God’s CIA

I am referring to God’s Covenant Implementing Angels (CIA).

Realize, long before man was created on Earth, God created millions of spiritual beings called angels to serve Him (Job 38:4-7 “stars = angels” as stated in Revelation 1:20. Revelation 5:11).

There are three orders of these heavenly beings mentioned in the Bible:

Seraphim

The Seraphim are the major worshippers around God’s throne crying out continuously, Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty! By this, they declare a warning to everyone that they must be as Holy as God to approach Him, and if not, they will be destroyed. (13)

In the year of King Uzziah’s death, I saw the sovereign master seated on a high, elevated throne. The hem of his robe filled the temple. Seraphs stood over him; each one had six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and they used the remaining two to fly. They called out to one another, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord who commands armies! His majestic splendor fills the entire earth!” The sound of their voices shook the door frames, and the temple was filled with smoke. (Isaiah 6:1–4 NET)(cf. Revelation 4:8)

Cherubim

The Cherubim act as guards:

The Lord God said, “Since man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil, he must not reach out, take from the tree of life, eat, and live forever.” So the Lord God sent him away from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. He drove man out and stationed the cherubim and the flaming, whirling sword east of the garden of Eden to guard the way to the tree of life. (Genesis 3:22–24 NET)

When Lucifer was the ruler of planet Earth, he had a cherubim guard. (13)

I placed you there with an anointed guardian cherub; you were on the holy mountain of God; you walked about amidst fiery stones. You were blameless in your behavior from the day you were created, until sin was discovered in you. In the abundance of your trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned; so I defiled you and banished you from the mountain of God— the guardian cherub expelled you from the midst of the stones of fire. (Ezekiel 28:14–16 NET)  

It was the Cherubim guard that expelled Lucifer from Heaven when he rebelled. (1)

 So he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. (Luke 10:18 NET)

Angels

There are many types of angels: Archangels, war angels, ambassadorial angels, personal guardian angels, and many others who are specialists within their clans. (13)

God often uses angels to carry out His work on the earth. They deliver messages (Luke 1:26-28), protect the people of God (Daniel 6:22), give guidance (Exodus 14:19), offer encouragement (Genesis 16:7), bring punishment (2 Samuel 24:16), patrol the earth (Ezekiel 1:9-14), fight the forces of evil (Daniel 10:12-13), interpret dreams and visions (Daniel 8:16), offer praise to God (Revelation 19:1-3), and perform any other service for which God might want them. (14)

The Bible gives the names of two Archangels; Michael is the General of all the warrior angels in heaven. God’s name, “The Lord of Hosts,” means the God of the heavenly armies and is translated as such in most new translations. The Archangel Gabriel is the ambassadorial angel who reveals God’s purposes and divine decrees by announcing them at God’s appointed times. (13)

These angels gave praise, honor, glory, and loving allegiance to God as they fulfilled their created purpose. Everyone lived, worked, and worshiped in an atmosphere of holy purity, peace, and joy. There was nothing but a heavenly atmosphere with God and all of His creation. This heavenly condition continued for eternal ages until something completely contrary originated in one of God’s major eternal beings. (13)

Unfortunately, one of the ruling Archangels called Lucifer, led a rebellion (1), with one-third of the other angels following him (Revelation 12:4). Nevertheless, they were quickly defeated, their authority (but not power) removed, and they were cast out of Heaven (Luke 10:18) (8). Today we know the former Archangel Lucifer by the name of Satan (Satan means the adversary or accuser of the brethren – Revelation 12:10).

What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than God, And You crown him with glory and majesty! You make him to rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, All sheep and oxen, And also the beasts of the field, The birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea, Whatever passes through the paths of the seas. O Lord, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth! (Psalms 8:4-5 NASB95)

Then the race of man was created with positional authority a little lower than God but above the holy angels of God and certainly above the fallen angels of Satan, too (Psalms 8:5. Psalms 82:6. John 10:34) (2).

However, mankind then fell to a position lower than God’s Holy Angels when he ate the forbidden fruit (1) in the Garden of God (i.e., Eden). This action also gave Satan and his fallen angels the authority granted to man by God to rule on planet Earth (Act 26:18) (6).

Jesus then came to rescue us from this situation and give saved mankind, not angels, back the authority of the Name above all Names – Jesus (Philippians 2:9-11. Acts 4:12). Consequently, although the holy angels are very powerful, they only have limited authority to operate in Satan’s fallen world unless we delegate our authority in Jesus’ name by speaking the Word of God in the Name of Jesus.

