ANGELS

What is an angel

Origin of Angels

Nature of Angels

Form

Position and Authority

Work of Angels in Old Testament

Jesus and the Service of Angels

The Teaching of Jesus Concerning Angels

The Church and The Service of Angels

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What is an angel

Two words used in the Bible:

  • Hebrew = malak, 108 times in OT

  • Greek = angellos, 186 times in NT.

    Both words can literally be translated "messenger".

    While these words sometimes refer human messengers, most often they are used of the heavenly order of beings. (exceptions would include such as 2 Sam. 2:5; Haggai 1:13; Galatians 4:14.)

    2 Cor. 12:7 - a 'messenger' of Satan.

    Revelation 2-3, 'angels' of the churches

    Matt. 12:24; 26:41 - demons

    Other terms also used:

    · holy ones - Dan. 4:13; 4:23; Psalm 89:5-7; Deut. 33:2; Dan. 8:13)

    · sons of God or sons of the Mighty - Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7

    · ministering spirits - Heb. 1:14

    · mighty ones - Psalm 103:21

    · messengers - Dan. 4:13, 17, 23

    · heavenly hosts - Luke 2:13

    · heavenly beings - Psalm 89:6

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    Origin of Angels

    CREATED - not eternal.

    Colossians 1:16 - "for by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him."

    John 1:1-3 - "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made."

    Nehemiah 9:6 -

    Psalm 148:

    Hebrews 12:22-23

    Colossians 1:15-17

    WHEN?

    Job 38:4-7- they were there to 'shout with joy' at the creation of the heavens and earth -

    conclude: sometime before the creation of the World.

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    Nature of Angels

    They are innummerable - Heb. 12:22

    They are creatures of worship -

    They continually worship God -

    · Psalm 103:20

    · Rev. 5:11-13

    · Rev. 7:11-12

    The continually worship Christ

    · Hebrews 1:6

    · Rev. 5:11-13

    They are creatures with thought and 'will' for:

    Some of them OBEY Christ

    · Eph. 1:21

    · Col. 1:16

    · Col. 2:10

    · 1 Peter 3:22

    Some were disobedient and are kept in everlasting bondage - 2 Peter 2:4 & Jude 6

    They desired to know the eternal purpose of God - 1 Pet.1:10-12

    They are NOT OMNISCIENT - for

    · they DESIRE to know the eternal purpose of God - 1 Pet. 1:10-12

    · they do NOT know the time of the 2nd coming - Matt. 24:36

    They are ministering spirits - Hebrews 1:14; Acts 27:23

    Sometimes they appeared as men - Gen. 18:2, 16

    Sometimes people entertained them unawares - Heb. 13:2

    Everlasting fire has been prepared for angels of Satan - Matt. 25:41

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    Form

    In Heavenly Form -

    · Cherubim and Seraphim - Exodus 25:20; Isa. 6:2; Ezekiel 1:6

    · hence said to fly - Dan. 9:21; Rev. 14:6

    Invisible to human vision - unless 'show themselves'

    · Numb. 22 - angel of Lord at first not seen by Balaam

    · 2 Kings 6:14-17 - host of heaven at first not seen by Elisha's servant.

    HENCE - are the 'invisible creation' - Col. 1:16

    Take different forms when appear to man -

    horses pulling chariots - 2 Kings 6:14-17

    flame of fire in midst of burning bush - Exodus :2ff

    (Hence Hebrews 1:7 - 'In speaking of the angels he says, 'He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire.'

    Usually when appear to man, appear AS a man -

    Gen. 18:1-2 - as men to Abraham

    Gen. 19:1-2 - as men to Lot and Sodom

    Gen. 32:22-28 - as a man, wrestles with Jacob

    Judges 1:9-11 - as a man to Manoah and his wife.

    Mark 16:5 - as a man to the woman at the tomb

    Acts 1:10-11 - as men at the ascension

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    Position and Authority

    Are Under authority to God

    Psalm 103:20-21 - "Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you his servant who do his will."

    Jude 6 - those who rebelled are to be brought to judgment.

    2 Peter 2:4 - to be judged.

    Are under authority to Jesus

    1 Peter 3:22 - concerning Jesus "who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand - with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him"

    "Higher" than man

    When Jesus became flesh, he was 'made a little lower than the angels.....: - Hebrews 2:7-8

    YET - they angels are "ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation" - Hebrews 1:14.

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    Work of Angels in Old Testament

    They informed Abraham and Sarah of the birth of Isaac - Gen. 18

    They destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah - Gen. 19:1-13

    They delivered Lot and his daughters - Gen. 19:15-16

    They were seen in Jacob's dream - Gen. 28:10-11

    They gave the law to Moses on Sinai - Acts 7:53; Gal. 3:19

    The led Israel to the land of promise - Exodus 23:23

    One tried to prevent Balaam from doing evil - Numbers 22:22-35

    They delivered Jerusalem from Assyria's attack - 2 Kings 19:35

    They delivered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fiery furnace - Dan. 3:13-28.

    They shut the mouths of lions and saved Daniel - Dan. 6:16-22

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    Jesus and the Service of Angels

    An angel notified Zacharis of the birth of John the Baptist - Luke 1:11-12

    One appeared to Mary and told her she would bear Jesus - Luke 1:26-38

    One appeared to Joseph concerning Jesus - Matt. 1:20

    They preached to the shepherds concerning the birth of Jesus - Luke 2:8-13

    They strengthened Jesus when He was tempted - Matt. 4:11; 22:43

    They guarded the tomb of Jesus and first proclaimed His resurrection from the dead - Matt. 28:2-7

    They proclaimed Jesus' coming again - Acts 1:9-11

    They shall return with jesus in flaming fire - 2 Thess. 1:7-11; Matt. 16:27; Mark 8:38

    They shall assist Him when He separates between the good and evil - Matt. 13:41-42

    Jesus is far superior to angels - Hebrews 1:4-14

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    The Teaching of Jesus Concerning Angels

    Angels are in heaven - Matt. 22:30

    God's people have their angels - Matt. 18:10

    They rejoice when one sinner repents - Luke 15:10

    They shall hear the confession and denial of men - Luke 12:8

    They take the righteous to Paradise - Luke 16:22

    They shall assist God on the day of judgement - Matt. 13:41; 25:31

    They shall be the reapers on the last day - Matt. 13:39

    They shall separate between the evil and good - Matt. 13:41,49

    They do NOT KNOW the time of the Lord's coming again - Matt. 24:36

    Satan has his angels - Matt. 25:41

    Eternal torment has been prepared for such evil angels - Matt. 25:41

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    The Church and The Service of Angels

    They set the apostles free from prison - Acts 5:19; 12:7

    They struck down Herod - Acts 12:23

    They stood by Paul and strengthened him - Acts 27:23-24

    They minister unto those who receive salvation - Heb. 1:14; Matt. 18:10

    Christians shall judge angels -1 Cor. 6:3

    They rejoice when a single sinner repents - Luke 15:7-10

    Jesus did not come to redeem angels - but men, Heb. 2:16

    Christians must not worship them - Col. 2:18; Rev. 19:10; 22:9

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