The Truth about Angels - Ellen G. White (i like reading .TXT) 📗

living angels.—Manuscript Releases 17:2. {TA 221.3}

As the chariot of angels received Him, His words had come to them [the disciples], “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end.”—The Acts of the Apostles, 65. {TA 221.4}

Thousands and thousands of angels escorted Christ in honor to the city of God, singing, “Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.” The angel sentinels at the gate exclaimed, “Who is this King of glory?”—The Review and Herald, July 29, 1890. {TA 221.5}

As He [Christ] approached the City of God ... [the] voices [of thousands of angels] were raised and the highest angels sang, “Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.”—. {TA 222.1}

Again the challenge rings forth, “Who is this King of glory?” and the escorting angels answer, “The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory,” and the heavenly train passes through the gates.—The Review and Herald, July 29, 1890. {TA 222.2}

When Christ ascended up on high, and led a multitude of captives, escorted by the heavenly host, and was received in through the gates of the city, ... He possessed the same exalted stature that He had before He came into the world to die for man.—Spiritual Gifts 4a:119. {TA 222.3}

Christ Is Escorted Into the Father’s Presence

There is the throne, and around it the rainbow of promise. There are seraphim and cherubim. The angels circle round Him, but Christ waves them back. He enters into the presence of His Father. He points to His triumph ...—those raised with Him, the representatives of the captive dead who shall come forth from their graves when the trump shall sound. He approaches the Father; and ... says: Father, it is finished. I have done thy will, O my God. I have completed the work of redemption. If thy justice is satisfied, “I will that they also, whom thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am.”—The Youth’s Instructor, August 11, 1898. {TA 222.4}

The arms of the Father encircle the Son, and His voice is heard, saying, “Let all the angels worship Him.”—Selected Messages 1:306. {TA 223.1}

The angelic throng ... bow in adoration before Him, saying, “Worthy, worthy, is the Lamb that was slain, and lives again, a triumphant conqueror.”—The Signs of the Times, June 17, 1889. {TA 223.2}

When Christ passed within the heavenly gates, He was enthroned amidst the adoration of the angels. As soon as this ceremony was completed, the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples in rich currents, and Christ was indeed glorified, even with the glory which He had with the Father from all eternity. The Pentecostal outpouring was Heaven’s communication that the Redeemer’s inauguration was accomplished. According to His promise He had sent the Holy Spirit from heaven to His followers, as a token that He had, as Priest and King, received all authority in heaven and on earth, and was the Anointed One over His people.—The Acts of the Apostles, 38. {TA 223.3}

 

Chapter 18—Angels From Pentecost to the Last Days

Chapter 18—Angels From Pentecost to the Last Days

Angels Protect Vital Truths

I saw the angels of God were commissioned to guard with special care the sacred, important truths which were to serve as an anchor to the disciples of Christ through every generation. The Holy Spirit especially rested upon the apostles, who were witnesses of our Lord’s crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension—important truths which were to be the hope of Israel. All were to look to the Saviour of the world as their only hope, and walk in the way which He had opened by the sacrifice of His own life, and keep God’s law and live. I saw the wisdom and goodness of Jesus in giving power to the disciples to carry on the same work for which He had been hated and slain by the Jews. In His name they had power over the works of Satan. A halo of light and glory centered about the time of Jesus’ death and resurrection, immortalizing the sacred truth that He was the Saviour of the world.—Early Writings, 196, 197. {TA 224.1}

Peter and John Delivered From Prison

A short time after the descent of the Holy Spirit, and immediately after a season of fervent prayer, Peter and John, going up to the temple to worship, saw a distressed and poverty-stricken cripple.... The disciples regarded him with compassion. “And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.” “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.”—The Spirit of Prophecy 3:275, 276. {TA 225.1}

As the Sadducees, who did not believe in a resurrection, heard the apostles declaring that Christ had risen from the dead, they were enraged, realizing that if the apostles were allowed to preach a risen Saviour, and to work miracles in His name, the doctrine that there would be no resurrection would be rejected by all, and the sect of the Sadducees would soon become extinct.—The Acts of the Apostles, 78. {TA 225.2}

