by Dora Van Assen
6. ADAM IN RESURRECTION FORM
"From the beginning he had the nature of God, being in the the form of God. Yet he did not regard equality with God as something at which he should grasp. Nay, he stripped himself of his glory, and took on him the nature of a bondservant by becoming a man like other men. And being recognized as truly human, He humbled himself and even stooped to die." Phil 2:5. Praise God! in this death and resurrection he is released from this realm, and is appearing in another and higher form. Mark 16:12
In this resurrection body he could appear in many forms. To the two men walking to Emmaus, he appeared as a fellow wayfarer. They recognized him as the Lord in the breaking of the bread, though their hearts burned within them as he opened up the word concerning his present humiliation and coming glory. Luke 24:13-35. To Mary he appeared as a gardener. She recognized him by his voice when he softly spoke her name, "Mary". John 20:16. He did not appear unto his disciples as a spirit or ghost, but in a flesh and bone angelic body when he called for a fish and a honeycomb. Luke 24:36-43. Is it so incredible to believe that in his ascension back into what he was with the Father, one of his expressions would be like unto an angel!
We read that he was made lower than angels for the suffering of death. Heb. 2:9 (he had to become a man in order to die). This lowering is seen in that angels ministered unto him during his temptation in the wilderness and his agony in Gethsemane. While on earth Jesus spoke of a resurrection equal unto angels. And those who attained unto this resurrection do not marry, neither can they die any more. They are the Sons of the Resurrection. Luke 20:35. Jesus as our head passed through this phase, appearing unto many witnesses chosen before of God to confirm the resurrection - that it was truly HE and not another! Acts 10:41.
In the Old Testament times he often appeared as a man in angelic form. Surely he could appear again in this manner in the New Testament days to verify his resurrection - that his body was not stolen and hidden away some place. The New Testament actually fulfills all the Old Testament types and shadows, confirming the promises made unto the fathers. Rom. 15:8 and Luke 1:72.
The word "angel" means messenger. These can be created, heavenly beings who never fell in Lucifer-Adam (Rev. 12:4, 9, the dragon drew only one-third with him) though they were lowered with all creatiion due to the fall, being made ministering spirits to the heirs of salvation; or they can be resurrected saints able to appear in angelic form by God's permission; or they can be merely men here in this earth realm sent with a message. There messengers can be both good or evil; Heb. 1:7,14.
The scriptures relate many incidents where angels were actually men. An outstanding example is found in the book of Revelation. "And I, John, saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which showed me these things. Then saith he unto me, "See thou do it not: for I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them who keep the saying of this book: Worship God!" Rev. 21:10; 22:8-9.
This angel told John not to worship him because he was a prophet and his fellow servant and brother. A fellow servant had to be one living contemporary with John and having the same ministry. The angels of seven churches represented the Elders and Leader of those churches, even as the names of the twelve tribes of Israel are also called angels. Rev. 2 & 3; 21:12. Speaking of the New Jerusalem, whom we are, John said that it had a wall great and high, "and had twelve gates and at the gates twelve angels, and names of the twelve tribes of the Children of Israel." Besides, this great city itself (made up of the saints) was measured "according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel." Rev. 21:17; Gal. 4:26.
We read of an angel flying in the midst of the heavens, "Having the agelasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth." Rev. 14:6. Angels are used to call out his elect. "And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." Matt. 24:31. A company of angels seal the 144,000 in their foreheads. "And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God, saying, "Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees till WE (denoting more than one) have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. Rev. 7:2,3.
Angels are used in judgment. "When the Son of Man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory; and before him shall be gathered all nations; and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats...The Son of Man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity." Matt 23:31-32; 13:41. In connection with these scripturers we read of an angel "sitting on a cloud" (clouds speak of saints) who thrusts in his sickle to reap the harvest of the earth. Rev. 14:15-19.
We conclude from comparing these scriptures that these angels are men who have attained unto this ministry in the heavenlies, by coming into the power of CHRIST'S RESURRECTION, like unto angels, receiving a prior, spiritual and moral resurrection into a recovery of life and truth, while yet in these bodies. Phil 3:10-14 AMP. Paul asked, "Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world, and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? (This judgment is going on today as God is raising up Spirit-filled leaders like unto Christ.) Know ye not that we shall judge angels, how much more things that pertain to this life?" 1 Cor. 6:2-3.
All judgment has been committed unto the Son and his great company of Sons. John 5:22. Therefore these angels must have been men at one time, partakers of flesh and blood, tasting of sin and death, but rising in Christ to overcome every temptation. Having themselves suffered they are now able to make a righteous judgment. They have reached into such holiness that their very presence brings torment to those who have compromised by taking the "mark of the beast" in their hand or forehead. Rev. 14:9-12. Stephen had this transfiguration before his death, as he was witnessing of Christ before his accusers. "All that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel." They were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth in their frustration and guilty fury! Acts 6:15; 7:54. Did you know that Peter is also called an angel? Acts 12:15. Little children who have gone to be with the Lord are referred to as angels. Matt. 18:10.
On the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus went through a wonderful metamorphosis. His face did shine as the sun as the fashion of his face was altered. Matt. 17:2; Luke 9:29. This scence was a vision of his coming glory. How wonderful to know that it is also promised to all who follow on to really know him in the power of his resurrection. "Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body. Phil. 3:21. This is the change for which we are groaning. "God is faithful who called us and also will do." 1 Thess. 5:24; 2 Cor. 5:5.
No wonder angels who have not yet reached into that realm where the "spirits of just men (resurrected saints) have been made perfect, "desire to look into these things." 1 Pet. 1:12. "God has provided some better thing for us, that they without us shold not be made perfect." Heb. 11:40. Therefore, we are made a spectacle (ampi-theatre) unto the world and unto angels, and unto men. 1 Cor. 4:9. It seems as though we have been hung in space between heaven and earth and under the earth as God's exhibit of love and grace to all. Adam in angelic resurrection form is in a marvelous plane. A great ministry is going forth out of these invisible dimensions (though it is only one step in our ascension back into God.) Our guardian angels could be our own loved ones raised into this glorious realm. Jesus was made higher than angels. Hallelujah, in the ultimate plan of God we are to be made like unto him! 1 John 3:2.
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