1 ANGELOLOGY THE STUDY OF ANGELS As a youth in Scotland John Paton heard the voice of his Lord saying, "Go across the seas as the messenger of My love; and lo, I am with you." John Paton obeyed and went to New Hebrides Islands, one of the islands in the South Pacific. Matthew 28:20 Jesus promise that He would always be with him became his life verse. He tells the thrilling story of how hostile natives surrounded his mission headquarters one night as they were intent on driving them out by killing them by burning down their house. John Paton and his wife prayed all during that terrorfilled night that God would protect and deliver them. When daylight broke through they were amazed to see the attackers gone. They thanked God for His deliverance. A year later, the chief of the tribe was converted to Jesus Christ, and John Paton, remembering what had happened, asked the chief what had kept him and his men from burning down the house and killing them. The chief replied, "Who were all those men you had with you there"? The missionary answered, "There were no men there; just my wife and I." The chief argued that they had seen many men standing guard. In fact, there were hundreds of big men in shining garments with drawn swords in their hands. They seemed to circle the mission station so that the natives were afraid to attack. At that point John Paton realized that God had sent His angels to protect them in a very particular way. The chief agreed that there was no other adequate explanation. What do you know about angels? There has been a fascination with angels in recent years, but this is nothing new. Almost two thousand years ago the writer of the Book of Hebrews addresses this same fascination. His great concern was that people gave undue prominence to angels, and even worshipped them. People who worship angels really don t know what they re getting into. They don't know what they are worshipping. Paul also addressed this problem. Evidently there were people at Colosse who had become involved in such dangerous mystical practices: Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notion. He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow (Col 2:18-19). They claim they were worshipping the angels of God, but in reality, they were worshipping the devil, Satan, that old serpent also called dragon. This is not surprising since Paul warned the people of his day of the beguiling nature of Satan:... for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light (2 Co 11:14). At the beginning part of this first chapter the author shows the superiority of Jesus over the prophets and now he goes on to show His superiority over the angels.
2 But why such fascination with angels? Because they are impressive. The more you find out about them, the more amazing they are. Though the author of the Book of Hebrews does not elaborate on the specifics of angelic ministry, Scripture is clear that such ministry involves a tremendous array of supernatural involvement. THE ORIGIN AND NATURE OF ANGELS According to Scripture angels (Greek angelos) are an order of supernatural or heavenly beings whose function it is to act as God's messengers to people in carrying out His will. The writer of Hebrews defines them as "ministering spirits, sent forth to do service for the sake of them that shall inherit salvation" (Heb 1:14). Thus in reference to their nature they are called "spirits." Angels belong to the "heavenly host" (Lk 2:13). The word "angel" actually means "sent one." It is sometimes even used for people as evidenced by Scriptures such as 1 Kings 19:2, Haggai 1:13, Malachi 2:7; 3:1, Luke 7:24 and James 2:25. They are Created Beings That angels have not existed in all eternity is evident from the Scriptures which speak of their creation: "You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all His host" (Ne 9:6). "Praise Him, all His angels; praise Him, all His host... let them praise the name of Jehovah; for He commanded, and they were created" (Ps 148:2,5). "For in Him all things were created, in the heavens and upon the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones" (Col 1:16). This is implied also in the statement in which Paul refers to Jesus as the One: "who only has immortality" (1 Ti 6:16). The time of their creation is not definitely indicated anywhere, but it is most probable that their creation is implied in the statement in Genesis 1:1. It may be that God created them immediately after He had created the heavens and before He created the earth; for according to Job 38:4-7 "the sons of God shouted for joy" when He laid the foundation of the earth. While Scripture gives no definite figures, we are told that the number of angels who exist is very large (Da 7:10; Mt 26:53; Heb 12:22; 1 Ki 6:17; Job 25:3). As already indicated, angels were created, as were all the heavenly hosts, by a simple command of God (Ps 148:2-5). They were already present at the creation of the physical world (Job 38:4,7). Paul makes it clear that they were created by Christ and for Him. Being spirits, they are part of the invisible things in the heavens (Col 1:16).
3 They are not Glorified Human Beings The Bible says that we shall be like the angels, but it does not say that we shall be angels (Mt 22:30). Rather in the coming age believers are to judge angels (1 Co 6:3). Job 4:18,19 indicates that the angels have not, as we have, "houses of clay," bodies made out of dust. The "innumerable host of angels" are distinguished from the "spirits of just men made perfect" (Heb 12:22-23). Angels are not the spirits of the departed nor are they glorified human beings (Heb 12:22-23). They Are Spiritual Beings Incorporeal "Who makes His angels winds" (Ps 104:4; quoted in Heb 1:7). "Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to do service for the sake of them that shall inherit salvation?" (Heb 1:14). Although the angels are "spirits," they nevertheless have often appeared to people visibly, and even human (bodily) form (Ge 18:2; 19; Jdg 2:1; 6:11-22; Mt 1:20; Lk 1:26; Jn 20:12; Heb 12:2). "Our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Eph 6:12). The reference to the "sons of God" in Genesis 6:2 probably means the descendants of Seth as compared with the sons of Cain. One of the angels' most common characteristics is the instinct or longing of the spirit for a body to possess, and their possessing the bodies of inferior animals as well as man. In Scripture there are spirits (disembodied spirits) represented as wandering about to seek rest in bodies, and asking permission to enter into swine (Mt 12:43; 8:31). The are an Assembly and not a Race "But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly" (Heb 12:22). They neither marry nor do they physically die (Lk 20:34-36). Three times angels are called "sons of God" in the Old Testament (Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7); but never do we read of "sons of angels." As pointed out earlier, Genesis 6:2 probably refers to the descendants of Seth and represents the godly part of the race as intermarrying with the descendants of Cain, the ungodly part.
