Angels and Demons. Revelation 5: The Names of Angels mal'ak, angelos sons of God, holy ones, watchers, spirits, the assembly, the heavenly host

Transcription

1 Blake Jennings Grace Bible Church Angels and Demons Revelation 5:11-14 The Names of Angels mal'ak, angelos sons of God, holy ones, watchers, spirits, the assembly, the heavenly host The Nature of Angels 1. They are created beings Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts! Let them praise the name of the Lord, For He commanded and they were created. Psalm 148:2,5 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities all things have been created through Him and for Him. Colossians 1:16 "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding, Who set its measurements?... Or who laid its cornerstone, When the morning stars sang together And all the sons of God shouted for joy?" Job 38:4-7 "For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven." Matthew 22:30 2. They do not marry 3. They are incredibly numerous 4. They are immortal "for they cannot even die anymore, because they are like angels " Luke 20:36 5. They are spiritual beings

2 but not omnipresent Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation? Hebrews 1:14 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 6. They are very powerful but not omnipotent And the Lord sent an angel who destroyed every mighty warrior, commander and officer in the camp of the king of Assyria 2 Chronicles 32:21 7. They have great knowledge but not omniscient It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven things into which angels long to look. 1 Peter 1:12 8. They are moral beings with capacity for independent choice 9. There are multiple types: Archangel - Jude 9, 1 Thess 4:16 Cherubim - Ezekiel 1, 28 Seraphim - Isaiah 6 The Work of Angels 1. Worship God Job 38:7; Rev 5 2. Serve God Deliver divine messages Interact with Nations - protect and judge Ministered to Jesus Christ Minister to believers Angelic Ministry to believers

3 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation? Hebrews 1:14 a. Physically protect God's people The king of Aram sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, Alas, my master! What shall we do? So he answered, Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them. Then Elisha prayed and said, O Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see. And the Lord opened the servant s eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:14-17 b. Encourage God's people - Paul in Acts 27 c. Physically provide for God's people - Elijah in 1 Kings 19 d. Lead our spirits to heaven after death - Luke 16 What about Fallen Angels? The Nature of Demons Were created "good" - Gen 1:31 Simply good angels turned bad through sin Identical to angels in nature and powers The Fall of Demons When? After Genesis 1:31 God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. Genesis 1:31 Before Genesis 3 How? Thus says the Lord God, "You had the seal of perfection, Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering. You were the anointed cherub who covers, And I placed you there. You were on the holy

4 mountain of God; You walked in the midst of the stones of fire. You were blameless in your ways From the day you were created Until unrighteousness was found in you." Ezekiel 28:12-15 "Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom by reason of your splendor." Ezekiel 28:17 Result? " Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels" Matthew 25:41 Satan's chief goal is to establish his own counterfeit kingdom in opposition to God's kingdom. Enslave the human race Attack God's people 1. Through deception "You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies." John 8:44 2. Through temptation 3. Through divisiveness 4. Through persecution " Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days " Revelation 2:10 Implications for Hebrews 1. Hebrews 1:3-6 Jesus must be truly awesome 2. Hebrews 1:14 We must really matter to God

5 3. Hebrews 2:5-8 We ought to be shocked at the destiny God has for us Study Questions: Angelology - How are angels involved in our day-to-day lives? What do they do for us? - How are demons involved in our day-to-day lives? What effects do they have on us? What are their primary strategies of attack against us? How do we resist their activities? - What myths were dispelled or truths did you learn from the sermon on Sunday? Did anything surprise you? - How did your study of angelology effect your understanding of the book of Hebrews? - Why is our culture so willing to embrace the existence of angels and demons yet still generally unwilling to accept the gospel? Why do they latch on to one and not the other?