Take 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. (Mathew 18:10).
Every believer has angels assigned to them… That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father, which is in heaven” (Mathew 18:10). International Standard rendering states “their angels in heaven always have access to my Father in heaven.”
However some…Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. (1 Timothy 1:7). Put differently, “some have a motivation to teach, but they don’t know what they are talking about, even though they speak so confidently.” Interpret this scripture out of context: they say Jesus was talking about little children having angels and not believer. But if you read the entire chapter in context, you will discover that the emphasis was on Believers and Salvation.
The child Jesus set into their midst was simply for illustrative purposes, unless you turn around and become like one of these little children (trusting, lowly, loving, forgiving) you cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven.\
At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 3 and said, Verily I say unto you, EXCEPT YE BE CONVERTED (repent) and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoso shall receive one such little CHILD IN MY NAME receiveth me.6 But whoso shall offend ONE OF THESE LITTLE ONES WHICH BELIEVE IN ME, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.7 Woe unto the world because of offences! For it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! 8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. 9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. 10 Take 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. 11 FOR THE SON OF MAN IS COME TO SAVE THAT WHICH WAS LOST. 12 How think ye? If a man has an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? 13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, THAT ONE OF THESE LITTLE ONES SHOULD PERISH. (Mathew 18:1-14)
Note verses three, five, six, ten and eleven.
Verse three declares, “EXCEPT YE BE CONVERTED (repent) and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”
5 … “And whoso shall receive one such little CHILD IN MY NAME receiveth me”
6 … “But whoso shall offend ONE OF THESE LITTLE ONES WHICH BELIEVE IN ME”
10…DESPISE NOT ONE OF THESE LITTLE ONES” Which little ones? …that believe in me.
11 …FOR THE SON OF MAN IS COME TO SAVE THAT WHICH WAS LOST.
The emphasis in this text is on believers and salvation and not the little child.
Also Hebrew 12:22 declares that “we have come to an innumerable company of angels.”Thus, signifying that we have thousands and thousands of angels at our disposal.
The word ‘Angel’ literally means “messenger.” They were created by Jesus, …for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.” (Colossians 1:16)
Angels are spirit beings who sometimes assume human forms and show up in our life unannounced and uninvited, hence scriptures request that we “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” (Hebrew 13:2)
In the Scriptures, the word ‘angel’ originates from two different words. In the Old Testament, its origin is the word ‘Mal’ak’. While in the New Testament, it originates from the word ‘Aggelos’ pronounced angelos.
According to Vines Expository Dictionary of Bible words, “Mal`ak in the Old Testament and Angelos in the New Testament refers to human and divine messengers.
The only significant distinction is that there is no reference to the “angel of the Lord” in the New Testament- because the person of Jesus Christ in the New Covenant embodies, or fulfills the “angel of the Lord” figure who act as precursor or forerunner of Messiah in the old covenant.
In scriptures the phrase “Angel of the Lord” connotes a theophanic manifestation (the appearance of a deity to a human)- a divine being who embodies the person and Authority of God.
Every occurrence of the phrase “angel of the Lord”(or God) carries with it an important connotation, since his appearance consistently initiates or advances a state in God`s plan of Salvation.”
For What Purpose?
“Therefore, angels are only servant-spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation (Heb 1:14). The King James Version rendering states: “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation”?
To minister means to serve. Angels are servant–spirits meant to serve the believing ones, and someone who serves you cannot be superior to you. Hallelujah!!! Ministering spirits are to minister for us (believing ones, heirs of salvation, members of God’s family).
Note: it did not say that are to minister to us, but for us, which infers that they are to serve us; do our bidding; get our request.
When you go to a restaurant, and sit down, the waiter or waitress comes to wait on you, to serve that table, to minister to you. You turn your order in, and he/she goes to get it. Turn your orders to your angels; they are waiting to minister to you or serve you!!!
No wonder the Bible declares in Luke 15:10: Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth (Luke 15:10)
They rejoice because they can’t wait to be assigned to do our bidding.
By Emmanuel Emeke Asiwe
