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Sunday, Jan. 30, 2005
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Dear Father Paul Dear Father Paul: What does the Bible say about Angels?
Dear Phil: The word "angel" comes from the Greek word aggelos, which means simply "messenger." The matching Hebrew word mal'ak has the same meaning. Angels are mentioned 108 times in the Old Testament and 165 times in the New Testament. Angels are created beings (created by God) and the scriptures are clear that they have not existed from all eternity.It may well be that they were created by God immediately after he created the heavens and before he created the earth, for according to Job 38: 4-7,"the sons of God shouted for joy" when he laid the foundations of the earth. While we do not know exactly how many angels there are, we are told in Danial 7:10 and Matthew 26:53 that their numbers are very great.It appears that all of the angels were created at one time and no new angels are being added. Also, no where in the scriptures does it indicate that people become angels after they die.Unlike people, angels do not have "free will." They cannot choose to disobey God, although the Bible indicates that before God sealed the angels' will a large number of them rebelled against God under the "angel of light's" (Satan's) leadership. God banished Satan and his angelic followers from heaven and these "angels" are now called demons. Hebrews 1:14 calls angels "ministering spirits" so they do not have physical bodies like people, however, they can and have taken on the "appearance" of people. See Hebrews 13: 2. In Matthew 28: 2-4 they appear dazzling white. When angels do appear they generally appear in the form of men as in the story in Genesis 18. Every angel does not carry out the same task. There are cherubim and seraphim angels as-well-as archangels, Michael and Gabriel being two. Angels carry out a variety of tasks, all designed to serve God. Worship and praise, revealing God's will to men (as a messenger),guiding men, providing for men, protecting men, delivering menÊfrom danger, strengthening and encouraging men, answering prayers and caring for believers at the time of death. Angels play a key role in the operation of and the building of Gods's kingdom. Dear Father Paul: Does the Bible address the question of pornography? Ken, Senoia. Dear Ken: Not directly. The word "pornography" is not in the Bible. However, there are Biblical principles that should make pornography a concern. For instance, Jesus said, "But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her in his heart" Matthew 5: 28. In the next verse Jesus proceeds to urge the exercise of any needed effort to overcome such lust. It is very important to note as did Jesus, and I repeat here for emphasis, that sexual sins begin in the heart before there is an overt act! In Mark 7: 21-23 Jesus explained, "for from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornication, murders." Pornography is a multi-billion dollar industry. Studies indicate that nearly 70 percent of all men have been involved in pornography at least to some extent. Christian men are no exception. The solution to pornographic influence is simple although not always easy. In the first place, we need to be very careful what we read and what movies and T V we watch.This is called simply 'avoidance.!" The Apostle Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 6: 18 to "flee" sexual sin. In addition to avoidance, we are to control our thinking...and yes I believe strongly that we CAN discipline our minds to think only about the things we choose to think about.If this were not possible, Paul would not have also said in 2 Corinthians 10: 5 "....whatsoever things are pure....think on these things." Quite simply, pure thoughts will overwhelm and displace impure thoughts. That's how you whip pornography. People addicted to or who even dabble in pornography should know that God loves them and he isn't mad at them. His heartfelt wish as a loving father is for the kind of deep relationship with his children in which he meets their most important needs and they don't need pornography. Special to Andrea: From what you say, I believe your husband loves you very deeply. Give him some time, he'll come around. A reminder to all of my readers. The aclaimed ALPHA Course starts at Church Of The Holy Cross on Monday evening, FebruaryÊ7, 2005. Call (770) 631-3566 for information. Father Paul Massey will answer your questions. Write him at paulmassey@earthlink.net or P.O. Box 510, Fayetteville, GA 30214
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