THE DOCTRINE OF ANGELS

There is an order of celestial beings which occupy a position quite distinct from that of either
God or Man. Far below the Godhead, they nevertheless dwell in an estate above that of fallen Man.
According to Arthur Tappan Pierson in The Bible and Spiritual Life:

God is the all-presiding, all-pervading, uncreated Spirit. Between Him and man there lies an
intermediate realm, inhabited by a higher order of intelligences, neither pure spirit like God, nor so
physically constituted as man. They are called angels, because they appear in Scripture as messengers of
God to man.

And according to Myer Pearlman in Knowing the Doctrines of the Bible:

With lightning speed and noiseless movement they pass from place to place. They inhabit the
spaces of the air above us. Some we know to be concerned with our welfare, others are set on our
harm. The inspired writers draw aside the curtain and give us a glimpse of the invisible world, in order
that we may be both encouraged and warned.

The only source of information which we have of their existence and activities is the Holy
Scriptures; mysticism and philosophy have no word of authority whatever. The Sadducees, a prominent
group in the Jewish Sanhedrin at the time of Christ, did not believe in angels: “For the Sadducees say
there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit…” [Acts 23:8] Inasmuch as all our information about
them comes from the Bible, we do well to learn from all that it says about them, but we must not go
beyond that which is revealed. That they occupy a prominent place in God’s providential administrations
is indicated by the frequency of their mention in the Bible. The Old Testament refers to them 108 times,
while the New Testament mentions them 165 times.

Satan was once a great angel, and we believe that demons are probably fallen angels. Whether
holy or unholy, the Spirit-beings are alike designated “angels.” “And there was war in heaven; Michael
and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels.” {Rev. 12:7} Thus
under the general title ANGELOLOGY, we will deal with 3 areas of consideration: holy angels, fallen
angels [demons], and satan.

ANGELOLOGY

DEFINITION:

The word “angel” whether taken from the Hebrew mal’ak of the Old Testament or from the
Greek angelos of the New Testament, means “messenger.” The holy angels are messengers of God,
while fallen angels are messengers of satan –“ the god of the world”

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THE ORIGIN OF ANGELS:

In distinction from God, the angels are created beings; they have not existed from all eternity.
“Thou, even thou, art Lord alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host…and
the host of heaven worshippeth thee” [Neh 9:6]. “Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his
hosts. Let them praise the name of the Lord; for He commanded and they were created” [Ps.148:2,5].
“For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that on earth, visible and invisible, whether
they be thrones, or dominions ,or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for
Him…[Col.1:16] Angels indeed are among the “invisible” things which God created. As to exactly when
they were created the Scripture is not explicit. It is believed that it is most probable that they were
created on the first day of Creation immediately after the creation of heaven. Genesis 1:1 says: “ In the
beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” While Job 38:4-7 says that “ the sons of God shouted
for joy” when He laid the foundations of the earth, Thus they were there when the earth was created.

THE NATURE OF ANGELS:

1.They are not corporeal

a) They are spirits. They do not have bodies in the sense that Man does. They are said to be
spirits. “Who maketh His angels spirits; His ministers a flaming fire…” [ Ps.104:4]. “Are they not all
ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? [Heb.1:14] In Luke
24:37-39, Jesus said, “ a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as see me have.” But this does not mean that
they are not real individual creatures, both finite and special. However, they stand in a freer relation to
time and space than Man. Many can be present at one time in a very limited space. “And Jesus asked
him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him” [Luke
8:30] They certainly not omnipresent. Each is only in one place at one time.

b) They are not to be worshipped. Except on those very special occasions when God chooses
to allow men to see them, angels are invisible to human sight and men are unconscious of their
presence. It has been suggested that the reason they are mostly invisible is because of the human
tendency to worship them. The Scripture plainly warns against such a practice. We must not worship the
creature rather than the Creator [Romans 1:25]. “Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary
humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up
by his freshly mind…” [Col. 2:18]. This is a practice of the Gnostic heresy.

