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Angels
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The Angel is a member of an
order of heavenly beings who are superior to man in power and intelligence.
By nature angels are spiritual beings. Their nature is superior to human
nature and they have superhuman power and knowledge. The are not, however,
all-powerful or all-knowing. The artistic portrayals of angels as winged
beings are generally without basis in the Bible. Rarely is an angel so
described in specific Scripture; exceptions, compare the cherubim and
seraphim and the living creatures in Exodus, Ezekiel and Revelation.
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The Position of Angels
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Angels were created by God and were present to rejoice when He
created the world. In their original state they were holy, but before the
creation of the world some of the angelic order rebelled against God and
lost their exalted position. The leading angel in this revolt became the
devil, also known as Satan. Another of the fallen angels is named Abaddon or
Apollyon, 'the angel of the bottomless pit'. The lord or prince of these
fallen angels is Satan. Fallen angels, or messengers, continue to serve
Satan, but their power is limited. Judgment awaits them in the future. The
fallen angels referred to in 2 Peter 2:4 and Jude 6 are possibly the beings
referred to as 'sons of God' in Genesis 6:1-4. |
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Two of the
vast army of unfallen angels are named in the Bible. They are the archangels
Michael and Gabriel. Michael seems to have the special task of caring for
Israel, and Gabriel's role is seen in his communicating special messages to
God's servants. The vast army of unfallen angels delight in praising the
name of the Lord continually. Large number of them remain at God's side,
ready to do His every command. Angels in God's presence include the
cherubim, seraphim, and living creatures. Unfallen angels are known for
their reverence for God and their obedience to His will. Angels represent
God in making significant announcements of good news. On His behalf they
also warn of coming dangers. In some cases they are God's agents in the
destruction and judgment of evil. Of special importance in the Old Testament
is the Angel of the Lord. This angel is depicted as a visible manifestation
of God Himself. He has powers and characteristics that belong only to God,
such as the power to forgive sins. His similarities to Jesus lead most
scholars to conclude that He is the preincarnate Word present with God at
the creation of the world. |
The Relation of Angels to Man
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When
visible to human beings, angels consistently appear in human form.
Sometimes, however, their appearance inspires awe. Angels are never known to
appear to wicked people--only to those whom the Bible views as good, such as
Abraham, Moses, David, Daniel, Jesus, Peter, and Paul. They are charged with
caring for God's people and serving them in times of need. They also guide
and instruct good people. Sometimes their guidance comes to humans through
dreams. Angels also protect the people of God. They meet a wide variety of
human needs, including relieving hunger and thirst and overcoming loneliness
and dread. They sometimes deliver the people of God from danger. Although
angels themselves are not the subjects of salvation, angels are interested
in the salvation of human beings. They were particularly active in the
events surrounding the birth and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus spoke
frequently of angels, both good and bad. Angels are quite real and clearly
play a vital part in God's plan for the church reaching the world today. |
The Ministry of Angels
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The unseen realm is constantly described in the Bible as immediately present
in our midst, not as a distant reality but as a present one. Angels are not
occasionally present in the Bible--they are constantly manifest! The word
'angel' appears over 250 times in the pages of God's eternal Word, The Holy
Bible! Angels are described not only for the things they have done, but as
well the things they are assigned to do in our day. These invisible servants
and warriors are brought to bear upon the present day lives of believing
Christians. |
Fivefold Ministry of Angels
Psalms 103:20-21
show God's five purposes for angels:
- To bless the Lord in worship and
service
- To do His Word concerning
activities on earth
- To heed the voice of God's word as
it spoken through the saints on earth
- To minister on God's behalf
- To do God's pleasure at His
direction
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Appearance of Angels
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What do angels look like? The appearance of angels is correctly rendered
'very awesome'! Angels appear in different forms depending upon their order
of creation. For example, God's messenger angel, Gabriel, has the appearance
of a man (see Daniel 9:21). From Ezekiel 28:13-14 we learn that cherubim
(plural for cherub) are exotic and beautiful--covered in precious stones.
Ezekiel 1:23 tells us that cherubim have four wings, while seraphim have six
wings--two that over the face, two that cover the feet, and two with which
to fly. |
Structure in the
Angelic Realm
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There is an organized structure in the angelic realm. Profoundly influential
in humanity's history, angels are involved according to their designated
ranks. Though opinion differs as to the placement of angelic offices, it is
clear that the angelic host are part of a highly organized world of angel
beings. For example, Daniel 10:13 shows that warring angels have a chief
prince, Michael, who is also called an archangel, that is, one who rules
over others. Seraphim and cherubim seem to be of a slightly lower rank, just
ahead of ministering spirits. However, it may also be that the seraphim and
cherubim fill a leadership role in worship while Michael leads the warring
angels. As to the dark angels, Ephesians 6:12 offers insight into the ranks
of the evil angelic realm: principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of
this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places. From the information
the Bible gives, we can see that the angelic realm is a distinctly
structured society with different levels of authority or power endowed to
each according to God's creative order. |
Angels' Influence over
Nations
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Some angels have influence over nations. Looking at Daniel 10:13, the ruling
prince of Persia, an evil angel whose abode is in the heavenlies, attempted
to keep the captive Israelites from returning to their homeland. This gives
us insight into the powerful control such principalities and rulers of
darkness may exercise over nations and national issues. In this same
chapter, we see two other angelic princes who rule nations: Michael, one of
the chief princes, who rules and guards the activities of Israel; and the
prince of Greece who as it was prophesied would eventually come and take
predominance over the prince of Persia then in control. |
Angels as Messengers
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With God's
Word as our source of information in Acts 8:26, we see that angels may be
actively involved in assisting the advance of the church on earth through
messages. Philip had evangelized in Jerusalem and Samaria, but it was a
messenger angle3 who told him to got into the desert where he met the
Ethiopian eunuch. Acts 10 also reveals angelic intervention on behalf of
Cornelius, and the church was enlarged to include Gentiles. As with the
supernatural gifts of the Spirit, angelic activity did not cease after the
time of the apostles. Angels are still actively involved with building God's
kingdom on earth. Nevertheless, wisdom teaches we would do well to heed
Paul's warning: 'But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other
gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.'
