James H. Cagle
God’s Messengers
“Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers (cherubims, and seraphims) a flaming fire” (Ps. 34: 7).
Angels like man were created by God with individuality and personality and a free will (II Sam. 14: 20; II Tim. 2: 25, 26; Rev. 12: 9, 12; 22: 8, 9). They were created before man (Job 38: 7).They have intellect, and are wiser than man, especially in the realm of things divine, but are not omniscient (Eph. 3: 10, 11; Mt. 24: 36; I Pet. 1: 10-12). They are strong, super-naturally strong, but are not omnipotent (II Thess.1: 7). They are illocal (not local; independent of space or spacial conditions) and therefore aren’t subject to limitations or space, but are not omnipresent. They are space travelers and are not subject to any power of the universe but God’s power.
Angels are spirits but are corporeal. They have a celestial body and perform bodily acts (Gen. 18: 1-8; 19: 1-3; Judges 6; Jn. 20: 12). Angels are all masculine (Mt. 28: 2-4; Mk. 16: 5, 6; Lk. 1: 26). There are no female angels, and there are not baby angels. Angels never die, cease to exist, and will never grow old (Lk. 20: 35, 36). Angels are immutable, unlike the Christian that will be changed into the likeness of Jesus Christ at the Rapture (I Jn. 3: 3), the angels have no matter in them that can be changed.
Angels do not have wings. The only angelic creatures that have wings are the cherubim’s, which seem to be connected with the throne of God and are a symbol of God Himself (Gen. 3: 24; Eze. 10), and seraphims (Isaiah 6), and are seen as always in the presence of God. The other angels that do God’s will and carry God’s will to man (Heb. 2: 2), contrary to the artist painting have no wings. Wings are for those material beings, subject to earths atmosphere and gravity such as birds. The angels are illocal and are not subject to the forces of nature except when they choose to be. They move with greater rapidity than physical things. Legions of angels could travel from Heaven to Gethsemane with more than telegraphic rapidity had Jesus commanded them to (Mt. 26: 53).
There’s a division among the angels. They are divided into two realms, the holy angels of God and the fallen angels of Satan. Of the holy angels Michael is the only archangel (Jude 3; I Thess. 4:16), is the guardian of Israel (Dan. 10:13, 21), and the one that overthrows Satan (Rev. 12: 7). Gabriel seems to be the key messenger of God on special occasions (Dan.8: 16; 9: 21-27; Lk. 1: 19, 26, 27). The holy angels, among many other things, worship God (Ps. 103:20-21; 148: 2), serve believers according to God’s will (Heb. 1: 14), guard believers (Ps. 34: 7; 91: 11; Mt. 18: 10), preserve the believer (Dan. 3: 25), encourage the believer (Acts 27:23-25), sustains the believer (Mt. 4: 11), and guides the believer (Acts 8: 26). These angels will spend eternity in Heaven with the saved (Lk. 9: 26).
Lucifer, who before his fall was “the anointed cherub” (Eze. 28: 14), or the highest ranking angel, after his fall became Satan (Is. 14: 12), the leader of all the evil angels, those angels that by choice joined him in his rebellion against God (II Pet. 2: 4; Jude 6, 7; Rev. 12; 7-9). These evil angels do the very opposite of the holy angels and execute Satan’s purposes, working to thwart the will of God (Dan.10: 13, 20). These angels along with Satan will spend eternity in Hell with the lost (Rev. 20: 10).
James H. Cagle
Cancer
Sickness came into my life:
As I was introduced to cancer.
I waltzed away from the familiar,
A forced and unwilling dancer.
♢
Cancer embraced and carried me away
Into the fearful and the unknown.
Into the darkness, out of control,
Where my life seemed no longer my own.
♢
Feeling helpless and overwhelmed;
My soul fell wounded in the dirt.
I was angry, and felt so alone,
I felt unfairly beaten and hurt.
♢
I realized then I was losing my war,
That my response was wrong from the start.
I could live I knew with physical scars,
But not with this fear that gripped my heart.
♢
I fixed then my gaze upon Calvary,
And embraced my Christ Who cares for me.
Knowing though bad’s often part of His plan,
He has nothing but good in store for me.
♢
My dancing partner immediately changed,
And the song of defeat abruptly stopped;
I regained my faith and spiritual composure
And now I stand tall on the mountain top.
♢
I’m no longer worried or despondent
Over hair loss, tiredness, or pain;
For I’ve given those things to my Savior,
And my release has been my gain.
♢
My fear is gone and faith enthroned,
And I’m aware of God’s loving presence.
This storm is real but I trust Him still,
For He is my strength and my confidence.
♢
My faith is strong and getting stronger,
And in spite of cancer my spirit flies;
I’m soaring high on wings of victory,
By the wind God’s grace does supply.
♢
For this storm must blow till it blows out
On this vessel that bends and sways,
But God’s the Master of life’s storms
And the word He speaks they must obey.
♢
He spoke the word and the winds ceased.
He brought me through the storm and the rain.
And now I tell of His power and love,
And sing of what once brought me pain.
James H. Cagle
