Angels

Why study angels

To avoid deception

Existence

Their existence is assumed, mentioned more than 165 times in the bible; more than 100 times in the
OT.

Jesus taught of their existence (Mat 26:53)

Historic beliefs

Acts 23:8

Terms

The Hebrew term is malak and angelos in Greek, the basic meaning is messenger. The words are also
applied to human messengers (1Ki 19:2; Luke 7:24)

Origin

Created – Gen 1.1, 2:1, Psalm 148:2,5, Neh 9:6, col 1:16

prior to creation - job 38:7

Probably created at the same time – Mat 22: 30

Nature and character

Spirits – Heb 1:14, 2 kings 6:17, Acts 8:26, 29, 39

Immortal – Luke 20:36

Holy – Job 5:1, Ps. 89:7

But as created they are probably imperfect (Job 4:18; 15 :15).

Said to have a language – (1 cor 13:1)

They are persons with intelligence (Matt.28:5; 1 Pet.1:12,2 Sm 14:20) emotions (Job 38:7; Luke 2:13;
15:10,) and Free will (Jude 6, Rev 12:9, Rev 22:8-9)

Unreservedly obedient to God – Psalm 103:20

A completely different class from humans – Mat 22:30, 1 Cor 6:3, Ps 8:5

Ranks & number

Angels are organized by ranks (eph 1:20-21, Col 1:16) but the details and nature of these ranks are
not Clear. We know there are archangels, but the number is unknown (Jude 9) Cherubim, seraphim
Their number is large - Rev 5:11, Dan 7:10

Gender – Zec 5:9

Special kinds of angels are:

cherubim, who show traits of both men and animals (Gen. 3 :24; Ezek. 1: 5-12; 10:19-;22; 11 :22; Ps.
18:10(11).

seraphim who have 6 wings (Isa 6:2).

Abode

Heaven – Is 6:1-6, Dan 7:10, Heb 12:22

They leave heaven when assigned a task and go back upon completion – 2 kings 6:17

Activity

Messengers – from Greek & Hebrew terms

Fellow servants – Rev 22:9

They minister to believers – Heb 1:14, mark1:12

This service takes many forms

 Answering prayer – Acts 2:17

 Bringing announcements and warnings to God’s people – Luke 1:3, Acts 10:3-33
 Encouragement – Acts 27:23-24
 Guidance – gen 19:17
 Deliverance – Act 12:7, PS 34:7, deu 33:2
 Protection – Ps 91:11
 Comfort – Gen 32:1-2
 Caring for believers at death - Luke 16:22
 mediators of revelation (Zech. 1 :9, 11 ff.; 2:2-5 (2:6-9)
 Believers may have guardian angels (Mt 18:10, Act 12:15), this is not definitive.
 Directly assisted apostles and prophets – 1 king 19:15, Dan 6:22, mat 4:11
 Engage in spiritual warfare – rev 12:7

Among unbelievers, angels restrain wickedness (Gen 19:115), announce God’s judgment (rev 14:7-
10), execute God’s judgments (Acts 12:23, rev 16:1-18) and In the end times cast them into the
blazing furnace (mt 13:37-43)

Angels surround God's throne and fill the heavenly world with songs of praise (Rev. 5:11; 7:11).

Glorify God – Job 38:7, ps 148:2, Rev 5:11

Reveal and communicate God’s message to Humans – Act 7:53, Gal 3:19, Heb 2:2

seem to be present within the church (1 cor 11:10)

Worship God (Matt. 18:10; Heb. 1:6; Rev. 5:11)

spreading false doctrine (1 Ki. 22:21-23; 2 Thess. 2:2; 1 Tim. 4:1)

Execute judgement on the enemies of God (2 kings 19:35,2 sam 24:16, exo 14:19-20, Acts 12:23,
Revelations,)

Rejoice in the works of God – luke 15:10

Watched over Israel- dan 12:1

National Guardians – (Dan. 10:13,21) (Deu 32: 8-9)

Probably "the angels of the churches" (Rev. 1 :20; 2:1 etc.) are really angels and not pastors.

Luke 2:14,28:2, Acts1:10

destroying angels" (Ps. 78: 49)

ministers of death" (Job. 33: 22)

Why they should not be worshiped

Heb 1:5-29 makes it clear that Christ is superior

Angels caution people not to worship them Rev 19:10,22:6

They were created – psalm 148:2,5

Scripture commands us not to – col 2:18

Elijah prayed to God instead of angels – 2 kings 6:18

Ability & Limitations

Can take on human form –Gen 18:1-8, Heb 13:2, mk 16:5,luke 24:4

Super powerful – PS 103:20, 2 Pet 2:11,2 chronicles 32:21, 2Ki 19:35, Acts 2:7-11 but limited ps
72:18, 1 thes 1:7

High Intelligence - 2 Sm 14:20, Gal 3:19, Daniel, Zachariah and revelation (the fact that angels
interpreted mysteries to prophets and apostles shows a higher intelligence)

Not omnipresent – Dan 9:21-23, Zech 1:11

Limited knowledge – Mat 24:36, 1 pet 1:12

Not omniscient – Dan 10:3

Can blind humans – Gen 19:11

Humans and Angels

Humans don’t become angels when they die – 1 Co 6:3, 13:1

Appearances to humans

they have human form (Mk 16:5; Lk 24:4), are robed in white garments (Mt 28:3; Mk 16:5; Jn 20:12),
radiate light (Mt 28:3; Lk 24:4), praise God (Lk 2:13-14), bring messages to God’s people, and cause
fear and trembling in those who encounter them (Mt 28:1-8; Mk 16:5-8; Lk 1:11-12; 2:9-10; 24:5)

Angel of the lord

Seems to be indistinguishable from Yahweh himself (see Gen 16:7,11, 13; 22:1-18; Num 22:22-35).
However, judges seems to be making a distinction (judges 6:23)

In one important passage this angel is said to carry God’s name (Ex 23:20-21).

Gabriel

In Hebrew the name comes from the root geger (man or strong) together with 'el (God). This
suggests two meanings: man of God, or God is strong. In the OT Gabriel appears only in Daniel, and
there as a heavenly messenger who makes his appearance as a man (Dan. 8: 16, 9: 21). His functions
are to reveal the future by interpreting a vision (8: 17), and to give understanding and wisdom to
Daniel himself (9:22).

Micheal

The name probably means "who is like God ?". The Michael who is to be found in the NT appears in
the OT only in Daniel. Like Gabriel, he is a celestial being, but he has special responsibilities as the
champion of Israel against the rival angel of the Persians (Dan. 10:13,20), and he leads the heavenly
armies against all supernatural forces of evil in the last great battle (12:1).

Various facts

In the afterlife Christian will judge them

The son is not the same as angels - Heb 1