(Galatians 1:8) Any angelic message must be judged by God's eternal word of
truth. |
Guardian Angels
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From Psalms
91:11-12, we see each of us has our own private guardian angels. Dr. Billy
Graham, observing the plural in this text, concluded that each believer must
have at least two angels whose assigned duty it is to protect them. Psalm
91:4 speaks of God 'covering us with His feathers' and mentions that we are
under His wings. Since God has no feathers or wings, some have suggested
that these feathers and wings speak of our guardian angels' wings, which
protectively cover us to keep us from falling, getting lost, or stumbling
into unknown dangers in the unseen realm of the spirit. |
Jesus and Angels
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In
Revelation 1:1, Jesus was closely associated with angels. This verse reveals
that He commissions His angels to do His bidding. An angel was used to
announce Jesus' coming birth to the Virgin Mary and her fiancé, Joseph (see
Luke1:26, Matthew 1:20). Angels also attended Jesus' birth and announced it
to the shepherds. They protected Him from Herod's jealous wrath; and later
in life, at the end of His forty-day fast, they ministered to Him and
strengthened Him. During His agonizing struggle on the night in which He was
betrayed, an angel strengthened Jesus in preparation for the Cross. These
celestial creatures were present at Jesus' and ascension. Finally, Jesus
will return 'in the glory of His Father with His angels' and we will meet
them in the air! |
Fallen Angels
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As
well in Revelation 12:7,9, the Scriptures reveal both good angels and evil
angels. The evil entities are those angels who rebelled with Lucifer and
were cast out of heaven with him. Their minds and understanding have been
covered with the horrible darkness of deception--the same tactic Satan still
uses to lead his victims astray today. They were created in God's original
order to do His will, as those angels who continue in obedience to His
throne. But these 'did not keep their proper domain' (Jude 6) and are now
agents of the Adversary, bound under his dark dominion and serving Satan's
rebellious enterprises. |
Ministering Spirits
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Surprisingly enough, there are more direct references to angels in the
New Testament than in the Old Testament. A careful study will reveal that
the New Testament activity of angels usually revolves around the ministry of
Jesus and the establishment of His church on earth. They minister (Greek
word used "diakonia"), referring to their 'serviceable labor, assistance.'
They are ministering spirits, or heavenly assistants, who are continually
active today in building the body of Christ--advancing the ministry of Jesus
and the building of His church. |
Seraphim
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The
ministry of the seraphim is closely related to the throne and the praises of
God. They are seen constantly glorifying God--extolling His nature and
attributes, and apparently supervising heaven's worship. It is possible the
seraphim are the praising angels of Psalm 148:2 though they are no
specifically identified as such. Whereas cherubim are positioned beside and
around the throne of God, the six-winged seraphim are seen as hovering above
the throne as they minister in worship. |
The Cherubim
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Cherubim are the created beings assigned to guard the throne of God, as
described in Psalm 99:1, as well as the ark of the covenant and the mercy
seat. Cherubim (plural for Cherub) guarded the Tree of Life to keep man from
eating of it and therefore, living forever in his sins. Thus, contrary to
popular belief, more than one angel guarded the entrance to Eden. The
fullest description of cherubim is in Ezekiel 10, where they are closely
related to the glory of God and have a part in its presence and its
withdrawal, moving at the Almighty's direction. |
Archangels
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The word 'archangel' means 'to be first in political rank or power',
indicating that this is the highest rank of heavenly hosts. The only
archangel specifically mentioned in the Scriptures is Michael. It is likely
his shout we will hear at the Second Coming. Because Gabriel is prominent in
the Bible and also because his name is derived from a root word meaning
'strength' or 'chief', which is characteristic of archangels, some believe
or conclude that he is also an archangel. This, while probable, is not
supported by Scripture, though it was popularized by the famous poet, John
Milton. As well, many, scholars hold that Lucifer was an archangel before
his fall. However, this only speculation based on the position and influence
he held over the angels who fell with him. |
Lucifer
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Satan was
once a powerful angel called Lucifer, the leader of worship in heaven, who,
in love with his own beauty, fell into pride and self-centerness. His
rebellion manifests in five 'I will' statements addressed against God, see
Isaiah 14:12-14. With five utterances he declares he will take the place of
the Most High God. But God has the last word, in Isaiah 14:15-20: Satan, you
will be thrown into hell; be gazed upon (made a spectacle of); be talked
about and mocked or scorned; be cast out of your grave like a carcass; and
be alone. God's last word on Satan is still applicable to any challenge he
attempts to bring against any of the people of God. |
[Excerpted: Pastor Jack Hayford and his
Spirit-Filled Bible and associative Study ]
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