THE ANGELIC HOSTS

by Rev. William Claire Greiner

TOPICS

WHERE DID ANGELS COME FROM?

HOW MANY ANGELS ARE THERE?

WHERE DO ANGELS DWELL?

WHAT ARE ANGELS LIKE?

CLASSIFICATION OF ANGELS

Cherubim

Seraphim

Four Living Creatures

Other Designations

Fallen Angels

Michael

Gabriel

Angel Of The Covenant

Satan

WHAT DO ANGELS DO?

ANGELIC ACTIVITY IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

ANGELIC ACTIVITY IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

ANGELS AND UNBELIEVERS IN THE BIBLE

ANGELIC ACTIVITY TODAY

ANGELIC MINISTRY TO THE SAINTS

RESPONSIBILITY OF BELIEVERS

ANGELS IN THE END TIMES

INTRODUCTION

From Genesis to Revelation the angels of God are prominently mentioned— 108 times in the Old Testament and 165 times in the New Testament.  Angels are mentioned in 34 different books of the Bible. There are more verses in the Bible about angels than all the verses in James, 1 & 2 Peter, 1,2, & 3 John and Jude put together. The first mention of angels is in Genesis 3:24 and the final mention is in Revelation 20:1. From cover to cover God speaks of angels and their involvement in the program of God. 

The word for angel in Hebrew is "mal’akh" and in Greek it is "angelos." In both cases the root word means "messenger." The basic job description of an angel, therefore, is "messenger of the Lord."

Angels were spoken into existence by God. It is believed that all angels were created simultaneously and that none will be added to their number.

"Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts! Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all you stars of light! Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, And you waters above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the LORD, For He commanded and they were created" (Psalm 148(2-5).

We are not given a specific time when the angels were created, but we do know it was before the earth was created. "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? To what were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?" (Job 38:4-7). The reference here is to angels who witnessed the creation of the earth. The fact that they sang and shouted God’s praises indicates that they were personal beings, not impersonal objects.

Angels and authorities and powers have been made subject to their creator. "Jesus Christ has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him" (1 Peter 3:22).

Return to topics

HOW MANY ANGELS ARE THERE?

Scripture does not give us an exact number, but they do teach us that the angels are as multitudinous as the stars.

Daniel 7:9-10 — "I watched till thrones were put in place, And the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, Its wheels a burning fire; A fiery stream issued And came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, And the books were opened." 10,000 x 10,000= 100 MILLION. It was a innumerable host.

Genesis 32:1,2— "So Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. When Jacob saw them, he said, `This is God's camp.’ And he called the name of that place Mahanaim." Mahanaim means "two camps of armies."

When God gave the Law to Moses on Mt. Sinai, we read in Deuteronomy 33:2 — "He came with ten thousands of saints." Hebrews 12:21,22 — So terrifying was the sight that Moses said, "I am exceedingly afraid and trembling." But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels."

In 1 Kings 22:19, Micah the prophet said, "I saw the Lord sitting on His throne with all the hosts of Heaven standing around Him."

In Matthew 26:52 the Lord Jesus said to Peter, "Do you think that I cannot call on my Father, and He will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legion of angels?" A Roman legion was composed of 6,200 foot soldiers, and 300 horse soldiers; thus 12 legions would be 78,000 men--or angels. Jesus was referring to an unnumbered army of angels who were at His command.

The number of angels was forever fixed at creation. We never read of God creating more of them and Jesus said they do not reproduce themselves (Matthew 22:30). Since they cannot die (Luke 20:36), we conclude that the original number of angels will never increase or decrease in size. For these reasons they must be considered a company of beings, and not a race.

Return to topics

Angels are the tenants of the heavens. In Matthew 18:10 Jesus speaks of the angels as always beholding the face of His Father in heaven. The Bible speaks of three heavens.

I. THE FIRST HEAVEN.

This is the area involving earth and man. Earth may be miserably small, but it is our home and it is "precious in God’s sight". It is a world that angels visit to guide us and guard us, and eventually carry us into God’s presence.

This is that great expanse of the universe we see on a clear star-lit night of which Isaiah 13:10 speaks: "The stars of heaven and their constellations." It is significant in Scripture that the phrase "the host of heavens" means both the stars and the angelic hosts. Jesus Christ is the "Lord of Hosts" for He is the Lord of the stars and the Lord of the angels.

3. THE THIRD HEAVEN

Paul speaks of this in 2 Corinthians 12:2: "I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago; whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows; such a one was caught up to the third heaven."

The third heaven is the heaven of heavens, the dwelling place of God, where His throne has always been. It is above the stars.

