Supernatural Biblical Guidance 12
Supernatural Angelic Visitation & Guidance
by Pastor John Hamel

“But to which of the angels said he at any times, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?  Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” (Hebrews 1:13,14)

In our present study of supernatural Biblical guidance, we have covered the spirit nature of man, the inner witness of the Holy Spirit, the inward still small voice of the Holy Spirit, the audible, authoritative voice of the Holy Spirit, dreams, visions and prophecy. 

We have now come to the subject of supernatural angelic visitation and guidance.  

The Scripture reveals in our above text that the angels of God are ministering spirits sent forth by the Holy Spirit to minister to those who have received salvation through Jesus Christ. 

I personally conducted a study in both the Old and New Testaments where I discovered that angels appeared to human beings twenty-six times delivering messages of warning, guidance or revelation.  I will give you a complete listing of each of these times at the end of this lesson for your own personal study. 

We cannot possibly cover all twenty-six angelic visitations so we will limit ourselves to angels and guidance in the Book of Acts only.  

The Book of Acts is the blueprint for the Church today.  What the Early Church operated in and received from the Holy Spirit, we are to be operating in and receiving from the Holy Spirit today. 

It is important to be reminded once again that the Apostle Paul tells us not to receive any guidance or revelation from an angel that is not in line with the written Word of God. (Galatians 1:8,9) 

Anything and everything revealed by a true angel of God can be easily confirmed from the Bible.  If you have “unrest” down in your spirit concerning anything an Angel reveals to you, or if it goes crosswise or contrary to the written Word of God, simply do not receive it.  Go right back to what you were doing before Satan was dumb enough to attempt to deceive you. 

In the Bible angels have appeared to men in dreams, open visions and trances.  Whenever an angel appears to man, it is an operation of the Spiritual Gift known as Discerning of Spirits.  

Any time an angel guides, assists, delivers, comforts or even appears to a human being, it is a miracle in my estimation.  This is because the very Laws of Nature must be interrupted for this to become possible.  We live in a realm where everything travels slower than the speed of light.  Angels live in the realm where everything travels faster than the speed of light.  Just for them to make the transformation between the two light realms without burning up like a comet is miraculous.  For an angel to find his way into a dream that is occurring on the inside of a sleeping human being is a complete violation of the Laws of Nature, as well. 

Angels are extremely intelligent, possessing great knowledge of God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the written Word of God, humanity, one another and demonic strategy.  They apparently have tremendous knowledge of current and future world events.  Although they are not all knowing, I have always found it to be fascinating that they do indeed operate in the Power, Revelation and Utterance Gifts even as you and I do.  This is because angels are as much a part of the family of God as any Born Again human being. (Ephesians 3:15; Colossians 1:16; 1Peter 3:22)  

Let us look now at some of the ways supernatural guidance comes through angelic visitation.

Two Angels Brought a Wonderful, Prophetic Revelation

“And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he [Jesus] went up, behold, TWO MEN STOOD BY THEM IN WHITE APPAREL; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? THIS SAME JESUS, WHICH IS TAKEN UP FROM YOU INTO HEAVEN, SHALL SO COME IN LIKE MANNER AS YE HAVE SEEN HIM GO INTO HEAVEN.” (Acts 1:10,11)

After Jesus rose from the dead, He appeared to His disciples promising them the indwelling Holy Spirit’s presence.  He then ascended into the Heavens as His disciples gazed upon Him.  Suddenly two angels, appearing as men in white apparel, came informing them that Jesus would return in the exact same manner as they saw Him ascend.  Here we have a perfect example of angels appearing to men bringing a word of revelation and guidance that is completely in line with the Word of God.

These two angels informed the disciples that the exact same flesh and bone Jesus Who ascended would descend as a perfected Man. (Matthew 24:29-31; Revelation 19:11-21)  They revealed that His re-appearance would be actual, literal and physical.  He would return in the clouds, even as He disappeared into the clouds, to the exact same place He departed from.  This is to be seen by human beings with their physical eyes. (Daniel 7:13,14; Zechariah 14:1-5; Matthew 24:29-31; 2Thessalonians 1:7-10; Revelation 1:7; 19:11,12)  These angels were even wearing white garments as angels in Scripture always do. (Daniel 7:9; Matthew 17:2; 28:3; John 20:12; Revelation 4:4)  So we see that angels will only bring messages of guidance, warning or revelation that are absolutely in line with the written Word of God.

