The Nature of AngelsAngel Forms Revealed to Man |
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Angels are created spiritual beings who are servants of God. "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:" (Psalm 148:2,5; Colossians 1:16). Angel means messenger. They are mentioned 237 time in 34 books of the Bible. Angels are always used in a masculine gender, even though they have no sex. They have power to become visible in human form they have intellect, emotions, and will. They neither marry, nor are they given in marriage. (Matthew 22:30). They have great power. (2 King 19:35) tells how the angel of the Lord killed 185,000 Assyrians, but they are not omnipotent (having great or absolute power of great influence). "Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word." (Palms 103:20). They have extensive wisdom. (2 Samuel 14:17, 20) refers to the Lord being wise like the wisdom of the angel of GOD, to know all that is in the earth. They do not have complete or infinite knowledge. Their numbers are great but are not limitless. Jesus is talking to Peter at Gethsemane: "Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?" (Matthew 26:53). Twelve legions are equaled to 6,000 troops. (Matthew 25:31) reminds us when the Son of man, Jesus, comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him. Man is lower than angels. Jesus is greater than the angels, (Hebrews 1:4) Jesus has inherited a more excellent name that the angels. Angels constantly observe our lives. They are to observe the people of GOD. (1 Corinthians 4:9) refers to Paul's message to the Corinth's stating GOD has exhibited the apostles as men condemned to death; because they have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. Paul also say's women should have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels (1 Corinthians 11:10). Angel desire to look into the things that the Holy Ghost was sent down from heaven to reveal.(1 Peter 1:12). There are the elect angels. (1 Timothy 5:21). There are time when angels are invisible like the time Balaam’s ass saw the angel of the LORD stand in the way and his sword was drawn in his hand. The ass saw the angel of the LORD and thrust herself on the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall Balaam never saw the angel until the angel of the LORD was ready for him to see him. (Numbers 22:22-23). The angels of the LORD excel in strength, and do His commandments, they are obedient (Psalm 103:20). Angels are not spared damnation and judgment by the LORD GOD for their sins but are cast down into hell, and delivered to chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment. (2 Peter 2:4). Those angels which did not keep their proper domain and left their own habitation the LORD GOD has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day, (Jude 1:6). The everlasting fire is prepared for the devil and his angels. (Matthew 25:41). GOD sends angels to the unbelievers in the form of: 1. Destruction The Angels of the LORD GOD was sent to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah because of their wickedness. (Genesis 19:4-29). 2. Curse The angel of the LORD cursed Meroz and the inhabitants bitterly because they did not come to the help of the LORD. The inhabitants refused to take any part in the struggle with Sisera. Who was the captain of the army of the king of Canaan. (Judges 5:23). 3. Pestilence King David ordered the numbering of the children of Israel and Judah. This angered the LORD GOD. And David realized he had sinned greatly. The LORD GOD offered David three things, he was to choose one of them as a punishment. 1. Seven years of famine. 2. Three months of fleeing before their enemies. 3. Pestilence in the land for three days. David choose the pestilence for three days. The LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed; and there died of the people from Dan to Beer-Sheba seventy thousand men. When the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD GOD said to the angel “It is enough stay now your hand.” (2 Samuel 24: 10-25). 4. Sudden death King Herod was struck with sudden death when the angel of the LORD struck him because he would not give GOD the glory. Herod was eaten of worms and died. (Acts 12:23). 5. Persecution There will be a war in heaven, Michael and his angels will fight against the dragon and his angels. They will not prevail and they will not remain in heaven. The great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the devil, and satan, which deceives the whole world is cast out into the earth, and his angels cast out with him. The devil, satan, the old serpent will persecute the woman and will make ware with the remnant of her seed which keep the commandments of GOD, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (The woman is the first woman EVE the life giver the LORD put hatred between the serpent and the woman between his seed and her seed. The serpent shall bruise the woman’s head and the woman shall bruise the heel of the serpent (Genesis 3:15). (Revelation 12:7-17). David prayed a prayer of rescue from his enemies to the LORD GOD for the angel of the LORD to chase his enemies. To let their way be dark and slippery and let the angel of the LORD persecute them. (Psalm 35:5-6). GOD Sends angels to the believers in the form of: 1. Guides Abraham told his eldest servant to the Canaanites to find a wife for his son Isaac. The LORD GOD of heaven spoke to Abraham swearing to him that his seed would be given land; He send His angels before the eldest servant of Abraham as a guide so he could take a wife for Isaac. (Genesis 24:7,40). 