Who are Angels, are They Real ?
We see as believers the frequent mention of Angels in the Bible as heavenly messengers or servants of God. A popular English writer “Mary K Barter” clubbed the Biblical teaching with her personal experiences. She really gave a wonderful thought provoking and enlightening food for the people of intellectual caliber. Mary K barter in her book “A divine Revelation of Angels,”She gave her personal experiences with the angels, and how they help us in times of need with the permission of God. As a matter of fact, the work of angels, as the messengers of God, can be seen throughout the scriptures. People from generations, and all walks of life, have been living in wonderland and very curious to know about the existence of angels, what kind of work they are? whether they are mortals or immortals whether they marry and beget children, and doing soon. If we look into the history, most of the religious believe regarding the spiritual beings as powers and principalities. In ancient days the pagons were under the impression that the so called angels were the spirits of departed souls of ancestors or spiritual being or fairy beings from another world. But the archeologist have their own interest they discovered the representation of some being with wings in the early cave art, carved on walls and cliffs then in the medieval period, some classical artists made popular artistic symbols in their works such symbols could attract people immediately and they recognize as angels.
The artists showed the angels to the public as human like figures, with wings with robes and other with harps or some other musical instruments in their hands. The wings put on their shoulders signify that they are heavenly beings. The white robes they were symbolized their purity and holiness. The musical instruments they kept in their hands indicated that they would sang songs in praise of their God Almighty. Therefore, the description of angelic beings during the medieval and renaissance period contributed something for our thought as what they were how they look like and so on. The angles and their purpose as heavenly bodies has become an important topic for people in the society because everybody is interested to know something about the angels. Even the orthodox Christians exhibited their anxiety to know about those celestial beings. The lyrics of many popular songs speak about the angels on birth day candles, and wedding invitations, we came across the representations of celestial creatures. Most popular time
SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM magazine also published a cover story with a litle “Angels among us.” Now with all this back ground, let us come to the main topic again, who are angels, and whether they are really in existence, and also with we can see them. So to say we can have many questions to answer about these angels. I have my own interest to know about them as I read in the book of Biblical history. It is said that the angels would be about 10 to 15 feet height, they can walk with their legs and also fly. I have my person experience in this matter, that is since some years I used to dream strange, dreams like flying from one mountain to the another, and from one house to another. This kind of flying dreams I got many times, but I could not understand the meaning behind them, but my curiosity is insisting me to know about them. As ordinary human beings we cannot understand the ways and means of our God as He is the omnipotent. For one thing I am immensely thankful to Him because He awarded me the gift of writing. I have written so far 7 books, and the subject of them is historical back ground of the Bible. So, the only thing we can do is to count our blessing from God, and pray, expressing our thanks. We must accept whole heartedly, that God is always merciful toward all of us. I understand, some people get visions and dreams only for the purpose of realization. God is alwys working among us. As the Bible says, “surely the Lord God does nothing unless He reveals His secrets to His servants the prophets”(Amos 3.7). God would revel those things to give us hope to encourage and to show that He is with us always. So with the work of God, we can take it for granted that the angels are real but not myth or legends. They are meant for various programs of God. They are the reveal spiritual beings, we have to pray and glorify God because He would do everything even without our asking through His messenger the angels. The result of our constant prayer in this world would help us to spend our with Christ in heaven, but God who is rich in mercy because of His great love with whichhe loved us when we were dead in trespass, make us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved) and raised us up together and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”(Ephesians 2.4-
6). I pray that God would free us directly or indirectly with the help of His angels from all our burdens and also heal the sick and free us from the oppressors. “It is the desire of God to lose the bands of wickedness. to undo the heavy burdens to let the oppressed also free and break, every yoke”(Isaiah
58.6). Since God is merciful He will send His angels to helps us whenever we
SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM need. Then what is the truth about the angels? To study about them is a serious and saved matter. At the same time, much of the teachings about the angels was false. In the present days, when we are experiencing the wave of angels mania. We must look into the words of God, about them.There are two types of angels as operating in this world today. Due to that some people used to be confused about the true nature of the celestial bodies. There are good angels as well as bad angels.Good angels always try to do good things according to the will of God. Regarding evil angels their intention is always deceiving people with bad motives. They are the embodiment of demonic nature So, it is very dangerous to learn about angels from those who don’t have enough Biblical knowledge. Let us understand about the good angels, basing on the information about them. According to the matter available, good angels played prominent role in the Bible on many occasions. Actually, Bible is the best source to know about them, and their way of life because they are in the world of God. It is said, “Every word of God is flawless.” In the scriptures the word “angel or angels” appear about three hundred times, and the work of angels mentioned about two hundred forty times, In the scriptures in about thirty four books angels are mentioned. The Hebrew word used for angels in the Bible is “Mal ak,” and the Greek word in the New Testament is “aggelos,” and the meaning of both of them is “a messenger.” The fact is that scripture made a true reference about the origin and various types of angels. First of all let us