Angels and their Involvement in Mens Lives

David Martnez Barraza

English Pace 1132 May 20, 2009

OUTLINE What are angels, what do they do, and what is their power, influence, and effect over mens lives? I. The Holy Angels A. Their Definition B. Their Origin 1. Their Original Creation 2. Their Original State C. Their Nature 1. Their Personality 2. Their Physical Condition 3. Their Spiritual Condition 4. Their Powers D. Their Position 1. In Relation to the Son of God 2. In Relation to man E. Their Organization 1. Their Names 2. Their Ranks 3. Their Special Mentions 4. Their Number F. The Angel of Jehovah G. Their Ministry 1. In relation to God 2. In relation to Christ 3. In relation to Men H. Their Destiny The Fallen Angels A. Their Definition B. Their Head 1. His Origin 2. His Names 3. His power and Activity C. Their Works 1. Their Service to his Chief 2. Their Opposition of God 3. Their Oppression of Mankind 4. Their Opposition of the saints 5. Their Subjection to God D. Their Destiny Their Interaction with Men
A. Mens relationship toward angels B. Mens Defense Against Satan and Fallen Angles

II.

III.

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Angels and their Involvement in Mens Lives

A celebrated Philadelphia neurologist had gone to bed after an exceptionally tiring day. Suddenly he was awakened by someone knocking on his door. Opening it he found a little girl, poorly dressed and deeply upset. She told him her mother was very sick and asked him if he would please come with her. It was a bitterly cold, snowy night, but though he was bone tired, the doctor dressed and followed the girl. As the Readers Digest reports the story, he found the mother desperately ill with pneumonia. After arranging for medical care, he complemented the sick woman on the intelligence and persistence of her little daughter. The woman looked at him strangely and then said, My daughter died a month ago. She added, Her shoes and coat are in the clothes closet there. Amazed and perplexed, the doctor went to the closet and opened the door. There hung the very coat worn by the little girl who had brought him to tend to her mother. It was warm and dry and could not possibly have been out in the wintry night.i Was this little girl an angel? Did God send an angel in the form of a girl to help this woman? It was a tragic night in a Chinese city. Bandits had surrounded the mission compound sheltering hundreds of women and children. On the previous night the missionary, Miss Monsen, had been put to bed with a bad attack of malaria, and now the tempter harassed her with questions: What will you do when the looters come here? When firing begins on this compound, what about those promises you have been trusting?Miss Monsen prayed, Lord, I have been teaching these young people all these years that Thy promises are true, and if they fail now, my mouth shall be forever closed; I must go home. Throughout the next night she was up, ministering to frightened refugees, encouraging them to pray and to trust God to deliver them. Though fearful things happened all around, the bandits left the mission compound untouched. In the morning, people from three different neighborhood families asked Miss Monsen, Who were those four people, three sitting and one standing, quietly watching from the top of your house all night long? When she told them that no one had been on the housetop, they refused to believe her, saying, We saw them with our own eyes! She told them that God still sent angels to guard His children in their hour of [Link] Were these four people angels sent by God? There are many questions about angels, and many people today make their own conclusions. We really dont know if the little girl was an angel or if the four watchmen were angels, but it is important to know that angels exist. God, through His Word, reveals to us that angels are real and that they have a special purpose in Gods plans. Many people do not believe in the existence of angels but if the Word of God mentions that they are real, then we should believe it. Fred Dickason, in his book, Angels: Elect & Evil, mentions that in 34 of the 66 books of the Bible there are specific references to

#4 angels, in 17 books in the Old Testament and in 17 books in the New Testament. The word angel is used 108 times in the Old Testament and 165 in the New. To those who respect the Word of God, the evidence for angels and demons is so widespread and substantial that it is positively [Link] Angels have power over many things in this world; they influence the lives of men, and produce an effect on the life of each man, an effect that sometimes is not visible but it is a great one. First of all, what is an angel? Many people talk about angels, but what is an angel and what does the word angel mean? Many people, influenced by this world, believe what they like about angels, and many people have a wrong idea of what an angel is. Summarizing what Dickason says, the people of this world tell us that angels see all, hear all, and know all. They help us to find secret knowledge and power, and they will show us the truth and the real meaning of life. They are either messengers of God or the spirits of dead people, and they can impart to us their great learning and experience. They save us from disasters, keep us from danger, and care for our physical health. The most important thing is they love us. Attractive, is not it? Satan does not set his traps with unattractive bait, nor does he announce that there is evil and death in every [Link] Certainly what people believe is not based on the Word of God. Angels, based on the Bible, are different from what people believe. C.I. Scofield in The New Scofield Reference Bible says that the Hebrew word used for angel simply means messenger. The basic meaning of the word is one who is sent.v So an angel simply is a messenger. According to the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, the term angel in both Hebrew and Greek is also applied to human messengers, and in Hebrew it is used in singular for divine messengers and in plural for human messengers, but there are some [Link] There are some other passages that use the word malak (Hebrew) or angelos (Greek) in reference to human messengers, but in the English Bible these terms were translated as messengers. Also, the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia says that when the term angel refers to a divine messenger in the New Testament, most of the times it is accompanied by some phrase that makes the meaning more clear; Matthew 24:36 uses the term angels of heaven to make the statement [Link] In the English Bible the word angel most of the time refers to a divine messenger, and not to a human messenger. An angel is a messenger of God. The Bible talks about these divine messengers and their origin. God is the only being who has existed always. Angels are created beings, and the Bible says clearly that they were created by God. Psalm 148:2,5 says, Praise Him, all His angels, praise Him all His hostsfor He commanded and they were [Link] God created all things on earth and all things in heaven. Christ acted as Gods creative agent. Colossians 1:16 says For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for [Link] When were angels created? The Bible does not mention exactly when the angels were created, but Dickason erexplains a possibility of when angels were created. He explains that the Bible indicates that all angels were created at or near the same time. The Greek word aorist from the word translated created in Colossians 1:16 may indicate an act or a culminated or a series of acts completed in time past. The Scripture doesnt say the exact time of their creation, but we know from Job 38:4,7 that the sons of God (referring to angels) shouted for joy at the creation of the earth. Also Satan, an angelic creature, appears on the scene in Genesis 3. From this we deduce that God created all angels before He created the earth.x Angels were created by God with certain characteristics. Charles C. Ryrie in his book Basic THEOLOGY says, Originally all angelic creatures were

