THE SPIRITUAL FORCES OF GOOD: ANGELS
WHAT ARE ANGELS?
Angels are ministering spirits sent by God to
do His will:
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent
forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation. (Hebrews 1:14)
The title "angel" means messenger.
THE ORIGIN OF ANGELS
Angels were created by God:
Praise ye Him, all His angels: praise ye Him, all His hosts.
Let them praise the name of the Lord: For He
commanded and they were created.
(Psalms 148:2 and 5)
For by Him were all things created, that are
in Heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be
thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him and for Him. (Colossians 1:16.)
All the angels were righteous and holy when
they were first created. They worshiped
and served the one true God. Later, some
angels rebelled against God and lost their position as angels. They became part
of a force of evil called "demons."
There are now two kinds of angels: Good angels, which are the subject of this
chapter, and evil angels (demons) which will be discussed in Chapter Six of
this course.
THE ORGANIZATION OF ANGELS
The good Angels have been organized by God in
a special order. The Bible does not
reveal the details of that order, but it does indicate such organization:
For by Him were all things created, that are
in Heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be
thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him and for
Him. (Colossians 1:16; See also
Ephesians 3:10)
The organization of the invisible world is
described here in terms of thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers. We are not given details of this
structure. You will learn later how
Satan has imitated this organization in his own structure of evil forces.
THE CLASSIFICATION OF ANGELS
There are literally multitudes of angels
(Luke 2:13-15) who are apparently classified according to the duties they
perform. These are the main classifications of angels:
MESSENGERS:
This class of angels is most likely the
largest in number. These are the angels composing the innumerable group,
visualized by Daniel (Daniel 7:10), who carry out the will of God in Heaven and
earth. This is the group that usually
relates to the believer in terms of spiritual warfare. They interpret God's
will, protect, provide guidance, bring answers to prayer, announce, warn,
instruct, bring judgment, encourage, sustain, deliver, and intercede on behalf
of believers.
ELECT ANGELS:
Only one reference is made to elect angels in
I Timothy 5:21. There is no further information given about this group.
CHERUBIM:
This classification of angels is first
mentioned in Genesis 3:24. They are also
mentioned as part of the ark of the covenant (Exodus 25:18-22). Ezekiel mentions these beings and describes
them as having four appearances; the face of a lion, the face of an ox, the
face of a man, and the face of an eagle (Ezekiel 1:3-28; 10:22). This symbolism of the cherubim suggests they
are the living creatures surrounding the throne of God in Revelation 4:6. They appear to be the highest order of
angels, the guardians of God.
SERAPHIM:
This group is mentioned in Isaiah 6:2,6. Their position is above the throne of God in
contrast to the position of cherubims who surround His throne. The duty of
these angels seems to be to lead Heaven in the worship of God.
LIVING CREATURES:
This group of angels are mentioned in
Revelation 4:6,8; 5:6. This title
presents these angels as manifesting the fullness of divine life, whose chief
ministry appears to be worship of God.
INDIVIDUAL ANGELS
In addition to the different classifications
of angels, there are some individual angels mentioned by name in the Bible:
MICHAEL:
Michael the archangel is mentioned by name in
Daniel 10:13,21; 12:1; Jude 9; and Revelation 12:7. He is the only angel who is called an
archangel. He is represented as having
charge over an army of angels in Revelation 12:7 and is said to be the prince
of the people of Israel in Daniel 10:13,21; 12:1.
GABRIEL:
The meaning of his name is "mighty
one." He is mentioned in Daniel
8:16; 9:21; and in Luke 1:19,26. He is
always used to deliver an important message from God. It is Gabriel who interpreted the vision for
Daniel in 8:16; 9:21 and who announced the birth of John and Jesus Luke
1:19,26.