know the origin of the angels and whether they exist always. The Bible tells us that angels are a company of spiritual beings created by God Himself. But the Bible does not say exactly, when the angels were created. And through some other sources, it is believed, they were already in existence even before the creation of earth. In this connection God asked “where were you before I tried, the earth’s formation. Tell me of you understand who marked off the dimensions,? surely you know who stretched the masonry line across it and who were its footings, set or who laid its cornerstone while the morning stars sing together and all the angels shouted for joy”(Job 38.4-7). Many people are thinking today that angels are divine and they look for direction in life. This approach is contrary to the word of God the fact is angels are not at all our Gods, nor our direct spiritual (beings) guards. They cannot come to us at our command to do anything. They are only the servants of God, but not ours. They would come and go at His command. They will
SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM respond to the voice of God, but not to our voice. We should not pray to them nor call them for their guidance, when you talk with a being who appears to be an angel, you may be talking to a deceiving spirit, by feeling that you are taking with an angel of light. It is God whom we have to love but not angels. Bible does not tell us to love God only but not angels. God is so kind and merciful toward His people, and He Himself says “My glory I will not give to another”(Isaiah 42.8). But we should respect angels and admire them for their dedication to God. We must praise their ministries to God to us also, but we should not worship them. We understood so far about angels as they are the servants and worshippers of God, with human beings. St. John saw in his vision in heaven and angels were giving glory, honor and praise to one who was sitting on the throne. He saw all the heavenly bodies praising God with one voice with the words “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, “who was and is and is to come.” (Revelation 4.8). He saw the twenty four elders bell down in worship and east down their crowns before the throne of God. The angels used to worship the Lord without interval. They simply obey Him and carry out His commands and do things according to His will. Jesus Christ became a little lower than the angels. (because He was a man of flesh and blood), for our sake. So that with the human birth he could achieve our salvation and then the glory was returned to Him. We see in the Bible some of the angels rebelled against God, and these would be judged and eternally punished at the end of the age. The Bible tells that at certain point Satan is also referred to as Lucifer or devil. Who rebelled against God, and expelled from heaven. Satan it is said belonged to one of the groups of angels known as Cherubim but his heart was corrupted by pride. Some other angels followed him in his rebellion and all bell down from their sinless position in heaven.It is believed, one third of angels followed Satan, and it is clearly mentioned in the Bible, how God took action against them. All were cast into hell and awaiting the judgment at the end of the age. So, Satan became the leader of the fallen angels Jesus said the devil “does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy”(John 10:10). The activities of those angels of God in the lives of His people, were not confined to Biblical times only, they have been continued even today. God would send His holy angels to protect His people, who love and serve Him. These special messenger angels in action come with the power of God. They are something like intermediates between God and man. Angels are a
SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM unique creation, with some specific qualities, that reflect, who they are and for what purpose God created them. Angels are spiritual beings, but not flesh and blood like human beings God “made His angels, spirits, His ministries a flame of fire.” There are some spiritual qualities in their attitude, because they are spiritual qualities in their attitude because they are spiritual creators. And also we must be aware of them that they are immortals. Those spirits are not subject to physical limitations. Those spirit lane no gender, in the sense they do not marry and have children as baby angels. As it is in the Bible in the resurrection (people) will not marry nor are given in marriage but are like angels in heaven (Matthew 22:30). ANGELS ARE HOLY: Scriptures tell us that angels are holy beings when the son of man comes to His glory and all the holy angels with Him. Then He will sit on the throne of His glory (Matthew 25:31). Angels must be holy because they are serving the holy Lord. THE BIBLE DESCRIBES ANGELS AS ELECT: Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 5.21, I charge you before God and the, Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels that you observed those things without “prejudice doing nothing with partially.” The word elect in Greek means select or chosen. The angels of God are known as the elect that He chose to let them live eternally in heaven. ANGELS ARE INTELLIGENT BEINGS: They are intelligent beings, but they or not omniscients like God. They are mentioned in the Bible as carrying the instructions from God with wisdom and efficiency. They know only what God will choose to reveal to them or allow them to know the Bible tells us that angels use to learn things by observing God’s working. ANGELS HAVE SUPERHUMAN POWER: God gave the angels the superhuman power, but they are not omnipotents. Apostle Paul, said angels are great in power and magnitierthan human beings. They are given great strength and ability by only to carry out His will and command. However, the might and power of the angels were shown on many occasions when they fought battles in support of the people of God. He would send His angels with a great sound of Trumpets and they gather together His elect from the four wends from one end of heaven to the other. WHAT MUST BE THE MEMBER OF ANGELS: There are different references, for the number of angels in the scriptures in Mathew 28:53, Jesus referred to regions of them. “Do you think that I cannot now pray to my father and He
SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM according to Romans was about three thousand up to twelve thousands, including different cadres in them, Prophet Daniel saw in his vision, the God sitting on his throne. Then he saw, ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him, and this number came to more than one hundred million apart from the member of angels, that stood up around the throne of God along with the twenty four elders. That is to say there are too many angels for us to covent. I studied in a book that God created one hundred crore of angels to serve His purposes. HOW DO THE ANGELS APPEAR IN THE BIBLE: We have to think for a while how the angels look like. It is said they are choice able specimen of beauty clubbed with grace. They are nothing but the reflection of their creator, angels are spirits, yet they can take different forms as they carryout the work of God. Human beings must have observed angels, since the time of mankind, when God put the Cherubim in the garden of Eden to guard the way to the “Tree of Life” with a flaming sword(Genesis 3:24). It is said, in the Bible as the angels, appear to humans some times in different positions. In this context, we have the example of the parents of Samson; who saw the angel of God. The angel came and said to the mother of Samson, and then she said, “A man of God came to me and his continence was like the continence of an angel of God,” (Judges 13.6). The appearance of the angels is frequently shining and delighting wherever they are seen in their positions. They reflect the Glory of God Himself another incident, when the angel announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherd was followed by the glory of God called (Shekinah glory). Behold the angel of the Lord, stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they are greatly afraid” (Luke 2.9). Then we have another example of two angels with shining garments at the time of Jesus Christ, and John wrote, I saw another angel, coming down from heaven having great authority and the earth was illuminated with His glory. So today, God declares and reveals His glory through the angels. Some angels appear in strange form. For instance, we have the description of four living creatures that prophet Ezekiel saw in a vision. He identify them him later as Cherubim. Prophet Isaiah described Seraphim angels as having six wings. John gave the example of another angel. “I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven clothed with a cloud.” And a rainbow was on his head,some times they appear like human beings, in genesis 18th chapter, we can find how angels followed God with the appearance of man to speak about the two wicked eluis Sodom and Gomorrah.
SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM In the vision of Ezekiel the angels, who carried out the judgment of God, appeared like men prophet Daniel mentioned about his encounter with the angel Gabriel who appeared like man. So, when the angels appeared in human born, they almost always looked like mobs, but there is some exception to this statement. The Bible tells about two angels who had to appearance of woman, but their names are not mentioned anywhere in the biblical account even in Biblical history. It is said they had wings like the wings of a stork and the wind was in their wings. They perform their mission, in a most spectacular way. They used to lift a basket of wickedness between heaven and earth.(Zechariah 5.5-11). The Bible teaches us about the angels how they are really among us. Sometimes, we see them, but never realized the truth. If we have faith and belief, in the word of God, then we can understand the angels are always around us. They are helping us without our notice and also watching us. They continue the will of God in the earth. So the angels of God always serve Him in love and give Him the glory. Shall we try to follow such faithful in that matter? DIFFERENT RANKS OF ANGELS: There are different ranks among angels. The Bible clearly pointed out the kingdom of angelic beings, include holy beings called angels, Arch angels, Cherubimand Seraphim. The Bible also suggests a kind of well-organized young cadre of angels and even demons. The reference of Jesus Christ in Matthew 2.53, to regions of angels is a direct reference to the organizing angels. The fact is that there is an hierarchyof angels, where in they enjoy some authority having seen the different ranks among them seen to be the angels. Even among churches in many countries this hierarchy of angels has been developed. So according to the information there are about nine cadres among the angels. They are - Arch angels, angels, principalities, powers, virtues, dominions, thorns, cherubim and seraphim. It is said, this list and the cadres have been formed partly by Apostle Paul in his writings. ARCHANGELS: The Bible tells more about archangels, cherubim and seraphim angels. According to Jewish tradition the arch angels are only four in number. They are, Michael, Gabriel, Raphael andUril There are only two places mentioned about archangels in the Bible. “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of arch angels.” This passage is taken from 1 Thessalonians, another passage, “yet Michael the archangel in contending with the devil.” This is taken from Jude 9th Chapter.
SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM MICHAEL: He was the only arch angel mentioned the scripture particularly called archangel. He is also one of two angels and the other one is Gabriel. The name Michael means, who is like God.” He was also called commander of the angelic army. The presence of Michael is very clear in both old and New testaments. We can see his name whenever any conflicts (spiritual) take be place in the Bible to fight the devil and the wicked powers. So, Michael is considered to the supreme commander of the angelic army who do warfare for God to save His people. In the book of Daniel 12.1 Michael is addressed as “great prince.” who will remain as guard our the people of God at the time of the end. In the New Testament Jude recorded a sobering fact, It is about, the prophet Moses the servant of God. When he died on the Mount Nebo, the devil came and claimed his body. But Michael being God’s angelic general challenged the devil and rebuked him in the name of the Lord. Michael the archangel also fought with Satan in the great conflict that is recorded in the book of revelation. This Michael a duty bound commander is mentioned in the Bible with due respect, for his noble character and we may get inspiration from that kind of angels.
Gabriel is designated as chief messenger: This is the second archangel mentioned by name in the Bible. Gabriel means “Man Of God.” He was the most important messenger angel, who stands in the forefront with messages from God and played a prominent role, in the scriptures. Gabriel angel appeared in the Bible about four times on different occasions. His appearance on each time, was related to the mission of announcing the purpose of God and programs concerned to the Messiah Jesus Christ and the time of the end. Prophet Daniel wrote about his meeting of Gabriel after receiving a second vision from God. Gabriel went on explaining to Daniel the events of the “seventy weeks” that they would be like turning point in the slavery of Israel. The angel explained the purpose of God and His programs for the unyielding Israel and also the importance of the Messiah.