#5 created holy. God pronounced His Creation good and, of course, He could not create sinEven after sin entered the world, Gods good angels, who did not rebel against Him, are called holy. The atmosphere in which they lived and served was, until the sin of atan, without the imperfections and taint of sin.!"i They were set apart for God for they were created for Him. #ngels are creatures limited li$e men. %ne limitation is that of space&they do not possess omnipresence. They also have the limitation of power. God is omnipotent but angels are not, although angels are greater in power than man. #lthough they are intelligent beings even more than man is, they have a limitation of $nowledge. #ngels are creatures, but what $ind of creatures are they' The (ible gives us some conclusions and some tentative ones about the nature of angels. )irst of all we must consider the angels as persons. )red *ic$ason e"plains why angels have personality. He says, The definition of personality does not find its roots in what man is, but in what God is. God is basically a person. Scripture reveals God as having one essence and manifesting His existence in three persons. This is the doctrine of the Trinity in which we recognize God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. As person, God has the ability to create persons other than the persons of the Godhead. It is conceivable that these persons may be human or angelic. xii Also, he explains that Scripture demonstrates that Gods personality is manifested in the possession and manifestation of three faculties, which are intellect, sensibility, and will. All individuals are the result of Gods creation, so they have the personality of God. We can call something a person if it has intellect, sensibility and will, as God has [Link] Angels have intelligence, and a great desire to learn more. 1 Peter 1:10-12 says that they have a desire to know about the salvation of men. Also, demons, who are fallen angels knew who Jesus was when He was in the world. In 2 Samuel 14:20, a woman told David that he was wise, according to the wisdom of the angel of God. Charles Ryrie explains this wisdom and knowledge of angels. He says, #ngels gain $nowledge through long observation of human activities. +nli$e humans, angels do not have to study the past, they have e"perienced it. Therefore, they $now how others have acted and reacted in situations and can predict with a greater degree of accuracy how we may act in similar circumstances. The e"periences of longevity give them greater $nowledge.!"iv #ngels, also show emotions. They shouted for -oy when the .ord /esus born. #ngels also show emotion when a sinner is saved. .u$e 01203 says, 4Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. Like man, angels have will and can choose whom to serve. Some angels, lead by Satan, chose to rebel against God. Although, angels are persons, they are not like men but are spirit beings. Dickason says, Angels belong to the class of spirit beings, that is, they are generally understood as immaterial and incorporeal beings. They certainly do not have a material, fleshy body such as humans have. This follows from the fact that angels are described by Hebrews 1:14 as all ministering spirits, and demons, assumed to be fallen angels, are called evil spirits and unclean [Link] What do angels look like? People draw angels to look like humans but with wings like birds, and demons, usually with wings of bats. Not necessarily because birds wings are better than bats wings, but because people like birds more than bats. It seems a common conception that angels have wings, but do angels really have wings? Is there any part in the Bible that tells us that angels have wings? The Bible describes some angels with wings. Isaiah 6:2, 6 describes the seraphim as angelic beings with six wings each one; with two each one covered his face, with two they covered his feet, and with two they flew about his duties. Ezekiel also described another class of angels as having wings. He describes the cherubim with four faces and four wings each, with hands under their wings. Ezekiel says that they ran back and forth like a flash of lightning.