Some of the officials of the temple, and the captain of the temple, were Sadducees. The captain, with the help of a number of Sadducees, arrested the two apostles, and put them in prison, as it was too late for their cases to be examined that night.—The Spirit of Prophecy 3:278. {TA 225.3}

Satan triumphed, and the evil angels exulted; but the angels of God were sent and opened the prison doors, and, contrary to the command of the high priest and elders, bade them go into the temple, and speak all the words of this life.—Spiritual Gifts 1:83, 84. {TA 225.4}

In the meantime the high priest and those with him had “called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel.” The priests and rulers had decided to fix upon the disciples the charge of insurrection, to accuse them of murdering Ananias and Sapphira, and of conspiring to deprive the priests of their authority. {TA 226.1}

When they sent for the prisoners to be brought before them, great was their amazement at the word brought back, that the prison doors were found to be securely bolted, and the guard stationed before them, but that the prisoners were nowhere to be found. {TA 226.2}

Soon the astonishing report came, “Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.” {TA 226.3}

As they [Peter and John] stood for the second time before the men who seemed bent on their destruction, no fear or hesitation could be discerned in their words or attitude. And when the high priest said, “Did we not straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us,” Peter answered, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” It was an angel from heaven who delivered them from prison and bade them teach in the temple.—The Acts of the Apostles, 78-82. {TA 226.4}

Then were those murderers enraged. They wished to imbrue their hands in blood again by slaying the apostles. They were planning how to do this, when an angel from God was sent to Gamaliel to move upon his heart to counsel the chief priests and rulers. Said Gamaliel, Refrain from these men, and let them alone; for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to naught; but if it be of God ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. {TA 226.5}

The evil angels were moving upon the priests and elders to put the apostles to death; but God sent His angel to prevent it, by raising up a voice in favor of the disciples in their own ranks.—Spiritual Gifts 1:85. {TA 227.1}

Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch

Heavenly angels watch those who are seeking for enlightenment. They cooperate with those who try to win souls to Christ. Angels minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation. This is shown in the experience of Philip and the Ethiopian.—The Bible Echo, December 10, 1900. {TA 227.2}

This Ethiopian was a man of good standing and of wide influence. God saw that when converted he would give others the light he had received and would exert a strong influence in favor of the gospel. Angels of God were attending this seeker for light, and he was being drawn to the Saviour. By the ministration of the Holy Spirit the Lord brought him into touch with one who would lead him to the light.—Conflict and Courage, 332. {TA 227.3}

When God pointed out to Philip his work, ... he learned that every soul is precious in the sight of God, and that angels will bring to the appointed agencies light for those who are in need of it. The heavenly angels do not undertake the work of preaching the gospel. Through the ministration of angels God sends light to His people, and through His people this light is to be given to the world.—The Bible Echo, December 10, 1900. {TA 227.4}

Paul’s Conversion

As Saul journeyed to Damascus, with letters authorizing him to take men or women who were preaching Jesus, and bring them bound to Jerusalem, evil angels exulted around him. But suddenly a light from heaven shone round about him, which made the evil angels flee.—Early Writings, 200. {TA 228.1}

In the record of the conversion of Saul, important principles are given us, which we should ever bear in mind. Saul was brought directly into the presence of Christ.... He arrested him in his course and convicted him of sin; but when Saul asked, “What wilt Thou have me to do?” the Saviour placed the inquiring Jew in connection with His church, there to obtain a knowledge of God’s will concerning him.... {TA 228.2}

While Saul in solitude at the house of Judas continued in prayer and supplication, the Lord appeared in vision to “a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias,” telling him that Saul of Tarsus was praying, and in need of help. “Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight,” the heavenly messenger said, “and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth.... {TA 228.3}

Ananias could scarcely credit the words of the angel; for the reports of Saul’s bitter persecution of the saints at Jerusalem had spread far and wide.... {TA 228.4}

Obedient to the direction of the angel, Ananias sought out the man who had but recently breathed out threatenings against all who believed on the name of Jesus; and putting his hands on the head of the penitent sufferer, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. {TA 229.1}

“And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.”—The Acts of the Apostles, 120-122. {TA 229.2}

Paul Leaves Damascus

As Paul preached Christ in Damascus, all who heard him were amazed.... The opposition grew so fierce that Paul was