Realize that Jesus, the last Adam, was superior to holy angels and fallen angels, just as the first Adam before the fall.  However, at the cross, when Jesus took man’s place for punishment, He became positionally lower than the holy angels of God when He became our sin (2 Corinthians 5:21).  The penalty for our transgressions was released upon Jesus as our scapegoat (1).  Upon His resurrection, He was restored to be positionally higher than the holy angels and given back the Glory of God (Hebrews 1:6. Hebrews 2:6-9) (4).  Once again, holy angels serve Him, and since we are His joint heirs and heirs of salvation, they serve us, too (Romans 8:17. Hebrews 1:13,14). Jesus is the Lord Sabaoth (i.e., Lord of the Angel Armies of Heaven) (Romans 9:29. James 5:4).

However, the holy angels do not just do anything we ask them to do but rather obey the Word of God that we speak in Jesus’ name. This is based on the Authority of the Covenant we have with God the Father by our mediator and Great High Priest (1), the Lord Jesus Christ (Psalms 103:20). That is, they obey the Christ in us; therefore, the more Christlike we are, the more holy angels will minister to and for us (Colossians 1:27. John 14:13,14).

The Bible includes the Old and New Testaments or Covenants Christians have with God. Therefore, since angels obey the Word of God spoken by us, that is one reason why it is so vitally important to learn the scriptures by spiritual heart. When you are in an emergency situation (e.g., the car you are driving spins out of control on “black ice”), what comes out of your spiritual heart via your mouth can cause the angels to minister protection to you or NOT. Understand what comes out of your mouth in an emergency is what you have put abundantly in your spiritual heart (1) (Luke 6:45).

For example, if what comes out in this situation is “I am going to die,” then there is nothing for them to act upon. However, if what comes out of your spiritual heart via your mouth are words of our Covenant with God, such as “I will live and not die…” (Psalms 118:17), then protection will be Implemented by the holy Angels of God.

Also, daily Angelic protection can be established in your prayer time (1) by declaring the covenant (1). For example, saying the following to God in prayer: the Angel of the Lord encamps around me and chases all evil away from me; the angels lift me up in their hands, keeping even my feet from being hurt  (Psalms 34:7. Psalms 35:5,6. Psalms 91:11,12).

The Lord’s angel camps around the Lord’s loyal followers and delivers them. (Psalm 34:7 NET)

May they be like wind-driven chaff, as the Lord’s angel attacks them! May their path be dark and slippery, as the Lord’s angel chases them! (Psalm 35:5–6 NET)

For he will order his angels to protect you in all you do. They will lift you up in their hands, so you will not slip and fall on a stone. (Psalm 91:11–12 NET)

There has been much confusion in this area of Angels as Satan would like us to think that we have always been inferior to angels so that he can bring fear into our lives. Furthermore, he would want us to think of God’s Holy Angels as babies or beautiful women and his fallen angels as fearful formidable foes. The truth is that the Holy Angels of God are mighty and have a decidedly masculine (3) appearance. In fact, when Angels appear in their Heavenly form, one of the first things they say is, “do not fear” (Luke 1:12,13. Luke 1:28-30. Luke 2:9,10). However, they can also appear as ordinary humans (Hebrews 13:2).

For an example of their strength, one Archangel (The Angel of the Lord – a.k.a. The Archangel Michael – Revelation 12:7) killed 185,000 men in one night (2 Kings 19:35. Isaiah 37:36). With that correlation, let us analyze what Jesus was saying in the Garden of Gethsemane when He stated that more than twelve Legions of holy angels were available at His request.

Or do you think that I cannot call on my Father, and that he would send me more than twelve legions of angels right now? (Matthew 26:53 NET)

(A Roman Legion contained approximately 6000 men) x (>12 Legions) x (185,000 men killed by one angel in one night) = >13,320,000,000 men could be killed in one night if Jesus had desired to escape the arrest.

The population of the Earth in 31 A.D. (1) was approximately 300 million, and assuming a night is 12 hours, then the whole population of planet Earth could have been razed in less than 30 minutes by the Holy Angels of God!

That is, even though they sent approximately 600 soldiers plus a crowd of civilians to arrest Him – He could have easily overpowered them and escaped crucifixion if He desired (John 18:3. Mark 14:43). Thankfully, Jesus came to save us and not destroy us (John 3:16-18. Luke 9:51-56). Today, that same number of holy angels could eliminate the Earth’s seven billion population in significantly less time than six hours! Remember, there are millions of holy angels and not just twelve Legions.