SPECIAL GROUPS OF ANGELS:
The Bible also mentions special groups of
angels which include:
Angels of the seven churches: Revelation 1:20
Four angels who control the winds: Revelation 1:7 Seven angels who stand before
God: Revelation 8:2 Seven angels who administrate the seven last plagues:
Revelation 15:1,7 Twenty-four elders (these may be angelic beings): Revelation
4 and 5
THE ATTRIBUTES OF ANGELS
You will remember from the last chapter that
attributes are personality traits or characteristics of an individual. Angels...
• Are spirits: Hebrews 1:14 • Are sexless:
Luke 20:34-36 • Are immortal: Matthew 22:28-30 • Have both visible and
invisible forms: Numbers 22:22-35 • Appear with the likeness of human form:
Genesis 19:1-22; 18:2,4,8 • Have emotions: Luke 15:1-10 (angels rejoicing). •
Have appetites: Genesis 18:8 • Are glorified beings: Luke 9:26 • Are
intelligent: II Samuel 14:20 • Are meek: Jude 9 • Are powerful: Psalms 103:20;
II Peter 2:11 • Have no need to rest: Revelation 4:8 • Travel at an unrecorded
speed: Revelation 8:13; 9:1 • Speak languages: I Corinthians 13:1 • Are
innumerable: Luke 2:13; Hebrews 12:22; Psalms 68:17; Mark 1:13; Revelation 5:19
• Are immortal: Luke 20:34-36 • Do not marry or have children: Luke 20:34-36 •
Are obedient: Psalms 103:20 • Are holy: Revelation 14:10; Mark 8:38 • Are
reverent: Their highest activity is the worship of God. Nehemiah 9:6; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 1:6
THEIR SPHERE OF ACTIVITY
Angels are active in both Heaven and
earth. The source of their power is both
granted and governed by God. They have
access to the presence of God in Heaven:
...In Heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which
is in Heaven. (Matthew 18:10)
They are also active on earth. This is documented by the varied ministries
and many appearances of angels to people recorded in the Bible.
THE MINISTRY OF ANGELS
Angels minister in many ways in both Heaven
and earth. Look up each of the following
references in your Bible. As you study
these verses you will understand the importance of angels in spiritual warfare.
The ministry of angels in Heaven includes:
• Worship: Revelation 4:8; 5:11-12; Isaiah
6:3; Psalms 103:20; 148:1-2 • Standing
ready to do God's will: Psalms 103:20-21 • Ministering to the godly who have
died in Christ Jesus: Jude 9; Luke 16:22
• Representing children in a special way: Matthew 18:10 • Rejoicing over those
who accept the Gospel: Luke 15:10
The ministry of angels on earth includes:
• Ruling nations: Daniel 10 • Ministering to
believers in times of testing: Matthew
4:11 • Strengthening believers: Luke
22:43 • Interpreting God's will for men: Zechariah 1:9; Daniel 7:16 • Guiding
believers: Acts 8:26. • Bringing judgment on individuals and nations: Acts
12:23; Genesis 19:3; II Samuel 24:16; Revelation 16:1 • Bringing answers to
prayer: Daniel 9:21-22 • Announcing: Luke 1:11-20; Matthew 1:20, 21 • Warning:
Matthew 2:13; • Instructing: Matthew 28:2-6; Acts 10:3-6; Daniel 4:13-17 •
Encouraging: Acts 27:23; Genesis 28:12 • Revealing: Acts 7:53; Galatians
3:19; Hebrews 2:2; Daniel 9:21-27;
Revelation 1:1 • Sustaining: Matthew 4:11; Luke 22:43 • Preserving: Genesis
16:7; 24:7; Exodus 23:20; Revelation 7:1
• Protecting: Psalms 91:11 • Delivering: Numbers 20:16; Psalms 34:7; Isaiah 63:9; Daniel 3:28; 6:22;
Genesis 48:16; Matthew 26:53; Acts 12:1-19 • Destroying: Acts 12:20-23 • Interceding: Zechariah 1:12;
Revelation 8:3,4
The future activities of angels will include:
• Participating in the return of Jesus: I
Thessalonians 4:16 • Gathering the elect: Matthew 24:31 • Warning and preaching
during the tribulation: Revelation 14:6-9 • Separating the wicked from the
righteous: Matthew 13:39 and 49 • Binding Satan: Revelation 20
ANGELS AND SPIRITUAL WARFARE
The Messenger angels are the group that
usually relates to the believer in terms of spiritual warfare. They interpret God's will, protect, provide
guidance, bring answers to prayer, announce, warn, instruct, bring judgment,
encourage, sustain, deliver, and intercede on behalf of believers in battle.