In Isaiah 14:13,14 Lucifer said: "I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.'"

Moses saw the three heavens. Exodus 24:9,10 — "Then Moses went up, also Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and they saw the God of Israel. And there was under His feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone, and it was like the very heavens in its clarity."

God told Moses to make the tabernacle and pattern it after what he had seen of the heavens (Hebrews 8:5). The tabernacle had three compartments: the outer court, the Holy part and the Holiest. Once a year the high priest passed through the outer court, into the Holy part, and, finally, carrying the sacrificial blood, he entered into the Holy of Holies to sprinkle the blood in Jehovah’s presence. But Aaron was only a type of the true Priest Jesus Christ. Our Lord passed through the heavens, the outer court, the heaven surrounding the earth; the holy part, the immense universes, with their immeasurable distance, and finally He entered the third heaven, that heaven which no telescope can ever reach. (Hebrews 4:14; 9:24).

Ezekiel also saw the glories of the third heaven (Ezekiel 1:26,27).

John on the Isle of Patmos said, "I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper" (Revelation 4:2).

This dwelling place of the Most High, the third heaven, is the highest heaven. It is there that the holy angels surround His throne. Revelation 4:1-6 —"I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne" praising God. Again in Revelation 7:11,12 John sees the angels "round about the throne" worshiping and praising God. At His command they can go in a moment from their abode in the third heaven through the second heaven to visit the dusty lanes of earth to guard the saints of God, to watch over our little children and to execute judgment on the wicked.

Return to topics

Angels are spirit beings. They are invisible. "Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?" (Hebrews 1:14).

When created, angels were endowed with intellect, will and beauty, and power far above the human level. Psalm 8:5— "For You have made man a little lower than the angels." Will Rogers aptly said, "God made man a little lower than the angels, and he’s been getting a little lower ever since."

Angels are not robots or droids. They have personalities, mind, emotion, and will. Scripture speaks of angels talking, shouting, and rejoicing.

Angels possess separate and individual personalities. Probably there are no two alike, even as there are no two created humans exactly alike.

When created, all the angels were good. Some, however, fell from their position through the misuse of their liberty.

Angels do not have the ability to reproduce. Matthew 22:28-30 —"...they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven."

Angels have the ability to change their appearance and shuttle in a flash from heaven to earth and back again. Our eyes are not constructed to see them any more than we can see the dimensions of a nuclear field, the structure of atoms, or the electricity that flows through wiring. Angels, however, can become visible by their choice, and they can appear in different forms.

In 2 Kings 6:13-17 we have the marvelous story of the prophet Elisha. The King of Syria had come to attack this one man. "So he said, ‘Go and see where he is, that I may send and get him’. And it was told him, saying, ‘Surely he is in Dothan.’ Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. 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.’" The servant must have questioned Elisha’s sanity. Where are the people with "us"? Elisha prayed and said, "`LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.’ Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." The servant was able to see what was there all along.

Billy Graham in his book on angels tells the remarkable story of Dr. S. W. Mitchell, a celebrated Philadelphia neurologist, who had gone to bed after an exceptionally tiring day. Suddenly he was awakened by someone knocking on his door. Opening it he found a little girl, poorly dressed and deeply upset. She told him her mother was very sick and asked him if he would please come with her. It was a bitterly cold, snowy night, but though he was bone tired, Dr. Mitchell dressed and followed the girl.

As Reader’ Digest originally reported the story, Dr. Mitchell found the mother desperately ill with pneumonia. After arranging for medical care, he complimented the sick woman on the intelligence and persistence of her little daughter. The woman looked at him strangely and then said, "My daughter died a month ago." She added, "Her shoes and coat are in the clothes closet there." Dr. Mitchell, amazed and perplexed, went to the closet and opened the door. There hung the very coat worn by the little girl who had brought him to tend to her mother. It was warm and dry and could not possibly have been out in the wintry night.

Could the doctor have been called in the hour of desperate need by an angel who appeared as the woman’s young daughter? Was this the work of God’s angels on behalf of the sick woman? An angel on assignment?

God says, "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have unknowingly entertained angels"(Hebrews 13:2). Remember! Angels are watching!

Matthew. 28:2-4 describes the appearance of an angel at the garden tomb. "And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men."

In Daniel 10:5,6, Daniel describes the angel that appeared to him as a man dressed in fine linen, with a belt of fine gold around his waist. His body was like chrysolite, his face like lightening, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of many waters. Daniel could think of nothing on earth with which to compare the dazzling brilliance on the face of Gabriel. It was like the flashing of lighting. If the face of an angel reflects such astounding glory, it is small wonder to think that one day the world will cry for the rocks and mountains to hide them from the face of the Son of God.

