Angels

(From Gods Answers To Mans Questions by Dr. Alban Douglas, downloadable for free)

Angels And Satan

Lesson 39 — Angels

INTRODUCTION

Little attention is paid to this doctrine today, for men consider it almost valueless except as angels occur in bedtime stories.

However, we should not underestimate the ministry of angels, particularly that of guardian angels; we certainly do not know how much we owe to them.

Story of missionary who was forced to sleep outside one night and robbers were planning to steal from him but were frightened away by the presence of 16 soldiers with swords. The missionary laughed at such a story but later on furlough found that a group of 16 people had prayed specially for him on that particular night. Praise the Lord for the ministry of angels.

I. THE EXISTENCE OF ANGELS

The word "angel" first occurs in Gen 16:7, where the angel of the Lord ministered to Hagar after Sarah had mistreated her. (1913 B.C.)

The angels were created by God but the time of that creation is not revealed.

Col 1:16, "For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible."

Matt 4:11, angels came to minister to Jesus at the great temptation.

In Matt. 18:10, Jesus said, speaking of guardian angels, "Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of My Father which is in heaven."

Jesus believed in angels and so did Paul, Col 2:18; II Thess. 1:7.

II. THE NATURE OF ANGELS

Angels are spirit beings. Heb 1:14, "Are they (angels) not all ministering spirits."

Psa 104:4,"Who maketh His angels spirits; His ministers a flaming fire." As spirits, angels are not bound by natural human laws; angels can enter locked prisons-Acts 12:7; open prison doors-Acts 5:19; ascend in a flame-Judg 3:19-20,.

Angels are able to travel great distances very quickly (heaven to earth, which may be many light years apart). cf. Dan 10:12-13, angel apologized for being 21 days late.

Angels are wiser than men. II Sam. 14:20, "My lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth." Angels are strong. Psa 103:20, "Bless the Lord, ye His angels, that excel in strength. "

(a) One angel killed 185, 000 Assyrian soldiers in one night, II Kings 19:35.

(b) One angel slew 70, 000 Israelites following David's sin in II Sam 24:15-16,.

(c) One angel thwarted the power of Rome, broke the seal and rolled away the stone from the tomb, Matt 28:2, 4.

(d) One angel will one day bind the devil and imprison him for a thousand years.

There are various ranks and orders of angels: Michael is called an archangel, Jude 9. The Bible speaks of archangels, angels, principalities, powers, dominions and thrones-Col 1:16; Dan 10:12-21; I Thess. 4:16: I Pet. 3:22.

Angels are immortal, Luke 20:35-36, without material bodies, knowing nothing of decay and death; if Jesus had become an angel he could not have died.

Angels are sexless and unmarriageable-Matt 22:30; Luke 20:35-36,.

III THE NUMBER OF ANGELS

Angels seem to be innumerable. Rev 5:11, "And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands."

Heb 12:22, ". . . unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels. "

Matt 6:53, Jesus spoke of being able to call for twelve legions of angels (3, 000 to 6, 000 each).

II Kings 6:17, the servant of Elisha saw the mountains full of chariots of fire round about Elisha and these doubtless were angels.

IV. THE FALL OF ANGELS .

Angels are described by our Lord as being holy (sinless and pure). Mark 8:38, ". . . when He cometh in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."

Angels as created beings were created holy - Luke 9:26; II Pet. 2:4; Jude 6.

On the basis of I Tim. 5:21, (elect angels, inferring that these are now confirmed in holiness) we gather that God placed the angels on probation for a time.

When the test came some defected and some maintained their innocence and were confirmed in their goodness, Psa 89:7, R. V.

II Pet. 2:4, speaks of the fall of angels, ". . . the angels that sinned."

The actual test and time of the fall of angels is uncertain; however, there are several guesses which are only theories:

1. That they rebelled when Satan tried to become like God--Isa. 14; Ezek. 28; Rev 12:7.

2. That it was the sin of pride and disobedience.

3. That it was the sin of cohabitation with women on earth, Gen 6:1-4.

On the basis of Matt 25:41, ". . . the devil and his angels," I would be inclined to believe that 1 is the most likely answer.

As a result of their fall they are awaiting judgment. Jude 6, "And the angels which kept not their first estate but left their own habitation, He hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day."

V. THE WORK OF ANGELS

1. In heaven-to honour, worship and serve the Lord God, Rev 5:11-12; 8:3-4,.

2. On earth-running errands for the Lord: (a) showing Hagar a fountain (b) appearing before Joshua with a drawn sword (c) releasing chains from Peter (d) opening prison doors (e) feeding, strengthening and defending God's children, etc.

3. To exercise God's judgments and purposes: (a) to block Balaam's pathway, Num 2:22 (b) to kill Herod, Acts 12:23 (c) to gather the sinful tares at the last judgment and burn them, Matt 13:41.

4. To guide believers: An angel guided Philip to meet the Ethiopian eunuch, Acts 8:26.

5. To assist, protect and strengthen saints: (a) Elijah in I Kings 19 (b) Daniel in the lions' den, Dan 6:22 (c) Jesus in Matt 4:11; Luke 22:43 (Gethsemane).

6. They will accompany our Lord when He returns, Matt 25:31; II Thess. 1:7-8,.

7. They take the Lord's children to heaven at death, Luke 16:22.

8. The angels had a part in the giving of the law, Heb 2:2, R. V.; Acts 7:53; Gal :19.

VI. THE ABODE OF ANGELS

The present abode of the angels is in heaven. Matt 22:30, "For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage" but are as the angels of God in heaven." Also Eph 3:10; John 1:51; Luke 2:13, 15.

VII. THE SUPERIORITY OF MEN OVER ANGELS

Angels and our first parents were both created perfect, angels as spirit beings and Adam and Eve as human fleshly beings.

However, in other ways we today are superior to angels:

1. Angels are not allowed to preach the Gospel-this ministry has been given to us.

"When I sing redemption story, angels will fold their wings, for they never knew the glory that my salvation brings."

2. Men will one day judge angels. I Cor. 6:3, "Know ye not that we shall Judge angels ?" Perhaps we will only judge the fallen angels referred to in Jude 6.

This great honour is indeed a glorious yet humbling thought for the redeemed.

Though we fell into sin, yet God has raised us up higher than angels in Christ.

CONCLUSION

When the angels sinned the Lord did not provide a Saviour for them.

How wonderful that He deigned to die for the likes of us.

Let us constantly thank God for the faithful, untiring ministry of guardian angels.

Matt 18:10 infers that there are angels assigned to children, "That in heaven their (these little ones) angels do always behold the face of My Father. . ..?

Wonderful as angels are we must never worship them, Rev 22:8-9,.

Angels can become visible and eat human food: Luke 2:9; Gen 32:1-2, Gen. 18:5.

REVIEW QUESTIONS

381. When and how did angels begin?

382. Give three references to prove the existence of angels.

383. Tell 6 things about the nature of angels.

384. List 4 outstanding feats of angels to demonstrate their strength.

385. What verse gives some idea of the number of angels?

386. Give 3 possible causes of the downfall of angels

387. Name 7 things included in the work of angels.

388. Give 2 ways that men are superior to angels.

389. What lesson do we learn about angels from Rev 22:8-9, ?

390. What comforting lesson do we learn from Luke 16:22, regarding angels?