Many believers have not availed themselves of
the aid available from angels because they have not been taught regarding their
function in spiritual warfare. They are
"ministering spirits" and can minister for you as well as to
you. You can ask God to dispatch angels
to assist you in battle. King David did
this. He prayed...
Let the angel of the Lord persecute
them...Let the angel of the Lord chase them... (Psalms 35:5-6)
Read the following Biblical accounts of
angels participating in warring against the enemy: II Kings 19:35; II Chronicles 32:21; Isaiah
37:36; Revelation 12:7.
IMPORTANT WARNINGS
Angels are holy beings with important
ministries on behalf of believers. They
are part of the spiritual forces of good as is the Trinity of God. But the Bible gives some warnings concerning
angels:
DO NOT WORSHIP THEM:
You are not to worship angels:
Let no man beguile you of your reward in a
voluntary humility and worshiping of angels, intruding into those things which
he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind. (Colossians 2:18)
And I John saw these things, and heard
them. And when I had heard and seen, I
fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.
Then saith he unto me, See thou do it
not: for I am thy fellow servant and of
thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book:
Worship God. (Revelation 22:8-9)
REJECT ANGELS PREACHING "ANOTHER
GOSPEL":
Some people have claimed to see angels who
gave them a "new revelation" contrary to God's written Word. Entire religious movements have been founded
on such false revelations. The Bible
warns:
But though we, or an angel from Heaven,
preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let
him be accursed. (Galatians 1:8)
You are not to listen to a man, an angel, or
any other being that would guide you contrary to God's Word. As you will learn later in this course, one
of the main strategies of Satan is deception.
The Bible warns:
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an
angel of light. (II Corinthians 11:14)
DO NOT PROVOKE THE ANGELS:
Read the story of Balaam in Numbers 22, a
prophet who was acting in disobedience to God. You will note that he was
opposed by an angel of the Lord. When
you are disobedient to God, the angels may actually hinder you. You will be fighting a battle, but it will
not be warfare against the enemy. Be careful that you do not provoke the angels
of God (Ecclesiastes 5:1-6).
ANGELS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT:
Rescued Hagar: Genesis 16:7-12 Announced the
birth of Isaac: Genesis 18:1-15 Announced the destruction of Sodom: Genesis
18:16-33 Destroyed Sodom and rescued Lot: Genesis 19:1-29 Prevented the slaying
of Isaac: Genesis 22:11-2 Guarded Jacob: Genesis 28:12; 31:11; 32:1; 48:16
Commissioned Moses: Exodus 3:2 Led Israel: Exodus 14:19; 23:20-23; 32:34
Arranged the marriage of Isaac and Rebecca: Genesis 24:7 Gave the law: Acts
7:38; Galatians 3:19; Hebrews 2:2 Rebuked Balaam: Numbers 22:31-35 Appeared to
Joshua: Joshua 5:13-15 Rebuked Israel for idolatry: Judges 2:1-5 Commissioned
Gideon: Judges 6:11-40 Announced the birth of Samson: Judges 13 Punished
Israel: II Samuel 24:16-17 Rescued Elijah: I Kings 19:5-8 Surrounded Elisha: II
Kings 6:14-17 Saved Daniel from lions: Daniel 6:22 Conquered the Assyrian army:
II Kings 19:35 and Isaiah 37:36 Camp
round about God's people: Psalms 34:7; 91:11 Mentioned frequently as messengers
to the prophets from God.