#6 Their wings evidently provided the motion and also the noise of many waters, as a sound from God, and like an army moving. When they stood, they let down their wings. Some people say that angels do not use their wings to fly, but we certainly know that they have wings. People draw them with a human form because man is the only rational creature that we know. Raphael, who was an Italian Renaissance painter, drew angels to look like pudgy babies. But the Bible usually presents angels as beings who instill respect. Angels probably have spiritual bodies. Martyn-Lloyd Jones, in his book Dios Padre, Dios Hijo, says that angels have bodies; they have spiritual bodies, as Christians will have spiritual [Link] 1 Corinthians 15:44 talks about a spiritual body that believers will have. Angels probably have spiritual bodies with certain limitations and also with certain privileges. Dickason says, Angels are subject to spatial limitationsand are sometimes seen by men. It may be that angels have some sort of body structure not known to man as of now. A body that operates by principles other than ours is not [Link] As spirit beings, they are immortal, as Luke 20:36 mentions. Angels are apparently without sex. From Matthew 22: 28-30 we can learn that angels do not procreate and are not a race, so they are without sex in the human sense of the word. In the Bible most of the time angels are described as men, and the masculine pronoun is used of them. The only passage that may seems to make reference to angels as having the likeness of woman is in Zechariah 5:9-11. An important thing about angels is their spiritual condition. Angels are in two types of moral categories. They are according to their nature holy, or evil, unclean spirits. Dickason talks about the moral choice of angels to do evil or to remain holy. Some of them rejected their holy character and their holy surroundings, and used their God-given power of choice in rebellion against God. They chose to follow Satan. Their decision to remain loyal to God or to rebel with Satan seems to have been permanent in effect. All angels, good or evil, now continue in their respective states as nonviolable and their condition is unchangeable. The fact that God called some angels elect, as 1 Timothy 5:21 mentions, means that God confirmed the ones who remain loyal in [Link] Angels who decided to follow Satan, are lost and they cannot obtain salvation like men. Graham says, God made provision for the salvation of fallen men, but He made no provision for the salvation of fallen [Link] Summarizing Dickason there is no record in the Bible of any angel ever being delivered from sin. It only tells, in Colossians 2:14-15, of Christs death on the cross as their judgment. Second, Hebrews 2:16 says that Christ did not give aid to angels and verse 11 tells us that Christ came to save his brethren. Christ came to the earth to be like man in order to save [Link] The great power of angels is also part of their nature. They have powers greater than man, but limited by God. The Bible mentions the great power of angels and that the Lord Jesus will return for His church with his mighty angels. A power is that they can appear to humans. This ability is subject to the will of God but also operative at the will of the angel. Angels appear in different forms. They appeared to Joseph in dreams, and in visions as Isaiah experienced. Also, on one occasion a young man was granted with a supernatural vision to see an angelic army surrounding and protecting him and the prophet Elisha. But they can appear in natural sight too. They appear in the form of men. Abraham welcomed three men, and treated them as men. They even ate as men but they were angels (19:1). Angels also appear in a form that makes men tremble. The angel that appeared to Daniel had a general appearance of a man, but had a supernatural splendor that made Daniel faint. They appear in form as unusual living creatures. In Revelation 4:6-8, what are probably angelic creatures are pictured as having many eyes and faces resembling a lion, a calf, a man, and an eagle. When angels appear they produce a great effect

#7 upon men, and sometimes on the earth. Matthew 28 mentions that there was a great earthquake because an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and removed the stone on Jesus tomb. His appearance was like lightening and his clothes white as snow, and the guards were so afraid that they became as dead men. Even a donkey became afraid when an angel appeared to him. Another power of angels is that they can be in Gods presence. They have this great privilege. Job 1:6 says, Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lordxxi The sons of God, who are angels, can present themselves before God. Graham says, Angels do not spend all their time in heaven. They are not omnipresent, so they can be in only one place at a given time. Yet as Gods messengers they are busy around the world carrying out Gods orders. Is it not, therefore, obvious that when they are engaged in their ministry here they cannot stand before Gods throne? But when angels do stand before the throne of God, indeed they worship and adore their [Link] Angels also can move from one place to another quickly. 2 Kings 19 mentions how an angel destroyed an army in one night. Exodus 12:29 mentions how the angel of Jehovah, at midnight, killed the firstborn in Egypt. Great speed is required to do such a task. The Bible also mentions in the whole book of Revelation how angels will be through all the earth executing the judgments of God during the Great Tribulation. There are some who suppose, by prejudice of mind or by ignorance of the Scriptures, that Christ, the Son of God, is the first and highest of all Gods angelic creatures. This tragic error is degrading to the Son and deceptive to the saints. The Scriptures set forth an obvious and extensive contrast between Christ and [Link] There is a contrast in essence, because Jesus is God; the creator of everything. The book of Hebrews presents Christs superiority and in the first chapter there is an emphasis on his superiority over angels. After presenting Him as the fullness of Gods glory, the exact likeness of Gods person, the Creator of all, and the great Redeemer, the author speaks of the Son having become much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they. The book of Hebrews shows seven quotations from the Old Testament to demonstrate the superiority of Christ over angels. These are introduced by the question For to which of the angels did He ever say The answer is made clear in the following text: No angel can qualify for the position and dignity ascribed to the Son of [Link] As verse 14 says, angels are all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation; they do spiritual service to Christ as God and to those who have trusted Christ as Savior. Angels are superior to men, but they have some similarities with them. 1 Peter 3:22 says, Who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to [Link] Angels as well as men are subject to God and depend on Him. It seems scriptural to say that angels were created in the image and likeness of God just as was manAs sons of God by creation, angels possess the image of their Creator-Father. It is in this same sense that Adam is termed the son of [Link] Both also are responsible before God. Hebrews 9:27 says that man will be judged, and 1 Cor. 6:3 says that angels will be judged. Angels and men are different in other aspects. Men are different from angels. Hebrews chapter 2:5-7 says that when the Lord Jesus became incarnate He became a little lower than the angels. Ryrie says that although 4there are problems connected with the writers use of 5salm 6 in this passage, it does seem clear that 7ncarnation placed Christ in a position lower than the angels 8though, of course, this was only temporarily true during the time of Christs humiliation on earth9. This is because man who was created in the image of God is lesser than God by nature. He is also lower than angels since they belong to a class of superhuman beings who are stronger than man by nature and, unli$e man,

