Angels were created by GOD in the beginning, when He created the Heavens and the Earth, as ambassadors, servants and messengers of GOD. They are mentioned 116 times in the Old Testament, and number in the billions, Heb.12-22, Rev. 5-11, Matt. 26-53. It is specifically said that they are ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation, (that is us!) Heb. 1-14, and it is quite right to ask our Father to send them to watch over us and particularly our children.
The following will show how important they are to us in the Kingdom of Heaven.
He (GOD) maketh His angels spirits, his ministers a flame of fire”. Ps.104-4, Heb. 1-7.
They excel in strength, do GOD’S commandments, hearken to His voice, Ps.103-20, 2 Pet.2-11
They worship GOD, Ps.148-2, Rev. 5-11/12, – and protect the saints of GOD, Ps.34-7
They are given charge over us, to keep us in all our ways, Ps.91-11
The angels that care for children have direct access to the Father in Heaven Matt. 18-10.
They carry our spirits after death direct to Paradise, Luke16-22.
They eat “angels food” Ps.78-25. They do not marry, Matt.22-30 Mark 12-25.
They desire knowledge of the glories GOD has given us. 1 Pet. 1-12.
They are GOD’s reapers who gather the tares, all the wicked, for judgment, Matt.13-39/42
1st mention of angels in the Bible is when the “angel” of the LORD” appeared unto Hagar, the bondwoman, Gen. 16-7/11, altho’ God spoke directly to Adam, Noah, and Abraham before this, note Gen. 18-1/2 “the LORD appeared as three men (a theophany of the godhead ?)’ Gen.19-2, Two went down to Sodom, and called Lot and his family out of that city of sin. Today Sodomites are called “gay”!
It is well to remember that sodomy is an abomination to GOD, Lev. 18-22 & 20-13, and while there is forgiveness for those who truly repent, the end of those who don’t is in the lake of fire! Read Rev. 21-8.
Jacob at Bethel dreamed of a ladder ascending to Heaven, with the angels of GOD ascending and descending on it, and called it the “house of GOD”; Gen. 28 11/17; see John 1-51 and ref. to JESUS, through whose Sacrifice He becomes the ladder by which we ascend into Heaven.
The angels met Jacob, Gen. 32-1 and he wrestled with One, 32-24/30, and asked His Name but was told it was ”Secret and Wonderful”; compare Jud. 13-17/18; an angel appeared to Manoah & his wife, v.2-16, who also asked after the Angel’s name, and was told it was “Secret “, before He ascended in the flame.
There are many other instances of angels in the Old Testament which can be found in your concordance. There are also 92 refs. to Cherub (pl. Cherubim) who seem to be “super-angels” close to GOD; they are never mentioned as being more than four in number, as in Ezekiel, chaps.1 & 10, their faces corresponding with the four standards of Israel, the four faces of JESUS depicted in the gospels, and the four living creatures of Rev. ch.4 & 5. Most references are to the two cherubim made of gold as part of the Mercy Seat over the Ark, in the Holy of Holies both in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple.
There are also 2 ref’s. to Seraphim in Isa. 6- “above the throne”; the Heb. word = “fiery figures”
In the New Testament angels are mentioned 179 times. 52 in the gospels, 21 in Acts, 30 in the Epistles, and 76 in Revelation. They first appeared to Zachariah in the Temple and foretold the birth of John the Baptist, Luke 1-11; in v.26, Gabriel, probably the same angel, told Mary she was to bear the Saviour. A host of them appeared to the shepherds in the field as the glad tidings of His birth were announced, Luke 2-8/14 They ministered to JESUS after He was tempted by the Devil, Matt. 4-11
An angel was sent to bring healing John 5-4. and to JESUS to strengthen Him in his agony, Luke 22-4
GOD so loved His Son He would have sent 12 legions of angels to rescue Him if asked, (who could have wiped out the whole roman Army) “BUT! Then how would the Scriptures be fulfilled!” Matt.26:53”
In the resurrection we will be equal to the angels as children of GOD, Luke 20-36.
There is joy in the presence of the angels of GOD over one sinner that repenteth. Luke 15-10.
JESUS said “Whosoever shall confess Me before men, him shall the Son of Man confess before the angels of GOD; likewise if we deny Him, He shall deny us before the angels. Luke 12-8/9
Angels will accompany JESUS when He returns in Glory to judge the nations. Matt.25-31.
The apostles were released from prison by an angel, Acts. 5-19, and later so was Peter, Acts 12-4/10.
An angel gave directions to Philip resulting in the conversion of the Ethiopian treasurer, Acts.8-26/39.
Cornelius was told by an angel to call for Peter, and thus he and his household were saved, Acts 10-3
Herod was smitten dead by the angel of the LORD because he gave not GOD the glory, Acts. 12-23
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entered angels unawares. Heb.13-2.
In Revelation there are many ref’s to angels; sometimes they refer to our LORD Himself, as in Rev, 10-1, where the description fits none other, as He roars with the voice of a lion, and the 7 Thunders of Judgment give forth their message before the final 3-1/2 years, the “Day of Vengeance of our GOD” Isa.61-2,
(the first 3-1/2 years was JESUS’ ministry on Earth when He brought the message of salvation, Isa. 61-1/2 and Luke 4-16/21). This is the true interpretation of Daniel’s 70th week, Dan. 9-27.
We now come to the dark side of Angels. Tradition has it that there were 12 Archangels, of whom are Michael & Gabriel, but there was another, evidently very high in rank, once called Lucifer, the Son of the Morning, who in an absolute evil action, treacherously rebelled against the Most High and Most Holy GOD of the Universe and in so doing seduced a third of the angels with him; Isa. 14-12/15. Rev.12-3/4 & 9.
Gen.6-2 tells of the Nepthalim, generally believed to be fallen angels; Jude 6 speaks of fallen angels who kept not their first estate, and are kept in chains unto the judgment of the great day.
Satan is called the prince of this world, John 12-31, 14-30, the prince of the power of the air, Eph.2-2, a liar and murderer from the beginning, John 8-44, and he is the enemy of all mankind, especially those who are of the -household of faith; he hates us with a vicious hatred; you see it coming out in his religion, which is one of lies, violence, murder and the denigration of women. We are in a battle against the enemy.
We are told in Eph. 6-11/18 to put on the whole armour of GOD, to wrestle against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
We are to resist the devil, stedfast in the faith, 1 Pet.5-8/9, “neither give place to the devil”, Eph.4-27,
“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” Jas.4-7, for “ GOD shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly”
Rom.16-20. False apostles can be deceived because “Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light”
2 Cor. 11-14. Col.2-18 warns us not to be “beguiled into a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels”.
So we have to be on our guard against the wiles of the devil; “but thanks be to GOD, who giveth us the victory (“always causeth us to triumph”) through our LORD JESUS CHRIST.” 1 Cor. 15-57, the enemy has been defeated, when JESUS bore our sins, went down to Hell, took from Satan the keys of death and Hell, Rev.1-18, set the captives free, Eph.4-8/10, rose triumphant over the grave, and gave us the victory.!
“None of the (evil) princes of this world knew (the wisdom of GOD), for had they known it they would not have crucified the LORD of GLORY, 1 Cor. 2-7/8 In Matt.21-38, is described is parabolic form the plot “to kill the heir and seize on His inheritance”. Satan thought that by killing JESUS he would be sole ruler of the Earth. It was his greatest mistake !
May this study give us a greater vision of the Kingdom of GOD
Study given on 22 September 2011 by Alfred Curtis
100 Bible Studies - Alfred Emmerson Curtis 