In the New Testament, this Gabriel angel commanded the birth of John the Baptist to his aged parents, The same angel messenger commanded, the birth of Jesus Christ, to His mother Mary, Gabriel was often depicted as a celestial trumpet player. It is said regarding the second coming of Jesus Christ to the earth, For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God (1 Thessalonians 4.6). Gabriel angel is God’s trust worthy messenger, who
SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM stands at His presence and brings important news to His people. So, the duty bowned nature of Gabriel and His reference to God, for his word, His work should inspire all the believers to love and serve God whole heartedly. CHERUBIM AND SERAPHIM: Apart from Michael and Gabriel the other important angels in the Bible are Cherubim and seraphim. Cherubim or Cherubs are not like today’s description of them with wings etc. They are very powerful and holy beings For the first time, cherub angel is seen in the Bible in Genesis 3.24, when God banished Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden as they rebelled against Him. After God sent the first parents out of the Garden, He put the Cherubim angel and a flaming sword at the eastern side of it, to guard the way that leads to the “Tree of Life.” The origin of the name Cherubim is not known. But these angels are closely associated with God. In about seven places we come across these angels in the Bible. One instance, God gave Moses on the Mount Sinai, the blue print of the Tabernacle, and ark of covenant. At that time, He instructed Moses to keep two replicas of the Cherubim angels on the arch of the covenant and a mercy seat upon it. The main purpose of that show was, whenever God came to see his people, Israelites, he would sit on the mercy seat, which was kept on the Ark of the covenant inside the Tabernacle. This Tabernacle is otherwise known as mobile temple of God. whenever God came to speak with Moses, who stood at the door of the Tabernacle, and God from His mercy seat would speak to Moses, then Moses explained to Israelites who gathered around him. The main purpose of keeping these Cherubim angels, near the mercy seat is to sprinkle the blood of sacrificed animals for the atonement of the sinners. Israelites believed that the presence of God, would dwell between the two Cherubim in the Tabernacle, king Solomon also decorated his Temple, in Jerusalem with elaborate and elegant earnings and sculptures of Cherubim. He had the temple curtain embodiment with Cherubim angels. SERAPHIM ALL SERAPS : These angles are directly mentioned only in one passage in the book of Isaiah He said, in the year that king Uziah died I saw the Lord sitting on a throne high and lifted on the train of His robe filled the temple and above if 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 as the Lots of hosts, the whole earth is full of His Glory (Isaiah 6:1-3) of all the angels it is said seraphim angels are closer to God, because they will be lowering over the throne of
SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM God. Those seraphim angels used to attend at the throne of God, appear to dwell in the middest of His holiness. In Hebrew the word seraphim means, “burning or fiery.” HOW DO THE ANGELS PROTECT US IN CALAMITIES?: “God has guided me in times of danger and distress, call upon me in the day of trouble. I will deliver you and you shall glorify me”(Psalm 50.15). The Lord knows, how to deliver the Godly people out of temptations, Like this there are many wonderful assurances of God, delivered in the book of the Psalms. So, God is truly a deliverer. When we cast out Satan, we must say Satan you must go in the name of Jesus, when demons cast out of people angels will stand with chains ready to drag them (those evil spirits). But there is something we have to do for God. He expects us to worship Him, to serve Him, to praise Him, and have faith that He would deliver us from all kinds of calamities. To these those people who love God and follow His commandments the Holy Spirit will come, with angels and do the needful. Sometimes, the angels of God, do His will and break those yokes, through the word of God and with the spirit of God.People now and then used to say, after prayers, that they feel better, some heavy burden has gone their bondage has broken in the spiritual sense God wants us to follow this - we must be honest in our hearts before God. We must possess the noble qualities like forgiveness. By the word of God we must forgive anybody for his or her wrong doing, who must have hurt us or hated us unforgiveness on the part of any body is horrible and unpardonable. We must forgive others, so that the heavenly father will forgive us. Jesus said in this context, if you forgive man, thou trespasses your heavenly father also forgave you. But if you do not forgive men their transposesneither will your father forgive your trespasses. God will answer the prayers and intercessions of those who are devoted to Him. The outcome of our prayers is that, God will suppress the devil that as haunting His people at all stages. So, it is very important, on the part of believers to have an honest and close relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. The name of Jesus Christ is not an ordinary name. He is our provider our savior and worthy to be worshipped and honored if we utter his name with due respect, with true honor and faith Satan cannot stand against him.
SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM We have to remember one thing, with regard to deliverance, that cane be done by God only, but never by Satan because he is the only created being by God. Satan is not omnipotent, omniscient, or omnipresent as God. God has multitude of angels at his disposal. He will have victory over everything He is the deliverer of all kinds of disturbances, “the Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer my God my strength in whom I will trust my shield and the horn of my salvation my strong hold” (Psalms 18.2). In the Bible it is said, the angels will join us when we worship the Lord, “praise the Lord, Praise lord from the haven praise him in the highest praise him and his angels ”(Psalms 148.5). It is also believed that the angels would collect the prayers of God’s people and take them strait to heaven and present them before God and Jesus Christ. Then as messengers they bring back the answers for our prayers. God wants the sincere prayers of the believers. Apostle Paul also taught us “to pray without ceasing.” The study of angels will provide us with a wonderful chance to know about God, and His works through them, God has angels at his command to send whenever we need their help “casting all your care upon him for he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5.7). The word of God and the angels are always in action fulfilling His purpose. God is always encouraged Himself in His works, of salvation, redemption and Judgment for the world. Angels are the best examples to know the importance of worship all the heaven and the universe echo with the praise of God’s angels. So let us take the example of the angels for our worshipping of God. The four living creatures each having six wings and full of eyes around and within and they do not rest day or night but saying only, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty who was and is and is to come ————” (Revelation 4.8-11).
SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM CHAPTER -8
The Glory of God
Is life like living unstrained sinners? and inviting pleasures at all times? or should people live like ancient stoic philosophers, who were taught by reason with self-control and suppressing what is generally called destructive emotions. Is there any purpose of man’s life only for a few years on this earth; or is he just spinning around without knowing where he stops? Or it can be simply said life is nothing about a blind fatalism?
A brief answer to all the above motioned questions can be available in the West Ministry shorter catechism (which was written in 1646 and 1647) by the West Minister Assembly to bring it to the churches of England, into greater conformity with the church of Scotland. It begins with man’s end of life is to “Glorify God” only and enjoy the blessings from Him forever. As a matter of fact, this statement is derived from many passages in the Bible and through them the truth is performed and it is really wonderful. Apostle Paul expressed this in the following manner. “For of Him and through Him, and to Him, and all things to whom be given forever Amen.” (Romans 11:26).
According to Paul all things are of Him. He liberally spoke to the Universe into existence. All the things are concerned to Him, only because He is the creator of everything in nature. He is the sustainer. By His power all things adhere. If it were not for that sustaining power the Universe would disintegrate. As far as Apostle Paul was concerned all things are to Him only. He is the consummator Paul was of the opinion that only in God, life can be completed and reach its pinnacle in perfectness. Life would reach symphony of meaning, purpose and satisfaction. So, only in God all things on earth have their origin, movement and consummation.
God is the creator of the cosmos, sustainer and consummator of all things on earth, and so, He is to be glorified (Psalms 19: 1). Then what are the things created by heavens? The angels and ascended saints are heard proclaiming “Thou art worthy O Lord to receive glory and honor and power” (Revelation 4:4). What is the Lord receiving? At the birth of the son of God, angelic messengers announced to men on earth “Glory to the God in the highest.” (Luke 2:14). Again what is the great thing that the God is receiving? And what is this thing the glory of God? The fined purpose of humanity’s existence is only to glorify God and then understand what that glory is, and to explain further, it is nothing but the highest intellectual creator of the humanity, and its outworking is humanity’s greatest priority.Some friends
SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM may find interest to explain about the meaning of the Glory of God! First of all, I would like to know how far they could understand the meaning of it. Some people (believers) suggested God’s retained glory can be understood through the saving of souls. Some others quoted verses from the Bible (verses) that made references concerned to the Glory of God; which are to some extent related to the holiness of God. But, unfortunately, those references are not up to the mark. They are not clearly quoted references to serve our purpose; and also underestimate the fact, that the concept of the glory of God. To define it more clearly, for most of us know the importance of it, but still it remains vague for all of us.
Anyway, a major theological book of references gave us the clue of these words “God’s Glory,” is that which makes Him glorious,” This reference also really does not give satisfactory answer for our clear understanding. So, nobody can define the word by using the word, in the definition. The question is asked again, since the purpose for humanity’s existence is to glorify God as long as the people live on earth. Then what is that glory of God?
The word glory (Kabod) has a Hebrew root; which means “weighty” that gives weight to God. That is the nature of God and His attributes when the nature and attributes of God are revealed in, then by His actions God is glorified. Some years ago, a friend of mine shared a definition in connection with the glory of God”. He explained that the glory of God, which has stood for him as the test of time (test). He further suggested that “The glory of God is the sum and substance of His intrinsic eternal perfections. With the explanation, that God’s glory is intrinsic.It is meant that God’s glory (whatever it may be for a movement expressed wholly from within His own being).It does not depend upon anything external to Himself.
People sometime speak about some precious stones or metals like gold, silver, diamonds, nine pagodas etc. They speak volumes about them and say those things are very precious and costly. They have intrinsic value after they are seen in the form of ornaments in the jewelry shop. In the same way the Glory of God has its own intrinsic value. It does not dependent on any outside influence and even man or woman cannot add anything to the glory of God. So God’s glory is intrinsic.It is His and His forever. And so God has proclaimed “My glory will I not give to another.” (Isaiah 42:8). Besides being intrinsic God’s glory is external (Psalm 104:31) while calling God’s glory is external alternation of the believers drawn for the assessment
SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM of the duration or legality of “it” we must remember, always that the intrinsic value of the precious metal and the glory of God will remain forever. It has been always and always be.
