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Mattathias
King Kong
Joined: 06 Jul 2007
Posts: 2040
Location: Atlanta
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 Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 8:32 pm Post subject: Why are people afraid when they encounter angels? |
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This question came up during discussion with a friend in another thread. I think it's an interesting subject and would like to hear others thoughts on it.
| Quote: | | ...the normal response to the angel’s appearance was one of fear. When the angel of the Lord appeared to Zacharias in the temple, we read of his response: "Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear gripped him" (Luke 1:12). The angel replied, "Do not be afraid" (v. 13). When Gabriel appeared to Mary, he reassured her, "Do not be afraid, Mary" (1:30). When Cornelius saw a vision of an angel, the text says that he was "much alarmed" (Acts 10:4). When the angel at the tomb appeared to the women, he said, "Do not be afraid" (Matt. 28:5). Mark says that the women "were amazed," and the angel said, "Do not be amazed" (16:5-6). Luke is even more descriptive in saying that the women "were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground" (24:5). In contrast, apparently Mary Magdalene was not at all troubled by the angels’ appearance (John 20:11-13). John the apostle was so impressed with the things he heard and saw that he "fell down to worship" before the angel (Rev. 22:8). Normally, angels were so impressive and filled with splendor that fear was the immediate response. |
http://truediscipleship.com/bsub/subjects2.htm |
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Key of Twilight
Big Hamster
Joined: 17 Jun 2008
Posts: 97
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| Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 2:30 am Post subject: |
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I imagine seeing something supernatural like an angel would be extremely overwhelming maybe when the say "do not be afraid" they mean it in a "calm down it is alright" sort of way?
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Nowhere does the Bible state that the sexual orientation of homosexuality is sinful — it merely instructs anyone, gay or straight, that any sexual act that does not spring from a place of love, respect and commitment to the other person involved is sinful. |
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ChristianWoman1
Labrador
Joined: 22 May 2008
Posts: 300
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| Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 3:31 am Post subject: |
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| Key of Twilight wrote: | | I imagine seeing something supernatural like an angel would be extremely overwhelming maybe when the say "do not be afraid" they mean it in a "calm down it is alright" sort of way? |
that's how I see it also....who wouldn't be 'taken aback' by seeing an angel? 
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Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.
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Ryck
Lion King
Joined: 05 Dec 2002
Posts: 1094
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| Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 4:57 am Post subject: |
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| ChristianWoman1 wrote: | | Key of Twilight wrote: | | I imagine seeing something supernatural like an angel would be extremely overwhelming maybe when the say "do not be afraid" they mean it in a "calm down it is alright" sort of way? |
that's how I see it also....who wouldn't be 'taken aback' by seeing an angel? |
Yep, I agree.
I wondered why they haven't learned some human acceptable protocol governing their entrance? My first guess is that's how they make sure to convey who they really are. Otherwise their message will lack impact.
After all, isn't that what "angel" means -- messenger? 
Given that, maybe they understand human nature and realize that whatever message they bring requires value-added-shock to really get a human being to put down whatever they are doing and pay attention. |
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Evee
Moderator
Joined: 13 Sep 2005
Posts: 676
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| Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 1:37 pm Post subject: |
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If someone just appeared before me, I think I'd be a little freaked out too. 
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Don't get caught in the trap of thinking you know everything God has to say b/c you've read the Bible. Remember, God is STILL speaking. And surprisingly, through people we DON'T expect. |
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Mattathias
King Kong
Joined: 06 Jul 2007
Posts: 2040
Location: Atlanta
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| Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 2:05 pm Post subject: |
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"Jonathan Smith" never had this problem in umpteen episodes of Highway To Heaven. 
But then again, if I remember correctly, he was just a probationary angel.  |
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Pete
Lion King
Joined: 31 May 2006
Posts: 1019
Location: Arlington Hts., Il. USA
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| Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 3:53 am Post subject: |
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| Most folks probably wouldn't recognize an angel if they saw one. |
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Ryck
Lion King
Joined: 05 Dec 2002
Posts: 1094
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| Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 5:03 am Post subject: |
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| Pete wrote: | | Most folks probably wouldn't recognize an angel if they saw one. |
In popular culture an angel is either a fat little infant with wings or some remarkably beautiful woman with wings.
Interestingly in the Bible angels are portrayed as males with wings.
So maybe women will recognize them. Is it true that women are more observant of details? |
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Pete
Lion King
Joined: 31 May 2006
Posts: 1019
Location: Arlington Hts., Il. USA
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| Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 6:23 am Post subject: |
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Hebrews 13:2; "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."
Angels could be moving around on earth on a daily basis and we wouldn't recognize them from the rest of the population. |
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Evee
Moderator
Joined: 13 Sep 2005
Posts: 676
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| Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 8:29 am Post subject: |
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| Pete wrote: | | Angels could be moving around on earth on a daily basis and we wouldn't recognize them from the rest of the population. |
I agree w/that. In fact, wasn't that the basis for the show "Touched by an Angel"?
_________________
Don't get caught in the trap of thinking you know everything God has to say b/c you've read the Bible. Remember, God is STILL speaking. And surprisingly, through people we DON'T expect. |
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Ryck
Lion King
Joined: 05 Dec 2002
Posts: 1094
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| Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 9:18 am Post subject: |
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| Pete wrote: | Hebrews 13:2; "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."
Angels could be moving around on earth on a daily basis and we wouldn't recognize them from the rest of the population. |
Does that mean they are involved in the games between the NY Yankees and the Boston Red Sox?
Judging by World Series Championships, angels prefer NY Yankees! |
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holly102869
Fierce Poodle
Joined: 26 Jul 2007
Posts: 278
Location: Central, Florida USA
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| Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 10:27 am Post subject: |
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Angles/ Messengers We may not see them in a form but they do work through people. Sometimes it might be just a smile.
I have seen many things that I can't explain and it always scared me. It is the unknown that scares us. If they flew around us all the time in a form we could see they would not be so scary because it would be normal.
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Bless you,
Holly
Ask,Seek,Knock
For only you can Save yourself. |
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Pete
Lion King
Joined: 31 May 2006
Posts: 1019
Location: Arlington Hts., Il. USA
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| Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 10:32 am Post subject: |
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| Ryck wrote: |
Does that mean they are involved in the games between the NY Yankees and the Boston Red Sox?
Judging by World Series Championships, angels prefer NY Yankees! :wink: |
Not a chance! I think I saw one the other day and he was wearing a Cubs cap. The Cubs help us worldly beings build character and patience. |
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