anticipated because they operate according to established <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#religiouslaws\">religious laws<\/a>, works done by New Covenant disciples are, by their very nature, invisible because they are spiritual. The results of their works exist only in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=1-samuel+16:7;+luke+16:15;+jeremiah+17:10;+psalm+44:20-21;+proverbs+15:11;+1-chronicles+28:9;+2-chronicles+6:28-31;+psalm+44:21;+acts+1:24;+1-kings+8:39;+proverbs+21:2;+romans+8:27;+romans+10:5-8;+1-timothy+1:3-5;+2-timothy+2:22;+hebrews+10:19-22;+deuteronomy+30:11-14\">hearts that only God can see.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The distinction between what can be seen and what is spirit is critical to the understanding of angels. First, the thing about angels that makes them so attractive is that angel theology creates relatively clear images of what they look like and what they do. These images are reinforced in Bible stories for Old\/First Covenant religionists who read the Bible literally. New Covenant disciples, on the other hand, do not see images of physical angels when they read about messengers. Rather, they see New Covenant disciples speaking on God&#8217;s behalf to Old\/First Covenant religionists who are lost in darkness.<\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<p><strong>ANGELS&#8217; FUNCTIONS<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<table style=\"border-color: #433559; border-width: 1px; width: 100%; height: 2067px;\" border=\"1\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"height: 26px;\">\n<td style=\"text-align: center; border: 1px solid #474062; width: 197px; height: 26px;\"><strong>FUNCTIONS<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 159px; height: 26px;\"><strong>SCRIPTURE<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center; border: 1px solid #474062; width: 292px; height: 26px;\"><strong>COMMENTARY<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 182px;\">\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; text-align: left; width: 197px; height: 182px;\">Messengers who bring good news<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 159px; height: 182px;\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=isaiah+61:1;+luke+1:19;+isaiah+52:7\">Isaiah 61:1; Luke 1:19; Isaiah 52:7<\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; text-align: center; width: 292px; height: 182px;\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/study\/study-tips\/13\">this link.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Also see<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/teach\"> this link<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 186px;\">\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #58416c; width: 197px; height: 186px;\">Prophet<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #61467b; width: 159px; height: 186px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/malachi\/passage\/?q=malachi+3:1-6\">Malachi 3:1-6<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 292px; text-align: left; height: 186px;\">God <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=john+3:34;+jeremiah+26:1-5;+ezekiel+2:1-7;+2-chronicles+36:15;+acts+3:26;+revelation+1:1;+deuteronomy+18:18;+isaiah+51:15-16;+john+17:1-8;+isaiah+59:21;+deuteronomy+32:1;+job+22:22;+psalm+19:14;+proverbs+12:6;+jeremiah+1:9;+jeremiah+5:14;+hosea+6:5;+daniel+9:9-11;+2-peter+1:19-21\">sends prophets to speak for him<\/a>. He also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=malachi+3:1-6;+matthew+11:10;+mark+1:2;+luke+7:27;+isaiah+63:9;+haggai+1:13;+malachi+2:7\">sends angels\/messengers to speak for him<\/a>. Angels that speak for God are called &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=judges+6:21-22;+judges+13:16;+judges+13:21;+matthew+28:2;+luke+2:9;+zechariah+1:12;+2-samuel+24:16;+judges+5:23;+judges+6:12;+acts+5:19;+numbers+22:31\">angels of the Lord<\/a>.&#8221;<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 372px;\">\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #58416c; text-align: left; width: 197px; height: 372px;\">Priest<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #61467b; width: 159px; height: 372px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/malachi\/passage\/?q=malachi+2:1-7\">Malachi 2:1-7<\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"background-color: #fdfdfd; text-align: left; width: 292px; height: 372px;\">This scripture says that a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/hebrew\/nas\/kohen.html\">priest<\/a> is a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/hebrew\/nas\/malak.html\">messenger. <\/a>Thus we have human priests functioning as messenger\/angels. But we must be careful to not think of a priest as someone who serves in the role of a religious leader. All New Covenant disciples are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/servants\">good shepherds\/priests<\/a>. They are not like Old\/First Covenant <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/john\/passage\/?q=john+10:1-16\">hired hands<\/a>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 292px;\">\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #58416c; width: 197px; height: 292px;\">One who prepares the way for the New Covenant<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #61467b; width: 159px; height: 292px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/malachi\/passage\/?q=malachi+3:1-6\">Malachi 3:1-6<\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 292px; height: 292px;\">Angel\/messengers speak words that <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/how-to-hear-gods-spoken-voice#spiritconvicts\">convict religious people of the fact that religion is sin<\/a>. After religious people respond to God&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/god-is-calling-people-out-of-religion\">call to come out of religion<\/a> and start <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/how-to-hear-gods-spoken-voice\">listening to his spoken voice<\/a>, they become <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/2#newcovenant\">New Covenant<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/#disciple\">disciples .