2. Providers Elijah fled from Jezebel because Elijah had slain all her prophets with a sword and she swore to kill him. He went a day’s journey into the wilderness and slept under a juniper tree. An angel of the LORD touched him and told him to eat. There was a cake baked on the coals, and a jar of water at his head. The angel of the LORD came a second time, and touched him and said to arise and eat because the journey was to great for him.(1 Kings 19:5-8). 3. Protectors The angel of the LORD encamps around about those that fear Him and delivers them. (Psalm 34:7). 4. Deliverers The LORD GOD sent his angels to shut the lions‘ mouths, and not to hurt Daniel when he was thrown in the lions’ den. (Daniel 6:22). Peter was imprisoned by king Herod. Prayers was made without ceasing of the church to GOD to help Peter. Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains and the keepers before the door kept the prison. The angel of the Lord cam to Peter and a light shined in the prison; and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up saying. Arise up quickly and his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel guided him out of the prison. (Acts 12:7-10). 5. Gatherers The Son of man, Jesus, shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (Matthew 24:31). 6. Directors The angel of the Lord spoke to Philip and told him to go toward the south unto the way that goes down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is deserted. There he met a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem to worship. Philip was instructed to join him, and Philip heard the eunuch reading the prophet Isaiah. There Philip directed him in the scripture. And there Philip baptized him. (Acts 8:26-39). 7. Comfort Paul was on a ship at sea when they were all caught in a fierce storm all fearing death. Paul saw an angel of GOD stand by him saying to fear not, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and GOD has given you all those that sail with you. (Acts 27:23-24). GOD sent angels to minister in the life of Jesus To: 1. Announce His conception The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying fear not to take Mary as his wife; for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and you shall call his name JESUS: for he shall save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:20-21). 2. Herald His Birth The angels of the Lord said to the Shepherds that were abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. Saying to them fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10-12). 3. Sustain Him Jesus was led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. He had fasted forty days and forty night. When the devil left His the angels came and ministered to Him. (Matthew 4:11). 4. Witness His Resurrection Great is the mystery of godliness: GOD was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. (1 Timothy 3:16). 5. Proclaim His Resurrection The women at the sepulcher of Jesus saw an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. The angel told the women to fear not because he knew they sought Jesus, which was crucified. The angel told them He was not there for He had risen. They could see the place where He laid. They were to go quickly and tell His disciples that He was risen from the dead; and He goes before them into Galilee there they shall see Him. (Matthew 28:5-7). 6. Accompany Him to heaven Jesus, at his Ascension, spoke all the things He needed to tell the disciples then He was taken up; and the cloud received Him out of the sight of the disciples. As the disciples were looking toward heaven, two men stood by them in white apparel and ask why they were gazing up into heaven? The two angels then informed the disciples that Jesus would come in the same like manner as they had seen Him go into heaven. (Acts 1:9-11). GOD sends angels on special occasions at: 1. The creation of the world There was a time when the two morning stars sang together, and all the sons of GOD shouted for joy. (Job 38:7). 2. Sinai Moses told the children of Israel “A Prophet shall the LORD your GOD raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; Him shall you hear” (Deuteronomy 18:15). Moses received the law by the disposition (direction) of the angels, and the children of Israel have not kept it. (Acts 7:38, 53). 3. Binding satan John saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the devil, and satan, and bound him a thousand years, and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him that he should not deceive the nations until the thousand years should be fulfilled; and after that he must be loosed a little while. (Revelation 20:1-3). 4. The return of Christ The Lord Jesus Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of GOD: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then those which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, so to meet the Lord Jesus in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). Angels appeared in the Old Testament to many people: Abraham There were three angels that visited Abraham and Sarah was promised a son. (Genesis 18:2-15). Hagar The angel of the LORD found Hagar be a fountain of water in the wilderness, in the way to Shur. He said to Hagar, who was Sarah’s maid and was running away from her, to return to her mistress and submit herself under her hand. The angel of the LORD said He would multiply6 her see4d exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for the multitude. Hagar was told she was with child, and