ANGELS IN THE LIFE OF JESUS:
Announced the birth of John: Luke 1:11-17
Named him: Luke 1:13 Announced the birth of Jesus to Mary: Luke 1:26-37
Announced the birth of Jesus to Joseph: Matthew 1:20-21 Named Jesus: Matthew
1:21 Announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds: Luke 2:8-15 Sang: Luke 2:13-14
Directed the flight to Egypt: Matthew 2:13,20 Ministered to Jesus at His
temptation: Matthew 4:11 Came to Jesus in Gethsemane: Luke 22:43 Rolled away
the stone at His tomb: Matthew 28:2 Announced His resurrection: Matthew 28:5-7
Presented Him to Mary Magdalene: John 20:11-14 Angels ascended on Him: John
1:51 He could have twelve legions of angels: Matthew 26:53 Angels will come
with Him when He returns to earth: Matthew 25:31; 16:27; Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26 Angels will be the reapers: Matthew
13:39 They will gather the elect: Matthew 24:31
They will divide the wicked from the
righteous: Matthew 13:41,49 They carried the beggar to Abraham: Luke 16:22 They
rejoice over sinners who repent: Luke 15:10 They represent little children:
Matthew 18:10 He will confess His people before angels: Luke 12:8 They have no
sex and cannot die: Luke 20:35-36 The Devil has evil angels: Matthew 25:41
ANGELS IN THE BOOK OF ACTS:
Opened prison doors: 5:19 Directed Philip to
the Ethiopian: 8:26 Directed Cornelius to send for Peter: Chapter 10 Delivered Peter from prison: 12:7-19 Struck
Herod dead: 12:23 Stood by Paul during the storm: 27:23 Also mentioned in:
6:15; 7:30,35,38,53; 11:13; 23:8-9
ANGELS IN THE EPISTLES:
Elect angels: I Timothy 5:21 Angels are
innumerable: Hebrews 12:22 Angels minister to heirs of salvation: Hebrews
1:13-14 Angels will return with Jesus: II Thessalonians 1:7 We are not to
worship angels: Colossians 2:18
ANGELS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION:
Dictated the book to John: 1:1-2; 22:16
Presided over the seven churches: Chapters l-2 Were interested in the sealed
book: 5:2 Sang praise to the Lamb: 5:11-12 Were given special power on earth:
7:1-4 Sealed the elect: 7:1-4 Fell down before God: 7:11 Were used to answer
prayers of the saints: 8:3-5 Sounded the seven trumpets: 8:6 Ruled the locust
army: 9:11 Loosed 200,000,000 horsemen: 9:15-16 Announced the end of time:
10:1,2,6 Fought with the dragon and his angels: 12:7 Proclaimed the Gospel to
the nations: 14:6 Proclaimed the fall of Babylon: 14:8; 18:2 Pronounced doom of
the beast's followers: 14:9-10 Announced the harvest of the earth: 14:15-18
Had the last seven plagues: 15:1 Announced
judgment on Babylon: 17:1,5 Participated in destruction of Babylon: 18:21
Showed John the New Jerusalem: 21:9 Forbid John to worship them: 22:8-9
2. Study the appearance of the angel in
Judges 13. Note that the angel returns
to Heaven through worship which apparently opens the way through the
"Satanic atmosphere" around us to permit angels to operate on our
behalf. Review the story of Daniel and
note that the hindrance by the prince of Persia (a Satanic power) was broken by
prayer and fasting.
3. There is no Biblical support that a
believer can command his angel to do whatever he desires, but you can ask God
to dispatch them in your behalf. Think
about a battle you are facing and then ask God to send His "ministering
spirits" to work in that situation.
4. Read Psalms 78:36,40 and Ecclesiastes
5:6. Israel had a special angel caring
for them until they provoked him in the wilderness. If God sends an angel to your aid and you
provoke him by sin and unbelief, he may depart from you. It is well to take heed to the warning in
Exodus 23:20-22. You may also entertain an angel and not be aware of it...See
Hebrews 13:2.
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