A Seal of the Living God

ANGELIC ANGELS

Three angels called on Abraham. It seems that one of them was God, the other two went to Sodom to save Lot. - Genesis 18:1, 2; 19:1, 15, 16. SLG 9.2

Jacob met them on his way. - Genesis 32:1. He wrestled with one. 24th verse. He prevailed, and his name was changed to Israel. 28th verse. He also saw them ascending and descending from Heaven. God sent an angel to shut the lion’s mouths in the den. Angel Gabriel came to make Daniel understand his vision. Came second time to give him skill and understanding. Third time came to make him understand about his vision, etc. 10:11. SLG 9.3

Zacharias^* was visited by an angel who showed him respecting his son, John the Baptist.—Luke 1:11-17. SLG 9.4

The Angel Gabriel visits Mary, the mother of Jesus; told her that her son should reign over the house of David forever. 26-33. At the birth of Jesus a multitude of angels appeared to the shepherds by night. 2:10-15. One came to strengthen Jesus; 22:43. Paul also had one at a special time; his ship-wreck. - Acts 27:23. An angel spake to Philip to go down to Gaza. - Acts 8:26. And when he got there the spirit taught him what to do. 29th verse. Paul says, are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister to those who shall be heirs to salvation. - Hebrews 1:14. SLG 9.5

Now in every case above noticed these angels appeared personally, and visibly, therefore they did minister unto them. And as every real saint of God has an angel that beholds the face of God in Heaven, (Matthew 18:6, 10.) so they will be sent to minister unto them visibly and instructingly if they need it. If not, they will come invisibly, and the instruction or teaching not understood except the person visited is in vision or dreaming. SLG 9.6

The reason why angels do not teach us our duty in many things as they did formally is, because at the ascension of Jesus, God sent down the Holy Ghost to lead us into all truth. Notice the following teaching of the spirit. “Behold I send the promise of my father upon you: tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem until ye be endowed with power from on high” Luke 24:49. “But the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you.” - John 14:26. SLG 9.7

“I have many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself, but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak; and he will shew you things to come. He shall receive of mine and shew it unto you.” 16:12-14. SLG 10.1

In these two last texts we have direct revelation and operations of the Holy Ghost upon the heart, therefore it seems clear that invisible angels do not teach us especially in the Revelations. John was in the spirit on the Lords, or 7th day, (or the spirit was upon him.) See also three other instances. 4:2; 17:3; 21:10. Also Acts 2:4. Jesus also admonishes the seven churches individually to hear what the SPIRIT sayeth unto the churches. 2nd and 3rd chapters. See also John 1:32, 33. Matthew 4:1. SLG 10.2