And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not; I am a
fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the
testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy [Rev. 19:10]

And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I heard and seen, I fell down to
worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Then saith he unto me,
See thou do it not: for I am a fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them
which keep the saying of this book: worship God [Rev 22: 8,9].

c)Angels have,on numerous occasions, assumed the form of human bodies. “Be not

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forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares”[Heb. 13:2. Such a
thing as this verse suggests could not be possible if they did not appear as men. Many occasions when
this became a reality are enumerated throughout the Scriptures. Here are just a few:

And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing
them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground…[Gen. 19:1]

And in the sixth month the Angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city in Galilee, named
Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the
virgin’s name was Mary. [Lk. 1:26,27]

And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the
body of Jesus had lain [Jn. 20:12]

And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way
that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza…[Acts 8:26]

And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote
Peter on the side, and raised him saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
And the angel saith unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith
unto him, Cast thy garment about thee and follow me.[Acts12: 7,8]

c)The Angel of the Lord. The expression “ the angel of the Lord”, which is used throughout the
Old Testament, seems to have a very special significance in relation to the presence of God. It would
seem that this person is the Second Person of the Godhead, Christ Himself in pre-incarnate presence. A
few of these outstanding occasions are here listed.

The angel of the Lord appeared to Hagar as she was fleeing from the house of Abraham [Gen
16:7-14]. Four times in this passage the expression, “ the angel of the Lord” is used, but in verse thirteen
we read: “And she called the name of the Lord that spake unto her, Thou God seest me; for she said ,
Have I also here looked upon Him that seeth me?” Hagar recognized this “ angel of the Lord” as very
God.

He appeared to Abraham when he was about to slay his son Isaac [ Gen. 22: 11-18]. It was God
who told Abraham to go offer his son, and when Abraham lifted up the knife to do so “And the angel of
the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham ,Abraham…Lay not thine hand upon the lad,
neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing that thou hast not
withheld thy son, thine only son from me.” Definitely the “ from me” refers to God.

He appeared to Moses out of the bush which burned, but was not consumed [Ex. 3:2-5] In this
passage we read in verse 2, that “the angel of the Lord” appeared to Moses “ in a flame of fire out of the
midst of the bush.” In verse 4 this same Person called “ God”: “God called unto him out of the midst of
the bush, and said Moses, Moses.”

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 He showed himself to Gideon as he was threshing a little wheat behind the winepress, hiding it
from the Midianites [Jgs 6: 11-23]. In verse 12 we read of “ the angel of the Lord” appearing to Gideon.

In Judges 13: 2-23 is the account of several visits to Manoah and his wife (parents of Samson) of
one who is variously called “ the angel of the Lord,” “ an angel of God,” and “ the man of God,” 12 times
these expressions are used of this One; but in verse 22: “Manoah said unto his wife, We will surely die,
because we have seen God.” As Elijah was fleeing from Jezebel, who had threatened to take his life, he
was weary and slept under a Juniper tree, and the angel of the Lord brought him food [I Kgs 19: 5-7]

2 Kings 19:35 recounts how, as the Assyrian army surrounded the city of Jerusalem, the angel of
the Lord in one night smote 185,000 of the Assyrian soldiers dead.

2. they are a company , not a race

Angels were all created at one time, and there is no propagation among them. They do not die;
thus there is no increase or decrease in their numbers. Jesus made it quite plain that they do not
marry.

And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:
but they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead,
neither marry, nor are given in marriage: neither can they die anymore: for they are equal unto the
angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.[Luke 20: 34-36]

Angels are referred to in the masculine gender, which is always used of those in whom there is
no sexual distinction. Though we read of the “sons of God” we never read of the “sons of angels.”

3.they are vast in number

Their great numbers are indicated in the following scriptures: “But ye are come unto mount Sion,
and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels…”
[Heb. 12:22]. “Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and He shall presently give me more
than 12 legions of angels?” [Mt. 26:53] “And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about
the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was 10,000 times 10,000, and
thousands of thousands…” [Rev. 5:11] Ten thousand times ten thousand is one hundred million.
hundred and four million angels! No doubt the main thought being conveyed by all these verses is that
within the comprehension of man their numbers are innumerable. God, who knows all things, knows the
number of angels.