Angels are awesome, so much so that at their appearance man almost dies with fright. That’s why the first words of angels often were, "Fear not."

Another quality noted of angels is their strength and power.

The Bible tells of one angel destroying 70,000 persons of the kingdom of David in three days, another destroying in one night 85,000 stout warriors in Assyria’s proud army, and another destroying all the first-born of Egypt in one single night.

2 Thessalonians 1:7,8— "And to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Revelation 5:2 — "Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?"

Another quality of angels is their beauty and sublimity. At the death of the first Christian martyr, we read that the face of Stephen shone like that of an angel (Acts 6:15).

Angels have a language. They sing the praises of God in the courts of glory. They ascribe to God strength and glory (Psalm 29:1-2). They can shout for joy as described by Job. They hold council together in the heavenly courts (Psalm 89:7). They rejoice when a sinner is saved (Luke 15:10). The language of heaven must be wonderful. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13:1, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal."

As marvelous and as great as angels are, Scripture is careful to relegate angels to their rightful place in the created order and not to confuse them with God. Angels are not eternal but created. Although they are beyond human understanding, they are not omniscient. Scripture tells us they do not know the time of the return of the Son of Man (Mark 13:32; Matthew 24:36), nor have they fully perceived the mysteries of God. "To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven; things which angels desire to look into" (1 Peter 1:12).

There is a danger of elevating angels at the expense of Christ, to draw attention away from the Lord they serve. "Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind" (Colossians 2:18).

John on the Isle of Patmos was tempted to worship the angel that had revealed such wondrous things to him. "I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy" (Revelation 19:10). "Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. Then he said to me, "See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God." (Revelation 22:8-9).

Return to topics

It appears that God created angels with varying degrees of power, and organized them according to rank similar to the way armed forces are organized. One indication of this is the fact that God is called "LORD of hosts" numerous times in the Old Testament. The Hebrew word translated "hosts" means "armies", thus God is "LORD of armies." He is the Commander in Chief of the angelic armies of heaven.

Another indication that holy angels are arranged according to rank as an army is that fact that some angels are under the command of other angels. For example, the angel Michael has angels under his command for the purpose of waging angelic warfare. "And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought" (Revelation 12:7).

CHERUBIM (SINGULAR—CHERUB)

We are first introduced to the cherubim in Genesis 3:24 where we see them guarding the tree of life in Eden.

The fullest description of cherubim is given in Ezekiel 1:5-24 and 10:1-22. The four cherubim described there were part human and part animal in appearance. They each had a body and hands similar to a man’s, but each had four faces pointing in four directions. Their feet were like those of a calf. They had the gleaming appearance of polished bronze, burning coals of fire, or flaming torches. Their entire bodies, backs, hands and wings were full of eyes. They could move very quickly in any direction. When they moved, their wings made a very loud noise.

Apparently the cherubim constitute the highest rank of angels. They seem to have the closest relationship to God, and the Bible refers to them more than to any other rank of angels. They appear to be the protectors and guardians of God’s presence.

In the Old Testament Tabernacle and also in Solomon’s Temple, two cherubim were fashioned from gold and placed on either end of the mercy seat on top of the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies (Exodus 25:17-22). God intended that the earthly Tabernacle and Temple should be "the example and shadow of heavenly things" (Hebrews 8:5). That is why we can conclude that in heaven God dwells in the midst of cherubim as He sits upon His throne.

God gave directions for the cherubim to be incorporated into the design of the Ark of the Covenant and the Tabernacle (Exodus 25:18-20). Solomon’s temple had two large cherubim (approximately 15 feet tall with each wing somewhat longer than seven feet) made of olive wood and overlaid with gold were placed in the Holy of Holies of Solomon’s Temple (1 Kings 6:23-28). These figures completely overshadowed the ark of the covenant which was placed between them (1 Kings 8:6,7). Figures of cherubim were carved into all the walls and doors of the Temple, on the borders and plates of the ten brass bases of the portable lavers. He also had cherubim woven into the veil that separated the Holy of Holies from its Holy Place.

The cherubim assured the right of the high priest to enter the holy place with blood as a mediator with God on behalf of the people. He, and he alone, was permitted to enter into the inner sanctuary of the Lord. Today, however, each child of God has direct access as a believer-priest into the presence of God through Jesus Christ. Cherubim will not refuse the humblest Christian access to the throne. We can come boldly, because of the finished work of Calvary.

