The story and events of Jesus resurrection cannot be discussed and concluded without mention of the part played by an angel from heaven. The book of Matthew chapter 28 verses 2-3 says, ‘There was a violent earthquake for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and went to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning and his cloth were white as snow.” Most times Christians do not pay close attention to these invisible beings but they exist as God’s creation and play significant role in both the birth and the resurrection of Jesus, the Christ. Though hidden from human eyes, they are believed to still play crucial role both in our lives and in the universe as well as in the whole course of history. Even today, God still send angels to perform delegated tasks beyond human comprehension.
Literally, an angel is defined as super natural being with greater than human power. The Expository Dictionary of Bible Words by Lawrence Richards opines that the word angel [Hebrew – mal’ak] means a messenger or a representative. It is used both in human and supernatural context. Angels perform three main functions: [i] Carry a message [ii] Fulfill a special, specific commission and [iii] Represent the one sending him. These supernatural beings are also called different names such as: sons of God [Job 1: 6; 2:1]; mighty ones [Psalms 29:1] and heavenly beings [Psalms 89:6] as well as holy ones [Daniel 4:13, 17, and 23]. Angels run hierarchical organization. There are different ranks and types of these angelic beings. God’s words distinct between good and bad angels. The bad angels are demons who alongside with Lucifer were dethroned from heaven for carrying out a palace cue and rebellion against God. In our world their master, Satan uses them as messengers of distraction, deceit and destruction; stagnation, manipulation and building strongholds. They bring messages of demotion, act as monitoring spirits and members of council of wicked spirits and witchcrafts. But they shall carry their evil loads back to their sender as God fights our battles in the midst of our archenemies. Surprisingly, God has already sent just an angel to arrest our situations.
God uses angels in performing most Herculean tasks that leaves human beings in wonder. The bible says God used an angel in the course of the deliverance of the children of Israel from Egypt [Exodus 23:20]. An angel was sent to deliver the 3 Hebrew boys – Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in fiery furnace [Daniel 3:28] and Daniel in the lion’s den [Daniel 6:22] as well as protected Prophet Elisha and his servants [2 Kings 6:17]. Angels were involved in God’s judgment on Sodom [Genesis 19:1]; in the destruction of an Assyrians army [2 Chronicles 32:31] and to direct and guide Abraham’s servant in choosing a wife for Isaac [Genesis 24:7, 40]. God still assigns angels to guard and guide believers and carry out God’s wrath on wicked and rebellious people. Again God reveals Moses’ mission in Egypt through an angel [Exodus 3: 2]. An angel delivered a message of hope to Gideon [Judges 6:12], empowered Sampson [Judges 13, 14:6], strengthened Elijah [1 Kings 19: 7, 8]; protected and engaged in battles against implacable enemies [Psalms 34:7; 35:5-6; Daniel 10: 7ff].
Angels are associated closely with the first and the second coming of Jesus. The gospel of Luke 1:28 says, “the angel went to Mary and greeted, you who are highly favor! The Lord is with you.” Angels are ministering Spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation [Hebrew 1:14]. They were instrumental in the release of Peter from prison [Acts 12:7ff ] and prepared ways for the conversion of Cornelius [Acts 10-11]. Jesus said that those raised from the dead are “like the angels [Matthew 22:30; Mark 12:25; Luke 20:36] which means they are not subject to the mortal limitations.
In the resurrection of Jesus, an angel was sent from heaven for a specific assignment. The angel was commissioned to go to Jesus’ tomb and roll away the stone as well as sat on it. Ancient tombs were covered by stones laid across the entrance; this has been modernized into graves with slaps. This also happened when Jesus raised Lazarus from death [John 11: 38-39]. In the gospel of Mark 16: 2 it records, “very early on the first day of the week, just after sunshine, they [the women] were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb? The stone was the demarcation between the living and the death. It was laid to prevent bad odor as the human body undergo the decaying process and finally mix up with the dust. The angel came to carry out the decision of the Supreme Council of Heaven: “death cannot hold Jesus captive.”
The nations conspired and the people plot in vain; earthly rulers gather together against the Lord [Psalms 2:1-2] but dominion belongs to the Lord and He rules over the nations [Psalms 22:28]. The Jewish crowd and the Romans Leaders/Judges conspired and reminded Pilate that Jesus said He will rise up on the three days. Pilate sent more soldiers to fortify the tomb yet an angel on special duty disarmed them and put their conspiracy to nothing. Indeed God is bigger than all our enemies and problems put together. The angel will not only roll them away but demonstrated dominion and subdue every adversary; pull down [destroys] every stronghold, incantations, divinations and curses of Satan. He then shall sit on the stone or problems, for ever.
The scripture promised that the same spirit that raised Jesus from death shall raise believers into immortality. Are you bothered on who shall roll away the stone or bail you out of your predicaments or deliver you from evil attacks? Be reassured, that same God who sent an angel to unveil Jesus tomb and witnessed His resurrection from death, will hear you from heaven and send you uncommon help. So brood no longer on how God will do it. He is able to do what ever He wants, to fulfill His purpose; do more abundantly exceedingly than we ask or desire. His way is perfect. That same God will do what ever is possible to raise you from death, from sickness and all strips and falls; keep you above all human and spiritual destruction. Every stumbling stone shall become a stepping stone. God has not stop sending angels on specific assignments. He knows all our struggles and is our anchor and salvation. God send messengers with gifts and these messages are delivered daily. The angels may come in disguise form of men, women and even children. These messages could be misunderstood and mixed because “we always judge a book by its cover.” We should watch out for divine messages in disguise form. God is always involved in our daily lives; so keep believing and trusting God expectantly. May the Spirit of resurrection possess you and overtake you this season and always, Amen.
Reach Evangelist Ogbonnaya, Godswill at:weefreeministries@yahoo.com or