Have you been put to a test by an angel?

[abelisle]

We know that angels have visited humans in human form. This is both Biblical and spoken about in the SOP. Sometimes they have been messengers of God, other times demonic angels.

I had an experience this past Sabbath where this angelic experience might or might not have happened? A man entered our church towards the end of the service demanding to speak to me since I was the elder in charge and was on the platform with a visiting speaker. Our greeter and one of our deacons thought he was only there to con us for money. In so doing the deacon escalated the situation by trying to physically force this person back out into the street.

Needless to say, this situation nearly got out of hand and nearly resulting in an exchange of blows. I stepped in and immediately diffused the situation, took the gentleman outside and sat with him on a bench outside our church building. I asked him about what transpired, why was he angry and how I could help him.

He told me he was a recovering alcoholic and was indeed in need of bus fare to get back home. He asked if I could pray for him and we did. All the while my deacons were watching on the church steps. We prayed and I explained that we were suspicious of possible panhandlers trying to take advantage of us "nice, gullible" church members. I gave him some money and told him that if he shows up again , he should ask for me, one of the other elders or the pastor.

He thanked me, apologized for being disruptive and went his way.

But it was what one of my deacons said to me afterwards that stayed with me: "Alex, I'm glad you handled that situation because David (the other deacon) is a relatively new member and has an issue with handling his temper. How do we know if that man wasn't an angel coming to test us on our(David's) weaknesses?"

Just like demonic forces attempt to tempt us on our weaknesses, couldn't angels interact with us to help us to have our weaknesses exposed to us so we might be more aware of them? Not temptation as such but a way for us to be more in touch with how our characters behave in stressful situations?

Have you been put to a test by an angel? Did you pass your test?

All the times I've passed homeless people in the street and failed to offer help (not just monetarily) I feel I've failed that test.

I believe EGW has said somewhere that the most important question we will have to answer is "what have you done to help the poor and needy?"

Alex

[Gail]

And not only that, but the test that Jesus gave us about helping the least of these My brethren...

This is a humbling concept that I have thought upon many times. Thanks for bringing it up, Alex.

[SivartM]

I'd never really thought about that before. Now I am...

[phkrause]

We know that angels have visited humans in human form. This is both Biblical and spoken about in the SOP. Sometimes they have been messengers of God, other times demonic angels.

I had an experience this past Sabbath where this angelic experience might or might not have happened? A man entered our church towards the end of the service demanding to speak to me since I was the elder in charge and was on the platform with a visiting speaker. Our greeter and one of our deacons thought he was only there to con us for money. In so doing the deacon escalated the situation by trying to physically force this person back out into the street.

Needless to say, this situation nearly got out of hand and nearly resulting in an exchange of blows. I stepped in and immediately diffused the situation, took the gentleman outside and sat with him on a bench outside our church building. I asked him about what transpired, why was he angry and how I could help him.

He told me he was a recovering alcoholic and was indeed in need of bus fare to get back home. He asked if I could pray for him and we did. All the while my deacons were watching on the church steps. We prayed and I explained that we were suspicious of possible panhandlers trying to take advantage of us "nice, gullible" church members. I gave him some money and told him that if he shows up again , he should ask for me, one of the other elders or the pastor.

He thanked me, apologized for being disruptive and went his way.

But it was what one of my deacons said to me afterwards that stayed with me: "Alex, I'm glad you handled that situation because David (the other deacon) is a relatively new member and has an issue with handling his temper. How do we know if that man wasn't an angel coming to test us on our(David's) weaknesses?"

Just like demonic forces attempt to tempt us on our weaknesses, couldn't angels interact with us to help us to have our weaknesses exposed to us so we might be more aware of them? Not temptation as such but a way for us to be more in touch with how our characters behave in stressful situations?

Have you been put to a test by an angel? Did you pass your test?

All the times I've passed homeless people in the street and failed to offer help (not just monetarily) I feel I've failed that test.

I believe EGW has said somewhere that the most important question we will have to answer is "what have you done to help the poor and needy?"

Alex

I think about that all the time when I pass someone that has his hand out asking for money, or when I'm driving and I see a broken down car, etc. and I pass by, later I wonder if I should have stopped to help!

pk