According to Ezekiel 41:18-25, the future millennial Temple will also have figures of cherubim carved into its walls and doors.

Return to topics

SERAPHIM

This is the only place in scripture where these particular angels are mentioned. The word "seraphim" comes from a root word that means "burn." As a result, the word "seraphim" means "burning ones." The seraphim are inflamed by love for God because of their nearness to Him.

Seraphim have 6 wings, as opposed to the cherubim who have 4 wings (Ezekiel 1:5-18; 10:12).

1. With two wings each of the Seraphim covered his face. This suggests profound reverence and adoring awe, as well as being careful not to pry into God’s secrets and counsels.

2. With two he covered his feet. This denotes deep humility..

3. With two he did fly. Two wings were kept ready for instant flight. Here we have prompt obedience in doing the will of God. Four wings were for worship, two wings for work. We are guilty of reversing the order and serve more than wait.

While the seraphim and the cherubim belong to different orders, they share one thing: they constantly glorify God. The seraphim sing the praises of God without intermission. Notice the theme of their song. "And one cried to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!" The threefold repetition of "Holy" has been thought to refer to the three divine persons in the Trinity. This is pure worship. They contemplate the holiness of God. They are also concerned with purity in the presence of God as they take a live coal from off the altar and place it on Isaiah’s lips for cleansing and removal of sin.

The seraphim are one of the great mysteries of the Bible.

Return to topics

In Revelation 4:6-9, the Apostle John saw "four living creatures" in the middle of and around the throne of God in heaven. They are covered with eyes, both in front and behind, and each of the four has a different face. One has the face of a lion. One has the face of an ox. One has the face of a man. One has the face of an eagle. Each creature has six wings, similar to the seraphim.

The primary function of these four living beings is to exalt God day and night without ceasing. They continually declare God’s holiness, omnipotence, and eternality (v. 8).

In addition to their personal worship of God, they serve as worship leaders in heaven. You will notice in Scripture that each time they give glory, honor, and thanks to God, they prompt the 24 elders to fall down before God, worship Him, and cast their crowns before Him (vv. 9-11).

Throughout the book of the Revelation we see these four living beings worshiping God and prompting the great host of angels in heaven to worship Him, and then they encourage every creature in the entire universe to worship God and Christ (Revelation 5:11-13).

While the cherubim of Ezekiel 1 and 10 and the living creatures of Revelation have similarities, they are of a different order. The cherubim have four wings, while the "living beings" have 6 wings.

Return to topics

PRINCES: This refers to powerful angels, both good and evil, who are assigned by God or Satan to positions of authority over nations to influence their decisions and actions (Daniel 10:13,20,21;12:1).

SONS OF GOD, SONS OF THE MIGHTY: (Job 1:6; 38:7; Ps. 89:6)

MIGHTY ONES (Joel 3:11; cp. Ps. 103:20)

WATCHERS: (Daniel 4:13,17, 23). Means "waking, watchful." Angels do not have need for sleep. They are able to labor untiringly day and night, watching over the affairs of God.

HOLY ONES; ELECT ANGELS (Daniel 4:13,17; 1 Tim. 5:21; cp. Mk. 8:38). Refers to the good angels.

MORNING STARS (Job)

PRINCIPALITIES, MIGHT, POWERS, DOMINIONS, RULERS OF THE DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD, SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS IN HIGH PLACES, AUTHORITIES, THRONES. It is believed that these terms refer to different ranks of angels.

Return to topics

FALLEN ANGELS

It is believed that one third of heaven’s angels joined Lucifer in his rebellion against God. These are the fallen angels of the Bible. There are two subdivisions: The fallen free Angels, and the fallen confined angels.

The fallen, free angels dwell with Satan in the first heaven above the earth and are under his rule (Ephesians 2:2; 6:12; Revelation 12:7-9). They are free to move about, even on the earth, to do Satan’s evil work. The Bible calls them "demons" (Matthew 12:22-26).

The fallen, confined angels were under Satan’s rule for a period of time after the angelic fall. However, sometime later they committed another sin so grievous that God took away their freedom and removed them from Satan’s rule by confining them in a terrible prison, known as "tartarus" (2 Peter 2:4).. They are no longer allowed to roam the heavens with their leader and other evil angels. Someday they will be judged by God and thrown into Gehenna hell.

"God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment" (2 Peter 2-.4).

The vast majority of the celestial cohorts have been true to God since their creation. They never cease to do His will in heaven. They have never defaulted, have ever been ready to run His errands. These are the angels the Psalmist speaks of in Psalm 103:20,21 — "Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will."

