To the servant of Elisha was revealed the moun

tains surrounding Do

than filled with the

chariots of the Lord

and the angel host

which had come to

protect the beloved

prophet. See 2 Kings

6:13-17.

King David saw the avenging angel of God standing between heaven and earth, with his sword stretched out, to destroy the people of Jerusalem because of the sin of David in numbering Israel. Seventy thousand of Israel had already been destroyed elsewhere by the pestilence. As David saw the angel of destruction, he plead with God for the people, and the plague

was stayed. See I

Chron. 21:9-30.

The angel Gabriel

and the Angel.

appeared several times to the prophet Daniel with

prophecies and instruction of the greatest importance.

At one time, while standing beside "the great river, which is Hiddekel," a view was given him of a heavenly visitant, whom he describes as follows:

"Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: his body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in color to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude." Dan. 10:5, 6.

Those who were with Daniel fled in terror; even though they could not see the angel, they felt his presence. Daniel himself fell in a swoon before him, and another angel strengthened him before he could speak, or even listen to the instruction brought to him by the angel Gabriel.

John the Revelator saw the angels of God many times in connection with the prophecies that were given to him.

God has various ways of communicating with the people of earth. He has usually spoken through prophets, Himself remaining invisible. To Israel at a time of rebellion against Moses, the Lord said, "If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make Myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all Mine house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the Lord shall he behold." Num. 12:6-8.

Of the inspiration of these prophets we read,

"For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 Peter 1:21.

Through this channel God has instructed man. Our Bible, which is the revelation of God's will to man, was dictated by the Spirit of God to the prophets of old. These revelations have been left on record for our benefit "upon whom the ends of the world are come." I Cor. 10: II. It is through this channel that the plan of salvation is revealed, and the only road to eternal life pointed out.

The methods of communication have differed with the times, the men, and the circumstances under which the revelations have been given.

To the child Samuel it was the audible voice of God in the night. See I Sam. 3:2-18.

To Abraham, Moses, Joshua, and Paul, the Son of God at times appeared in person and instructed them.

To Ezekiel, Zechariah, John, and others were given panoramic views of scenes which have deep significance to the people of this world. Sometimes these presentations have been explained, and again God's people have been left to apply them to events as they transpired.

To Daniel, the fate of kingdoms and the great events of history were represented by symbols, many of which were explained.

To others God speaks in His own way in times of emergency. Our Saviour promised to put words into the mouths of His servants when they should be brought before kings and rulers for conscience' sake. "Take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall

answer, or what ye shall say: for the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say." Luke 12:11, 12.

And so, in His own way, God teaches us, leads us, and reveals to us the true mysteries of this life and of the great beyond. By His word He has bridged the chasm between this sinful earth and the glorious home of the blest which our Saviour has gone to prepare.

And by the loving care of the ever-watchful angels of light we are made to "lie down in green pastures," and are led "beside the still waters."

Through the ministration of angels there is wrought out in the lives of the true, the faithful, the obedient of earth, the fulfilling of the beautiful song of the heavenly musicians on the plains of Bethlehem, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

Thus God reaches man through spiritual, heavenly beings, whom He sends to earth to minister to those who are "heirs of salvation," and citizens of the kingdom of Christ on earth. Through them are given manifestations from the very home of the great Jehovah. Sinless angels are the messengers, and their messages are true and ennobling. How wonderful! how dignified! how perfect! how beautiful is the whole history of this angelic ministration !

Communications From the Realm of Satan.

A little careful thought must convince us that the communications from the hosts of the evil one are as real as those which come from the angels of God. Their origin is the same, and they had long dwelt and ministered together in heaven, the home of God.

When sin entered among them, the sinning angels were driven out, and took up their abode on this earth.

Through the sin of man the dominion of the earth passed under the control of Satan and his sinful legions. From that time forward a constant warfare has waged between the two hosts,-the angels of God laboring unwearyingly to rescue man and bring the earth back to allegiance to God, while the hosts of evil are unceasing in their efforts to hold mankind in the bondage of sin, and to retain the earth in their possession.

Being of the same nature as the angels of God, the evil angels have the same power of communication with

man.

To our Saviour, while a man upon earth, Satan appeared in visible form. He tempted Him in the wilderness, and bore Him bodily to the pinnacle of the temple and to the mountain top.

He can assume before men any form he chooses; he can transform himself "into an angel of light." See 2 Cor. II: 14. His evil hosts assume the form and take on the peculiarities of those who are dead, personating them so accurately as to deceive their closest and dearest friends. They communicate openly through mediums, thus counterfeiting, though often in a low and undignified manner, the work of the Holy Spirit in its inspiration of the prophets.

But it is in their unseen, silent influence for evil that their greatest power lies. It is felt in every heart, and its fruit is borne in every life. As the angels of God influence toward a better life, so the evil angels. counterwork. Through six thousand years of evil, cunning, and deceit they have become adepts in leading