This is the blessing Moses the man of God pronounced upon the Israelites before his death. He said: The Lord came from Sinai and revealed himself to Israel from Seir. He appeared in splendor from Mount Paran, and came forth with ten thousand holy ones. With his right hand he gave a fiery law to them.  (Deuteronomy 33:1,2)

The prophet’s attendant got up early in the morning. When he went outside there was an army surrounding the city, along with horses and chariots. He said to Elisha, “Oh no, my master! What will we do?” He replied, “Don’t be afraid, for our side outnumbers them.” Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes so he can see.” The Lord opened the servant’s eyes and he saw that the hill was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kings 6:15–17).

God has countless chariots; they number in the thousands. The Lord comes from Sinai in holy splendor. (Psalms 68:17).

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels in a circle around the throne, as well as the living creatures and the elders. Their number was ten thousand times ten thousand—thousands times thousands—all of whom were singing in a loud voice: “Worthy is the lamb who was killed to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and praise!” (Revelation 5:11,12)

Jesus is the Leader (1) of the massive Angelic Armies of Heaven (aka, the Lord Sabaoth (1)).

Even though the angels are very powerful, they are not all-knowing, and we are not to worship them nor do the Holy Angels desire our worship (Ephesians 3:10. Colossians 2:18. Revelation 19:9,10). We are not to accept from them anything contrary to God’s Word (Galatians 1:8,9).

But even if we (or an angel from heaven) should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be condemned to hell!As we have said before, and now I say again, if any one is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let him be condemned to hell! (Galatians 1:8–9 NET)

They were created to serve God, but an angel (Lucifer) invented sin (i.e., disobedience 1 John 3:4. 1 John 3:8) when in a perfect environment. Consequently, the holy angels that did not rebel were given as servants to Christians. Why? If they submit to and obey the Words of the Covenant coming from imperfect and frail humans, they will obey a perfect and all-powerful God (1). 

In fact, one reason God has commanded wives to submit to their husbands is so that the angels will see correct submission to authority modeled (Genesis 3:16. Ephesians 5:22. 1 Corinthians 11:7-10). That is if a wife will resist the desire to rule her husband (a desire that came as a result of the fall of man and woman Genesis 3:16) (7) and submit to the leadership of her husband – who may not even be as capable – she is demonstrating her inward submission to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus the Christ (5). Furthermore, Christians will judge God’s Angels for their submission and obedience to the Covenant Word of God spoken by Christians in the future kingdom (1 Corinthians 6:3. Proverbs 17:2).

While we have been given all authority in the Name of Jesus and the Holy Spirit’s Gifts, we do not usually have the power that angels naturally possess. Consequently, we must co-labor together with the angels sharing our authority and them sharing their power to defeat the enemy! This learning to delegate our authority models correct submission to authority for the angels and keeps us humble. Humble knowing that we have to depend on the whole family of God, including the Holy Angels of God, to be an overcomer.

Lastly, we all have guardian angels assigned to us.

“See that you do not disdain one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. (Matthew 18:10 NET)

This includes Jesus since He is the son of man. (Matthew 9:6) The “Angel of the Lord,” or the Lord’s angel, is Jesus’ Guardian Angel. (Matthew 1:20;2:13;2:19-23;28:2) (11)

The early church believed that Peter had an angel.

When he knocked at the door of the outer gate, a slave girl named Rhoda answered. When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she did not open the gate, but ran back in and told them that Peter was standing at the gate. But they said to her, “You’ve lost your mind!” But she kept insisting that it was Peter, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!” (Acts 12:13–15 NET)

Jacob (Israel) believed that he had an angel protecting him.

Israel stretched out his right hand and placed it on Ephraim’s head, although he was the younger. Crossing his hands, he put his left hand on Manasseh’s head, for Manasseh was the firstborn. Then he blessed Joseph and said, “May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked— the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day, the Angel who has protected me from all harm— bless these boys. May my name be named in them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac. May they grow into a multitude on the earth.” (Genesis 48:15–16 NET)

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The Role of Angels as Ministers to Believers – Heirs of Salvation

But to which of the angels has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to serve those who will inherit salvation? (Hebrews 1:13–14 NET)

In both cases, the words “ministering” and “serve” is a translation of the Greek word diakonos, which depicts high-level, top-notch service of various kinds. As we look at the ministry of angels in the New Testament, we find that angels provided especially high-level, top-notch service to the saints when they experienced various needs. Angels also have other roles, but for this discussion, we will focus on the role of angels in serving believers—heirs of salvation. (15)

