Angels: What the Bible says about them

Have Angels really existed since the creation of the world? Who are they? Were they created by God and when were they created? How do they really look like and are they visible to us? These are some of the questions we ask when the issue of angels are raised or talked about.

The word ‘Angel’ comes from the Greek word ‘Angelos’, which means ‘messenger’. The Hebrew word ‘mal’akh’ has the same meaning (Wikipedia). They are often depicted as messengers of God in the Hebrew and Christian Bibles and the Quran. They are regarded as spirits in a variety of religions.

The book of Hebrew 12:22 says that we will see Angels when we get to the heavenly Jerusalem. This means that Angels really do exist. They are not glorified human beings and do not marry or produce like humans do (Matt. 22:30). Angels are a company or association, not a race descended from a common ancestor (Lk. 20:34-36).

The scripture explains that the world, and everything in it were created, both the seen and the unseen things (Col. 1:16-17), but it is most possible that the creation of Angels occurred in connection with the creation of the heavens in Gen. 1:1. It is therefore clear that they have not existed from all eternity (Neh. 9:6; Ps. 148:2, 5).

According to Chafer, Systematic Theology II, 3, Angels are mentioned at least 108 times in the Old Testament and 165 times in the New Testament.

Angels are referred to as ‘sons of God’ whiles humans are referred to as ‘sons of men’. The book of Job 38:4-7 states that, the sons of God shouted for joy when He laid the foundation of the earth. There have not been a definite figure or number of Angels in the Bible but it is stated that there are a great number of them (Dan. 7:10; Matt. 26:53; Heb. 12:22).

 Angels are essentially ministering spirits (Heb. 1:14) and do not have physical bodies but can take the form of human beings when situation demands (Heb.13:2). One may ask, how do Angels really look like? Since they are spirits, they are invisible (Col. 1:16) but when visible, they mostly appear in dazzling white and blazing glory (Matt. 28:2-4). An example is when Elisha prayed to God to open the eyes of his servant to see the army of Angels (2 Kings 6:16-17).

The issue of gender comes into mind when angels are mentioned. Most Angels mentioned in the Bible appear as males than females (Mk 16:5) with exception of one debatable passage in Zech. 5:9. The Book of Revelation describes them as unusual beings (Rev. 4:6-8).

We see in most books and hear in most stories that Angels are cute, chubby infants, but we see in the Bible that they are full grown men. They have wings (Is. 6:2, 6) and they fly (Dan. 9:21).

What then are the works of Angels? The work of an Angel is to worship and praise God (Is. 6:1-3, Rev. 4-5), reveal certain things to us (Acts 7:52-53), guide (Acts 8:26, 10:1-8), Provide (Gen. 21:17-20; 1 Kings 19:5-9; Matt. 4:11), Protect and deliver (Dan. 3:19-25; 6:20-24; Acts 5:17-21; 12:6-11), strengthen and encourage (Acts 5: 19-20; 27:23-25; Matt 4:11), help us to understand certain things (Dan. 9:20-24), answer prayers (Dan. 10:10-12), care for believers at the moment of death (Lk. 16:22) and help those who are to receive salvation (Heb. 1:14).

Christians urged to love and be united with one another

The Catechist of the St. Martha’s Parish in Kasoa, Mr. Joseph Tawiah has called on all Ghanaians especially Christians to love one another and be united no matter the background of a person.

He made this call in a speech as part of the week celebration to mark the feast of Martha, the Patron Saint of St. Martha’s Parish on the topic “Love and Unity – Benefits of a Prayer”.

Mr. Tawiah said love should come from the heart and that nothing should be expected in return when love is shown to mankind.

“We must love one another because God is love and anyone who does not love one another does not know God”, he said.

“We deceive ourselves when we say we love God whom we have not seen and yet hate our brothers and sisters whom we see”, he added.

According to him, each person in the world has a duty to perform and added that peace and unity will prevail if everyone performs his or her duties.

He urged all Christians not to give up in prayers, that prayer is a way of communicating with God but was quick to add that prayers are answered when “we love one another just as God has loved us”.

He said that a Christian who does not pray goes through lots of temptations and charged them not to lose faith in the petitions they put before God

Global Leadership Training holds West Africa Training Conference

Global Leadership Training, USA, has held the 7^th more than conquerors West Africa Leadership Training Conference as part of efforts to train religious, civic, corporate, political and emerging leaders in the country.

The conference was committed to train leaders to develop a strong character and also to provide leadership of integrity.

The Executive Co-ordinator, West Africa, Rev. Dr. Stephen Wengam, in an interview said the training conference emphasized on character development, integrity and honesty.

“Our Philosophy is that in building a strong leadership, there must be a strong foundation and the foundation of leadership is the character”, he said and added that “without character, everything about leadership will crumble down”.

Stephen Wengam, Executive Cordinator

According to him, the previous training conferences attracted lots of leaders including His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, the Late President John Evans Atta Mills, and former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan among others.

Commenting on the theme for this years training conference: “How are the mighty falling”, Rev. Dr. Wengam said they tried to explore how people rise in authority, make the name and are not able to live up to expectation.

Global Leadership Training is a non-governmental Organization based in the USA, was founded by Rev. Gregg T. Johnson and is held every two years in West Africa.

