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if you are righteous by a an absolutely correct understanding, then how you think of these details would be very important. below is quoted from the booklet "Ten Great Gospel Truths" compiled by Robert Wieland "Christ is a Good Shepherd who is seeking His lost sheep even though we have not sought Him. A misunderstanding of God’s character causes us to think He is trying to hide from us. There is no parable of a lost sheep that must seek and find its Shepherd. This truth flows naturally and logically from the gospel as Good News (Luke 15:1-10). The false idea is that like a shopkeeper, the Lord regards us indifferently until we take the initiative to ferret Him out from His hiding place. The truth is that He seeks us (Psalm 119:176; Ezekiel 34:16). 1 If anyone is saved at last it will be due to God’s initiative; if anyone is lost at last, it will be due to his own initiative (Jeremiah 31:3; John 3:16-19). Our salvation does not depend on our maintaining a relationship with God; it depends on our believing that He stands at the door and knocks—seeking to maintain that relationship with us unless we break it off (Revelation 3:20)."

Retired,69 YO, U.S. Brigadier General Bob Gaylord decided that he would run the 101 mile Appalachian Trail which goes through the Shenandoah National Park. He had 25 years of experience in running ultramarathons. So, he expected to successfully run this one. Well, he easily ran the 101 miles in one direction. So, easy in fact that he decided to run the 101 miles in return and out he started. What he had not considered was the possibility that he might meet mama bear with two cubs! He did and she did not want to let him pass. So, he had to run back a ways and divert around mama bear. All in all, on his return trip he ran 105 miles. He completed the total 206 mile run in 100 hours and 55 minutes! Anyone want to try to beat that figure, and you do not have to wait until you turn 69. NOTE: My source for the above came from: Sara Davidson, "Breaking Boundaries," Military Officer, February 2018, page 28. NOTE: The above true story should not be taken as advice to run away from a bear if you meet one. Such would normally trigger an aggressive response in a bear.

TrevorL wrote: "Angel means messenger " That is correct! The problem of course lies in the fact that the word "angel" or "messenger" can be used in different ways. 1. The created heavenly beings that surround God's throne and are sent as messengers, guardians, and other missions to earth. Also known as cherubim and seraphim. 2. The word can be applied to people who are entrusted with a message (as we see in the letters to the churches in Revelation which are addressed to the "angel" of each of the churches. 3. The word "angel" as in "messenger" can be applied to ANYONE, heavenly or earthly, with a message of importance. So -- the problem is that people tend to limit the word "angel" to definition #1, but the bible does not do so. THE STORY OF JOSHUA Joshua 5:13 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Are you for us, or for our adversaries? 5:14 And he said, As the captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? 5:15 And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest [is] holy. And Joshua did so. Notice -- first Joshua say "a man" (but this was no ordinary man). Who was He? The ground where He stood was holy! Joshua falls down and worships Him! Not a word of rebuke concerning this worship comes from this Being Who has come to direct the battle. He is worthy of worship. The verses declare that He is the captain over all Jehovah's hosts. Go to Rev. 19 and you will meet Him again. It is none other than Christ, and He is God, one with God the Father. He is God manifest, personally bearing the message from the throne of God to the created humanity. Rev. 19:16 And he has on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. WHAT ABOUT ANOTHER JOSHUA? You'll find the story in Zachariah chapter three. In this prophecy of Zechariah we see Satan's accusing work, and the work of Christ in vindicating His people. The prophet says, "He showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord An Angel? How is the word used here? he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. And I said, Let them set a fair miter upon his head. So they set a fair miter upon his head, and clothed him with garments." No, created being, even those we think of as the angels surrounding God's throne, has the power to forgive our iniquity and clothe us the garments of righteousness, This glorious messenger iis none other than Christ, and He is God, one with God the Father. He is God manifest, personally bearing the message that He will cause our sins to pass from us, and clothe us with His garments of righteousness.