The Psalmist wrote, from everlasting to everlasting thou art God. In saying about God’s glory is His perfection in view are the imaginations that compass the divine being . Those ingredients includes His existence, His essense, personality, sovereignty, deerue, and attributes. These are the important words used by that popular theologian but let us have a close look at each of the word. THERE IS HIS DIVINE EXISTENCE: “God is without beginning and without ending. Everything has its origin except God”. He is uncaused, alone, but He is the cause of everything. Think of anything of its beginning and God is there. Think of anything that is of the past, God was there. He is the omnipotent. We can say, men were, men are, and men will be but God has only one tense as He is from everlasting to everlasting. THERE IS HIS DIVINE ESSENSE: God is a spirit being here, the emphasis is not on His spirituality, but on His essense. If there is His existence there is His Essense. The essense of man is corporal (concerned to human form). That is to say man is mortal, corruptible and a physical substance prone to decay and become dust. In contrast, God’s essense is non-corporal and not in human form and He is immortal incorruptible and a spirit substance. God is a spirit and in truth. Because God is a spirit in Israelites were prohibited from making any graven image or likeness of God. What likeness can mean give to spirit essense. THERE IS HIS DIVINE PERSONALITY: God is a spirit. He is the embodiment of intellect personality, and well power God can fed, think and act. He is not an impersonal force or mother nature; and through emotional to His creation. In contrast, God has possessed perfect personality and immutable character. God created man in His own image. He created man not in physical likeness because God is a spirit with that likeness He gives man ability to interact with his creator by using his mind (his intelligence, his heart and emotion ) and his will. THERE IS HIS DIVINE SOVEREIGNTY: God is a spirit. He is possessing, intellect personality and will power. He does things according to His will and pleasure. He does not come to the earth, when it is in perfect condition, and
SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM calmness. But He does, whatever is necessary to His believers at the most convenient times. God does things according to His good pleasure because He is the supreme authority over His own creation. So, God’s will, shall be done on earth as it is in heaven. TEHRE IS HIS DIVINE DEERU: God is a spirit. Having possessed perfect personality intellect and will power He does anything and everything according to His will and pleasure whatever comes to Him, He will do it actively and promisingly one writer said in this connection, Aim at nothing and you will hit it every time. If we study the working of God, He does not aim at nothing. He will have a plan for history. It is His deeru and He is bringing it to passive every detail right on scheme God is never caught by sinning and never has to respond to unanticipated circumstances. HIS DIVINE ATTRIBUTES: God is a spirit possessing intellect personality and will power. He always does things according to His will and pleasure. He does things actively and promisingly that comes all that comes to pass in perfect harmony, with His own character. As mentioned in the Bible there are certain things attribute to God only. A theologian simply calls them the attributes of God and some of them can be seen in His creation. Like His existence, His wisdom and His power whereas His divine attributes are different. Most of them are known to the believers through His self revelation in the Bible.
Following are some of the divine attributes that are formed in the Bible. They are God is infinite. He is eternal, immutable (Unchangeable), omnipotent (all powerful), omniscient (knowing everything), omnipresent(present everywhere). True, righteous, just gracious, loving, good, merciful, faithful, and kind hearted. God always functions in perfect harmony, with all His attributes.When we say God is infinite it means He can understand anything and everything eternally and act accordingly when we say He is immutable it means He is perfect in His character under all circumstances. His power will never diminish on any occasion. His presence will be all pervading and there is nothing He does not know. It is said in the Bible that even a single hair from the head of a person cannot fall without His knowledge.
The glory of God is intrinsic because it belongs to God; as the light and heat belongto the sun it is the divine everlasting plan that His glory should be proclaimed and demonstrated on the stage of the planet of the earth; through the outworking of the human history. It must be tackled
SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM consummation of all things. God is self -seeking and self entered since He is by His very nature will seek the highest and the best. As He is the highest and the best, He has to bring all things to completion in himself. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF HUMANITY?: God created man in His own image to spend his time happily with God, in the beginning in the Garden of Eden. At the same time, He put some responsibilities on his shoulders, that is to bring honor and glory to his creator. With this point, it is crystal clear that God created man and woman only to glorify Him. So humanity is the only instrument in the hands of God. And by living the life of eternal perfection He expected them to bring honor and glory to Him. Some of the social scientists, suggest us that the most common word used in the English language “I” and it should be “He” or “Him” (He) people are becoming self entered day by day, instead of becoming God entered. If we consider this a bit seriously they are wrong in their approach. They think that their philosophy has its own value and their deeds are all directed toward self gratification and quit contrary to their creator. In such a circumstances the very purpose of their creation was defeated and we have to go back to the Garden of Eden, where Satan played a pivotal role in defeating man and made him commit sin. Satan spoke to Eve in the day, ye eat thereof your eyes shall be opened and ye shall be as God’s knowing good and evil Genesis 3.5. It was God who breathe unto man the breathe of life so that he became a living soul. So for these people who know about God and submit themselves to His will can have perfect peace, joy unspeakable and highest destiny. But for those people who rejected the will of God will face distress and eternal damnation. Declaring the Glory of God let us go back for a while, and look into the question. “The heavens declare the Glory of God” (Psalms 19.4) How the heavens declare the glory of God? The heavens declare with the following words.