The 7^th training conference was held at Evangel Assembly of God, Adabraka from the 13^th to the 17^th of August 2012.

Minister Commends Global Evangelical Church

Hon. Joe Gidisu, Minister of Roads and Highway

The Minister of Roads and Highway, Hon. Joe Kwashie Gidisu has commended the Global Evangelical Church for their contributions towards the affairs of the society and the nation.

He said the role of the church in nourishing and giving spiritual guidance to its members does not only prepare them to be good children of God but also helps in shaping them to be good citizens with positive social virtues.

The Minister made this commendation during a key note address he delivered during the 2012 Synod of the Global Evangelical Church at the Pentecost University College in Sowutuom.

According to him, it is on records that the Church in Ghana has embarked upon numerous socio-economic projects which have not only been for the benefit of the membership alone but for the society at large.

“I recognize the Global Foundation of the Global Evangelical Church to empower the women in particular to alleviate poverty”, he said.

He said that the many educational institutions that the church has built all over the country over years have contributed immensely to the development of the nation and suggested that the church’s university be moved beyond food production techniques and venture into agro industries.

Hon. Gidisu said government will continue to open its doors freely for the church for a flourishing and vibrant state – church partnership towards their efforts at evolving the appropriate policy that would address the national concerns.

He called on all especially the church not to relent in its efforts to pray for free, fair and transparent election and entreated them to participate fully in the election so as to move Ghana forward.

Church of Pentecost and GPCC to organize PENTEX 2012

Apostle N.A.O Amegatcher, PEMEF Director

The Church of Pentecost and the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC) through the Pentecostal Men’s Ministry is organizing a 10-day Trade and Business Exhibition to bring together small, medium, large, local and international businesses.

The impending exhibition dubbed Pentecost International Trade Exhibition (PENTEX 2012) is on the theme: ‘Accelerating the Growth of Entrepreneurship & Industry for Sustainable Development’.

Briefing Newsmen, the Director of the Pentecost Men’s Fellowship (PEMEF), Apostle Nene Ahorlu Ofoe Amegatcher said the church believes in the raising of entrepreneurs who through their resourcefulness would create realistic avenues for supporting homes, the church and the nation.

“Apart from preaching Christ, the exhibition will give people the opportunity to earn a living and to contribute positively to the economic well-being of the nation”, he said.

According to him, the purpose of the exhibition is to create a platform for new products to be showcased, create a new and dynamic entrepreneurial networking and give the young and budding entrepreneurs the opportunity to learn from experienced mentors.

PENTEX 2012 is slated for the Ghana International Trade Fair Centre, La, Accra from August 31 to September 9, 2012.

Gomoa West DCE asked to stay off Gomoa Fete Chieftaincy Dispute

The Gomoa Akyeampim Traditional Council in the Gomoa West District of the Central Region headed by the Omanhene, Obirfo Ahunaku Ahor Anobia II, has asked the District Chief Executive (DCE) of the Gomoa West District Assembly, Hon. Isaac Kingsley Ahunu Armah not to involve himself in the chieftaincy dispute at Gomoa Fete.

The Omanhene together with his sub-chiefs made this known during a press conference at Gomoa Assin in the Gomoa West District on Monday.

According to Obirfo Ahor Anobia II, due to the ongoing chieftaincy disputes at Gomoa Fete, there is the need for the upcoming Akwambo festival to be cancelled until issues are properly resolved, adding that the decision by the DCE to make sure the festival is celebrated is affecting the traditional council and the people of Gomoa Fete.

Meanwhile, the DCE for Gomoa West District, told Yes News that though a letter has been brought to his office by the people to cancel the Akwambo festival, the Assembly has not yet decided on whether the festival should be celebrated or not.

Hon. Kingsley Ahunu Armah appealed to the Omanhene and his sub-chiefs to exercise patience for the right descision to be taken.

He also assured the people of Fete of peace in the land.

Prez Mills Launches His Contest for the Flag-bearership of the NDC

Prez Mills

President John Evans Atta Mills has assured his party members that he will not lose focus in executing his Better Ghana Agenda even though he would have to spend time campaign for the party’s primaries adding that it was the mandate the people of Ghana gave to the party which they must work very hard to achieve the agenda.

Speaking at the official launch to contest for the flag-bearership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at Kuku Hill in Accra, the President said he was not there to give credentials or to talk about what he would do when elected as president, and that he is doing his work and the people of Ghana know what he is capable of doing.

According to the President, he will not show disrespect to anyone and that the contest was not about who can insult the fastest but who will be able to help raise the standard of living of the people of Ghana.

President Mills expressed his gratitude to delegates who attended and elected him as the flagbearer of the NDC in December 2006, people of Ghana for electing him as a President and footsoldiers and officials of the party who have helped the party when they were in opposition.

Responding to the recent speech used in describing the Atta Mills’ government as a bus veering off the road, the Vice President, John Dramani Mahama said, if the nation were a bus, then the past drivers were bad ones, adding that they have helped the current driver to stay focus and that has helped the driver to bring the bus that far.

He said the party belongs to every member and supporter of the party and that they all have a stake to make sure that the party remains in power to achieve the better Ghana that the party had set.