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Preaching the Living WORD through the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4:2 - |
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STUDY OF ANGELS
(ANGELOLOGY) Pastor INTRODUCTION TO ANGELS A. A fascination with angels
is not a new sensation but neither is it one that has ended.
People are as intrigued by angels now as they ever were. Images of angels are
displayed on paintings, prints, T-shirts, and greeting cards. From Broadway
shows to prime time TV, angels remain among us. Store
shelves are full of books revealing the secrets of angels such as, “Angels in
Our Time: Why They're Here, Where to See Them and How to Work with Them,”
“The Angels of the First Heaven: How to Work with the Seven Archangels,”
“Angel Prayers and Messages,” “Angel Forever: How To Keep an Angelic Presence
With You Throughout Your Life,” and “Healing with the Angels.” B. C. Contemporary angels have become guides for
our world and guides into the spirit world. In fact, angels play a part in
our sociology, psychology, and even theology. D. What can we find out about angels from the
Scriptures? Do we know if they were created beings, and if so, when? What is
their purpose? What do they look like and should we be so fascinated with
them? I. DEFINITION OF ANGELS A. The Hebrew word for
“angel” is malak and is used
108 times. It basically means messenger,
representative, or courier. It can refer to a human messenger (1Ki 19:2) or a divine or angelic messenger (Gen 28:12;
Psa 103:20). B. The English word angel is a
transliteration from the Greek word ángelos.
The Greek word ángelos is used 171
times and carries the idea of one who was sent, applying to both angels (Mar
1:13; Luk 4:10) and men (Mar 1:2). C. Thirty-four books of the Bible make some reference to angels, with over three hundred
references found in the Bible altogether. D. Definitions 1. Angels
are created spirit beings that are moral agents and divine messengers. 2. Angels are a distinct order of creation
and have been given a heavenly position, or sphere, above the sphere of man. (Gilley,
Angelology) 3. A personal being who
exists as a spirit, who is more powerful than man in some respects and has
the capability of residing in any place in God's creation as well as in the
presence of God. (Gibson, LBC Notes) E. Some of the names used for
angels are: 1. "Host
or Army" (Gen 32:1,2) 2. "Sons of God" (Job 1:6; 38:7) 3. "Holy ones" (Psa 89:7) 4. "Ministering spirits" (Heb
1:14) 5. "Demons" (Jam 3:15; 1 Ti 4:1) II. CREATION OF ANGELS A. Origin 1. Like
creation, angels were created ex nihilo
which literally means out of nothing (Psa 148:2,5). 2. Christ is attributed with the co-creation
of angels ( 3. All the angels were created at one time,
with no propagation or decrease of angel population (Mat 22:30). B. Timeframe 1. Angels
were created sometime during the creation week (Gen 2:1-2; Exo 20:11). 2. The Bible makes
reference to angels being present during the early part of the
creation week (Job 38:6-7; cp. Gen 1:9-13). Some would see the creation of
angels as "day one" since the realm of angels is in heaven and that was the day the heavens were created. a) The
heavens include all that are in them created by God, and among these must be
the angels (Genesis 2:1).