1). The heavens declare the existence of God.
2). The heavens declare the wisdom of God.
3). The heavens declare the power of God.
4). Since the universe is endless, that heavens reveal God’s infiniteness. And because of the advancement of science and technology there are more and more discoveries made and knowledge is increasing from time to time. The universe is so vast that there are many more things to be discovered, by the
SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM scientists. All the new discoveries testify the existence of God and radical evolution on other land. These radical changes are causing pride on the part of human beings so, humanity is looking into the earth more than toward heaven to find out new things, that may be useful and beneficial to the present day society. As new inventions are coming up, wants for humanity are also increasing. If one want is humanity are also increasing. If one want is satisfied another want will be in its place. Man wants to see the fullest massive testation of the glory of God on this planet. The heavens may reveal his existence wisdom power and infiniteness, but His holiness, Justice, love, mercy, goodness and faithfulness are proclaimed and experienced on the earth only. It is the holiness of God that forced Adam and Eve, to flee from the garden of Eden, after they committed sin. As a result, they were forced to use animal skins as the dresses to cover their shame and finally the justice of God was established. The out come of the sin was that some one had to shed his blood to redeem the sin, and God had to sacrifice His son Jesus Christ as a redeemer for the sake of all sinners. God could forgive the sin of Adam and Eve, through His justice. Actually god was not the person responsible for their sin but it was Satan. But God allowed Satan to work on them to check their faithfulness and obedience to His word, not to eat the fruit of the forbidden tree. After this they happened, God felt it necessary, to display His divine attributes like holiness, justice, long suffering, grace and mercy, to keep His own creation in harmony. THE EXPERIENCES OF PROPHET MOSES: According to Biblical history, Moses was appointed by God, to liberate Israelites from the bondage of Egyptians to their promised land Canaan. This historical event took place in the year 1446 BC during spring season, with one and half million people including all. After one year in their wilderness wanderings they happened to settle as the foot of the mount Sinai. There, they prepared the Tabernacle, a moving temple. Moses received the Ten Commandments from God, and God began to visit His chosen people frequently. When Moses went to the top of the mountain for the first time, because of his forty days absence, the Israelites forgot God and Moses and began to worship a gold calf prepared by themselves. He returned and saw the situation and broke the tablets of the Ten Commandments.
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Then God called Moses for the second time to the top and gave him the same. At that time Moses seemed to have tired, and wished for the fresh glimpse of God. So, he requested God, Now therefore I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight show me. “Now thy way that I many know thee that I may find grace in thy sight” (Exodus 33.13). Moses was very curious to know how God would like so, he continued “I beseech thee, show me thy glory” God finally told Moses, that nobody could see His face and live anyway God wanted to show Himself partially and in order to view the fullness of His glory, which included His holiness righteousness and justice, when still in unglorified condition, means inviting death. But God kept his servant Moses in the cleft of a rock and passed by and let Moses see His back only that is His non-consuming attributes like mercy, grace, longsuffering, goodness and truth. After this abnormal experience, Moses did not have any more desire. He came down from Mount Sinai, with the glory of God on his face. Since then, with his glowing face he continued the task of leading those stiff necked Israelites to word Canaan, the Promised Land to the descendent of Abraham, which was also called the land of milk and honey.
More manifestation of God’s glory: In course of time God found some interest to dwell among His people. He wished to remain in the Tabernacle, a moving Temple prepared by Israelites at the foot of mount Sinai in their wilderness wanderings, and later in the Temple built by king Solomon on the mount Moreah in Jerusalem. In view of His interest, God introduced seven festivals more to be observed by his chosen people forever. God introduced a code of conduct called Laws of Moses then with the birth of Jesus Christ, the age of Mosaic law of the old covenant had to give away to the age of “grace”.
The code of conduct of the Old Testament, paved the way to the new principles in the New Testament called New Covenant. According to this covenant, gathering of people at a particular place is called church. And in that church, the body of Christ was indwelt by the Holy Spirit. The believer in Christ is in a unique position and became a vessel suitable for the use of the master (Christ).
