Angels

Articles

Derek Long
12/20/20 - Angels

Angels By Derek Long

The subject of angels is a topic many people have an interest in. Much speculation dominates a discussion of angels at times and yet human speculation needs to be avoided (1 Timothy 1:3-4; 4:7; 6:20; 2 Timothy 2:16; 4:3-4). Instead, we need to be content to know about angels simply those things which are revealed to us in the Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16-17). God has revealed to us everything we need to know about angels in the Scriptures. Things which are not revealed about angels in the Scriptures are things which are secret, belong to God, and are not necessary for us to know (Deuteronomy 29:29). The Bible plainly teaches there are many angels. Hebrews 12:22 speaks of, “an innumerable company of angels” (NKJV). Revelation 5:11 says, “the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands” (NKJV). Jesus reminded the disciples as He was being betrayed that God could provide Him with more than twelve legions of angels (Matthew 26:53). Angels are spiritual beings (Hebrews 1:7, 14). As spiritual beings without a physical body, angels are not subject to death as mankind is (Luke 20:36). Man is lower than the angels and one area where we see this displayed is in man being subject to death while angels are not (Hebrews 2:6-9). Angels occupy a position higher than men but are not higher or equal to God. Angels would be part of the things created by God (Colossians 1:16). Angels are said to be subject to Christ (1 Peter 3:22). Angels praise the Lord along with other created things (Psalm 148:1-5). Angels are to worship the Son (Hebrews 1:6; Revelation 5:11-12). God is to be the object of our worship (John 4:23-24). However, angels are not to be the objects of our worship (Colossians 2:18; Revelation 19:10; 22:8-9). As we may contemplate the abilities and work performed by angels, we must not begin worshipping them but remember God and His Son are greater than the angels (Hebrews 1:4). The primary function of angels throughout the Bible is to serve as messengers of God. In fact, the words translated “angel/s” are words which mean messengers. Some illustrations of angels serving as messengers include: 1. The angel appearing to Hagar and telling her about her son who would be born, Ishmael, and instructing her to return to Abraham’s house (Genesis 16:9-13). 2. Angels come to Sodom and will warn Lot of the impending judgment upon the city (Genesis 19:1-22). 3. An angel speaks to Abraham telling him not to kill Isaac (Genesis 22:11-18). 4. The Angel of the Lord speaks to Moses out of the burning bush (Acts 7:30, 35). 5. The Law of Moses was given through angels (Acts 7:53; Galatians 3:19; Hebrews 2:2). 6. An angel appears to Manoah and his wife announcing the birth of Samson (Judges 13:1-23). 7. Daniel receives interpretations of various vision from angels sent to him (Daniel 8:15-17; 9:20-22). 8. Angels appear to Zacharias, Mary, and Joseph to announce the births of John and Jesus (Luke 1:5-38; Matthew 1:18-25). Even though angels serve as messengers of God throughout the Bible we are warned not to believe a different message even if it were revealed to us by an angel (Galatians 1:8). God would not send an angel to reveal a message which contradicted His previous revelation. Today, God’s revelation to mankind has been completed and so we should not expect an angel today to come to us and provide us with some sort of further revelation from God (Jude 3; Hebrews 1:1-2). Angels are said to be, “ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation” (Hebrews 1:14, NKJV). Angels obviously take an interest in and act on behalf of God’s people (Matthew 18:10). Angels rejoice when a person repents of sin (Luke 15:10). It is possible angels may be working behind the scenes at times to help the righteous although we do not have much information relating to the details of such work performed by them. Angels will play a part in God’s judgment. Jude 14-15 speaks about the Lord coming with ten thousands of His saint to execute judgment on the ungodly. The saints here in light of other passages may very well refer to the angels who will accompany Christ at the time of the judgment. Jesus will be accompanied by angels at the judgment according to many verses (Matthew 13:36-43, 47-50; 16:27; 25:31; Mark 8:38; 2 Thessalonians 1:7). Angels are limited in their knowledge. Angels did not know everything about how God was going to accomplish His plan to save mankind but were desiring to see it (1 Peter 1:9-12). Angels do not know the timing of the Lord’s return (Matthew 24:36). Angels are obviously not equal to God when it comes to the area of what they know. Angels are free will beings. Angels have the ability to sin and some have done so at times (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6). While mankind can be saved from their sins by the sacrifice of Christ, angels do not benefit from Christ’s sacrifice (Hebrews 2:16). If God is capable of and willing to punish angels who sin, He certainly will not spare us either. Hopefully these thoughts give us some information on the subject of angels based upon what the Bible teaches us about them!