ANGELS
(Jude 6,9)
INTRODUCTION: There are many things about angels we cannot understand simply because they have not been revealed. What is revealed about angels is most enlightening.
A. The words, from which the word "angel" is translated in both the Hebrew and Greek, appear about 400 times, 214 in O.T. and 186 in N.T. It simply means "messenger."
1. Sometimes are human messengers (Luke 7:24).
2. Sometimes are heavenly messengers.
a. They are counted as legions (Matt. 26:53).
b. They are a multitude (Luke 2:13).
c. They are innumerable (Heb. 12:22).
B. Let us look at some things the Bible says about angels.
I. What Are Some General Things Said About Angels?
A. They are called "sons of God." (Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7).
B. Michael is one of the individual names given to an angel.
1. He is call one of the chief princes (Dan. 10:13).
2. He is pictured as standing for the people of God (Dan. 12:1).
3. He is called the "archangel" (Jude 9).
4. He is over other angels (Rev. 12:7).
C. Gabriel is another faithful angel that is named.
He appeared to Zacharias in the temple (Luke 1:18-21).1.
2. He announced the birth of Jesus to Mary (Luke 1:26,27).
3. He was the one that made Daniel understand a vision (Dan. 8:15-17).
4. On another occasion Gabriel informed Daniel and gave him skill and understanding (Dan. 9:20,21).
D. Some angels are called "seraphims" and were above the throne of God (Isaiah 6:2,6). Majestic w/ 6 wings.
E. Some angels are called "cherubims" and are said to be under the throne of God (Ezekiel 10:9-21). 4 faces, 4 wings.
1. God dwelled among the "cherubims" (Psa. 80:1).
2. Cherubims were represented in the tabernacle (Exodus 25:18-22; 37:6-9).
3. Cherubims guarded the gate to the garden of Eden (Gen. 3:24).
F. Angels are created beings (Psalm 148:2-5; Col. 1:15-17; Job 38:4-7).
II. What Are Some Characteristics Of Angels?
A. Angel appeared "the man Gabriel" and speaking with a man’s voice (Dan. 9:21; 8:15ff). 3 men in Gen. 18.
B. Angels are a higher order than men (II Peter 2:11). Man is made a little lower than angels (Heb. 2:7).
C. Angels are not to be worshipped by man.
1. Angel worship is condemned (Col. 2:18).
2. An angel refused worship from John (Rev. 19:10; 22:8,9).
D. Angels are not omnipotent (All powerful) as is God because they are subject to Christ (I Peter 3:22).
E. Angels are not omnipresent (everywhere at once) because they are pictured as going from place to place (Dan. 9:21,22).
F. Angels are not omniscient (All knowing) as God because they do not know the Lord will come again (Matt. 24:36), also, they desire to look into and understand the gospel (I Peter 1:12).
G. Angels do not marry, neither are given in marriage (Mark 12:25).
H. Angels do not die (Luke 20:36).
I. Angels have the capability of being wicked.
1. The devil has angels (Matt. 25:41).
2. The devil is the ruler over an order of wicked angels (Rev. 12:7). (God cast Satan down, Luke 10:18).
3. Angels sinned and kept not their first estate (II Peter 2:4; Jude 6).
III. What Is The Work Of Angels?
A. God made "His angels spirits" and they are ministering spirits (Heb. 1:7-14). (They do the will of God).
1. Angels announced the birth of Christ and sang about it (Luke 1:26,27).
2. Angels came and ministered to Jesus at the end of His temptation (Matt. 4:11).
3. An angel appeared and strengthened the Lord as He prayed in the garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:39-43).
4. Angels announced the Lord’s resurrection to some women (Luke 24:1-7).
5. Angels are ministering spirits to us who are heirs of salvation (Heb. 1:14).
B. Angels will have a part in the judgment.
"When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him…(Matt. 25:31).1.
2. "The Son of man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity." (Matt. 13:41)
CONCLUSION: The Bible teaches clearly that angels exist and have a very definite function. They are messengers of God and are to do His will.
A. The visible activity of angels has come to an end, because their mediating work is done. Jesus is now our Mediator at the right hand of God (Romans 8:34). "Good angels seem to operate in conjunction with the work of the Holy Spirit, and in times past have miraculously operated in direct contact to man, but when God perfected His revelation by the written word, such operation was done away (I Cor. 13:10)." Howard A. Blazer, Sr. Gospel Advocate, May, 1969.
B. The concept of "Guardian Angels" (based on Matt. 18:10) is very strong with some people. Even the commentators are greatly divided on this matter and no man can speak with authority on this matter. Some questions about the possibility of Guardian angels:
What purpose do they serve? Can they prevent harm (II Cor. 11) or death (Heb. 9:27) coming to us?1.
2. Can they prevent us from sinning? (Rom. 3:10,23)
3. Can they assure that our salvation is secure? (I John 5:13)
4. Do they lead us to be faithful to the Lord? (Rom. 1:16)
5. If so, some do a much better job than others.
C. The word of God has been delivered (Jude 3) and now furnishes us completely unto every good work (II Tim. 3:16,17).
D. Therefore, Angels are not needed to deliver a message from God because His will has been given once and for all.
E. An angel is condemned if he brings to us or teaches us
another gospel (Gal. 1:6-9).
Robert L. Brown