#8 not sub-ect to death.!""vii The emphasis in Hebrews 2 is that the Son of God became a little lower than angels because He took on Himself the human nature with all its limitations and with its mortality. They also have a distinct spiritual service. Although they rejoice when people are saved, they do not have the privilege of sharing the Gospel. Men differ from angels in their form of worship God. Although it is not certain to know if angels worship and praise God by singing, they certainly do it a unique way different from men. Many Bible students insist that angels do not sing, but we are not sure of that. Angels possess the ultimate capacity to offer [Link] Paul, in 1 Cor. 13:1, mentions that there is a language of angels. The praise and worship of angels, whether they sing or not, is different from that of man. We praise God not only for what He is, but also for the redeeming work that He did for us. Angels have not been redeemed so they cannot praise God for that, but they have very good reasons for praising God. Angels are organized beings. Their organization is reflected in their different names. They are called ministers, hosts, chariots, watchers. They are also called stars, in reference to what is the hosts of heaven. Also Satan is mentioned in his rebellion against God as a great fiery red dragonhis tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth (Revelation 12:3). According to the Bible, there are ranks in the organization of angels. Daniel 10:13 makes reference to a class of superior angels, and of these angels, the archangel Michael seems to be the most important. Dickason says, The name Michael is significant. There is among some a question as to its meaning, but it is probably to be taken as a question, Who is like God? This name would call attention humbly to the incomparableness of [Link] In Jude 9 Michael is addressed as the archangel and this title sets him above some others of the [Link] He is a military leader. The term archangel does not necessarily limit the class to Michael, probably there were more, but Michael is the only addressed with this term. He may be of the cherub class, as is Satan with whom he is seen contending and battling. In the Old Testament, Michael seems to be identified primarily with Israel as a nation. Thus, God speaks of Michael as prince of His chosen people, the great prince who stands for the sons of your people (Daniel 12:1). He especially protects and defends Gods people whoever they are. Probably Michael will come with the Lord Jesus at His second coming. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 says, For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise [Link] Cherubim (Heb. Pl. of cherub) seem to be angelic beings of the highest order or class, created with indescribable powers and beauty. As is the case with many heavenly realities, their character and appearance are so far beyond human imagination and present comprehension that they must be described in earthly terms obviously designed to convey something surpassingly [Link] The prophet Ezekiel received a vision of the glory of God, which involved the presence of four living creatures, and in Ezekiel chapter ten these creatures were identify as cherubim. The vision that Ezekiel describes is a complex one. The cherubim that he mentions each one has four faces and four wings, and the overall appearance could be likened to a man. They were positioned under the four corners of a platform on which was seated the glory of God in the appearance of man upon His throne. Dickason says that they are never called angels because they are not messengers in their duties, but they are angelic in class. They are proclaimers and protectors of Gods glorious presence, His sovereignty, and His holiness. They are always on the seat of the Divine Being. God put cherubim in the Garden of Eden, a place where the presence of God was before man sinned. Also, the inner room of the tabernacle had cherubim, and later the temple too. In Psalm 80:1 and Psalm 99:1 the Hebrew term used is to

#9 represent God who is enthroned above the [Link] Isaiah 6 describes seraphim, and apparently they were an order similar to the cherubim. :yrie says, 4Their duty also was to praise God. Their description suggests a si"&winged humanli$e creature. The word may be derived from a root meaning ;to burn or possibly from a root which means ;to be noble.!"""iv The seraphim perform a priestly-type service for [Link] Dickason says that Isaiah mentions an altar, and it probably corresponds to the golden altar of incense in the tabernacle. In the tabernacle, this altar stood before the veil closing of the holiest place and was used when the high priest would enter into the symbolic presence of God. In the altar, incense placed upon coals filled the holiest place with smoke. This symbolize that sinful man could not look directly upon the holiness of God. In Isaiahs vision the temple was filled with smoke. The seraphim were crying to each other, Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory, and this according to Hebrew idiom, is to recognize God as extremely and perfectly [Link] Because of this priestly type service, they also proclaim that man must be cleansed of sin before he can stand before God and serve Him. Isaiah felt unclean because of what he had seen, and one of the seraphim flew with a live coal from the altar near Jehovah and touched Isaiahs lips to purge his sin. The action was a symbolic one, but the cleansing was real, and now Isaiah was ready to speak Gods message to [Link] Rulers is another rank for angels. Ryrie mentions five kinds of rulers that Paul makes mention in his letters. The first one is 4principalities.! This term is used seven times in 5aul<s letters and indicates an order of angels both good and evil involved in governing the universe. Then 4authorities or powers! which emphasi=es the superhuman authority that angels and demons e"ercise in relation to the affairs of the world. The third is 4powers! as used in 0 5eter >2?? and Ephesians 02?0, and this tal$s about the fact that angels and demons are greater in power than humans. The fourth is mentioned in Ephesians @20?, 4Host of wic$edness in the heavenly places.! The last one is 4thrones or dominions! and this designation emphasi=es the authority of God and how He used them in His government. xxxviii Although, they are not of a special rank some angels are mentioned specifically in the Bible. Gabriel is very important in the Bible. Gabriel, in Hebrew, means Gods hero, or the mighty one, or God is great. Scripture frequently refers to him as the messenger of Jehovah or the Lords [Link] Gabriel is presented in human forms on occasions in the Bible. Daniel 10:18 says, There came againone like the appearance of a man. He also spoke with a mans voice and had the power of touch as mans. His appearance sometimes caused fear, as happened to Zacharias in Luke 1:11-12, but when Mary saw him she was not too much troubled. It seems clear that Gabriel is the special messenger of God to communicate revelation and interpretation concerning Gods kingdom program, particularly concerning Israel and the Messiah. Revelation 8:2 mentions seven angels who stand before God. To them were given seven trumpets to call for judgment on the earth. Revelation 15 mentions seven angels who administrate the seven last plagues. These plagues complete the wrath of God in the Great Tribulation. These angels poured out their bowls of wrath bringing great destruction upon the earth. These angels came out of the temple, the symbolic dwelling place of God. Revelation 7 mentions four angels who stand on the four corners of the earth and control the four winds of the earth. Living beings are mentioned in Ezekiel chapter one, but as we have seen before they are identified as cherubim. They are mentioned also in Revelation 4:6-9, but they are described different from the cherubim. Some say they are seraphim, because they also have six wings and also cry, Holy, Holy, Holy (Revelation 4:8). In chapters 4, 5, 7 and 19 they are worshipping God and the Lamb. In chapter 14 they are witnessing the worship of God by redeemed men.

