Anjos: o que são e qual o papel deles na Bíblia
O que são anjos na Bíblia
Anjos são seres espirituais criados por Deus para servi-lo, transmitir suas mensagens e executar a vontade divina na história humana. Tanto no hebraico (malak) quanto no grego (angelos), a palavra significa essencialmente "mensageiro", descrevendo a função que desempenham: criaturas a serviço do Criador, e nunca seres com autoridade independente ou objetos de adoração.
A Bíblia mostra que os anjos louvam a Deus continuamente e celebram a sua obra de salvação, alegrando-se quando uma pessoa se arrepende.
In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."(Luke 15:10)
"Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among people with whom He is pleased."(Luke 2:14)
Mensageiros nos momentos decisivos de Cristo
Nos episódios centrais do plano de salvação, os anjos foram enviados para anunciar e esclarecer a ação de Deus. Um anjo orientou José sobre a origem divina da gravidez de Maria e Gabriel anunciou a Maria o nascimento de Jesus.
But when he had thought this over, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.(Matthew 1:20)
And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.(Luke 1:30,31)
Na noite em que Jesus nasceu, foram também anjos que levaram a notícia aos pastores nos campos de Belém.
And so the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;(Luke 2:10)
O mesmo papel de mensageiros celestiais aparece na ressurreição de Cristo, na sua ascensão diante dos discípulos e no mistério da sua manifestação ao mundo.
And the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.(Matthew 28:5,6)
And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, then behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them, and they said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven."(Acts 1:10,11)
Beyond question, great is the mystery of godliness:
He who was revealed in the flesh,
Was vindicated in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Proclaimed among the nations,
Believed on in the world,
Taken up in glory.(1 Timothy 3:16)
Os anjos e a vida humana
A atuação dos anjos na Bíblia não serve para atrair atenção sobre si mesmos, mas para cumprir ordens de Deus em favor do seu povo. A epístola aos Hebreus registra que o acolhimento ao próximo pode colocar o crente diante de anjos sem que ele perceba.
Let love of the brothers and sisters continue. Do not neglect hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.(Hebrews 13:1,2)
Embora tenham poder e prontidão — Jesus afirmou que o Pai colocaria mais de doze legiões à sua disposição se Ele pedisse —, nenhuma capacidade espiritual angelical tem valor sem o amor, nem pode substituir o relacionamento direto com Deus.
Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?(Matthew 26:53)
If I speak with the tongues of mankind and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.(1 Corinthians 13:1)
O papel dos anjos no fim dos tempos
As Escrituras apontam que os anjos estarão presentes nos acontecimentos finais da história, acompanhando o retorno de Cristo com voz de autoridade e servindo como testemunhas diante do Pai.
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who remain, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.(1 Thessalonians 4:16,17)
The one who overcomes will be clothed the same way, in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.(Revelation 3:5)
Apesar da força que possuem no mundo espiritual, a autoridade de qualquer ser criado é limitada diante de Deus. O apóstolo Paulo afirma categoricamente que nem mesmo os anjos têm o poder de afastar o cristão do amor de Cristo.
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.(Romans 8:38,39)
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