Return to topics

Michael’s name means "who is like unto God." He is identified as "The Archangel", the only one thus honored. In Jude 9, Michael is mentioned as contending with the devil. In Revelation 12:7 he is the archangel who overcomes the archenemy, the dragon (Revelation 12:7). In Daniel we read that Michael overcame the evil prince of Persia, who had hindered Gabriel’s visit to Daniel . And it will be Michael and his great celestial, militant host who will successfully war against the devil and his angels in the final battle. In 1 Thessalonians 4:16 the dead will be raised and the church caught up at the "voice of the archangel" who we believe is Michael.

Return to topics

In Hebrew "Gabriel" means "God’s hero," or "the mighty one," or "strength of God." He seems to be the angelic prophet, an interpreter of the prophetic Word, and a revealer of the purposes of God. Scripture frequently refers to him as the "the messenger of Jehovah" or "the Lord’s messenger."

Gabriel is not as strong as Michael, and had to seek Michael’s assistance in fighting against the evil prince of Persia as recorded in the book of Daniel.

Gabriel was employed on several important missions. It was Gabriel who flew swiftly to Daniel to inform him and to give him skill and understanding of things to come (Daniel 8:16-27; 9:21). It was Gabriel who revealed to Zechariah that he was to be the father of John, the forerunner of Christ (Luke 1:19). It was Gabriel who revealed to Mary that she was to be the virgin mother of the Savior of mankind (Luke 1:26-35).

In Luke 1:29 he introduces himself by saying, "I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God.."

Return to topics

There is one angel who is distinguished from all others and who is not created. Throughout Scripture He appears as the "Angel of the Lord God," the "Angel of His Presence," the "Captain of the Lord's Hosts," and the "Angel of the Covenant." Under these various titles, this angel's name appears over forty times in the Old Testament. He is none other than the eternal Son Himself.

These appearances of Christ in the Old Testament are "theophanies" (derived from two Greek words, theos "God," and pheino ("to appear") or "Christophanies". Christ appeared to: Hagar (Genesis 16); Abraham (Genesis 18, 22); Isaac (Genesis 26); Moses (Exodus 3); Jacob (Genesis 22, 28, 48); Hosea (Hosea 12:4,5); Joshua (Joshua 5); Manoah (Judges 13); Isaiah (Isaiah 6); Ezekiel (John 12); Zechariah (Zechariah 1, 2,3,6).

Return to topics

SATAN

Satan is expressly called an angel (Ezekiel 28:14-16) and a fallen angel. His original title was Lucifer, "Son of the Morning." He was the "anointed cherub", set apart for a divinely-given task. He is spoken of as having dwelt in the garden of God, the paradise of God, the holy mountain of God, the sanctuary. (Exodus 38:13; 16, 18; Revelation 21:10-2 1).

While God is the Creator of all angels, He did not create the devil. He created a unique angelic being who, by a free act cutting himself off from God, turned himself into an adversary of God. Originally, according to Isaiah 14:12-14, Lucifer was the highest of the angels. In his fall he lost nothing of his supremacy over the hierarchy of angels who fell with him. The bearer of light became the prince of darkness.

Return to topics

WHAT DO ANGELS DO?

1. They worship God. Their vision of God leads to continual praise and worship. "Let the angels of God worship Him" (Hebrews 1:6).

A. They minister to the saints of God. Hebrews 1:14.

B. They measure out God’s judgment to the wicked.

In general, angels do God’s bidding, whatever that might be, and they are actively engaged in the lives of the saints on earth.

Jacob, at the end of his colorful life, speaks of "the angel which redeemed me from all evil" (Genesis 48:16).

Return to topics

ANGELIC ACTIVITY IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

Angels were in the garden of Eden to guard the Tree of Life.

Abraham entertained angels.

Hagar was consoled by an Angel

Eliezer was guided by an angel

Lot was delivered by angels

Jacob was directed by angels

Moses was given the law by angels

Balaam was reproved by an angel

Joshua was encouraged by angel

Gideon was commissioned by an angel

Manoa was instructed by an angel

Elijah was comforted by angels (they are good cooks)

Elijah was also translated to glory by angels

Elisha was defended by Angels

Isaiah was commissioned by angels

The Assyrians were destroyed by an angel

Daniel was ministered to by angels

Zechariah was enlightened by angels.

Return to topics

An angel came to Mary. (Luke 1:26-29).

An angel appeared to Joseph. Matt. 2:13-

Angels appeared to the Shepherds. Luke 2:9-16

God could have spoken directly to all these people, but He sent an angel.

At the wilderness temptation of Christ, angels (plural) ministered to Jesus. (Matthew 4:11).