#10 Then we see them directing the judgments of God during the tribulation period in chapter 6 and 15. In Revelation 1:20, Christ designates that the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches. Ryrie says that those angels were seen in the right hand of the risen Christ in the vision of :evelation 020@, ?3. 7t is uncertain whether these are angelic beings or the human leaders of those churches. Though the word ;angel clearly means messenger, it can refer to a superhuman being, that is, to the guardian angel for each church. %r it may refer to a human messenger, that is, to the human leader 8pastor9 of each church.!"l The number of angels it is impossible to determine but we $now that they are many. *ic$ason says that some people compared the total number of angels with the total number of humans in all history, because of the passage of Matthew 18:10. It might be compared the number of angels with the number of stars in the heavens, for angels are associated with the stars. The apostle /ohn in :evelation 1200, saw a great number of angels, he saw 4ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands.! Ta$en literally, this may eAual 030 million, or 033 trillion. The number given here may be is not an e"act number but is an e"pression to indicate something beyond comprehension. #s Hebrews 0?2?? says, 4an innumerable company of angels.!"li The Bible mentions an angel that is more than an ordinary angel. He is an angel with a special title that indicates something uniAue. He is called the #ngel of /ehovah. Be learned before that angels are called 4sons of God,! but never 4the sons of /ehovah.! 4His title ;mala$ Cahweh that means ;#ngel of /ehovah indicate that this was more than an angel, perhaps /ehovah Himself The #ngel of /ehovah was a theophany, a manifestation of God in visible and bodily form before the 7ncarnation.!"lii The #ngel of /ehovah is identified as /ehovah, but it is also distinct from /ehovah. 7n Dechariah 02E&00 the man among the myrtle trees was the #ngel of /ehovah, but the same angel said that /ehovah was the one who sent the horsemen who were to report to this angel. *ic$ason says that there are four considerations that help us to identify the Angel of Jehovah as Christ in preincarnate appearances. First, the second person of the Trinity, the Son, is the visible God of the New Testament as indicate some passages like John 1:14, 17 and Colossians 2:8-9. Accordingly, the Son was the visible manifestation of God in the Old Testament. Second, the Angel of Jehovah no longer appeared after Christs incarnation. Although Matthew 1:20 makes reference to the angel of the Lord it is understood that it is an angel and not the Lord Himself. Third, both the Son and the Angel of Jehovah were sent by God and had similar ministries. The Bible doesnt make mention that the Father has ever sent. Fourth, this angel could not be the Father or the Spirit because they never take bodily [Link] He has the ministry of commissioning some people to do special jobs. In Exodus 3 the Angel commissioned Moses to deliver Gods people from the Egyptians and lead them to the Promised Land. He also commissioned Gideon, in Judges 6:11-23, to go against the Midianites. Another ministry is that of deliverance. He acted to deliver Gods people from servitude to their enemies. He offers protection. The king David says in Psalm 34:7 The Angel of Jehovah encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth [Link] Hezekiah experienced a spectacular deliverance from the Assyrian army by the Angel of Jehovah. The Angel of Jehovah comforted Hagar in Genesis 16:7-13, and promised her safety and a great progeny. He confirmed the covenant to Abraham in Genesis 22:11-18, a covenant that God had previously promised. Abraham would have sacrificed Isaac, his only son, but the Angel of Jehovah stopped him and confirmed Gods promises. Another ministry is that of judgment. When Satan had provoked David to sin by numbering Israel, the Angel of Jehovah partially destroyed Jerusalem. Angels are responsible for doing certain ministries. They first have the task of praising

