DARK ANGEL

By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.

© God’s Breath Publications

 

Stan and Jerry are in the company cafeteria eating lunch. They have been close friends for about a year and several months ago Jerry led Stan to the Lord. Now they meet regularly to pray and discuss their lives as Christians.

 

“So Jerry, don’t you ever wish you could speak with God face to face.”

 

“Well yes and no. It would be great to ask Him all those hard questions I have, but the Bible says that no one can see God and live.”

 

“Why’s that?”

 

“I think it has something to do with the fact that we couldn’t stand to be in His glory as we are now. Moses saw just his shadow as He passed by and his face glowed for quite a while.”

 

“Awesome! I sure wish we could have a little more direct contact with the spiritual realm though. How about an angel? Couldn’t God send an angel for us to talk to?”

 

“Well I guess He could, but I think He chooses the manor in which He wishes to communicate with us. Sometimes we look for the miraculous when God often ministers to us on a more casual and natural basis. I guess that’s what faith is all about.”

 

“Yeah, but it sure would be exciting if you could at least talk with one of His angels. I mean to speak face to face with an angel who had come right from heaven itself. Wouldn’t that would be an experience?”

 

“Probably so, but I think I can trust God that prayers are adequate for now. I think the best thing for you Stan is to get the basics down before you start talking with angels.”

 

The lunch buzzer rings and Stan and Jerry head back to work. After work they both return to their apartments on opposite sides of town. We find Stan in his small one‑room studio apartment getting ready for bed. His Basset Hound Sam snuggles onto a blanket at the foot of the bed.

 

“Well Sam, we better hit the hay. We’re going fishing tomorrow and you know how you like running along the riverbank hunting for dead things.”

 

Stan slides under the covers as Sam lies down at the foot of the bed.

Both drift off into a deep restful sleep.

Several hours go by then Stan is awakened by Sam’s barking.

 

“Sam, Sam, keep it down you’ll wake the neighbors.”

 

Stan sits up in bed, to his horror someone is standing at the foot of his bed.

Sam whines and retreats behind the dresser.

 

“Who are you?”

 

“The Lord has heard your request and has sent me to you.”

 

“What?”

 

“The Lord is aware of your need for direction in your life and has delegated me to instruct you in the path of righteousness.”

 

“Well, I, ah, I’m not sure I really meant anything by what I said. I was just wishing that I could speak with God sometimes.”

 

“Yes, many people have the same desires, but the Lord has chosen to honor your request.”

 

“Well that’s great. I wish you could have picked a better time though. You scared the heck out of me. Do I get to ask you questions or what?”

 

“I can answer any questions you might have, but I would suggest you listen to my instruction. Most believers find it works to their benefit if they just follow my recommendations. Usually questions can be answered as we go along.”

 

“Well I’m just waking up here so I’m not sure what to do except listen to what you might have to say.”

 

“The Lord is concerned that you may be misinformed as to the path of righteousness. While He is glad you have accepted Him as your savior, He is concerned that you do not fully understand what is required to obtain complete salvation. Only by working hard and obeying his commandments will you fully demonstrate your commitment to Him and thus obtain eternal life in heaven.”

 

“But I thought salvation was a gift God gave us, that we couldn’t earn it.”

 

“Yes that is true in theory, but belief in Jesus only opens the door by which salvation can be obtained. Common sense dictates that good things come to those who work hard. Living a Spartan life through denial of pleasures and comforts brings great rewards and will complete the salvation you seek.”

 

“But, just last week our pastor taught about…”

 

“Excuse me, but you must be careful who you listen to and what you read. Yes, the Bible is Holy Scripture, but only through trusting in one sent from the Lord such as I, may you correctly understand such Holy verses.”

 

“Well, gee, this isn’t exactly what I understood the Christian life to be.”

 

“You must choose to follow the correct path and listen to all I have to say. It is your choice. I must leave now. I will return if you so desire. May peace be with you.”

 

Stan is left in his dimly lit room confused about his angelic visitor. Some of the things this angel shared didn’t seem to go along with what he had been told by Jerry or what he had heard from his pastor. He prays, “God please help me understand what’s true.”

 

He leans over towards the nightstand by the bed and picks up his Bible and places it on his lap. He opens it to the book of Galatians. As the pages open a sliver of light from the streetlight outside highlights a scripture verse.

 

He reads the verse, Galatians 1:8‑9.

“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!”

 

Stan now wonders how legitimate his visitor might have been. He notices a cross reference in the reference column of the Bible.

 

He turns to it and reads, 2 Corinthians 11:13‑15.

“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.”

 

Fear starts to grow in Stan’s heart, but then he remembers a verse that he and Jerry had been memorizing together.

 

He turns to 1 John 4:4‑5 and reads it out loud.

“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

 

Stan bows his head and prays to his Lord and Master for protection from the evil one. He thanks his Lord for the guidance of His Word. He praises God for giving him the privilege of praying and asks His Heavenly Father to protect him from the visitation of any more dark angels masquerading as heavenly messengers.