Jesus conquered death, and after his resurrection grace, compassion, and truth were kissed at Calvary. Love played a prominent role at Calvary Holiness is eternally revealed at Calvary. The believer after experiencing all the above mentioned attributes first hand at the foot of the cross, at Calvary is to reflect the attributes his God to the people of the world. So, the glory of God is revealed in his creation in the garden of Eden, on the glowing face of
SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM prophet Moses in connection with his giving away to law and the Ten commandments, in the Tabernacle, in the temple of king Solomon, in Jerusalem and finally in the face of the believer. But this glory was crystal clear only among the descendants of Abraham,Luke, Issac, Jacob-Israel, and whom God called “My Glory.” So, God declared “I will place salvation in Zion for Israel My Glory” (Isaiah 46.13),
The fullest reflection of the intrinsic eternal perfection of God, can be seen in his relationship with Israel. As a matter of fact, the world had understood very little about this fundamental truth. To say in nutshell, the existence, essense, personality, sovereignty decree and attributes are shown completely, in the election, preservation future restoration and glorification of His chosen people because of that reason, God called them “My Glory” if we study His dealings with His people, we can understand His sovereignty.If we study God’s dealings with Israel, we can understand His power over them. If we look into the history of Israel we can understand His grace toward them if we study God’s dealings with Israel, we can understand his long suffering forth sake of His people of about two thousand years, we can understand, how far, god was more concerned and faithful toward his chosen people. If we study their history, we can know how many times those tickle minded rebelled against, the God of their forefathers and again how many times the prayed to save them, all this became a continuous process in their lives. He saved them and loved them. Inspite of the wicked nature of His chosen people God is always immutable toward their attitude. GLORY OF THE SON: There is another way of testifying the glory of God. It was through His beloved son Jesus Christ. It was wonderfully described by Apostle John, the beloved disciple of Jesus Christ. John wrote “the word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Faith) full of grace and truth” (John 1.14). John referred this particularly to Jesus Christ the son of God. In the same way Apostle Peter also wrote about Jesus. He wrote, for we have not followed cunningly some devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ, but were eyewitness of his majesty” (2 peter 1.16.). So, according to those two statements, John “beheld” where as peter was an “eyewitness.” And both of them were reminding the occasion that they were with Jesus on the movement of “Transfiguration” and His eternal glory shone out of His humanity (Matthew 17.1-2).
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The written to the Hebrews Apostle Paul spoke about the unsurprising glory of Christ. He said that the very brightness of the glory of the faith was Christ Himself. Unlike the other manifestations of the glory of God, Christ was the exact reality and substance of that glory because Jesus was also God. “God in flesh” (Hebrews 1.3.)This is the reason when He said clearly, He that hath seen Me hatha seen the father” (John 14.9). So, men can see the attributes of the invisible father in the person of the visible son. After understanding correctly the glory of God how as believers should respond to the Lord Jesus Christ, regarding the father truth of His Glory? The believers should respond as it was done by prophet Isaiah, when he conformed with the glory of God, He cried out, woe is me, for I am undone because I am a man of unclean lips for mine eyes have seen the king, the Lord of hosts”(Isaiah
6.5).
Men and women, can see themselves what they are, really only when they first see God as what He is really, therefore, the intrinsic eternal perfections of God, (His glory) are the only platinum your dislike by which people can measure life. For instance, if a manin his relationship with his wife fulfill the purpose of life, for which he was created that means, he would proclaim and, demonstrate God’s intrinsic eternal perfections. The result of this is, he would be holy, just loving, good, merciful and long suffering toward his mate. To say more clearly, if the people were in a position to fulfill the real purpose for which they were created.
Undoubtedly, the earth would be a paradise so, it is clear, that God created people for the purpose of the reflection of His glory and that is the center point And this point the believers can take into consideration. The difficulties, we come across in our day to day life proved us ample opportunities to show us the attributes of our Lord, God used to show His unconditional love, though we look at him as a stranger. It is due to that love He died for us on the cross to redeem us from our sin.
We should exhibit the purpose of our creation in our hearts and try to fulfill it. The Apostle Paul a great theologian put the essence of this entire article in a few words. “He said whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever we do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10.31). He expressed the same idea on some other occasion in a bit different way. For to me to live is Christ (that is by word and deed to show forth His glory” and to die is gain to win) (Philippians 1.21). The next point is that the believers should fall prostrate before the divine wisdom by remembering what the Lord said my
SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM thoughts are not your thoughts, neither your ways my ways. For the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
The Bible teachers, the unregard human is an enemy to God and under divine condemnation. (Romans 1.1, 3.19). By grace through faith, in Christ the redemptive work on Calvary has been going on and humanity is justified. The humanity has yielded to the induring Holy Spirit and people are sanctified. And one day, they will be glorified God never leaves such people and anything that is half done. If he starts anything, he will take rest only after completing that particular work. Generally, His plan will be he begins with a condemned individual. He will mould and then shape the person until one day confirmed to the glory of God.
He takes, a person who is an enemy to Him and makes him an exalted eternal child, but Apostle Paul put this wonderful statement in the following words. Whom he did predestinate them, he also called and whom he justified them he also glorified (Romans 8.30) when God completes His shaping and redeeming a child,that child will reflect fully and perfectly his father intrinsic eternal perfection in all ages. Even the Biblical great personality like Moses could not in his un-glorified condition look at the glory of God, when the Lord is finished with his blood bought sons and daughters are made perfect and faultless.
SHOOTS OF JERUSALEM CHAPTER - 9