Angels Meet Physical Needs

Matthew 4:11 and Mark 1:13 tell us that when Jesus concluded His 40-day fast in the wilderness, angels appeared and ministered to Him, thereby meeting Jesus’ physical needs after that 40 days of fasting and being tempted by the devil. In both verses, the word “ministered” is a translation of the Greek word diakonos. Wherever this word is used in the New Testament, it pictures a servant whose chief occupation is to meet some kind of physical or tangible need. (15)

Angels Give Strength

The Bible provides many examples of angels strengthening the weary. Still, the best New Testament example is in Luke 22:43, where an angel strengthened Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane during the most difficult time of His earthly life. It says, “And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.” This word comes from the Greek word enischuo, a compound of en and ischuos. The word en means in, and the word ischuos is the Greek word for might or strength. When these two words are compounded, the new word means to impart strength; to empower someone; to fill a person with physical vigor; or to give someone renewed vitality. In other words, a person may have been feeling exhausted and depleted, but suddenly he receives a robust blast of energy that instantly recharges him.

This means that when Jesus’ disciples and friends couldn’t be depended on in His hour of need, God provided an angel who empowered, recharged, and imparted strength to Jesus, thus renewing His vitality so He could victoriously face the most difficult hour of His life. Thus, Luke 22:43 provides a vivid New Testament example of how angels strengthen the weary. (15)

Angels Can Give Supernatural Guidance

Examples of how angels provide supernatural guidance are abundant in the New Testament. Matthew 2:13 says an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him to quickly take Mary and the young Christ Child into Egypt because Herod would seek to kill Jesus. Later when Herod died, an angel appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, informing him that Herod was dead and that he and his family could return to Israel (Matthew 2:19–23). In both of those instances, the supernatural angelic guidance occurred in dreams.

In Act 10:3, we find an example of angelic guidance that also changed the course of history. An angel appeared in a vision to an Italian centurion named Cornelius, who lived in Caesarea. Although Cornelius was unsaved at that moment, God heard this man’s prayers and intervened by providing angelic guidance. The angel who appeared to Cornelius instructed him to send his servants to Joppa to summon Peter and his companions to come to him. When Peter arrived at Cornelius’ residence, the apostle preached the Gospel to those present. All who heard Peter repented and were filled with the Holy Spirit. At that historic moment, the door to salvation was opened to the Gentiles, and the Gospel message began to go forth into the Gentile world. (15)

Angels Provide Protection and Deliverance

The Old and New Testaments are evidence that God assigns angels to guard and protect His people. For instance, Psalm 34:7 says that angels encamp around those who fear the Lord to deliver them. Psalm 91:11 promises that God will give His angels charge over His people to keep them in all their ways. We see a New Testament example of how angels guard and protect God’s people in Acts 5:17–20. In this account, the high priest rose against the apostles and had them arrested and imprisoned. Verses 19 and 20 say, “But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.”

A few chapters later, in Acts 12, we find the story of Peter being arrested and thrown into prison. After Herod ordered the beheading of James (Acts 12:1, 2), he saw that many Jews approved of his action. Therefore, Herod ordered the apostle Peter to be arrested next to garner more support and popularity with the angry mob of Christian haters. The authorities may have recalled the previous time when a group of apostles miraculously escaped from prison because this time, Peter was delivered to “four quaternions of soldiers” (Acts 12:4).

A “quaternion” refers to a group of four Roman soldiers. So four quaternions—or four different groups containing four soldiers each—successively took turns guarding Peter throughout the night. Verse 6 tells us that Peter was sleeping between two guards in that prison while two other guards stood to watch at the prison door. Suddenly the angel of the Lord came into the prison cell and awoke Peter from his sleep, telling him to rise up quickly and leave the prison. Instantly, the chains that held Peter were loosened and fell to the ground.

Not only did the angel of the Lord set Peter free from the chains that held him, but it seems the angel also temporarily blinded the guards so they were unaware of what was happening. Peter followed the angel through the first and second ward until he came to an iron gate, which supernaturally opened in front of him without anyone touching it. An angel delivered the apostle from the horrible destiny that had awaited him at the hands of Herod. (15)

Angels Perform Superhuman Feats

Perhaps the best New Testament example of angels performing superhuman feats is when the angels rolled away the massive stone that lay before Jesus’ garden tomb. Matthew 28:2 says, “… The angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.” The word “stone” is the Greek word lithos, which simply means a stone. It is known, however, that the stones placed in front of such tombs were immense in their dimensions—impossible for a human being to move without the assistance of several people.

