… and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.
Summary: Regardless of where heaven is, a more important question might be, “Is it possible to travel between heaven and earth?” According to the Bible, the answer appears to be yes.
Almost four thousand years ago, two thousand years before Jesus walked the earth, a man named Jacob was running for his life. Why he was running is a long story. The short version is that he had done something that made his twin brother mad enough to want to kill him.
Jacob was traveling from Beersheba, west of the Dead Sea, to Paddan Aram, over four hundred miles to the north. Somewhere during that long journey, Jacob had a dream. In the dream, he saw a ladder, or stairway, between earth and heaven. He also saw angels traveling up and down the ladder.
Hmmmm…
What are we to make of this?
One thing that seems clear is that there is a way for angels to travel between heaven and earth. It seems unlikely that there is a literal ladder or stairway to be travelled (See Mark 4:34), but the symbolism is clear. There is a connection between heaven and earth, and spiritual beings can go back and forth between the two places.
What does this look like on our end?
Sometimes angels simply appear.
“Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, ‘Are you for us or for our enemies?’
‘Neither,’ he replied, ‘but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.’” (Joshua 5: 13-14)
Sometimes they are all around you and you might not ever know:
“When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. ‘Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?’ the servant asked.
‘Don’t be afraid,’ the prophet answered. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’
And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” (2 Kings 6: 15-17)
Angels under God’s command have access to our world. How they get here might be as simple as descending a ladder.
Application: Pray that God will open our eyes to spiritual truth.
Food for Thought: Are angels still a part of this world, and if so, what are they doing?
Are angels still a part of this world, and if so, what are they doing?
One thing that they are doing is watching/observing. I would like to think that they are doing a bunch of good things but I don’t know for certain.
I charge you in the sight of God, and Christ Jesus, and the elect angels, that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality.
1 Timothy 5:21
I think revelations tells the fallen ones to repent.
Tim,
“Eye” think you are on to something! 🙂
Adding to what T said – “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1: 14).
R, Matey,
Is that all you have to say?
(I’m channeling pirates this morning for some reason… )
Maybe I am saying too much.
Not at all! 🙂
12Then he said to me, “Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words.
13“But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was fnwithstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia.
Daniel 10:12-13
Jeff brought up passages of battling
T brought a passage of witnessing
R brought a passage of ministering
I’m bringing a mixed one of battling and message delivering
Jesus confirms that the angels fight when He says He could have a legion of angels here to defend Him if He wanted.
We know angels do more message delivering in many other encounters (Joseph and Mary for instance)
We know they sing praise in Revelation
Granted they do whatever God tells them to, but He is a God of order so they have their typical roles, hence the titles we see on occasion.
A –
I think you should have written this post today. Well said! Thank you.
No, I shouldn’t have. It’s just been very powerful to recognize what Satan cannot do (and that is linked to what angels can do).
I actually have a book on this that I haven’t even started reading. I wanted to take all the scriptures used in it and study them without the author’s input so as to make sure it’s not just some crazy ramblings on out of context passages.
11-12-2022, Are angels still a part of this world, and if so, what are they doing?
Angels are creations of God. Powerful spiritual beings who are seen throughout the Bible, praising, worshiping, and living in obedience to God in heaven. Serving God on earth as they deliver messages, minister, rescue and watch over, guide, protect, comfort His people. They are sent as one or as a multitude depending upon God’s assignment. The Bible says there are thousands upon thousands attending God and myriads standing before Him. Daniel 7:10
They also deliver God’s judgement as with Sodom and Gomorrah. Angels are not gods, are not mediators between man and God. They are not to be worshiped. Angels are spirit beings created by God to serve Him. Humans do not become angels after we die.
Colossians 2:18, Hebrews 1:6,14
Jesus also spoke of the Devil, once considered the most powerful, beautiful angel, who is real. The Apostle John writes about the Devil and Paul speaks of “the wiles” and “the devices” of the Devil.
Matthew 13:39, John 13:2, Ephesians 6:11, 2 Corinthians 2:11
The Old Testament also speaks of the angel Lucifer as he was before his fall and the consequences of his PRIDE. The one who was cast from heaven along with 1/3 of the total angels who followed Him in rebellion against God.
Isaiah 14:12-15, Ezekiel 28:12-18
Lucifer is real, He hates God, all that is good, and all mankind. He is a liar and deceiver who presents sin as something to be sought after. He is not to be trifled with as he wears many disguises and appeals to our flesh. He can only be countered by the power of God who we must turn to quickly for His power if we hope to overcome.
Ron,
Excellent overview of angels! Thank you!
Wow, I guess I am too busy doing what I think I am supposed to be doing that I have failed to look to see what they are doing. I know they are here and there but I really can’t say that I know what they are doing,
My wife and I lost our daughter to the Sandy River back in 1996, and we like to think that she is one of those angels God has sent back to watch over us as move and be still here on earth. I am probably so wrong here, but I have been told soo many things about where Mystye is and how she is being used for the good of us that are left behind.
After she died, I wanted to climb up to heaven and kick God’s ass, I think that He may have sent a couple of ministering angels to tell me that ain’t going to happen in my life time or anyone else’s. Maybe I just didn’t see the ladder in front of me,.. That’s when I started studying the Bible, looking for answers why? Why did He take her at such a young age of 14 yrs?
During one of my study’s I was led to a verse in one of the books of Thessalonians about the will of God being for me to be thankful in all circumstances. It was then that it hit me that death happens to be a circumstance of life and that I need to be thankful in some positive way. It was a difficult task but we have managed, the hole is still there but the anger and rage have subsided to a dull roar.
So if my Mystye is an angel or a spirit, I can’t tell either way, I do believe she is here ministering to us in ways I don’t see or understand.
John,
Your life and your stories are a testimony to the healing power of Christ, his Word, and his Holy Spirit. There are so many things we cannot understand in this life. Yet through God’s power, you can write about this painful situation and still testify to His greatness.
We may never know why God allows certain things to happen.
We do know that he loves us. We also know that “all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) Somehow, God can work this situation out for good.
In Christ, Mystye is alive. It is the same life in Christ that we all hope for. One thing I am certain of, whether she is allowed to minister here on earth or not, I know she is proud of her mom and dad and loves you very much.