#11 God. Psalm 148:1-3 says, Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; Praise Him in the heights! Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts! Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all you stars of light!xlv Revelation 5:11-13 says Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing! And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!xlvi We can see through the whole Bible that angels perform the will of God. As Revelation mentions they are used by God to control natures elements, such as winds, seas, and the heat of the sun. Although these are references to the future, the principle of their control is established, and angels may be active in nature now. Also, they are used by God in controlling nations. Individually or collectively they may guide the governments of the earth as Daniel 4:17 mentions. They are executors of Gods judgments. God used them to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah and also, in bringing the plagues to the Egyptians. Angels ministered to Christ during his life. They praise God when Jesus was born and they told the shepherds that Jesus was born. During childhood an angel protected him by telling his parents to flee to Egypt to escape from Herod. Also, when He was tempted, they came and ministered Him, and at the garden of Gethsemane an angel came to comfort Him. At his resurrection the angels were present, and one of them opened the entrance of the tomb. Also at His ascension there were present. Also two men in white apparel appeared to the disciples when the Lord Jesus was ascending, and told them that Jesus would come again. They probably will come when Jesus returns for his church. They also will come when Jesus comes to reign. Matthew 25:31 says, When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His [Link] Angels minister to men. They show Gods word to men. Daniel chapter 10 and 11 says that the angel Gabriel was send to Daniel to show him the prophecy concerning Israel. Also, Gabriel revealed to Mary that she would conceive of the Holy Spirit. They also guide men. Acts chapter 8 tells of how one angel directed Philip to go south to the road between Jerusalem and Gaza, so that he could have contact with an Ethiopian. Cornelius was directed by an angel to send for Peter, who would show him how to be saved (Acts 10:1-22). They minister mens physical needs. The angel who encouraged Hagar and her son, probably gave her the water to keep them alive (Genesis21:9-21). 1 Kings 19 says that an angel provided Elijah with food and he had strength for forty days and forty nights. They protect believers. An angel was sent to shut the lions mouth, so that Daniel wouldnt be eaten. Graham says that the Reverend John G. Paton, pioneer missionary in the New Hebrides Islands, told a thrilling story involving the protective care of angels. Hostile natives surrounded his mission headquarters one night, intent on burning the Patons out and killing them. John Paton and his wife prayed all during that terrofilled night that God would deliver them. When daylight came they were amazed to see that unaccountably, the attackers had left. They thanked God for delivering them. A year later, the chief of the tribe was converted to Jesus Christ, and Mr. Paton, remembering what had happened, asked the chief what had kept him and his men from burning down the house and killing them. The chief replied in surprise, Who were all those men you had with you there? the missionary answered, There were no men there, just my wife and I, The chief argued that they had seen many men standing guardhundreds of big men in shining

#12 garments with drawn swords in their hands. They seemed to circle the mission station so that the natives were afraid to attack. Only then did Mr. Paton realize that God had sent His angels to protect [Link] Angels also strengthen and encourage men, as they did to the Lord Jesus in the Gethsemane Garden (Luke 22:43) and Paul on the island Clauda (Acts 27:23-25). God assigned angels to help those who preached. Their assistance may use miraculous signs. Missionaries of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries have reported many wonderful incidents where angels seemed to help them. Angels observe us. 1 Cor. 4:9 says, For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to [Link] The woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels as 1 Corinthians 11:10 says. Graham tells of an old preacher who worked into the night on a sermon for his small congregation. His wife inquired why he spent so much time on a message that he would give to so few. To this the minister replied, You forget, my dear, how large my audience will be! Nothing is trivial here if heaven looks on. We shall play a better game if, seeing we are encompassed, we remember who is in the grandstand!l They were used by God to give the law. Acts chapter 7 says that Moses received the law by the direction of angels. They also would take believers to the glory of God. Scripture describes angels destiny in the Tribulation and in the Second Coming and kingdom. They will be important in the judgment of God on this earth. In the new heaven and new earth, holy angels will be with Christ and believers. 1 Corinthians 6:4 says that angels will be judged, and probably will have some recompense for their faithful service, but not the kind of recompense that believers will have. The men who accepted Christ as Savior will be heirs with Him, and will be greater than angels. There are some angels who decided to reject God. They are fallen angels and are called demons or evil spirits. They are in nature the same as the holy angels, but with the difference that they are evil. Dr. Barnhouse in his book The Invisible War explains that there is an abyss between verses one, of the first chapter of Genesis, and two. It says in verse one, In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth, then we come to the other side and read verse two, The earth was without form and void; and darkness covered the face of the deep. From the Hebrew, the term without form and void can be translated waste and void. It is obvious that something happened between these two verses because it is impossible that a perfect God created a very imperfect world, chaotic, waste and [Link] God created everything perfect but an invisible war had broken out between these two verses. Between these two verses some angels decided to follow an angel called Lucifer in rebellion against God. Once Lucifer seduced these angels, they were fixed in their moral degeneration. As many as a third of the angelic creation may have followed him. As a result, God expulsed Lucifer and his followers to the earth, and blasted the material universe in a curse of temporary judgment and the earth became without form and [Link] Lucifer was described by Ezekiel as an anointed cherubim created full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. He was the seal of perfection and was covered with precious stones. He was in the holy mountain of God. With all this beauty, and perfection, his heart began to fill with pride. Ezekiel 28:15 says, You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created till iniquity was found in [Link] Barnhouse explains that this iniquity came by spontaneous generation of the heart of Lucifer, by a combination of his great power and beauty. Here is the beginning of [Link] In chapter 28 verses 16 to 18 is a description of the sin of Lucifer, of how his heart was filled with pride. Isaiah 14:13-14 says, For you have said in your heart: I will ascend into