In the Garden of Gethsemane the angels came and ministered to Christ. "Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him" (Matthew 22:43).

At the resurrection, " an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it" (Matthew 28:2).

IN THE LIFE OF PETER (Acts 12:5-11)

Peter didn’t pray to angels. He didn’t ask God to send angels. He simply asked God. God would decide how to answer his prayer. And God sent an angel to deliver him.

Return to topics

In Acts 12:21-23 we have the account of Herod’s death. "So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. And the people kept shouting, `The voice of a god and not of a man!’ Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died."

Who killed Herod? God. Who acted in process of killing Herod? Angels. Who was ultimately responsible for his death? Herod. Did anyone see an angel do it? No one saw except the angels, and trinity and demons and Herod after he died. They thought he had a heart attack.

Return to topics

ANGEL ACTIVITY TODAY

"To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven; things which angels desire to look into" (1 Peter 1:12).

The word translated "to look into" means "to stoop over to look." It implies willingness to exert or inconvenience oneself to obtain a better perspective. Here the present tense gives it a continuous aspect. We conclude that Peter was saying that angels have such an intense desire to learn about the salvation of fallen human beings that they are continuously willing to exert or inconvenience themselves to study it. The salvation of fallen human beings is an intriguing mystery to them because they themselves can never personally experience salvation.

Angels understand God’s basic plan for universe. They know what’s going to happen, but they don’t understand the gospel. At end of a service they sit back and scratch head. They have never been separated from God. They have never sinned. They can’t really comprehend this whole gospel thing. I’m sure they can’t understand why God puts up with us. When someone trusts Christ they must be tempted to say, "God, don’t you know what he did last night?"

When Christ was discussing the importance of children, He said, "Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 18:10).

The children’s angels? Where? In heaven. With Whom? Jesus said, "They always see face of my father." Notice it says, "their" angels, and not just angels.

In the story of Peter in prison, the angel is referred to as "his angel."

Angel hosts watch the believers as the Lord works His grace and love and power in each life. They observe first hand the building of the body of Christ. They miss nothing. What do they think as they observe us running the race? Do they observe us standing fast in the faith, or do they wonder at our lack of commitment?

The fact that angels right now witness how we are walking through life should influence the decisions we make. God is watching, and His angels are interested spectators, too. The Amplified Bible expresses 1 Corinthians 4:9 this way: "God has made an exhibit of us...a show in the world’s amphitheater—with both men and angels (as spectators)."

1 Timothy 5:21 (amplified Bible) "I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the chosen angels, that you guard and keep [these rules]."

Paul was stirring up Timothy to remember that the elect angels were constantly watching how he served the Savior and lived the Christian life. What could provide a greater motivation to righteous living than that? I must say to myself, "Careful, angels are watching!"

In Luke 15:10 we read that the angels of God "rejoice over one sinner that repenteth." This gives me reason to believe that the angel hosts are numbered among the spectators in the heavenly grandstands as "so great a cloud of witnesses" (Hebrews 12:1). They do not jeer as did the Greek crowds of Paul’s day. Rather as we declare the gospel and see our friends saved, they rejoice with us.

Billy Graham said in his book on angels: "We know they are watching, but in the heat of the battle, I have thought how wonderful it would be if we could hear them cheering."

Our valleys may be filled with foes and tears, but we can lift our eyes to the hills to see God and the angels, heaven’s spectators, who support us according to God’s infinite wisdom as they prepare our welcome home.

Finally, angels escort us to heaven. At death saints are actually taken by angels into the presence of God. These ministering spirits who help us here so often will be with us in our last great battle on earth. "So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried" (Luke 16:22). Notice it says that the beggar was "carried by the angels." He was not only escorted, he was carried. He had lain begging at the gate of the rich man until his death, but then suddenly he found himself carried by the mighty angels of God.

"Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His saints" (Psalm 116:15).

Return to topics

ANGELIC MINISTRY TO THE SAINTS

They bring an answer to prayer

They intervene and step right in when your back is against wall. eg. Shadrack, Meschac. & Abendigo, Daniel, Peter.