An Angel Brings Guidance & Encouragement

"But THE ANGEL OF THE LORD by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and SAID, GO, STAND AND SPEAK IN THE TEMPLE TO THE PEOPLE ALL THE WORDS OF THIS LIFE.” (Acts 5:19,20)

The Apostles were arrested and put in prison for preaching Christ with signs following.  The Holy Spirit sent an angel to release them from prison and to tell them to continue to stand boldly preaching the Gospel to the people.  The angel even told them where they were to go to preach the Gospel.  This encouraged the Apostles, reminding them of God’s promised supernatural protection. (Psalm 91:11,12)  It also gave them great boldness, as well as showing the Jewish rulers that they were fighting against God by coming against His preachers. 

The Holy Spirit can send an angel to bring you a word of guidance and encouragement as well.  I have had multiple angelic visitations.  The Holy Spirit once sent an angel to me in a dream, even as He did with Joseph. (Matthew 1:20-25; 2:13-21)  He gave me specific direction as to what I was to preach and where I was to preach it, even as he did with the Apostles. 

An Angel Brought Philip a Word of Guidance

“And THE ANGEL OF THE LORD SPAKE UNTO PHILIP, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.” (Acts 8:26)

Anyone who has ever preached the Gospel realizes that when you are experiencing supernatural results as Philip was, you stay right where you are and do not make any changes.  When something is working right, you do not try to fix it, unless, of course, the Holy Spirit sends an angel to tell you otherwise. 

Philip obeyed the angel.  If you were to go back and read this in context, you would discover that an Ethiopian Eunuch, in charge of the Ethiopian treasury, was saved and baptized as a result of Philip’s obedience.  Who knows how much money this individual was able to influence the Queen of Ethiopia to give into the preaching of the Gospel?  

This was all a result of Philip receiving supernatural guidance from an angel.  I am quite confident that Philip had the “inner witness” that the angel’s guidance was the will of God for him.  Otherwise, he never would have broken up those miracle meetings he was conducting back there in Samaria.  

We are about to see many more of these experiences in these Last Days.

Cornelius Received Angelic Guidance 

“There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.  HE SAW IN A VISION EVIDENTLY ABOUT THE NINTH HOUR OF THE DAY AN ANGEL OF GOD COMING IN TO HIM, AND SAYING UNTO HIM, CORNELIUS.  AND WHEN HE LOOKED ON HIM, HE WAS AFRAID, AND SAID, WHAT IS IT, LORD? AND HE SAID UNTO HIM, THY PRAYERS AND THINE ALMS ARE COME UP FOR A MEMORIAL BEFORE GOD.  AND NOW SEND MEN TO JOPPA, AND CALL FOR ONE SIMON, WHOSE SURNAME IS PETER:” (Acts 10:1-5)  

Cornelius loved God but he did not realize the importance of being Born Again. (John 3:3)  The Holy Spirit sent an Angel to tell him where he could find Peter who would preach the Gospel of salvation in Christ to him.  Angels cannot preach the Gospel in this dispensation in which we live, but they are allowed to direct you to individuals who can.  You will want to read this entire chapter to see how the Holy Spirit confirmed such miraculous Angelic guidance.  The end result of the Angel’s instruction not only impacted Cornelius and his entire household, but it directly resulted in the Gospel coming to the Gentile nations of the entire world to this day.  It actually directly impacted your salvation and mine, if you are a Gentile, meaning a “non-Jew.” 

Keep in mind that all guidance from an Angel will be legal, moral and Scriptural.  If it is not, it is Satan hoping to mislead you. (2Corinthians 11:14)

An Angel Helped Peter to Keep His Head & Stay Cool, Literally

“Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.  And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.  And, BEHOLD, THE ANGEL OF THE LORD CAME UPON HIM, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.  AND THE ANGEL SAID UNTO HIM, GIRD THYSELF, AND BIND ON THY SANDALS. And so he did. And HE SAITH UNTO HIM, CAST THY GARMENT ABOUT THEE, AND FOLLOW ME. And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.  When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.” (Acts 12:5-10)

Herod was holding Peter for execution by beheading.  The angel came in, kept the guards unconscious, woke Peter up and supernaturally removed his chains and opened the prison doors without touching anything or anyone but Peter.  He then told Peter, in essence, “No shirt, no shoes, no service.  Throw on your shoes and jacket.  If you catch a cold, it’ll go on my record.  Stick close to me now.  We’re gonna make like a tree and leave.” 

The Holy Spirit can send an angel to guide you to your deliverance as well.

An Angel Brings Guidance & Comfort to Paul 

We studied in the lesson “Supernatural Biblical Guidance 2, The Holy Spirit, Your Inner Umpire, Part One” that the Apostle Paul perceived his captors were sailing into big time trouble.  He shared his perception and was ignored.  They sailed right into a hurricane and all hope of surviving was lost until Paul spoke up as follows.