4 There seems to be no sex among the angels, although the word "angel" in Scripture is always in the masculine gender. But this is also the gender used of beings in whom sexual distinctions do not exist. It seems strange that no provision has been made for the salvation of fallen angels. "For surely it is not angels He helps, but Abraham's descendants" (Heb 2:16). They are Greater than Man in Knowledge, though not Omniscient "Your servant Joab did this to change the present situation. My Lord has wisdom like that of an angel of God--He knows everything that happens in the land." (2 Sa 14:20) "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father" (Mt 24:36). "I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism" (1 Ti 5:21). "It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things" (1 Pe 1:12). That they are personal agents is implied in the fact that they are a company; the same things is evident from the teaching concerning their wisdom and knowledge. They are Stronger than People, yet not Omnipotent "Praise the Lord, you His angels, you mighty ones who do His bidding, who obey His word" (Ps 102:20). "Yet even angels, although they are powerful and stronger, do not bring slanderous accusations against such beings in the presence of the Lord" (2 Pe 2:11). "And give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is released from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels." (2 Th 1:7) "He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the Devil or Satan [who is a fallen angel], and bound him for a thousand years. And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever." (Rev 20:2,10)
5 Illustrations of the power of an angel are found in the freeing of the apostles from prison (Ac 5:19; 12:7,23), and the rolling away of the stone from the tomb of Christ (Mt. 26:2). On this latter incident theologian Strong remarks: "A wheel of granite eight feet in diameter and one foot thick, rolling in a grove, would weigh more than four tons." How generous and sufficient angels are to minister to man! Their Work In Connection With Christ They announced the coming of Christ (Mt 1:20; Lk 1:26-37). They announced the birth of Christ (Lk 2:8-15). They announced to Joseph Herod had died and that it was safe to go back to Israel. (Mt 2:19-20) They administered to Christ after the temptation (Mt 4:11). They strengthened Him in the Garden (Lk 22:43). They rolled away the stone and entered the sepulcher (Mt 28:2-7; Mk 16:5-7). They accompanied Christ at the ascension (Ac 1:11). They will accompany Christ at His second coming (Mt 16:27; 25:31; 2 Th 1:7). Their Work In General They produce effect in nature The angel that has power over fire" (Rev 14:18). An earthquake is associated with the descent of an angel (Mt 28:2). They have part in the affairs of individuals and nations "And when the angel stretched out his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it." (2 Sa 24:16) "Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me (Da 10:13). "... and the angel of Jehovah went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and eighty-five thousand" (Isa 37:36). "... and immediately an angel of the Lord smote him, because, he did not give God the glory; and he was eaten of worms, and gave up his spirit" (Ac 12:23).
6 They warn and rebuke the wicked The angel of the Lord asked him, Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me. The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If she had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now, but I would have spared her. (Nu 22:32-33) They are executioners of God's wrath toward the wicked "The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Mt 13:49-50) "The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will weed out of His kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth." (Mt 13:41-42) They assist, protect and defend God's people "... and they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness." (Ge 19:11) "... an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat" (1 Ki 19:5). "... he will give his angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. They shall bear you up in their hands..." (Ps 91:11). On his way to Rome, Paul faced shipwreck with more than two hundred others on board. Speaking to the fear-ridden crew he testified: "Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, 'do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.' So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as He told me" (Ac 27:23-24). They provide guidance for God s people (Ge 19:17; Ac 8:26; 27:23; 10:36) With the coming of dawn, the angels urged Lot, saying, Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away when the city is punished (Ge 19:15). Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, Go south to the road the desert road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza (Ac 8:26).
7 They provide encouragement for God s people When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, The Lord is with you, mighty warrior (Jdg 6:12). They rescue God s people "... who has sent an angel and delivered His servants that trusted in Him" (Da 3:28). "... my God has sent His angel, and has shut the lions' mouths, and they have not hurt me" (Da 6:22). Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. Quick, get up! he said, and the chains fell off Peter s wrist s (Ac 12:7). They carry the saved home when they die "'The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried'" (Lk 16:22). They gather the harvest at the end of the age "'No' he answered, 'because while you are pulling up the weeds you may root up the wheat with them... as the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age... This is how it will be at end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous " (Mt 13:29,40,49). APPLICATION Our attitude toward angels must be one of balance. On the one hand we need to give them their due since they are God s servants His ministering spirits who benefit us human beings in countless ways. On the other hand, we dare not elevate them to the level of deity and worship them. If we want to encounter them, the best way is to entertain strangers, according to the author of the Book of Hebrews, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it (Heb 13:2), as did Abraham (Ge 18), Gideon (Jdg 6) and Manoah (Jdg 13).