4. Their abode

While angels are often depicted as ministering in God’s behalf to saints here on earth, it seems
their main abode is in heaven. [Matt. 22:30] “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the
heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will
toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven…” [Lk.2: 13-

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25].”And He saith unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the
angels of God ascending and decending upon the Son of Man.” [ Jn. 1:51]

Jesus spoke of “the angels which are in heaven” [Mk. 13:32], and Paul wrote “But though we or
an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you” [Gal. 1:18]. It would seem that the angels have
a special place in which to dwell in Heaven. Jude writes of “the angels which kept not, their first estate,
but left their own habitation…” [ Jude 6 ].

5.Their personalities

Angels possess every feature of personality. They are individual beings. They are rational beings:
“…My Lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth” [
2 Sm. 14:20]. “Which things the angels desire to look into” [ 1 Pt. 1:12 ]. They render intelligent worship.
“Praise ye Him, all His angels: praise ye Him, all His hosts” [ Ps. 148:2 ]. They possess emotions: “
Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth”
[ Lk 15:10]. They are moral beings created with the ability to know, and do, that which is right and
wrong. They have been rewarded for obedience and punished for disobedience: “For if God spared not
the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be
reserved unto judgment…[2 Pt. 2:4 ]. “And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own
habitation, He hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day”. [
Jude 6]. There was a time of probation during which the angels could choose to obey God or to disobey.
Those who disobeyed were cast out, while those who obeyed were confirmed in their stand for God. We
do not read of any angels falling after the period of probation passed.

6. Their wisdom and power

The angels are represented as having superhuman wisdom and intelligence. “But of that day
and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only” [ Mt. 24:36] This implies
that angels’ knowledge is above Man’s. “…My Lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God,
to know all things that are in the earth” [ 2 Sm. 14:20]; “art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who
thou art; the Holy One of God” [Lk 4:34]. Though the knowledge of angels is great, they are not
omniscient. There are certain things they would like to know: “which things the angels desire to look
into” [ 1 Pt 1:12]

Much is said in the Scriptures concerning the power and strength of the angels, though nowhere
is it indicated that they are omnipotent. Their power is derived from God. “They are unable to do things
which are peculiar to Deity—create, act without means, or search the human heart.” “Bless the Lord, ye
His angels that excel in strength, that do His commandments, hearkening unto the voice of His word”
[Ps103:20] “ Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against
them before the Lord” [ 2 Pt.2:11 ]. And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall
be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels…” [2 Thes. 1:7]. Disciples were delivered from prison by
angels. “But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out”
[Acts 5:19,NIV]. “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 wrists” [Acts 12:7,NIV].

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It has been estimated that the stone which was placed in front of the Lord’s tomb could have weighed
four tons, yet we read: “ There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from
heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it” [Mt 28:2,NIV]. In Revelation 20:1,2,
John tells us, “And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a
great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the devil, and satan,
and bound him a thousand years.” The angels are spoken of as being subservient to Christ. They are “
His mighty angels” [ 2 Thes 1:7]. “ Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and
authorities and powers being made subject unto Him” [1 Pt. 3:22]. “And ye are complete in Him, which is
the head of all principality and power…” [Col 2:10]

THE CLASSIFICATION AND ORGANIZATION OF ANGELS:

Generally speaking all angels maybe classified under two headings: good or evil angels. We shall
consider the good, or Holy Angels.

1. The good angels

a)An apparent variety among them:
[1]Different Positions or Offices.
Comparing the following 3 verses of Scripture, it seems there are 5 different positions or offices of
authority among the angels: thrones, dominions, principalities, authorities and powers. “Far above all
principality and power, and might, and dominion...” [Eph. 1:21 ], “For by him were all things created,
that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible

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