<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 26px;\">\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #58416c; width: 197px; height: 26px;\">Comforters<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #61467b; width: 159px; height: 26px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/isaiah\/passage\/?q=isaiah+40:1-11\">Isaiah 40:1-11<\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 292px; height: 26px;\">Religious people live in a constant state of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/time-hours-days-weeks-and-ages\/end-times-rapture-and-tribulation\/3\">tribulation<\/a> because their <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/place-where-god-will-place-his-name\/4#evilimpureheart\">hearts are evil and impure<\/a>. After they hear God&#8217;s words spoken by angel\/messengers, they are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/time-hours-days-weeks-and-ages\/end-times-rapture-and-tribulation\/2\">raptured<\/a> into a constant state of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/faith-grace-mercy-peace-love-heart-glory-blessing-spirit-and-truth\/7#peace\">peace<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=proverbs+15:30;+psalm+119:111;+psalm+19:8;+psalm+4:7;+psalm+97:11;+psalm+28:7;+proverbs+27:11;+ecclesiastes+5:20\">joy in their hearts<\/a>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 319px;\">\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #58416c; width: 197px; height: 319px;\">One who obstructs someone from doing something that is against God&#8217;s will.<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #61467b; width: 159px; height: 319px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/numbers\/passage\/?q=numbers+22:20-35\">Numbers 22:20-35<\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 292px; height: 319px;\">Balaam is a false prophet who is attracted by the promises for wealth Balaak has offered to him. Balaam and Balaak both symbolically represent religious leaders. The angel of the Lord will obstruct religious people from engaging in idolatrous religious activity.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 133px;\">\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #58416c; width: 197px; height: 133px;\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #61467b; width: 159px; height: 133px;\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 292px; height: 133px;\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 53px;\">\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #58416c; width: 197px; height: 53px;\">Servants<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #61467b; width: 159px; height: 53px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/christiananswers.net\/bible\/isa42.html#19\">Isaiah 42:19<\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 292px; height: 53px;\">Angles\/messengers serve God by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=mark+13:27;+matthew+24:31;+revelation+22:6;+hebrews+1:7;+psalm+104:4;+hebrews+1:14\">speaking for God<\/a>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 133px;\">\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #58416c; width: 197px; height: 133px;\">Ordinary people who carry messages.<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #61467b; width: 159px; height: 133px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/job\/passage\/?q=job+1:13-15\">Job 1:14;<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/luke\/passage\/?q=luke+7:24-27\"> Luke <\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/luke\/passage\/?q=luke+7:24-27\">7:24-27<\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 292px; height: 133px;\">The message is always the same: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-sin\">Religion is sin<\/a>; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/god-is-calling-people-out-of-religion\">come out of religion<\/a>; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-sin\/religion-is-idolatry\/4#spiritandtruth\">worship in spirit and truth<\/a>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 106px;\">\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #58416c; width: 197px; height: 106px;\">Ministering spirits that show the way.<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #61467b; width: 159px; height: 106px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=hebrews+1:13-14;+exodus+23:20;+exodus+33:2\">Hebrews 1:13-14; Exodus 23:20; Exodus 33:2<\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 292px; height: 106px;\">Angles show the way out of religion into the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/land-and-earth\/3\">Promised Land<\/a>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 53px;\">\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #58416c; width: 197px; height: 53px;\">Angels protect God&#8217;s people.<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #61467b; width: 159px; height: 53px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/biblehub.com\/exodus\/23-20.htm\"><span class=\"l\">Exodus 23:20<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 292px; height: 53px;\">Angels protect people from <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-deception\">religious deception<\/a> by telling them the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/faith-grace-mercy-peace-love-heart-glory-blessing-spirit-and-truth\/13\">truth<\/a> that <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-sin\">religion is sin<\/a>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 186px;\">\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #58416c; width: 197px; height: 186px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/hebrew\/nas\/tsiyr.html\">Envoys\/messengers that bring healing.<\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #61467b; width: 159px; height: 186px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=proverbs+13:17;+proverbs+25:13;+jeremiah+49:14;+obadiah+1:1\">Proverbs 13:17; Proverbs 25:13; Jeremiah 49:14; Obadiah 1:1<\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #474062; width: 292px; height: 186px;\">God&#8217;s word heals <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/sickeness-disease-blindness-and-deafness\">sickness and disease<\/a>. Angles bring healing when they <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=hebrews+1:1-2;+john+3:34;+jeremiah+26:1-5;+ezekiel+2:1-7;+ezekiel+3wi:4-11;+2-chronicles+36:15;+acts+3:26;+revelation+1:1;+deuteronomy+18:18;+isaiah+51:15-16;+john+17:1-8;+isaiah+59:21;+deuteronomy+32:1;+job+22:22;+psalm+19:14;+proverbs+12:6;+jeremiah+1:9;+jeremiah+5:14;+hosea+6:5;+daniel+9:9-11;+2-peter+1:19-21\">speak God&#8217;s words.