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The Ministry of Heavenly Angels, November 29
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who
shall be heirs of salvation?
Hebrews 1:14
.
The Lord does not leave in darkness those who follow all the light given
them, but sends His angels to communicate with them. Cornelius was living
in accordance with the instruction given in the Old Testament Scriptures, and
the Lord sent a messenger to tell him what to do.
God could have given Cornelius all the instruction he needed by the angel,
but this was not His plan. His purpose was to place Cornelius in connection
with those who had been receiving knowledge from on high, whose work it
was to impart this knowledge to those seeking for light. Thus God always
deals with His people.
“Send men to Joppa,” the angel said, “and call for one Simon, whose
surname is Peter: he lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the
sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do” (
Acts 10:5, 6
). Cornelius
obeyed the instruction given. He united with the church, and became a useful
and influential laborer together with God.
This instance should be a comfort and strength to us. Let those who are
in the service of God study closely the relation existing between heaven and
earth. Heavenly and earthly instrumentalities are to unite in the great work of
communicating light to those who are in darkness.
Heavenly angels are to communicate blessings to us, and we in turn are
to impart them to our fellow beings.
Notice the commendation given to Cornelius: “Thy prayers and thine
alms are come up for a memorial before God” (
Verse 4
). His faithfulness
was recognized in heaven. God saw that he was a man fit to be entrusted
with greater light and larger responsibilities, because he had made a right
use of the talents lent to him. We are to regard our stewardship as a sacred
responsibility. We are to trade diligently upon the talents entrusted to us.
As we do this, God will recognize our faithful endeavor, and will give us
increased ability for service.
God is seeking to prepare His people to bear fruit to His glory. Paul says,
“We are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s
building” (
1 Corinthians 3:9
).—
Manuscript 67, November 29, 1900
, “Words
of Instruction to the Church.”
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