Angels are ... EVERYWHERE!!

I had an unusal experience and encounter with God today on a much-needed day off. I have always been challenged and provoked by Rob Rufus's plea that we cannot just live from conference to conference in encountering Him. Rob said;

"If I don't experience the Presence of God daily then I get lonely".

It didn't depress me or condemn me because Rob isn't that kind of teacher. But it did provoke me! Every day I have been waking up wondering if God would reveal Himself to me! This morning was no different. I was blessed by much sleep but didn't wake up feeling particularly heavenly. However my faith was stirred by a message from my dear friend Pete. He wrote this;

"Last night at the end of the service, Malcolm's dad Alasdair, led the closing hymn after he preached (love divine). And when we get to the line "suddenly return and never, never more Thy temples leave" I had a brief glimpse of heaven open and the angels flying over us as we worshipped. It was very brief, but it was so real. The heavens are open!".

I was driving into town after reading that stirring, wonderful encounter and I was listening to the "Glory and Grace Conference" sessions. The amazing prophet Isi de Gersigny sang a prophetic song and a line (that I have heard before) really caught me;

"Light and glory come from the Eternal Throne".

For some reason I found tears running down my face. As I was driving in two thoughts came clearly to me. Firstly I asked God; "Why am I 30 and I am only beginning to see angels? Why is this the first time I have heard from Pete about him seeing angels? What's wrong with us?!". I heard God clearly reply and sound quite amused. He said;

"Son you have only just started to see angels because you haven't really been looking. And secondly you haven't seen them because you didn't think you were worthy. You aren't worthy. But My Son is, and that's the only price required".

I had to sit in the car in the car park for a while and gather myself but as I got up and began to walk through the Bullring Shopping Centre I began to feel that something was different. I hope I can describe this experience. You know how sometimes you can see someone out of the corner of your eye and yet when you turn to look at the person they are gone. Darting away like they were never there? That was my feeling. I was walking through hundreds of shoppers yet had the sense that there were other beings in the shopping centre. Angels were walking through - angels were following some of the shoppers. I could hear the rustling of robes.

I was standing waiting for Scott at one point and looking across a balcony at another cafe and I had the distinct feeling that someone was smiling at me. No mistake. Yet when I looked there was no one there. What to make of all this?! Was I losing my mind?! As I stood there revelling in the Presence of God in that shopping centre, an old charismatic song we used to sing in New Covenant Church in Dunstable came back to my mind. A line was;

"When all things that surround me become shadows in the light of You ... I worship You, I worship You - the reason I live is to worship You".

I felt God impressing on me that the veil between heaven and earth is becoming thin. Angelic manifestations occured in the Bible! Why don't we see them now? Does the fact that we don't see them prove that they are not present or here? Not at all - the problem is ours. The angels are there. But we simply need to look. The angels are ... EVERYWHERE!! I texted Pete and told him all that had happened. I save his texts because there is so much teaching wisdom in them. He replied;

"Well we prayed that God would meet with you today! In Leviticus the priest must go in with blood, "lest he die". But Hebrews says that Jesus has gone in with His own blood so THERE IS NO WRATH. The blood covers the tabernacle (which contains the 10 Commandments - so all the times we have broken the law are covered). So only light and glory come out. The veil protected us before from the fire of God burning us up. Now the veil is torn because it is SAFE for His glory to come out and it is safe for us to go in. No more wrath - only light and glory!".

Please hear what I am saying. I am not bragging of some ridiculous hyper-spirituality or a vivid imagination. I was in a shopping centre for crying out loud! I am trying to raise faith. If God in His grace will show me this - then what will He pour out for us all? Angels are ... EVERYWHERE! Let's start looking because when we see them truly - they will point to Jesus Christ - risen, glorified and exalted!

Gifts of the Spirit by David Mansell

From the Restoration Magazine - January/February 1977

The term 'charismatic' has made its presence felt in modern Christian vocabulary and evidently intends to stay. Someone who speaks in tongues finds himself referred to as a "charismatic Christian" and his church will merit the label "charismatic" if they permit and practice the gifts of the Spirit mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11.

Would you think me critical if I said that many charismatics need to become charismatic (using the word in this popular sense)? The church at Corinth knew of the existence of spiritual gifts and manifest them in their meetings. Yet to this church Paul had reason to write; "Now concerning spiritual gifts brethren, I do ot want you to be unaware" (1 Corinthians 12:1). He set out in chapters 12 to 14 to shew those who possessed God's means, how to achieve God's goals.

Most of the members of the church at Corinth had "moved in the spirit" before coming to a knowledge of the Lord Jesus. Even today prophecy, visions, tongues and revelations operate in pagan temples as well as Christian congregations. How then can we distinguish between demonic spirits operating behind the facade of dumb idols and the Spirit of the living God? The first lesson we need to learn is how to avoid deception. As in all His ways, God makes it so simple that even a child need not remain "unaware".

Trying the Spirits.

