“Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” (Heb. 1:14)
Angels have an important role in helping the Church extend the Kingdom of God. They have many functions like bringing God’s protection and delivering God’s messages, but the function we hear little about is their ability to carry the anointing of the Holy Spirit. If we can discern the working of the Holy Spirit through angels, we can exercise our faith to receive more of God help through them.
The way the Holy Spirit works through angels is like the way He works through believers, but in a deeper way. “For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.” (1Cor. 13:9,10). Angels do not have the limitations we have of dwelling in a physical body; they are spirit beings and so can respond more easily to the leadings of the Holy Spirit.
The important thing to realize is that the gifts of the Spirit release the grace of God through us to others. Likewise, Angels are created in such a way that they can serve as vessels of God’s grace. A good example of this is found in the Book of Exodus. “Behold, I am going to send an angel before you to guard you along the way, and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. Be on your guard before him and obey his voice; do not be rebellious before him, for he will not pardon your transgression, since My name is in Him.” (Ex. 23:20,21 NASB). You will notice that in this translation they do not capitalize the word “angel” and its pronouns, whereas some other translations do. This is because many believe that this angel is a theophany, which the Encyclopedia Britannica describes as “a manifestation of God in sensible form”. In other words, they see this not as an angel, but as God Himself taking on the form of an angel. I like to think of it as God manifesting Himself through an angel, rather than actually being the Angel. There are different classes of angels and the type that God manifested Himself through in the burning bush or the pillar of fire may be one of the higher classes.
Is it so difficult to believe that God can manifest Himself through angels? That does not make the angel a form of God, but rather a vessel of God. When the angel speaks for God in the first person, he is merely prophesying. I believe this is what John encountered on the Isle of Patmos. The experience was so profound that he even “fell down to worship at the feet of the angel” who showed him those things. (Rev. 22:8). I think that John knew better than to worship angels so the manifestation of God through the angel must have been so powerful that he thought God was present there Himself. In the verse just before this we hear the Lord say, “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” (Rev. 22:7). I believe the Lord was speaking prophetically through the angel, which led to John’s response.
It is clear from the angel’s response to John that we can also receive angelic visitations. “See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.” (Rev. 22:9). Angels are sent to help us, so we must receive their service as from God Himself, but we must discern between the messenger and the Sender. Please note that I am not suggesting we command these angels, just that we prayerfully receive their ministry. They come to us on assignment from the Father with special missions. If you read the biographical accounts of those who have been mightily used by the Lord, you will often read about the supernatural activity of angels in their ministry.
For me, this is about working with God. We are entering the days of a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit. If we want to participate in what God is doing, we must understand how He works. The Holy Spirit executes the Word of the Lord by working through yielded vessels. As believers, we are always being exhorted to yield our lives to God for His service, but that is not the case with angels. They do not hesitate to yield to Him as His messengers of power. If we can understand that God works through anointed vessels, both human and angelic, we can exercise our faith for more of what God wants to do.
Have you ever been in a meeting where someone witnesses the presence of an angel? We respond with joyful amazement, but God is looking for a deeper response. When He reveals the presence of angels, it is to encourage us to work with them. Why else would the Holy Spirit reveal their presence? For example, I was once a member of a church where someone discerned the presence of an angel with a healing anointing. This church was known in the city as a ministry where physical healing miracles often occurred.
The discerning of spirits allows some to see the angelic realm, but it is not necessary to “see” angels to know they are present. My ability to discern the presence of angels is not visual, it is intuitive. I do not, however, wait for this discernment before exercising my faith. I believe that God is always wanting to do much more than we can think or imagine (Eph. 3:20), so in meetings I exercise my faith for God to release His angels among us. The anointing usually falls upon the meeting before I can discern their presence. I am not looking for angels; I am looking for the work of the Holy Spirit through them and through us.
As we see the activity of angels increase among us, it is important not to focus on them. We must keep our eyes on the Lord, allowing Him to work through us, and to send His angels to help us. The Scriptures are full of examples where God’s help came through them. “Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” (2Ki. 6:17).
Highway in the Wilderness 