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An Angelic Misunderstanding
Sep 10, 2020 10:54:28   #
bahmer
 
For many of us, the word “angel” conjures up an image of a perfect divine creature who offers us spiritual guidance. An angel is the essence of selflessness and generosity. We even praise someone who has done something nice by saying “You are such an angel”. However, if we open the Hebrew Bible, we find quite a different picture of what it means to be an angel.

An Angelic Misunderstanding. Angels are found hundreds of times throughout the Bible, yet there is a great deal of confusion surrounding them. The angelic image of beautiful creatures with wings and a halo of light, is the creation of Renaissance artists and is completely different from the Bible’s image of an angel. 

In the Hebrew Bible, malakh מלאך refers to an angel. The root of this word is לאך, meaning “going back and forth”. The implication is that this is hard work; giving rise to another Hebrew word, melacha מלאכה, meaning “physical labor”. An angel is a messenger who tirelessly goes back and forth, delivering information. The God of Israel employs angels as intermediaries, shuttling between heaven and earth.
Angels don’t have wings in the Bible, but rather look human, so people in the Bible often don’t recognize them as angels. The idealized artistic depictions obscure the real Hebraic biblical meaning. 

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Sep 11, 2020 02:54:36   #
Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...
 
Thank you, Bahmer,

In a material world that is also populated by good and evil spirits, the Bible teaches that the heavenly angels set an example of enthusiastic and resolute fulfillment of God's will. They acknowledge Jesus as their superior, and worship him accordingly. Angels continue to perform ministering duties among humans, and this function has led to the concept of "guardian angels, " perhaps prompted by Christ's words in Matthew 18:10.

It is not entirely clear whether each individual has a specific angelic guardian, but there is certainly no reason for doubting that an angel might well be assigned to care for the destinies of groups of individuals such as families. These celestial ministries will be most effective when the intended recipients are receptive to the Lord's will for their lives.

Popular culture often displays angels as women on television and in movies, however, they are copying ancient paganism in their female depictions of angels, forsaking their Biblical description for ancient pagan traditions that have been integrated into Christian thought and art.

“Many pagan religions featured winged servants of the gods (such as Hermes), and some of these were distinctly female. Some of the statues and paintings of pagan goddesses were portrayed as having wings, and in their mythology, they behaved like angels: making sudden appearances, delivering messages, fighting battles, and wielding swords.”

With the exception of Biblical Christianity and ancient Judaism, pagan religions worshiped idols with wings and other attributes that are often associated now with biblical angels, such as the Greek goddess, Nike, who is portrayed with angel-like wings and is considered the messenger of victory.

This is due to the Biblical ignorance so prevalent in today's culture and society at large.

Angels are sent as God's messengers to mankind throughout the Holy Scriptures; always portrayed as spiritual beings of great strength, who often appeared in human form but never are they described as women or feminine in appearance.

Whenever angels are mentioned in the Bible, the word that is translated into English as "angel" is always used in the masculine form. Also, when angels appeared to people in the Bible by taking on human form, they were always seen as men.



bahmer wrote:
For many of us, the word “angel” conjures up an image of a perfect divine creature who offers us spiritual guidance. An angel is the essence of selflessness and generosity. We even praise someone who has done something nice by saying “You are such an angel”. However, if we open the Hebrew Bible, we find quite a different picture of what it means to be an angel.

An Angelic Misunderstanding. Angels are found hundreds of times throughout the Bible, yet there is a great deal of confusion surrounding them. The angelic image of beautiful creatures with wings and a halo of light, is the creation of Renaissance artists and is completely different from the Bible’s image of an angel. 

In the Hebrew Bible, malakh מלאך refers to an angel. The root of this word is לאך, meaning “going back and forth”. The implication is that this is hard work; giving rise to another Hebrew word, melacha מלאכה, meaning “physical labor”. An angel is a messenger who tirelessly goes back and forth, delivering information. The God of Israel employs angels as intermediaries, shuttling between heaven and earth.
Angels don’t have wings in the Bible, but rather look human, so people in the Bible often don’t recognize them as angels. The idealized artistic depictions obscure the real Hebraic biblical meaning. 
For many of us, the word “angel” conjures up an im... (show quote)

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Sep 11, 2020 04:09:05   #
Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...
 
Addendum:

Superhuman or heavenly being who serves as God's messenger. Both the Hebrew malak [J; 'm] and the Greek angelos [a [ggelo"] indicate that these beings also act decisively in fulfilling God's will in the world.

These two terms may also apply to human beings as messengers ( 1 Kings 19:2 ; Hag 1:13 ; Luke 7:24 ).

"Angels" are mentioned almost three hundred times in Scripture, and are only noticeably absent from books such as Ruth, Nehemiah, Esther, the letters of John, and James.

In the Old Testament From the beginning, angels were part of the divine hierarchy. They were created beings ( Psalms 148:2 Psalms 148:5 ), and were exuberant witnesses when God brought the world into being ( Job 38:7 ). By nature they were spiritual entities, and thus not subject to the limitations of human flesh.