would bear a son, and shall call his name Ishmael; because the LORD heard her affliction. He would be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him, and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren. (Genesis 16:7-15). Lot Two angels went to Sodom because of the wickedness of the men of Sodom. Because Lot urged the two angels not to spend the night in the street, but instead come into his house and made them a feast, and did consume uncorrupted doctrine, Lot and his wife, and two daughters were spared the destruction of Sodom. (Genesis 19:1-11). Jacob Jacob had a dream at Beth-el, he beheld a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven; and the angels of GOD ascended and descended on it. (Genesis 28:12). Moses The angel of the LORD appeared to Moses in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. (Exodus 3:2). Balaam Balaam’s ass saw the angel of the LORD stand in the way and his sword was drawn in his hand. The ass saw the angel of the LORD and thrust herself on the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall Balaam never saw the angel until the angel of the LORD was ready for him to see him. (Numbers 22:31-35). Joshua When Joshua was by Jericho, he say a man with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went to him and ask if he was an adversary. He answered no, he was the captain of the host of the LORD. The angel told his to loose his shoes from off his feet for the place where he stood was holy. That was when Joshua found out about the fall of Jericho. (Joshua 5:13-15). All Israel The angel of the LORD rebuked Israel by saying: “I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I swore unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break My covenant with you. And you shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; you shall throw down their altars: but you have not obeyed My voice” Because of this the LORD GOD did not drive the enemy out from before the children of Israel, and their gods were a snare to them. It came to pass, when the angel of the LORD spoke these words to all the children of Israel, that the people lifted up their voice, and wept. (Judge 2:1-4) Gideon An angel of the LORD, appeared to Gideon and told him he would save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovah-shalom (The LORD Is Peace). (Judges 6:11-24). Manoah A certain man, Manoah, of Zorah, of the family of the Danites who had a visit from the angel of the LORD informing him and his wife, who was barren, that they would conceive a son. That son was Samson. Because the children of Israel had done evil again in the sight of the LORD; the LORD delivered them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years. Samson was to be a Nazarite unto GOD from the womb, no razor was to come on his head : and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines. (Judges 13:6-21). David King David ordered the numbering of the children of Israel and Judah. This angered the LORD GOD. And David realized he had sinned greatly. The LORD GOD offered David three things, he was to choose one of them as a punishment. 1. Seven years of famine. 2. Three months of fleeing before their enemies. 3. Pestilence in the land for three days. David choose the pestilence for three days. The LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed; and there died of the people from Dan to Beer-Sheba seventy thousand men. When the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD GOD said to the angel “It is enough stay now your hand.” (2 Samuels 24:16-21). There are thought to be nine celestial orders of Angels: Colossians 1:16 1. Seraphim 2. Cherubim 3. Thrones 4. Dominions 5. Principalities 6. Powers 7. Virtues (Falsely Suggested) 8. Archangels 9. Guardian Angels (Suggested by the Catholic Church) There is however, no concrete Biblical proof of the exact ranking order or importance of the different angel groups. The same could be said of the members of the body. “18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.19 And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.” (1 Corinthians 12:18-21). Only the Lord GOD can say what the orders of importance the angels take. WARNING! We are warned NOT TO WORSHIP ANGELS! Let no man defraud your reward by delighting in false humility and worshiping of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind. (Colossians 2:18). John saw the prophecy of the book of revelations and after which he saw and heard all that he was permitted he fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which had showed him all those things. The angel told him NOT to bow down he was a fellow servant, and a brother of the prophets, he should worship the LORD GOD. (Revelation 22:8-9). We are warned not to get caught worshiping or serving the sun, moon, stars, or the host of heavens (angels), which the LORD GOD has not commanded. This is an abomination. (Deuteronomy 17:3-5; Deuteronomy 4:19). |
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MLA Style Citation: About the Authors Joanne B. Holstein is a Becker Bible Studies Teacher and author of Guided Bible Studies for Hungry Christians. She is a Religious Philosophy student of Liberty University, and a Homeschool parent and child advocate. She is well-known as a counsleor to Christian faithful who are struggling with tremendous burden in these difficult times. She is a leading authority on the history of development of the Christian churches and the practices and beliefs of world religions and cults. |
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