Among the hosts of heaven the angels are the principal
part. They are expressly called “the heavenly host” and “the armies of
heaven.” (Lockyer,
Herbert, All the Angels in the Bible) b) In addition, compare Neh 9:6. 3. Some
erroneously attempt to place the creation of angelic beings on the fourth
day, calling them the “stars” (Gen 1:16). C. Appearance 1. Angels
are spirit beings without physical bodies. a) They are
called spirits (Heb 1:14; Mat 10:1). b) They do not have flesh and blood (Eph
6:12) c) At times they are visible (Luk 2:13). (1) Sometimes
white in apparel (Luk 24:4; Acts 1:10). (2) Some have wings (Seraphim - Isa 6:2;
Cherubim - Eze 10:5). 2. All
references to angels are referred to in the masculine gender. a) Some see
the reference in Zech 5:9 supporting women angels. b) However, since this passage is part of a
vision, it seems better to take them and the woman in the ephah as symbols. 3. Though
they do not have physical bodies, they can appear in physical bodies (Gen
18:1-2; 19:1, 5). III. NATURE OF ANGELS A. Condition 1. Angels were
originally created holy (Gen 1:31; Mar 8:38) and are even called, “holy ones”
(Deut 33:2; Jud 14). 2. Angels are without physical death (Luk
20:35-36). 3. The angels that did not join Satan’s
rebellion are called the “elect” angels (1Ti 5:21). 4. Satan and the angels that followed his
rebellion are considered “fallen” angels (Mat 12:24, 41). B. Order of Beings 1. Angels
are a higher order of beings because they have greater knowledge and greater
strength than man (Heb 2:6-7; 2Pe 2:11; 1Jo 4:4). 2. Yet angels, as still created beings, do
not have omniscience (Mat 24:36; 1Pe 1:12). C. Personality 1. Angels
have intellect as demonstrated by their awareness of the affairs of men (Dan
9:22-23), God (Job 1:6; 2:1), and Christ (Mat 8:28-29). 2. They have emotions, sensibility, and are
able to express praise and joy (Luk 2:13-14; 15:10), fear (Jam 2:19), and
fury (Rev 12:12). 3. Angels also have volition whereby they
make choices (2Pe 2:4), engage in conflict (Rev 12:7), and worship God (Mat
18:10; Psa 148:2). IV. ORGANIZATION OF ANGELS A. Number 1. The
number of angels is innumerable and are described as “myriads” (Heb 12:22;
Rev 5:11). 2. When angels are gathered together, their
numbers are called an “assembly” (Psa 89:5). B. Ranks 1. 2. Chief Princes (Dan 10:13;) 3. Rulers and Authorities ( 4. Cherubim (Gen 3:24; Exo 25:18; Eze 28:14,
16) 5. Seraphim (Isa 6:2, 6) C. Specific Names 1. Lucifer
(Isa 14:12 - KJV) 2. Michael (Dan 10:13, 21; 12:1; Jud 9; Rev
12:7) 3. Gabriel (Dan 8:16; 9:21; Luk 1:19, 26) 4. Extra-biblical sources a) There are
other names mentioned in extra-biblical sources which
are not inspired nor can be dogmatically relied upon. b) Raphael is mentioned only in the Apocrypha
(Tob 12:12) and is portrayed as guardian angels who
intercedes. c) Apocryphal Jewish books, such as the Book
of Enoch, supply those of Uriel and Jeremiel, while many are found in other apocryphal
sources, like those V. MINISTRY OF ANGELS A. To God 1. Angels worship God and glorify His holiness (Isa 6:3; Heb
1:6). 2. Angels obey and serve God and perform His
word (Psa 103:20). 3. Angels are able to be in the presence of
God (Job 1:6). 4. Angels announce God’s invitation or
message (Rev 14:6-7; 19:17-18). 5. Angels carry out God’s judgment (Gen
19:13; Acts 12:23; Rev 7:1; 8:2; 16:1). B. To Christ 1. Angels announced and were present at Christ’s birth (Mat 1:20;
Luk 2:8-15). 2. Angels ministered to Christ throughout
His life (Mat 2:13-15; Mat 4:11; Mat 26:53). 3. Angels were present at Christ’s
resurrection (Mat 28:1-6; Act 1:10-11). 4. Angels will be present during the Rapture
(1Th 4:16) and Christ’s second coming (2Th 1:7). C. To The Church 1. Angels are ministering spirits who serve those who will
inherit salvation (Heb 1:14). 2. Angels have been used by God to answer
the prayers of believers (Act 12:5-10). 3. Angels have been used to instruct
believers according to God’s direction and will (Acts 8:26; 10:3). 4. Angels watch and observe the mighty power
of God in the affairs of believers (1Co 4:9; Eph 3:10) 5. Angels have been used by God to encourage
believers (Act 27:23-24). 6. Angels are present and attend believers at
death (Luk 16:22). |
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