Angelology: The Doctrine of Angels
1.
Introduction
2.
Terms Used
3.
Origin, Nature and Number
4.
Angels are Spirit Beings
5.
Good and Evil Angels
6.
Organization of Angels
7.
Special Angels
8. Ministry of Angels
9.
Do
we have guardian angels?
10.
Watchfulness of Angels
11. Angelic Conflict and Problem of Evil
12.
Are
there Female Angels?
13.
Lessons from Angels
14. What about Today?
1. Introduction
We must not think that man is the highest of all creation. Just as there is difference between man and lower forms of life; there is also a difference between man and angles, a higher form of life.
“Angelology” is the study of angels. It is a Bible topic. Mentioned 397 times, 212 in the Old Testament, 185 times in the New Testament.
Hebrew word – Malik = messenger, agent
Greek word – Angelos = messenger, agent
English word – Angel = messenger
A Simple Definition
Angels are spiritual beings created by God to serve Him, though created higher than man. Some, the good angels, have remained obedient to Him and carry out His will, while others, fallen angels, disobeyed, fell from their holy position, and now stand in active opposition to the work and plan of God.
2. The Terms Used of Angels
Angel – Ex. 33:2
Holy Ones – Dan. 4:17
Host – 2 Sam. 5:10; Gen. 2:1
Difficult Terms
Sons of God – Job 1:6; Job 38:7
Angel of the Lord – While any angel that could be sent to execute the commands of God might be called the angel of the Lord (2 Samuel 24:16; 1 Kings 19:5,7 yet mention is made of an (singular) angel of the Lord that is also called God. In most instances we are led to think of a certain angel who is:
Distinguished
from Jehovah and yet is identified with him.
Genesis 16:1-11,13
Points to note:
Genesis 18:2-4,13,14,33
Genesis 22:11,12,15,16
Genesis 31:11,13
Exodus 3:2-4 Angel is God of your father, the God of Abraham
Joshua 5:13-15; 6:2
Zechariah 1:10-13; 3:1-2
Who revealed the face of God – Genesis 32:30
In whom was Jehovah's Name – Exodus 23:20-21
And whose presence was equivalent to Jehovah's presence –
Exodus 32:34; 33:14
Isaiah 63:9
“The Angel of the Lord thus appears as a manifestation of Jehovah himself, one with Jehovah and yet different from him.” (Westminster Dictionary of the Bible, page 29, article Angel)
Used in ways other than spirit beings
Human messengers – Luke 7:24; James 2:25
Impersonal agent – 2 Cor. 12:7
To the 7 churches – Revelation chapters 2 & 3
Often God choose an ordinary word for a special purpose and meaning.
Church, baptism, and angel are examples
3. The Origin, Nature and Number of Angels
Created Beings – Psalm 148:1-5
Time of their creation – Job 38:4-7
Agent of their creation – John 1:1-3; Col. 1:16
Nature
Not to reproduce – Mark 12:25
Not subject to death like man – Heb. 9:27
Simultaneous creation – Psalm 148:5
Innumerable Number Heb. 12:22; Rev. 5:11; Dan. 7:10
4. Angels are Spirit Beings
Where they are – Mark 13:32; Rev. 10:1
Not physical, material – Heb. 1:14; Luke 20:34-36
Their Appearance – Num. 22:27-31
Their Holiness – Mark 8:38
The are Creature-like – Rev. 22:8-9
Their Personalities – able to choose, Jude 6; 1 Pet. 1:12
Their Abilities and Powers – Matt. 24:36; Gal. 3:19
Their Position – Heb. 2:7-9; Heb. 1:4-6
5. The Division of Angels (Good and Evil)
Rev. 12:4
Isaiah 14:11-15
Ezekiel 28:13-16
Rev. 12:7-9
6. The Organization of Angels
The Fact of Organization – Dan. 10:13; Jude 9
The Classifications of Angels
Wicked – Eph. 6:12
Cherubim – highest order or class, protectors of God’s presence, sovereignty and holiness; Gen. 3:24; Ex. 25:17-20
Seraphim – Literal “burning ones” – Is. 6:2-3
Individual Angels
Michael – Dan. 10:13; 12:1; Jude 9
Gabriel – Dan. 9:21; Luke 1:26-27
Satan – Isaiah14:9-15
7. Special Angels
Connected with Judgment – 7 plagues (Rev. 7 – 8); Rev. 14:18; 20:1-2
Connected with the Church – Rev. 2 – 3; Rev. 1:16 & 20
8. Ministry of Angels
In Relation to God – Provide service to God, attendants around the throne, waiting to serve Him, and do what He commands. Ps. 103:20; Rev. 5:11-12; Job 1:6; Job 2:1
