On the trail of angels

“For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.” This well-known Bible text from Psalm 91: 11 was the basis of a divine service by the Chief Apostle in Lausanne in Switzerland on 9 October 2016.

What angels are and how they minister

“Angels are spiritual beings which God has created to serve Him. They also serve Him by ministering to us human beings. This definition is common Christian knowledge,” the Chief Apostle explained. “This shows that God not only created something, but also makes sure that He looks after it and protects and preserves it.”

“Angels serve us, but they cannot determine and influence us. Humans are always free in their decisions.” That means that we are responsible for our own safety and well-being. Therefore: “We ask the angels to do what we cannot do ourselves, but they will never do what we can do ourselves.”

How God works through angels

“God uses angels as messengers in order to convey divine truths to humans.” For example, to the shepherds in the field, the women at the grave, or the disciples at the ascension of Jesus. “The response that He expects from us is that we believe in the incredible.”

“Furthermore, God also made sure that His plan of salvation could be carried out unhindered.” When Herod had the children massacred, for example, or when the Apostles were arrested and put in jail. “Heavenly hosts are at God’s beck and call so that His plan of salvation can be fulfilled—even if we cannot see it. We have faith and trust.”

“God also used angels in order to demonstrate during the various stages of His plan of salvation that time lies in His hands.” For example, the announcement to Mary that she will give birth to the Saviour or the request to Cornelius, which was the beginning of the Gentile mission. “He is God, He alone. He decides when Jesus will return. What He expects of us is to be vigilant and ready.”

How God uses angels to help

“This applies to the salvation plan in general, but God also has an eye on every single child of God,” the Chief Apostle stressed. “God uses angels in order to enable each one of us to remain strong in faith.”

For example, at the time of Elijah’s crisis when he was sitting in the shade of a broom tree or at the time of Peter’s imprisonment. “God sent an angel both times to give His servants certain instructions. And because they followed these instructions they received help. God works in the exact same way today. If we follow them and do what He tells us, we will experience God’s help.”

Or take the time that Jesus was in the wilderness and in the Garden of Gethsemane. “When He had made the decision to follow the course set for Him by God, God sent angels to minister to Him.” For us that means that we have to make a decision, the Chief Apostle said: “We say no to the devil and yes to God. And once we have made our decision, God will give us the strength to put it into action.”

How human beings serve as angels

“From time to time, God uses human beings to minister as angels for the salvation of mankind.” Like Philip, for example, who explained the gospel to the Ethiopian official. “There are some things that God does not entrust to angels, but to us, such as the commission to pass on the glad tidings of salvation to our contemporaries.”

In Hebrews it says: “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels” (Hebrews 13: 2). “For us that means that we are called upon to support the work of the Apostles and the servants of God by committing ourselves and helping along in the Church and bringing our offerings,” the Chief Apostle explained.

His call to the congregations: “Let us be such angels who carry the gospel to mankind.”