NOTES

PRAYER FOCUS - BREAKTHROUGH OF: SAFETY & PROTECTIONWe Worship - God, we worship You. We intentionally set aside this time and gather in one accord to give honor You, exalt You, love on You, and approach You. Hear our prayer.

Your Will - Father, let Your will be done in our lives, in our families, in our homes, in our schools, on our jobs, and in your church.

Our Petition - During these darkened days, be our safety and protection against the plots and schemes of the enemy.

Our Forgiveness - You have called us to repentance and to turn towards You. You are always full of mercy and quick to forgive. Let us not take Your grace for granted, but help us to truly walk and live for You.

Your Protection - Where violence and murder plague our streets, where children are lured away from their parents, where drugs are on the rise, and where racial indifference and social issues overtake goodness and kindness, be our peace… restore our joy… give us hope in You. Encamp angels around us.

We Praise - Thank You, Lord, for hearing our prayer. Let Your indelible will be accomplished in us and through us. All praises belong to You alone, oh Lord. You deserve the glory, honor, majesty and praise. Because Your presence is here, we do worship You. Jesus be glorified!

Amen

KEYFACTORPOINTSHe’s Here… Worship While recognizing, acknowledging and honoring the angels who guard and guide us, it is necessary that we worship the object of their worship, that is the Lord. In fact, humanity is able to sing songs that the angelic cannot because of our redemption through Christ.

He Knows… Learn Ask God to show you the workings of angels on your behalf. Knowing this should draw you closer to the Lord.

He’s Able… Serve Partner with the angels in the work of the Kingdom. They have their assignment. Get ready to be assigned. We are embarking upon the final 60 days of 2016. Look for ways to serve both in and outside of the church, yet on behalf of God.

INTRODUCTION

WHAT ABOUT ANGELS?ANGELS?

DEMONIC HIERARCHY E6:12 (WORD STUDY)

We are in an all-out war. Who’s side are you fighting on? It is important to know who you are, which side you’re on, and who the enemy is. In this series you are being exposed to several concepts that are not only foundational, but also integral parts of your existence as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 6:12 - For our struggle is not against flesh and blood (third dimension, or 3D), but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places (fourth dimension or 4D).

When talking about the spirit realm, the question is often raised: are angels and demons real? We will examine what the Bible presents concerning both, and look at how we are to interface with them.

Q2: Is Jesus an angel? No. Jesus is regarded to as the Son of God, the Word of God, and the image of God; and we are “rescued from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13-14). Jesus was involved in the creation process of all things created.

Angels are created beings, handcrafted by God to conduct His work in the heavenlies and on earth, and to deliver His messages. When God created mankind in His own image, the angels rallied around God’s prized creation in order to keep at bay the perpetrators of evil in order for His will and purpose to be accomplished through mankind. Angels are higher and more powerful than man, however, there is no redemption for a fallen angel. They, like their

demonic counterparts, dwell in the spirit realm (4D), but have influence in the physical realm.

Q3: What are the rankings of angels?• Seraphim (Heb. saraph) minister before

God continually (Isaiah 6:1-7) with 6 wings • Cherubim (Heb. kĕruwb) seen with flaming

swords drawn, guardians of the threshold between the eternal and the temporal (Gen 3:24); guardians of the presence of God in the Temple and tabernacle (Ex 25:17-22; 2Chron 3:7-14).

• Archangel (Gr. archaggelos) - Michael (who is like God) is referred to as a “chief prince” (Dan 10:10-14; 1 Thes 4:16; Jude 1:9); he governs and commands armies of angels

• Angels (Heb. mal’ak; Gr. aggelos) messengers, heavenly hosts, heaven’s armies

“It is funny how mortals always picture us as putting things into their minds: in reality our best work is done by keeping things out.” The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis

• Rulers (Gr. archē) principalities - magistracy, one in first place, holding dominion - overshadowing districts or organizations- Regional or geographical dominion (i.e. read Daniel 10:10-14)

• Powers (Gr. exousia) authority, force, delegated authority, - they issue or grant power to humanity.

• World forces (Gr. kosmokratōr) lord of the world, prince of this age; of this darkness (Gr. skotos) of ignorance respecting divine things, ungodliness and immorality

• Spiritual (Gr. pneumatikos) of the spirit realm; forces of wickedness (Gr. ponēria) depravity, malice, iniquity, wickedness, murder, lust, etc.

Demons, although not translated as such, are noted throughout the Old Testament as “evil spirits” (1 Sam 16:15). In the New Testament demons are more prevalent and referred to as “unclean spirits” (Luke 11:24), or “deceitful spirits” (1Tim 4:1-3).

The book The Screwtape Letters depicts a fictional look into something very real: demons. The word demon is derived from the Greek word daimonion, which in its most common translation means evil spirits or the messengers and ministers of the devil.

Q1: If God created everything, then where did demons come from? • God created everything, both seen (3D) and unseen (4D) through Jesus Christ (Colossians

1:16). God created the unseen realm and its inhabitants first (Genesis 1:1). • There was an uprising in the heavenlies which predates mankind. The cherub angel Lucifer

(later referred to as Satan) exalted himself to be equal with God (Isaiah 14:16-17, Ezekiel 28:12-14, 2 Peter 2:4, Jude 1:6). Because of this unrepented rebellion God ejected Lucifer from Heaven, taking with him ⅓ of the angelic beings (Revelations 12:4). The ⅓ of the angelic beings are angels fallen from grace, otherwise regarded as demons.

FALLEN ANGELSDEMONS

Demons believe in and are subject to God’s authority (James 2:19). Demons are the thieves who come to “steal, kill and destroy” (John 10:10). Using their two most used tools in their toolbox, doubt and fear, they’re on assignment to steal our identity in Christ Jesus; kill the fruit of the Spirit (from its seedling form if possible); and destroy our Kingdom purpose.

MINISTRY OF ANGELSOUR DISCIPLESHIPAngels are the messengers sent by God to inform us of things to come. They provide the protection from demonic enemy forces, fight incredible battles (1Chron 14:15) and minister to us during difficult times. They serve God and are assigned to man’s eternal destiny.

Angels are constantly:• Fighting for us - Joshua 5:13-15 (Jericho), 2

Samuel 5:17-25 (treetops)• Providing for us - Matthew 4:11 (ministered

to Jesus’ needs)• Proclaiming to us - Luke 1:11 (foretelling

John’s birth), Matthew 1:20 (foretelling Jesus’ birth)

• Rescuing us - Acts 12:6-7 (Peter freed from jail)

Angels remove doubt and fear, and, using the Truth of the Word of God, facilitate

our increasing faith, and encourage us. (power, love, sound mind - 2Tim 1:7)Because they are of the Lord we need not fear angels. They fight for us, protect us, provide for us, deliver messages to us, and minister to us. The role of angels is to facilitate the Holy Spirit’s engagement of us, and our interfacing with Him. Angels move things out of our way or into our paths, or position us in order to align us with our pre-designated purpose in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

We as believers have powerful allies in angels. We are never alone because of God’s presence and His angels on call. We join together with the angels and heavenly host to worship God, learn of Him, and serve Him because of the great love He gives to us. (Romans 8:37-39)

Q4: Do we become angels when we die?NO! The Bible is clear: Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. 1 John 3:2