Dr. Herbert Lockyer, Jr., in his book on angels, tells of an occasion when he was invited to speak through an interpreter in the morning service at the Rift Valley Academy near Nairobi, Kenya, Africa. After the service a native Mau Mau told him this marvelous story which has been documented and retold in many books on angels including those of Billy Graham and Dr. Renald Showers. It had happened during the Mau Mau uprisings in Africa in the 1950s. One dark night the men of the Mau Mau tribe were climbing the hill up to the school to capture and kill the missionary children, and fulfill one of their vows by eating a white man’s brain. Suddenly men in white robes appeared all round the school, with flaming swords, and the natives ran back down the hill Then the new Christian asked, "Who were these men; were they angels?" A missionary replied, "We do not have enough men on the staff to surround the school, and we have no flaming swords." With wide eyes the natives shouted, "They were angels!" At the trial of the leader of Mau Maus who made that attack the question was asked: "On this particular night did you intent to kill the inhabitants?" "Yes." "Why didn’t you?" "We were on our way to attack and kill, but as we came closer, all of a sudden between us were men dressed in white with flaming swords." They were angels on assignment.

Sometimes they give a word of encouragement

In Acts 27 we have the story of Paul and the storm he encountered at sea. In spite of the winter season, they set sail. Three days later, however, a horrific storm occurred. They tried everything, but soon they were hungry and desperate. Paul is despairing. But then in the morning he gives his "I told you so" speech. Acts 27:21-24 — " But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, "Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. "And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. "For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, "saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.'"

They insulate us. eg. Daniel in lions den

Dr. Renald Showers in his book on angels shares the following story: A veteran missionary tells of an experience she had during a terrorist uprising in the nation where she served. One night while she was in bed in the rear room of the two-room house in which she lived, a terrorist came running through the front doorway with a machete in his hand. When he reached the open doorway to her bedroom, he slammed into a barrier. The man staggered back in a daze. He then tried to run through the open doorway again but experienced the same result. he furiously lashed the open space of the doorway with his machete, but there was nothing there. As a result, he tried to run through the doorway a third time but again ran into an invisible but solid barrier. he finally gave up attempting to enter her bedroom and left. Neither the terrorist nor the missionary saw anything but empty space in the doorway. The missionary concluded that a holy angel blocked that doorway to protect her from harm.

Angels don’t always alter what’s going to happen. They are not a get-out-of-problems free card. In the case of Elijah, Daniel, Jesus, they strengthened but didn’t always deliver. e.g.Martyrs in Hebrews 11.

Angels are there at times for nothing more than to insulate you to get through with victory. You get through it, and you say, "I’m better for it." God allows what’s best, and often it is adversity.

We could call this indirect angelic annoyance. They delay your plans, and what is frustration ultimately becomes a blessing in disguise.

Return to topics

Return to topics

Ever since that spectacular moment when Jesus Christ spoke angels into existence, they have been actively engaged in God’s program on planet earth. They witnessed the fall of man in the Garden of Eden and positioned themselves as guardians at the entrance. They interacted with the patriarchs. They administered God’s judgment in Egypt. They witnessed the giving of the Law on Mt. Sinai. They delivered God’s messages to the prophets. They were observers and participants at the birth, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. They have ministered faithfully to the body of Christ on earth, guarding and guiding them on their pilgrimage.

There is one more thing the angels are doing. They are waiting for the fulfillment of the prophecies they delivered to Daniel, Ezekiel and Zachariah. They wait for the curtain to be raised on the climactic scenes of history, beginning with the rapture of the Church. In Matthew 24:36 Jesus says "of that day and hour knoweth no man, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only."

The angels wait for the announcement from the throne that the time has come for Jesus Christ to bring home His bride. "The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, with the trump of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:16,17). The laws of space, distance and time will cease to be in operation as the saints are transported from earth to heaven. As Christ was seen of angels as He passed through the heavens, so the children of God will be seen in their glorious home-going.

The angels will be onlookers at the judgment seat of Christ, for they, too, watched the believers’ works and witness for Christ on earth. "For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops. 8 "Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. 9 "But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God" (Luke 12:2,3,8,9). Rewards will be given for faithful service. Some will receive crowns and others suffer loss, saved though as by fire. It is a sobering and awesome realization.

As we follow the events in Revelation we find the angels actively involved.

Revelation 5:1-14 — "And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?" And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. But one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals." And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth." Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!" And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: "Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!" Then the four living creatures said, "Amen!" And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever."

The angels watch as the Lamb of God, our risen Lord, opens the seven-sealed book in which are written the judgments for this earth As He breaks the first four seals, each one of the Cherubim says, "Come," and in response the four apocalyptic riders appear. Revelation 6:1; 6:3; 6:5; 6:7.

Then as the seven seals are opened, John describes the terror and tribulation that take place on earth. In Chapter 7 we see angels restraining the four winds of the earth, while another angel seals the 144,000, the remnant of Israel turning to the Lord during the time of Jacob's trouble.

In chapter 8 the final seal is opened. Revelation 8:1-6 — "When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel's hand. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake. So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound."