<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>God uses <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/passage\/?q=proverbs+13:17;isaiah+18;jeremiah+49:12-18;obadiah+1:1-6\">angel\/messengers to deliver warnings of judgment, calls to battle and good news. <\/a>Watchmen is another term that God uses to describe people whom he anoints to fulfill angelic functions.<\/p>\n<p>Only two angels are mentioned by name in the Bible: <a href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gabriel\">Gabriel<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Michael_%28archangel%29\">Michael<\/a>. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/passage\/?q=daniel+8:15-27;daniel+9:20-27;luke+1:5-38\">Gabriel is mentioned only twice in the Old Testament and Twice in the New Testament.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/passage\/?q=daniel+10;daniel+12;jude+1;revelation+12:1-12\">Michael also is mentioned only twice in each testament<\/a>. That these two characters have enjoyed such lasting fame is evidence of the strong tendency to interpret the Bible literally. Interpreting them as real beings with names feeds the need to reduce spiritual matters down to something that can be easily imagined, replicated, seen and touched. Thus Gabriel and Michael have become icons of spirituality that people imagine are still out there somewhere in heavenly places doing what <a href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Archangel\">archangels<\/a> do to bring messages and do spiritual battle for certain people whom God favors. Thus the myths about angels persists and even thrives in several religions. <a href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jewish_angelic_hierarchy\">Judaism<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Christian_angelic_hierarchy\">Christianity<\/a> have gone so far as to create a hierarchy of angels. Catholics, in their great need for tangible religion, have gone so far to make Gabriel and Michael saints.<\/p>\n<p>Beyond these two famous named messengers, the Bible identifies many messengers who are not angels but are mortal men. As we noted above, in the Old Testament, they are alternatively called <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/search\/?q=ambassador*&amp;c=ot&amp;t=kjv&amp;ps=20&amp;s=Bibles\">ambassadors<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/search\/?q=envoy*&amp;c=ot&amp;t=nas&amp;ps=20&amp;s=Bibles\">envoys<\/a>, some of whom are sent by God to deliver <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/revelation\/passage\/?q=revelation+14:6-11\">warnings of judgment<\/a>,<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=jeremiah+49:12-18;obadiah+1:1-6\"> calls to battle,<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/proverbs\/passage\/?q=proverbs+25:13;proverbs+13:17\"> comfort, healing<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=jeremiah+49:12-18;obadiah+1:1-6\"> and <\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/passage\/?q=isaiah+52;isaiah+40:1-11;isaiah+61:1-6;nahum+1\">good news<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/passage\/?q=2+corinthians+5:16-21;ephesians+6:18-22;philemon+1:1-9\">ambassadorial role of God&#8217;s people is reinforced in the New Testament where we learn what the message to be given is about reconciliation with God and to explain the mystery of the gospel. <\/a>Although prophets are not identified as angels, messengers, ambassadors or envoys, we see clearly from the functions of a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">TRUE PROPHET<\/a> that they do serve God in these ways.<\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<p><strong>CHERUBIM AND\u00a0SERAPHIM<\/strong><br \/>\nThese two mythical creatures are depicted in art to be like angels. Symbolically speaking, they are like angels in the sense that they are messengers who speak for God.<\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<p><strong>FUTURE TOPICS RELATED TO ANGELS<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/passage\/?q=daniel+8:15-27;daniel+9:20-27;luke+1:5-38\">ARMY OF ANGELS <\/a><\/li>\n<li>ANGEL OF LIGHT<\/li>\n<li>HEAVENLY HOST<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<p><strong>CONCLUSIONS<\/strong><br \/>\nConsidering all the facts in the previous pages we conclude that angels, cherubim and seraphim are symbolic figures that God uses to represent New Covenant disciples. They are not Old\/First Covenant religionists because they do not know the good news and they lack the spiritual power and authority to engage in effective spiritual battle against God&#8217;s enemies. In fact, as we discuss in <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-the-enemy\">Religion is the Enemy<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-injustice-and-slavery\">Religion is Injustice, Slavery and Oppression,<\/a>\u00a0Old\/First Covenant religionists are the enemies against whom New Covenant disciples battle to advance God&#8217;s kingdom.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>BIBLICAL IMAGERY AND MYTH Along with the devil, demons, and their mythical cousins (i.e. the serpent, evil spirits), angels have a long history in mythology and culture. And, like other Biblical concepts adopted from mythology, angels fit prominently in religious <span class=\"excerpt-dots\">&hellip;<\/span> <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/angels\"><span class=\"more-msg\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":3143,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3584","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3584","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3584"}],"version-history":[{"count":40,"href":"https:\/\/thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3584\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12030,"href":"https:\/\/thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3584\/revisions\/12030"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3143"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3584"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}