Although holy, angels could sometimes behave foolishly ( Job 4:18 ), and even prove to be untrustworthy ( Job 15:15 ). These qualities led to the "fall" of some angels, following Satan, aka, Lucifer, who rebelled because he was the most beautiful and intelligent of God's creation, and he wanted to be God.

Revelation 12:7-9 says Lucifer and his angels fought against God and were cast out of heaven.

Again, when angels appeared in human society they resembled normal males ( Genesis 18:2 Genesis 18:16 ; Ezekiel 9:2 ), and never came dressed as women.

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Sep 11, 2020 09:58:21   #
bahmer
 
Zemirah wrote:
Addendum:

Superhuman or heavenly being who serves as God's messenger. Both the Hebrew malak [J; 'm] and the Greek angelos [a [ggelo"] indicate that these beings also act decisively in fulfilling God's will in the world.

These two terms may also apply to human beings as messengers ( 1 Kings 19:2 ; Hag 1:13 ; Luke 7:24 ).

"Angels" are mentioned almost three hundred times in Scripture, and are only noticeably absent from books such as Ruth, Nehemiah, Esther, the letters of John, and James.

In the Old Testament From the beginning, angels were part of the divine hierarchy. They were created beings ( Psalms 148:2 Psalms 148:5 ), and were exuberant witnesses when God brought the world into being ( Job 38:7 ). By nature they were spiritual entities, and thus not subject to the limitations of human flesh.

Although holy, angels could sometimes behave foolishly ( Job 4:18 ), and even prove to be untrustworthy ( Job 15:15 ). These qualities led to the "fall" of some angels, following Satan, aka, Lucifer, who rebelled because he was the most beautiful and intelligent of God's creation, and he wanted to be God.

Revelation 12:7-9 says Lucifer and his angels fought against God and were cast out of heaven.

Again, when angels appeared in human society they resembled normal males ( Genesis 18:2 Genesis 18:16 ; Ezekiel 9:2 ), and never came dressed as women.
Addendum: br br Superhuman or heavenly being who... (show quote)


Amen and Amen excellent there Zemirah thanks for these additions to my small contribution.👍👍👍👍👍

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Sep 11, 2020 10:05:44   #
TexaCan Loc: Homeward Bound!
 
Good morning Zemirah and bahmer!

Many years ago I knew a Black lady that became a very good friend. She was one of those ladies that everyone loved and enjoyed being around. She was never into exaggerating or bragging, just a totally honest person! She and I had many wonderful conversations about our Lord and Savior! I said all of this because she told me a story, a story that I have no reason not to believe because of what kind of Christian she was!

She said that several years earlier she had a horrible car accident! At one point as she was literally in the air, she saw a figure sitting beside her and he put his arm out and secured her. When it was over, he was gone and she had survived with minor injuries! I’ve never known another person personally that had had an experience like this, but I believe that she was saved that day by an angel. I’ve read lots of different stories, but you never know what to believe when you just read a story about someone you know nothing about! With this one, I knew the person quite well!

Reply
Sep 11, 2020 22:17:45   #
Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...
 
Good evening, TexaCan,

There's only one "kind of Christian" - Saved!

The Bible promises us repeatedly that we will be guarded by angels.

Psalm 91:11
”For He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways.“

I've experienced at least once the presence of an angel I could see, and have been spared injuries or death in other circumstances from an unseen presence, and I have known other people with similar experiences.

Psalm 34:7
”The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them.”

It is and should be fairly common to Christians. Angels have been cited throughout the bible for their ability to protect those in harm's way.

Luke 4:10
”For it is written, ‘He will command His angels concerning you to guard you carefully.’”

As to the particular traits you valued in your friend... Our likes and dislikes are established by our parental training, schooling, spiritual beliefs, life's experiences, and, to a large extent, I believe we exit our mother's womb, with many of them pre-established by the specific genes we have inherited from various ancestors we never met.

The accusation of "exaggeration or bragging," has been misapplied to President Trump so many times since he announced for office in June, 2015, by the media and his political enemies, when he's merely engaging in hyperbole, i.e., New Yorkese, it has become a badge of honor, so I say more power to anyone accused of it.

I've met a lot of people in my life, and it is my opinion that no one ever really knows anyone else to any perceivable depth, rather, they are known superficially, clothing style, favorite foods, music genre, physical mannerisms, etc.... and that is as it should be.

Few of us even know ourselves well enough to predict what we would or wouldn't do in life - given an unheard of opportunity involving risk, or in facing threatening circumstances to either ourselves or to loved ones.

Reading other people quite often seems easy, but the accuracy thereof, especially their motive or heart is knowable only to God. Those who preoccupy themselves in such pursuits need a hobby... for harassing others or playing "gotcha" is a self-serving exercise in futility.

"Live and let live" is a version of what Christians call the Golden Rule.

I decided decades ago to attend to my own personal interests and business and to allow others to do the same without interference from me.

Many people, especially "good in their own eyes" church going people present a saintly front, and sling around illusions to the Almighty, but that personna can, and sometimes is, removed like a mask when they exit through the doors of the church.