Another remarkable example of an angel’s superhuman strength is recorded in Revelation 20:1–3, where John writes: “And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that, he must be loosed a little season.”

At the appointed time, an unnamed angel will seize Satan, bind him with a great chain, shut him in the bottomless pit, and seal it so he can’t escape. No natural human being would ever be able to perform such a feat, but this passage of Scripture clearly states that a day is coming when an angel will singlehandedly accomplish this task—scriptural proof of the great power heavenly angels possess.

And to think—such “ministering spirits” are dispatched to “minister” to those who will inherit salvation. That’s you and me! God has specifically sent angels forth to meet our physical needs, to give us strength, to supernaturally guide us at times, to provide us with protection and deliverance, and to perform superhuman feats on our behalf. (15)

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In summary, angels are very powerful beings that perform or implement the Covenant Word of God and obey us when we voice God’s Covenant Word in Jesus’ Name (Psalms 103:20). God has sent them to serve Christians (Hebrews 1:13,14). Furthermore, we must utilize the ministry of God’s Angels to survive and be effective in this fallen world. (Hebrews 2:1-3)

Discipleship for Maturing Christians

• Spiritual Transformation Demystified
• Religious Nut or Passion Fruit?
• Nomen Est Omen
• What is the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit?
• Why was God’s Unique Son Given the Name Above All Names?
• Enter Epigenetics, Exit Evolution
• Healing by Medicine or Miracle?
• God’s CIA

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Shalom
(Security, Wholeness, Success)
Peace

Dear friend, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul. 
(3 John 1:2 NET)

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(1) Select the link to open another article with additional information in a new tab.

(2)The word translated as angels or heavenly beings in Psalms 8:5 is actually the word “Elohiym,” which is the plural form of the Hebrew word for God, “Elowahh.”  Plural refers to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, the three-in-one God. This same form of the word “Elohiym” is translated as “God” three out of the four times it is used in the Bible (2 Chronicles 35:21. Job 20:29. Job 32:2. Psalms 8:5). It is the author’s opinion of this article that it should have been done so consistently here.

(3) One reference in the Bible may indicate female angels (Zechariah 5:9). However, these are likely symbolic references due to the allegorical style utilized in this passage.

(4) At no time did Jesus ever stop being God as He as has always been God, is God and shall always be God, Amen. What is being referenced is the positional authority of Jesus.

(5) Certainly, a wife is not obligated to submit to the husband’s requests that involve or will lead to sin (Ephesians 5:22). In fact, following in sin because of a husband does not excuse the wife (cf. Acts 5:1-10).

(6) The Koine Greek word translated as “power” (Strong’s number 1849) is exousia {ex-oo-see’-ah} and is more accurately translated as “authority.” Satan has never had His power removed, but rather authority removed when cast out of Heaven and subsequently obtained the authority to rule on planet Earth from Adam when he fell for the sin trap of eating the forbidden fruit. Jesus has all authority in Heaven and Earth since He conquered sin and Satan  (Matthew 28:18); however, Satan still has the authority to use his power in his World system (Acts 26:18. Ephesians 2:2. 1 John 5:19).

(7) foh-womansdesire-wtj.pdf (1)

(8) Fallen angels are not demons. Demons are the offspring of angels and animals (1).

(9) Mecca, Saudia Arabia – In 610 AD, An Angel named Gabriel gives a different Gospel to Mohammad that started the Muslim Religion. A gospel of works for salvation.

(10) Manchester, NY – 1820 AD, An angel named Moroni gives a different Gospel to Joseph Smith that starts the Mormon/LDS Religion. A gospel of works for salvation.

(11) The indefinite article is not supplied in Koine Greek. Consequently, the translators have the option of supplying one.

(12) Golden statue of Archangel Michael at Independence Square in Kiev, Ukraine

(13) Hamon, B. (2014). How Can These Things Be?: A Preacher and a Miracle Worker but Denied Heaven! (pp. 21–22). Shippensburg, PA: Destiny Image® Publishers, Inc.

(14) Booker, R. (2011). The overcomers: series- understanding the book of revelation. Shippensburg, PA: Destiny Image.

(15) Renner, R. (2003). Sparkling Gems from the Greek 2: 365 New Gems to Equip and Empower You for Victory Every Day of the Year (pp. 784–786). Institute Books.