Tag Archives: angelic intervention

Angelic Intervention

Ever since college, listening to and sharing angel stories is one of my favorite topics of conversation. Testimonies from PAX TV’s hit show It’s a Miracle, personal accounts from people I met on retreats, and reading books on real life angelic interventions gives me goosebumps. Whether I’m reading the Bible or listening to an eyewitness on television, it’s amazing what goes on daily behind the scenes in the spiritual realm.

But they said, Stand back! And they said, This fellow came in to live here temporarily, and now he presumes to be [our] judge! Now we will deal worse with you than with them. So they rushed at and pressed violently against Lot and came close to breaking down the door. 10 But the men [the angels] reached out and pulled Lot into the house to them and shut the door after him. 11 And they struck the men who were at the door of the house with blindness [which dazzled them], from the youths to the old men, so that they wearied themselves [groping] to find the door, Genesis 19:9-11.

Based upon the words of Moses, Lot has his own encounters with two angels. While these two divine entities come in the form of two men, they are actually angels of death sent to search Sodom and Gomorrah for any living righteous individuals. However, before these two men go to the town square, a mob surround Lot’s house. After Lot’s plead deal is rejected, these two angels intervene to diffuse this awkward situation.

Besides, to which of the angels has He ever said, Sit at My right hand [associated with Me in My royal dignity] till I make your enemies a stool for your feet? 14 Are not the angels all ministering spirits (servants) sent out in the service [of God for the assistance] of those who are to inherit salvation? – Hebrews 1:13-14

According to the author of Hebrews, angels continue to serve God today. Sometimes God sends a friend to encourage you, from time to time a stranger is sent to uplift your spirits and without even knowing it, you too may have come across or entertained an angel in disguise. This all happens to guard, protect and ultimately steer you in the direction of God’s will for your life. May angelic interventions continue today on this Easter Sunday to further God’s kingdom on earth.

by Jay Mankus

Free Falling

Tom Petty’s 1989 song Free Fallin’ refers to a boy who broke up with a decent girl, breaking her heart.  As a result, a sense of guilt leads Petty toward a downward spiral, free falling into a state of depression.   On the surface, many are great at hiding their pain, trying to stay cool or avoid unwanted attention.  Yet, deep inside the average soul, hurt is accumulating day by day, searching for someone or something to elevate this weight.

In Acts 11:1-3, a similar burden was lifted from the church, opening the heavens for a spiritual free fall.  Up until this point, Jewish law prohibited anyone in this faith to associate with Gentiles, especially partaking in unclean food according to Leviticus 11.  However, angelic intervention, 2 visions and a message from God redefined a Jews perspective of impurity, Acts 11:8-10.  Everything changed in Acts 11:15 as the Holy Spirit, fell upon the Gentiles in Caesarea.

According to the apostle Paul, God allows this to happen periodically, as He determines, 1 Corinthians 12:11.  This spiritual free fall is for the common good of the church, 1 Corinthians 12:6, occurring throughout the book of Acts 2:4, 4:31, 10:44-46 and so on.  Unfortunately, seminary’s, the school which trains future pastor’s, disagree with the book of Acts, claiming this was a momentary, supernatural out pouring of the Spirit, no longer active, ceasing to exist.  This notion has caused many in the church to free fall, questioning the existence of God.

While I don’t have the answer or power to end this thousand year old debate, I do want to prevent future believers from free falling from the faith.  If God can part a sea in the Old Testament and cause a dead man to rise from the grave after 3 days in the New Testament, why can’t the Holy Spirit free fall today to commence another spiritual awakening?  Although, prayers shouldn’t treat God like someone going to a check out counter, Matthew 21:21-22 promises great things to those who believe.  If you follow in the footsteps of George Whitfield, you might just experience another spiritual free fall.

by Jay Mankus