#13 heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most [Link] Lucifer wanted to be like God, so He threw him out of heaven, to the lowest depths of the pit, and he was turned to ashes upon the earth. Lucifer became the prince of this world as John 12:31 mentions, the prince of the power of the air as Ephesians 2:2 says, and the god of this world as is mention in 2 Corinthians 4:4. These terms pictures his position and activity as a dominating leader in this world. He is also called Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons. There are names that describe his character, and probably one of the most common names is Satan. The word Satan is used about fifty-two times in the Bible and it means adversary or [Link] Another common title is devil, is used thirtyfive times in the Bible and it comes from the Greek word diabolos which means slanderer or one who trips [Link] He is also called the serpent of old, the great dragon, the evil one, and the destroyer. His activity is also reflected in his names. He is called the tempter, accuser, liar, and the spirit that now works in the sons of disobedience. All these names present the aspects of his power, character and activity. 1 Peter 5:8 says that Satan is like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. He is active and his principal purpose is to oppose God. Satan from the beginning desired to be like God and his attack on Adam was really against Gods authority and control. He opposes Gods program by transforming himself as an angel of light as 2 Corinthians 11:14 says. Many people serve Satan without knowing it, and by thinking they are serving God. Satan always presents something apparently better than what God can offers. Satan also influences in the government of nations. Paul mentions in 1 Thessalonians 2:18 that Satan hindered him so that he could not go to the Thessalonians. Probably Satan influenced some authorities that did not let Paul to travel. Satan also influences in the life of men by blinding their minds from the Gospel. Satan is trying to veil the eyes of the people. Luke 8:12 says that the devil comes and takes away the Word out of the hearts of some men, lest they should believe and be saved. Satan is working hard in the life of believers to interrupt their fellowship with God. He acts as an accuser who points out believers sins and imperfections, as Revelation 12:10 mentions. He plants doubt. In his first attack, he used this weapon. He came to Eve and asked her a question that set a big doubt in her mind. Eve fell in the trap of Satan because she doubted. He also tempts. In Acts 5, he tempted Ananias to sin against the Holy Spirit. He tempted Jesus but He resisted. Satan tempts believers to sexual sins, to be involved in the occupations of this world, to trust in human wisdom, to be proud, or to have discouragement. He infiltrates in the churches. 2 Peter 2:1 says But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift [Link] Paul was angry with the church of Corinth because they had let false teachers, directed by Satan, to infiltrate in the church (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). Also 2 Peter 2:1-19 mentions the false teachers who will be in the churches. Satan also promotes division in the churches as he did in the church of Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:10-13; 3:1-9). Persecution and imprisonment of believers is also part of Satans activity. Acts chapter 12 tells of how the apostle Peter was put in prison for sharing the Gospel. Fallen angels are called demons or evil spirits. Because they share the same natural characteristics that holy angels, they have a great power and influence in mens life. Satan is not omnipresent so he uses his angels to perform his work. They, like Satan, oppose God. They influence some men to promote rebellion against God by killing believers, destroying churches, or persecuting believers. They can infiltrate in the minds of men, and make men to worship idols.

#14 They also promote false religions and cults. Sometimes they use natural phenomena to afflict men. Like Satan, they blind men to spiritual truth in Christ. They use the things of this world to maintain men away from God. Although not always because of the work of demons, some physical ailments are caused by them. The Bible mentions how some demons caused dumbness, blindness, deformity, and sometimes convulsions. They also provoke mental disorders. By demon possession, they can control the individual completely. Many people do not believe in demon possession but the Bible mentions it. Merrill Unger in his book Biblical Demonology says, If the mind of one person can influence or take control of that of another, if good angels can comfort and otherwise influence the minds of Gods people, and if the Holy Spirit can enter, and take possession, and influence for good those who choose the way of salvation, then what valid objection may be offered why Satan and demons, as the Bible teaches, may not also enter into the bodies, and take possession of the minds of those who willingly yield themselves slaves to these evil agencies?lix Demons can obligate the person to do what they want. They oppose the believers. Ephesians 6:12 says, For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. They are constantly trying to defeat the believers. Paul expressed in 2 Corinthians that a messenger of Satan was send to buffet him; a thorn in the flesh. Can a genuine Christian be demonized? Many Christians differ in this question. According to Dickason there is no Biblical evidence to demonstrate that a Christian may be demonized. The Holy Spirit indwells the Christian, and some argue that it is impossible for a demon to be in a person if the Holy Spirit is there. But although the believer has the Holy Spirit, he is still subject to sin, and if sin can influence the life of Christians, maybe demons can temporarily possess a believer. Some missionaries have apparently experienced demon possession. Dickason also suggests three points of consideration about a demon possessed Christian. First, the person maybe is not a true believer. Second, some sickness maybe confused with possession, and third, it is possible that God allows temporary possession to discipline a [Link] Demons will do anything to try to stop the work of God. As Satan, they provoke divisions in the churches. They can influence in the life of believers to create difference of opinions that can provoke fights between brothers. They speak through false teachers, and begin to teach false doctrines (1 Timothy 4:1-3). They can provoke resentment or lack of full forgiveness between brothers. They are working in the churches today. They are subject to God. God may use them for his purposes. God uses them to discipline the believers. Hymenaeus and Alexander were delivered to Satan that they may be taught no to blaspheme. Job was proved by God, and He let Satan and his angels to attack Job. God also uses demons to defeat the ungodly. He used demons to punish Egypt, as Psalm 78:49 says. In the great Tribulation, God will let demons destroy many people. They are also used by God to show his great power. The Lord Jesus showed that he has authority over demons by casting them out of some people who were possessed by demons. Demons destiny is clear. They are already defeated by the Lord Jesus. But they are destined to have more activity in the last days. Matthew 24:5-14 says, For many will come in My name, saying, I am the Christ, and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of warsFor nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrowsAnd then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive [Link] Many of these things will be