I had no use for "cliques" in high school, and even less so in adult life, even "Christian" ones. I'm not sociable, not interested in chit-chat, and not a joiner, so the joys of the type conversations you describe are not my forte.

I had a brother-in-law who was half black and half native American, and a nieces's husband is a native of Kodiak Island, off the coast of Alaska (the formerly whale blubber eating people ); I've had friends of every conceivable hue, but don't really see color... principally because my parents didn't - it was never ever mentioned, which is as it should be.

The only reason the color of a person's skin is at the forefront today is because black militant activists are attempting to make it the be all and end all. ...That's all they have.



TexaCan wrote:
Good morning Zemirah and bahmer!

Many years ago I knew a Black lady that became a very good friend. She was one of those ladies that everyone loved and enjoyed being around. She was never into exaggerating or bragging, just a totally honest person! She and I had many wonderful conversations about our Lord and Savior! I said all of this because she told me a story, a story that I have no reason not to believe because of what kind of Christian she was!

She said that several years earlier she had a horrible car accident! At one point as she was literally in the air, she saw a figure sitting beside her and he put his arm out and secured her. When it was over, he was gone and she had survived with minor injuries! I’ve never known another person personally that had had an experience like this, but I believe that she was saved that day by an angel. I’ve read lots of different stories, but you never know what to believe when you just read a story about someone you know nothing about! With this one, I knew the person quite well!
Good morning Zemirah and bahmer! br br Many years... (show quote)

Reply
Sep 12, 2020 02:08:49   #
Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...
 
bahmer,

Your modesty overwhelms me. Without your time and effort in posting a new topic, there would be nothing to which I could post an addition.


bahmer wrote:
Amen and Amen excellent there Zemirah thanks for these additions to my small contribution.👍👍👍👍👍

Reply
 
 
Sep 12, 2020 09:58:01   #
bahmer
 
Zemirah wrote:
bahmer,

Your modesty overwhelms me. Without your time and effort in posting a new topic, there would be nothing to which I could post an addition.


Thank you Zemirah I only post what interests me and I hope others as well.

Reply
Sep 12, 2020 10:44:51   #
TexaCan Loc: Homeward Bound!
 
Zemirah wrote:
Good evening, TexaCan,

There's only one "kind of Christian" - Saved!

The Bible promises us repeatedly that we will be guarded by angels.

Psalm 91:11
”For He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways.“

I've experienced at least once the presence of an angel I could see, and have been spared injuries or death in other circumstances from an unseen presence, and I have known other people with similar experiences.

Psalm 34:7
”The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them.”

It is and should be fairly common to Christians. Angels have been cited throughout the bible for their ability to protect those in harm's way.

Luke 4:10
”For it is written, ‘He will command His angels concerning you to guard you carefully.’”

As to the particular traits you valued in your friend... Our likes and dislikes are established by our parental training, schooling, spiritual beliefs, life's experiences, and, to a large extent, I believe we exit our mother's womb, with many of them pre-established by the specific genes we have inherited from various ancestors we never met.

The accusation of "exaggeration or bragging," has been misapplied to President Trump so many times since he announced for office in June, 2015, by the media and his political enemies, when he's merely engaging in hyperbole, i.e., New Yorkese, it has become a badge of honor, so I say more power to anyone accused of it.

I've met a lot of people in my life, and it is my opinion that no one ever really knows anyone else to any perceivable depth, rather, they are known superficially, clothing style, favorite foods, music genre, physical mannerisms, etc.... and that is as it should be.

Few of us even know ourselves well enough to predict what we would or wouldn't do in life - given an unheard of opportunity involving risk, or in facing threatening circumstances to either ourselves or to loved ones.

Reading other people quite often seems easy, but the accuracy thereof, especially their motive or heart is knowable only to God. Those who preoccupy themselves in such pursuits need a hobby... for harassing others or playing "gotcha" is a self-serving exercise in futility.

"Live and let live" is a version of what Christians call the Golden Rule.

I decided decades ago to attend to my own personal interests and business and to allow others to do the same without interference from me.

Many people, especially "good in their own eyes" church going people present a saintly front, and sling around illusions to the Almighty, but that personna can, and sometimes is, removed like a mask when they exit through the doors of the church.

I had no use for "cliques" in high school, and even less so in adult life, even "Christian" ones. I'm not sociable, not interested in chit-chat, and not a joiner, so the joys of the type conversations you describe are not my forte.

I had a brother-in-law who was half black and half native American, and a nieces's husband is a native of Kodiak Island, off the coast of Alaska (the formerly whale blubber eating people ); I've had friends of every conceivable hue, but don't really see color... principally because my parents didn't - it was never ever mentioned, which is as it should be.

The only reason the color of a person's skin is at the forefront today is because black militant activists are attempting to make it the be all and end all. ...That's all they have.
Good evening, TexaCan, br br There's only one &q... (show quote)


Thank you, as always, words of wisdom.

Reply
Sep 12, 2020 12:08:57   #
Rose42
 
Great thread!

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