In Relation to Nations – Dan. 4:17; Dan. 10:20-21
In Relation to Christ
Birth – Luke 1:26
Suffering – Matt. 4:11; Luke 22:43
Resurrection – Luke 24:5-7
Coming Again – 1 Thess. 4:16; Matt. 25:31; Matt, 13:41-42
In Relation to Unrighteous – Gen. 19:13; Acts 12:23; Rev. 16:1
In Relation to Christians – Heb. 1:14; Acts 10:3; Acts 27:23-24
9. Do we have guardian angels?
Response: Whenever I’m asked why bad things happen to us, I have to admit that I don’t have a full answer to that question. Evil is real, and none of us are free from its devastation.
But the Bible does tell us that for the believer nothing happens outside God’s control–and yes, if we know Christ, His angels continually watch over us. The Bible says that God “will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways” (Psalm 91:11). It also teaches that the angels–although they are largely unseen–watch over us and work for our good. The Bible says, “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14).
They can appear, assist in some way without us knowing that it was an angel. (Hebrews 13:2)
Rather than only one angel, therefore, God surrounds us with a host of angels to protect us and go before us. Even when hard times come, Satan can never snatch us away from their protection–and some day they will escort us safely to heaven. The reality of God’s angels should give us great confidence in the Bible’s promises.
While the angels are real, we are not to become preoccupied with them or to worship them. Only God is worthy of our worship, and only Christ saves us. Trust Him alone as your Savior, for “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
10. Watchfulness of Angels
Fact of their Watchfulness – Luke 15:10; 1 Tim. 3:16; 1 Pet. 1:12
Objects of their Watchfulness – Creation Ps. 38:7; Jesus’ life 1 Tim. 3:16
The Reasons for their Watchfulness
God’s Purpose Stated – Heb. 2:5-8; Ps. 8:4-6
God’s Purpose Delayed – Gen. 3:15
God’s Purpose Fulfilled – Heb. 2:9-14
Satan’s as the Slanderer – Rev. 12:10; John 8:44
A Reason for Man – Rom. 3:21-26; Col. 2:12-15
Victory Anticipated – 1 Cor. 15:54-57; 1 Jn. 5:4; Rev. 15:2
11. Angelic Conflict and the Problem of Evil
God cannot lie – Titus 1:2
God does not tempt – James 1:13
Sin comes from freedom to choose – Gen. 3:1-3
We are NOT God – Job 38:1-4; Job 40:1-2; 40:5-6
Who can accuse God? – Job 40:1-2; 4-5; 7-9
12. Are there Female Angels?
Zechariah 5:9 is the only passage I know of that ‘might suggest’ angels ever appeared as females. We are not told that they are angels, this may simply be a vision given to Zechariah. There was an angel standing with Zechariah, but this does not prove that the two women were actually angels. They may simply be those who represent forces of evil because of the prevalent spirit of commercialism. On the other hand, they could represent agents of God who remove the commercialism from Israel and transport it to Babylon.
13. Lessons from Angels
Negative Lessons
Satan was created beautiful, perfect, and sinless. So were we!
Satan choose to rebel, disobey, lead other angels to rebel. So do we!
If Satan could and did, so can we. CAUTION!!!
1 Tim. 3:6-7
Positive Lessons
Most references to angels are about their activity as God directs.
BUT: They are constantly seen in the activities of worship, adoration of God and in humble service to the will of God.
14. FINALLY – WHAT ABOUT TODAY?
(Psalm 34:7) The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them.
(Matthew 18:10) "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.
(Hebrews 1:14) Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?
(Luke 4:10) For it is written: 'HE SHALL GIVE HIS ANGELS CHARGE OVER YOU, TO KEEP YOU,'
(Psalm 91:11) For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.
(Psalm 91:12) In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
(Luk 16:22) 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.