#15 produced by demons. They are destined also to suffer the wrath of God. 2 Peter 2:4 and Jude 6 talks about some angels who did not keep their proper domain and that they are reserved in everlasting chains under judgment of the great day. Matthew 25:1 says that demons are destined to pass eternity in the Lake of Fire along with Satan. Angels influence and produce a great effect in mens life. They are everywhere, observing and ministering to men. Although we do not see them, we must be aware that many eyes are watching us. Maybe we have not noticed but we may have already met an angel. Hebrews 13:2 tells us to not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. It is also very comforting to know that we have many angels protecting us. Psalm 91:11 says that God give His angels to charge over us, to keep our ways. We can tell many stories of how God uses angels to protect us. We can wonder how they protect us, and praise God for sending them but we may never worship angels. Colossians 2:18 says, Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly [Link] We must give glory only to God. We must respect them and respect their vigilance. We must appreciate their ministry, because they are sent by God. If we are tempted to sin, we must first remember that there are many spiritual beings watching us. Our lives can be changed if we always remember that there are invisible beings protecting and observing us. There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both [Link] Satan is real and demons are real and we must be prepared for their attacks. Ephesians 6:12 says, For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly [Link] We should know our enemy, and respect him. Satan and his angels are astute beings. Satan transforms himself as an angel of light, and he can begin to infiltrate our lives and we will not notice it. He presents to us apparently the most wonderful things, and we can begin to think that these things come from God. We should defend ourselves. If we are saved by Gods grace, we have a position of victory in Christ. We should resist in alliance and submission to God. James 4:7 says, Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from [Link] We can resist with the armor of God. Ephesians 6:11 says, Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the [Link] The armor of God is described in the next verses, and it finishes with the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, and with prayer. These are two important weapons that we should use, but that we usually forget to use. We should spend more time reading the word of God and praying. Is important to know that we have God in our side, and we can have confidence in Him. Romans 8:31 says that if God is for us, then who can be against us? God promised that he would never leave us, and that if we pray to Him, He will listen from heaven. Romans 8:37-39 says, Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our [Link]

#16 ENDNOTES

Billy Graham, Angels: Gods Secret Agents, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Inc. 1975), 6. Ibid., 255. iii Fred Dickason, Angels: Elect & Evil, (Chicago: Moody Press, 1975),14. iv Ibid., 9. v C.I. Scofield, The New Scofield Reference Bible, (New York: Oxford University Press, 1967), 1246. vi J. M. Wilson, The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, volume A-D, (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1979),124. vii Ibid., 124. viii The Holy Bible: New King James Version, (Thomas Nelson, Inc. 1982). ix Ibid. x Dickason, 28. xi Charles C. Ryrie, Basic Theology, (Chicago: Moody Press, 1999), 139. xii Dickason, 33-34. xiii Ibid., 34-36. xiv Ryrie,141. xv Dickason, 37. xvi Martyn-Lloyd Jones, Dios Padre, Dios Hijo, (Barcelona: Editorial Peregrino, SL. 2002), 130. xvii Dickason, 37. xviii Ibid., 43-44. xix Graham, 61. xx Dickason, 44. xxi Ibid. xxii Graham, 71. xxiii Dickason, 49. xxiv Ibid., 51. xxv NKJV. xxvi Dickason, 36. xxvii Ryrie, 143. xxviii Graham, 69. xxix Dickason, 70 xxx Ibid., 70. xxxi NKJV. xxxii Dickason, 64. xxxiii Ibid., 64-67. xxxiv Ryrie, 147. xxxv Dickason, 68. xxxvi Ibid. xxxvii Ibid., 69. xxxviii Ryrie, 147. xxxix Graham, 82. xl Ryrie, 148. xli Dickason, 89-90. xlii Ibid., 82. xliii Ibid., 83. xliv The Holy Bible: American Standard Version, (Thomas Nelson & Sons, 1901). xlv NKJV xlvi Ibid. xlvii NKJV. xlviii Dickason, 7-9. xlix NKJV. l Dickason, 243. li Donald Grey Barnhouse, The Invisible War, (Grand Rapids: Zondervan,1965), 15-17. lii Ibid., 22. liii NKJV. liv Barnhouse, 30. lv NKJV. lvi Ryrie, 157. lvii Dickason, 129.
ii

lviii lix

NKJV. Merrill Unger, Biblical Demonology, (Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1994), 78. lx Dickason, 205-208. lxi NKJV. lxii Ibid. lxiii C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters: Screwtape Proposes a Toast, (New York: Macmillan, 1961), 9. lxiv NKJV. lxv Ibid. lxvi Ibid. lxvii Ibid.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Barnhouse, Donald Grey, The Invisible War, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 1965. Dickason, C. Fred, Angels: Elect & Evil, Chicago: Moody Press, 1975. Graham, Billy, Angels: Gods Secret Agents, Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc. 1975.

Lewis, Clive S., The Screwtape Letters: Screwtape Proposes a Toast, New York: Macmillan, 1961. Lloyd-Jones, Martyn, Dios Padre, Dios Hijo. Translated by David Canovas Williams. Barcelona, Espaa: Editorial Peregrino, SL. 2002. Ryrie, Charles Caldwell, Basic THEOLOGY, Chicago: Moody Press, 1999. Scofield, C. I., The New Scofield Reference Bible, New York: Oxford University Press, Inc. 1967. The Holy Bible: New King James Version, Thomas Nelson Inc. 1982. The Holy Bible: American Standard Version, Thomas Nelson & Sons, 1901. Unger, Merrill F., Biblical Demonology: A Study of Spiritual Forces at Work Today, Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1994. Wilson, J. M., Angel, The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Volume A-D, Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1979.