With each trumpet blast that follows, a judgment falls upon the earth. Chapters 8 through 11 describe the awesome judgments poured out on earth.

Move ahead to the impressive scene of the twelfth chapter.

The time of the Great Tribulation has come. Six angels step onto the stage to administer God’s judgment in an awesome display of power. One announces the everlasting Gospel, the second announces the fall of Babylon, and the third warns against worshipping the beast, the Anti-christ, and his image, and receiving the mark of the beast. The fourth angel comes out of the temple calling for the harvest of the earth, followed by the fifth angel who carried a sharp sickle. The sixth angel then "cries with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for the grapes are fully ripe."

In chapter 15 seven other angels appear, carrying vials filled with the wrath of God. As each angel pours out his vial, a judgment-plague falls upon the earth. It is a time of great anquish and judgment.

As the plagues come to an end, Heaven is once more astir with anticipation. Revelation 19 gives us a great prophetic picture of what the prophets called "the day of the Lord." It is the day of Christ spoke when He said that all earth "shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."

The shout is repeated in verse 3: "Hallelujah!"

In verse 4 the twenty- four elders and the four living creatures fall down and worship saying, "Amen, Hallelujah!"

All of heaven is resounding with praise. Why? Because everything is ready for the great manifestation for which the ages waited. The Lamb's wife, the glorified church, is arrayed in fine linen, clean and white. The archangel Michael is ready as the chief commander of the heavenly hosts to fulfill the role assigned to him (Daniel 12). All the angelic hosts are at attention, awaiting the order to take their places in the train of the King of kings and Lord of lords.

On earth, things are in sad disarray. There has been great desolation and destruction. Now all nations are gathered together against Jerusalem to battle. In the midst of the city a faithful remnant cries out, "Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence" (Isaiah 64:1). They wait for the coming of their King.

The angels recall the prophecy they delivered to Zechariah: "Then shall the Lord go forth and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, ..... and the Lord my God shall come and all the holy ones (angels) with Him" (Zechariah 14:3).

There is a flash of glory as the sign of the Son of Man appears. Surely it must be the Shechinah cloud. A greater glory than the glory which shone around the shepherds the night Christ was born covers the heavens, a glory so great that the physical sun begins to darken. The Sun of Righteousness is about to rise.

The heavens open. The leader and center of all is the Son of God whose name is written on His thigh: King of kings and Lord of lords. With Him are the armies of heaven and the saints of God, all clad in white. The closest to Him is His beloved bride, His body, the Church, and close to the bride, the friends of the bridegroom, the Old Testament Saints. Then as far as human eye can see are the multitude of angels, angels upon angels, the tenants of the heavens, now made visible in His manifestation, and they are a worshipping company.

An angel is seen standing in the sun inviting the birds of prey to the great judgment supper of God. Angels gather out the offending things from His kingdom, separating the good from the bad. Matthew 14:31— "God will send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect (Israel) from the four winds, from one end of heaven unto the other."

Revelation 20:1-15 — "Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while. And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

The scene changes.

Revelation 21:1,2 — "Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband."

Revelation 21:9. "Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, "Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife." This is the last angel mentioned in the Bible. The angel takes John on a tour of the New Jerusalem with all its wonders: the river of water of life, the golden streets, the trees on either side of the river, no curse, no death, no night, no tears.

John is overwhelmed at what he hears and sees. He falls down at the feet of the angel in worship, but the angel reprimands him. Revelation 22:9-11— "See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God." And he said to me, "Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. "He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still."

Let the final message of the angel burn into our hearts. Don’t focus on the angels, focus on the God of the angels. Worship God alone, be righteous, and be holy.

We marvel at the grace of God. He has provided salvation for fallen human beings but not for fallen angels. We who were made lower than the angels are by redemption elevated above the heavenly host. "God has raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:6,7).

There is little doubt that much of this display of grace will be for the benefit of angels. Thus, if their number is indeed as large as it appears, then each redeemed sinner will have a vast congregation of billions of angels to testify to.

2 Thessalonians 1:10 — "He will be glorified in His saints and admired among all those who believe."

2 Timothy 2:12 says we shall reign with Christ, and 1 Corinthians 6:4 says "we shall judge [rule over] angels."

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:35-19)

With the Apostle John we cry, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus."

Return to topics

Reference Works:

Louis Sperry Chafer, Systematic Theology
A.C. Gaebelein, The Angels of God
Herbert Lockyer, All The Angels In The Bible
Renald Showers, Those Invisible Spirits Called Angels
Billy Graham, Angels 

Back to Sermon Archive Page