Angels in Action
A common saying in some parts of the country is, "If you don't like the weather, just wait a while." In many places in this world the weather varies quickly and frequently. Another thing that changes is the government. The past decade has seen one coup after another in various countries, and sometimes more than one in the same country. Sometimes the change of administration is orderly and without outward trouble, but sometimes there is violence and strife.
For the Christian it is good to know that our God is supreme and that He is overruling even though He is now allowing man to have his day. Paul speaks of "man's judgment" in 1 Cor. 4:33But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. (1 Corinthians 4:3). The reading in the Bible margin is "man's day." In this day of God's grace He largely lets man have his way without much overruling. But behind the scene is always God and He uses angels to control.
In chapters 9 and 10 of Daniel we read of the angel Gabriel's being sent to Daniel. He says to Daniel in chapter 10, "Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.”
Certainly our God sees and knows all, and in His wisdom and power He controls all now even as He did in Daniel's day. Another comforting thing to notice is that Daniel's prayer was heard and that the answer was on the way. Is it not even so with our prayers?
Doubtless there is much more of the power of angels in controlling the workings of the governments today than we are aware of, and there will be until the final change of administration of the government of the earth.
The final change of government will be when God gives it to Christ. When the seventh angel sounds, it says in Rev. 11:1515And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. (Revelation 11:15), "There were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever.”
Meanwhile, we are comforted to know that our God is in full control behind the scenes. Besides this, we rest in knowing that angels are "ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation." Heb. 1:1414Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? (Hebrews 1:14). One special service of angels is for our little ones. It says of the "little ones" in Matt. 18:1010Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 18:10), "In heaven their angels do always behold the face of My Father which is in heaven.”
Ed.