“And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship.  For there stood by me this night the Angel of God, Whose I am and Whom I serve, saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.” (Acts 27:22-24) 

Paul’s captors finally adhered to his counsel, dumping the cargo overboard, pointing the ship towards the shore and all 276 lives were saved.  If only they had listened to Paul weeks before when he was “perceiving” by the inner witness of the Holy Spirit that danger was ahead.  They could have avoided the loss of the ship, the loss of the cargo and tremendous suffering by the passengers and crew. 

How often the Holy Spirit has attempted to guide or to warn the people of God by the inner witness only to watch them suffer tragedy for refusing to listen.  The inner still small voice of the Holy Spirit, the audible voice of the Holy Spirit, dreams, visions, prophecies and angelic visitation are all Scriptural forms of guidance, but none of them are the primary way the Holy Spirit guides Believers today.  

The primary way the Holy Spirit guides Believers today is through His inner witness.  Although the inner witness may not be as spectacular as the other forms of guidance, it is equally as supernatural. 

It cannot be overemphasized how important it is for every Believer to trust their lives to the inner witness of the Holy Spirit.  There are many Believers who are alive today having survived the terrorist attacks against America on September 11, 2001.  So many have testified that they had an “inner witness” or an “inner knowing” or a “perception” or a “gut instinct,” not an angel, telling them to stop in their tracks as they headed toward danger that day.  This is also true with Believers who survived Tsunami 2004, the British subway bombings and those serving our Country in Iraq and around the world, etc.   

The ones who listened to the inner witness of the Holy Spirit are still with us today, testifying of the importance of always listening to the Inner Umpire.  

Deliberately overriding the inner witness of the Inner Umpire is like deliberately running a red light during rush hour traffic.  You are simply not going to come out of it unscathed. 

Angels of God can and do indeed bring messages of warning, guidance and revelation.  However, they are NOT the primary way that the Holy Spirit warns, guides and brings revelation to the family of God.  

Never discount angelic intervention, but determine to always follow the inner guidance of the Inner Umpire.  This is the primary way God guides His entire family today, even His Prophets.

By the way, are you a member of God’s family?  If not, just say, “Jesus, You’re my choice” to gain unhindered access into the family. (Romans 10:13)

Be blessed … John and Barbara Hamel

How to Be Born Again (Receive Christ as Your Savior)

How to Receive The Holy Spirit & Power

Scriptural Examples of Angels & Guidance 

The following are the twenty-six times in Scripture where Angels have appeared to men delivering guidance, warning or revelation.  Sometimes all three were given in one visitation. 

Hagar (Genesis 16:1-11), Abraham (Genesis 22:11-18), Lot and the Sodomites (Genesis 19:11-20), Jacob (Genesis 31:11-14, 24-32), Moses (Exodus 3:1-4:17), Israel (Exodus 4:19-22; Judges 2:1-5), Baalam (Numbers 22:22-35), Gideon (Judges 6:11-24), Manoah, Samson’s father (Judges 13:1-25), Elijah (1Kings 19:1-8), Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (Daniel 3:23-28), Daniel (Daniel 8:15-19; 9:20-22; 10:1-21; 12:5-13), Zechariah (Zechariah 1:1-6:8), Joseph (Matthew 1:20-25; 2:13-21), the two Marys (Matthew 28:1-8), Zaccharias (Luke 1:5-24), the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:26-38), the Shepherds (Luke 2:8-15), Jesus’ disciples (Acts 1:1-11), the Apostles (Acts 5:12-20), Philip the Evangelist (Acts 8:25-40), Cornelius (Acts 10:1-7, 30-32), the Apostle Peter (Acts 12:1-10), the Apostle Paul (Acts 27-1-26), the Apostle John (Revelation 1:1; 2:1,8,12,18; 3:1,7,14; 5:2; 7:2; 8:3,5,7,8,10,12,13; 9:1,11,13; 10:1,5,7-9; 11:1,15; 14:6,8,15,17-19; 16:3-5,8,10,12,17; 17:7; 18:1,21; 19:17; 20:1; 21:17; 22:6,8,16)

It is also important to point out that in the Old Testament every time one reads of “the Angel of the Lord” it is a reference to either the Most High God, the Holy Spirit or Jesus actually appearing in Angelic form to men.  The following references will readily confirm this amazing Bible fact.  (Genesis 16:7-11; 22:1-16; Exodus 3:2,6,15,16,18; 4:1-27; 6:18; 14:19-31; Numbers 22:22-35; Judges 2:1-4; 6:11-24; 13:2-25; Zechariah 1:9-19; 3:1-6; 12:8; Acts 7:30-38)

I am continually fascinated by the way the God of love has always found a way to guide, warn, reveal to, protect and provide for His creation in spite of Man’s Fall in the Garden.  Our loving Father is truly the God of providence, protection, faithfulness and compassion.

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