Angels - what do you believe?
by Linda Emmons
We don’t post all of the stories on TCC that generate interest in our little shop. One such story, from The Telegraph, a U.K. non-Christian publication, ignited some conversations within our staff and we wondered what our readers think.
Click here to see the original story, about a woman, Lorna Byrne, who sees angels on a regular basis.
The first question that came to my mind, is this for real? The unspecified author is clearly not a Christian, since he or she thinks it odd that someone could talk to G-d directly. Any Christian would understand that of course we can talk directly with G-d; we need no mediator since Jesus/Yeshua is our high priest and He leads the way for us into The Throne Room.
Anyone even casually familiar with The Holy Bible knows that humans have seen and interacted with angels since the beginning of history. The Telegraph reporter didn’t appear to know that, either. We would have better clues as to the validity of this woman’s visions if this article had been presented from a less secular viewpoint. So the second question, is it possible to trust media bias when they attempt to write about things in which they have no subject matter knowledge?
Sharon, TCC’s talented webmaster, wondered if Byrne’s visions weren’t “…a gift of the Holy Spirit mentioned in the Bible as ‘discerning of spirits?’ ” What do you think, based on what we know from this article and Holy Scriptures, and perhaps personal experience?
This conversation lead to an examination of Genesis 1, wondering if we could tell when angels were actually created. Some seem to think the angels (and Satan) were created before the “six days” of creation.
Sharon thinks, “that if so, this would indicate that Genesis 1 refers ONLY to the creation of the earth and local-to-earth phenomena. The whole rest of the universe must have come prior to Genesis 1:1. However, that does not “feel” right. Then, the clear reading of the text is that the Earth is the centerpiece and the rest of the Universe is just an accessory to it. The angels do not precede the creation of the Earth as described in Genesis; although they are not mentioned specifically, they must be in the sequence somewhere — or are they completely outside of Creation as described in Genesis? They would have to be if they predate the Earth.”
Had we been blogging this, my next entry would have been something like “I think the angels predate the earth. they aren’t mentioned at all in the first chapter of Genesis, so why couldn’t they have had prior existence? Especially since I don’t think there are verses elsewhere that say when they were created…and that the universe as we perceive it was created then doesn’t mean there wasn’t another dimension of existence that Heaven occupies before all of that. Everything i have read in science indicates a big big bang–and that although they don’t know where a center would be, that the universe continues to grow and expand. And yes, I think all that is for our benefit.”
Then we discussed whether there was a prequel to Genesis. What about it, what do your studies indicate?
My thought is yeah, why not? Scientists say that at the moment of creation there were 10-12 dimensions…clearly a lot more is going on than we can see right now, and since G-d is eternal, HE didn’t come into existence with our universe. His nature is to create–why not assume He created something before our universe? I think “the beginning” refers to us and what we can know about, not everything G-d knows about.
Dear Readers, this is your chance to dazzle and inform! I went waaaaaay out on a limb, stating what I think. I am not a theologian or scientist, but I do like to contemplate the nature of G-d and His creation. What can you share with us to correct or otherwise add to the conversation?
Saw John Ankerbrg last night on tv, he had guests talking about how and when the universe was created. Was very interesting but they didn’t say anything about angels.
Biblically speaking, the earth is not the centerpiece of the universe. I AM is the center of the universe, as is the kingdom of heaven that He created. The earth is not eternal and thus, cannot be the center of anything, if we are having a spiritual discussion.
In so far as the discussion of angels, the Bible is abundant with examples of angels. I would love to hear of a biblical example of a winged angel or an angel with a female appearance. Not saying they’re not out there; just don’t know of any biblical foundation for them, which always makes me extra careful in those waters.
Regarding Ms. Byrne, who certainly seems sincere and convicted regarding her visions, the ONLY means of discerning the truth is to test the spirits. Does her experience line up with the Word of God? Do these experiences point to Jesus as Messiah? Can these experiences exist apart from Jesus as Messiah?
If Jesus, as the crucified and resurrected only begotten Son of God is not an integral player in Ms. Byrne’s visions, then I assert that they are not from the one true God. I have no doubt that she is seeing something, but if Jesus is not the cornerstone of it, He is not a part of it. And what she is seeing is likely demonic, a familiar spirit.
I realize these are hard words for such a very likeable person as Ms. Byrne, who in all sincerity is offering such hope to a hurting and searching world. But if that hope is not in Jesus, then it is a false hope that could be used to lead many astray.
Dear God, Please shine the light of Truth on Ms. Byrne’s visions. To the extent that these are your angels, please equip and empower them to do great works that glorify you and bring many to know Jesus as Lord and Savior, resulting in their salvation and an eternity spent with you, Mighty God. To the extent that these visions are counterfeit, I pray for mercy and wisdom for Ms. Byrne and ask that you would bring her into knowledge of the truth. I ask that you would shine your full light on these visions so that many would come to know the Truth and that you would be glorified. I plead the blood of Jesus over these visions, over this book, over the author, and over all who read it. I pray that you would bind up in the name of Jesus any spirit of error or deception and that your Truth would reign supreme over this situaton. Overall, Abba Father, we do not want to be deceived. Lead us into all wisdom concerning this matter and let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Shannon’s point is well put. But since the article under discussion is from a secular source, and the correspondent’s world view and knowledge base was the lens for her reporting, we can’t know much of the usual things we would use to validate someone’s assertion of a vision. For all we know, Ms. Byrne was praising Yeshua all over the place and talked about things the angels said and did as messengers of the One True Lord. And of course, when I said the earth was the center, I was referring to Yah’s order of creation as in Genesis 1 –certainly not advocating earth worship or any such thing. Thank you, Shannon, for helping clarify these points.