Paul offers two tests which will infallibly reveal the source of any spiritual manifestation. The first relates to the manner in which a person operates the gift and the second deals with the place given to the Lord Jesus. "You were led astray ... however you were led" (1 Cor 2:2). Paul selected words to convey the sense of men being carried away by an irresistable force.

Man has always sought supernatural experiences because God created him a spiritual being.

When the Corinthians had previously opened themselves to that unholy spiritual realm they had felt themselves taken over without their own personal cooperation much in the same way that those who mind bending drugs are taken on a "trip".

In contrast, the Holy Spirit does not take us over in some semi-hypnotic passivity. "The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets" (1 Corinthians 14:32).

The one who speaks in the power of the Holy Spirit has full control of himself and can hold the revelation he has received until the previous speaker has concluded his contribution.

Whereas the Holy Spirit upbuilds men in their union with Christ, lying spirits aim only to destroy. God is not looking for open minds into which He can drop a prophecy here or a word of knowledge there. He speaks His word into the herats of those who walk with Him. "The secret of the Lord is with those that fear Him" (Psalm 25:14). When that "secret" is openly prophesied, the personal conviction of the spokesman will accompany it's delivery. "Now just relax and speak out whatever comes into your mind". Such advice suits the sceance better. If you follow such counsel in order to receive a prophecy, the consequent utterance will almost certainly be the product of your vivid imagination rather than a revelation of God.

"No-one can say "Jesus is Lord" except by the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 12:3). Of course anyone may mouth those words without in fact worshipping Jesus and submitting to His lordship.

We cannot test a prophet merely by the correctness of his confession but by the attitude of his heart. No man can say in loving, willing worship, "Lord Jesus!" and his utterances inspire in the hearts of his hearers the assurance that Jesus is Lord.

"The testimony of Jesus is the spirit (that motivates) prophecy" not merely it's subject matter. On the day of Pentecost Peter announced "Jesus having been exalted to the right hand of God ... has poured forth this which you both see and hear" (Acts 2:33).

The gifts of the Spirit demonstrate on earth Jesus' enthronement in heaven. Jesus rules by sending forth the word of prophecy to declare and accomplish His will here on earth. He rules in situations of confusion by giving words of knowledge and wisdom and discerning of spirits. He rules over sickness by gifts of healing. He rules over apathy by faith and miracles. He rules over our present mortal limitations by enabling us to pray and worship supernaturally in tongues and interpretations. Our God reigns!

He does not try to prove it by these gifts. Rather He gets on with the task of reigning in and through His churchby means of these manifestations.

Let us then work together with God to establish His Kingdom.

If his heart does not beat in response to the enthronement of Jesus Christ, the charismatic will find that he has lost his charisma.

The Extended Royal Scepter

I had an incredible experience at Oasis Church in Birmingham where I went for the first time this morning to "test it out" as our new home church. The worship began and was led by a passionate young woman playing her guitar and we sang the well-known Phatfish song, "Holy, Holy is the Lord". The Scripture flashed into my mind from Isaiah 6:5;

"Then I said, "Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts."

I really did feel a sense of utter hopelessness and unworthiness. But then unbidden, uninvited but marvellously welcome came this vision. I saw a throne room with an almighty hush resting over it. I couldn't even see the One sitting on the throne because it was simply too great, too high, too vast. All I knew was that all eyes were on me. And I saw a hand holding the most wonderful, beautiful scepter and it lifted slightly towards me. There was a rush of sound, an gasping in across the gathered heavenly masses and the Scripture from Esther 5:2 came to me;

"When the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, she obtained favor in his sight; and the king extended to Esther the golden scepter which was in his hand. So Esther came near and touched the top of the scepter".

I heard God speak to me and say;

"My son it really doesn't matter how you feel - either worthy or unworthy. It doesn't matter who passes judgement upon you in My Church telling you you are welcome - or that you are not. What matters is that My Son paid a dreadful price for your access. Because of that price My Sceptre will always be lifted when you come into My Holy of Holies. You are always welcome here! Never hold your breath that I might condemn you to death for daring to enter. One has gone before you! One who stands still to intercede for you and I am satisfied to look on Him and pardon you. So come in! Come fellowship! Come worship! I am delighted you are here!".

I need hardly say that my worship of God was transformed after that. How wonderful it was to go on and sing "My Jesus, My Saviour!". All because of Him! The scepter is lifted towards us! We can enter in! The price has been paid! The debt settled!

Ali McLachlan may not want to get started on prophets or prophecy but I am profoundly grateful for this gentle reminder of the objective truths of the Gospel. Was the Gospel and the Word of God complete before this morning's vision? Of course it was. Did my vision add to the completeness of the Scripture? Of course it didn't. But did the vision glorify the Lord Jesus Christ? Yes absolutely. Did it confirm Him as Lord? Yes most definately. Did it add to my longing to worship Him? Most surely. That for me is why I believe Paul commands us to earnestly desire the gift of prophecy.

Thank You Lord for speaking still!