Introduction
As Evangelical Christians, we believe in the existence of angels. We know that they are messengers of God and serve His will. However, there is a question that has been debated among Christians for a long time: can we command angels? Some people believe that we can, while others think that we cannot. In this blog post, we will explore this topic in detail and try to understand what the Bible says about it.
What are angels?
Before we delve into the topic of whether we can command angels, let us first understand who angels are. According to the Bible, angels are spiritual beings created by God to serve Him. They are depicted as messengers of God who carry out His will. The word “angel” comes from the Greek word “angelos,” which means messenger.
Angels are described as powerful beings with different levels of authority and responsibilities. They are also known to have different ranks, such as archangels and cherubim. In the New Testament, angels are mentioned as being present at significant events such as the birth of Jesus Christ, the resurrection of Christ, and the Second Coming.
Can We Command Angels?
Now that we know who angels are let us move on to the main topic: can we command angels? Some people believe that we can command angels based on certain verses in the Bible. For example, in Psalm 91:11-12, it says, “For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Some interpret this verse as meaning that we can command angels to protect us.
Another verse that is often cited is Hebrews 1:14, which says, “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” Some interpret this verse as meaning that angels are sent to serve us, and therefore, we can command them to do our bidding.
However, it is important to note that while these verses suggest that angels are here to serve us, they do not explicitly say that we can command them. In fact, there are no verses in the Bible that suggest that we can command angels. On the contrary, there are several verses that indicate that angels do not take orders from humans.
Angels Serve God’s Will
The Bible clearly states that angels serve God and do His will. In Psalm 103:20-21, it says, “Bless the Lord, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word, heeding the voice of His word. Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, you ministers of His, who do His pleasure.” This verse indicates that angels are obedient to God’s word and do His pleasure.
In Matthew 26:53, Jesus says, “Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?” This verse suggests that Jesus could have called on angels to help Him, but He did not. Instead, He chose to submit to God’s will and go to the cross.
In Revelation 22:8-9, an angel tells John, “I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers the prophets and of all who keep the words of this book. Worship God!” This verse indicates that angels are not to be worshipped but are instead fellow servants with us.
The Dangers of Commanding Angels
The idea of commanding angels can lead to dangerous practices such as angel worship, which is explicitly condemned in the Bible. In Colossians 2:18, it says, “Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.”
Furthermore, attempting to command angels could be seen as an attempt to control the spiritual realm, which is not something that humans are meant to do. In 2 Peter 2:10-11, it says, “But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.”
This verse suggests that humans should not be presumptuous and self-willed, but should instead fear and respect the authority of angels, who are greater in power and might. We should not be attempting to give orders to those who are greater than us.
Trusting in God’s Protection
Instead of commanding angels, we should pray for God’s protection and guidance. In Psalm 34:7, it says, “The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.” We can trust in God’s protection and provision, knowing that His angels are watching over us.
We should also remember that our primary focus should be on obeying God’s will and following His commands. In Matthew 22:37-38, Jesus says, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.” Our relationship with God should be our top priority, not attempting to command angels.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while there are some verses in the Bible that suggest that we can command angels, there are no verses that explicitly state this. On the contrary, the Bible makes it clear that angels serve God and do His will. While angels may be here to serve us, they are not at our beck and call. We cannot command them to do our bidding.
The idea of commanding angels can lead to dangerous practices such as angel worship and attempting to control the spiritual realm. Instead, we should trust in God’s protection and guidance, knowing that His angels are always watching over us. As Evangelical Christians, we must always submit to God’s will and be humble before Him.
Let us remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:10, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” May we always seek to do God’s will and trust in His provision, knowing that His angels are with us every step of the way.
