Holy Angles, according to the Bible

HOLY ANGELS, according to the Christian Bible

The literal definition of the word “angel” is “messenger” and it is used of angels, men and Christ.

Christ, the second person of the Biblical Holy Trinity, is referred to as an angel in (Rev. 8:3-5; 10:1-11). In Isaiah 63:9, we are told of the “angel of His presence.” Christ speared to man as the messenger of God (1st Cor. 10:4; 9; 11:3). He is called the Angle of God (Genesis 21:17; 31:11; Exodus3:2). Therefore, the Bible reveals that Christ was an angel of God. His work is discussed in a previous thesis “New Testament Theology.”

The word angel is used of “men” in Revelation 1:1, 20; 2:1,8,12,3:1,7,14; 19:9,10; 22:6-8, 16. Angle is used of “common angels” in Psalms 104:4. These “common” angels are Heavenly spirit beings with:

(A) Personal spirit bodies with bodily parts, such as hands, feet, eyes, heads, voices, mouths, hair, faces, and other parts which men have. (Genesis 18:2,4,8; 19:1-22, Judges 13:6.) .

(B) Personal souls with emotions (Luke 15:1-10) passions (Genesis 18:8; 19:3); anger (Rev. 12:12); enmity (Genesis 3:15); lusts (John 8:44); vengeance (1st Peter 5:8); Desires (1st Peter 1:12); pride (Ezekiel 28:8; 1st Tim. 3:6) and other soul compassions, feelings, and desires.

(C) Personal Spirits with intellect and wisdom (2nd Samuel 14:20); patience (Numbers 22:22-35); meekness (2nd Peter 2:11; Jude 9); modesty )(1st Cor. 11:10); holiness (Mark 8:38); obedience (Psalms 103:20); knowledge (Mark 13:32; 1st Peter 1:12); willpower (Isaiah 14:12-14); ability to speak languages (1st Cor. 13:1) and other spirit faculties.

Some general facts about angels are as follows: They are glorious (Luke 9:26), powerful and mighty in body, (2nd Thess.1:7-10); Rev. 18:1; Isaiah 37:36); they are immortal (Luke 20:36); limited in knowledge, (Mark 13:32) and higher than man (Psalms 8:5). They are heavenly spirit beings (Psalms 104:4; Matt. 18:10; 22:30; Hebrews 1:14); and not demons (Acts 23:8-9). They cooperate in the material realm (Genesis 18-19; 22:11; 2nd Samuel 24; 2nd Kings 19:35; Acts and 12). They need no rest (Rev. 4:8), can eat food, (Gen. 18:8; 19:3; Psalms 78:25) and appear visible and invisible (Numbers 22:22-35; John 20:12; Hebrews 13:2). They travel at inconceivable speeds (Ezekiel 1; Rev. 8:13; 9:1) and ascend and descend (Gen. 28:12; John 1:51). They can do everything man can do and more, including sin!

Angles were created by Christ before the earth (Job 38:4-7; Psalms 148:2-5; Colossians 1:16). Christ is better than angels (Hebrews 1:5;2:16).They dwell in Heaven (Rev. 12:12; 13:6) and stand before God (2nd Cor. 18:18). They appear unaware (Hebrews 13:2), and wear garments (John 20:12).They can cook (1st Kings 19:5-7). They desire to look into the things of salvation (1st Peter 1:10-12) and observe us (1st Cor. 4:9). They are not to be worshipped (Col. 2:18).

They are organized into principalities and powers with thrones (Col. 1:16; 2:18; Romans 8:38; Ephesians 6:10-18; 1st Peter 3). They are innumerable (Luke 2:13; Hebrews 12:22) and are to be judged or ruled by saints (1st Cor. 6:3) even though they are subject to God, (Matt. 22:30). They are interested in earthly affairs(Luke 9:26; 15:7-10; 1st Tim. 5:21; 1st Peter 1:12) and are being taught wisdom by the churches(Ephesians 3:10; 1st Cor. 4:9). Although the angels are mighty in power, they are not almighty, (2nd Tim. 1:7). They excel in strength. One angel destroyed 185,000 of the Assyrian army in one night. An angel rolled away the stone from the tomb of Christ, and one angel shall bind Satan and cast him into the bottomless pit. Angels have great knowledge but are not omniscient. They neither marry, not are given in marriage, (Matt.22:30). However, that does not mean they are sexless and have not the power of procreation. All angels in the Bible are spoken of as men, and were created to ;live forever (Luke 20:36) so there is no need for procreation, but that they have such power seems indisputable from Genesis 6:14, where we are told the “Son of God” (angels) had intercourse with the “daughters of men”, and the result was a race of “mighty men”, or giants. Angels are also referred to as “ministering spirits to them (the Elect) who are ‘Heirs of salvation” (Hebrews 1:13,14) and “executioners of God’s wrath” on the wicked, (2nd Thess. 1:7-8) They will gather the “Elect of Israel” from the four corners of the earth, )Matt.24:31) and are commissioned to supply the physical needs of God’s peopleMatt.4:11; 1st Kings 19:4-8).

The angels called “Seraphim” have three pairs of wings and are attendants of the Lord of Hosts and call attention to His Holiness, (Isaiah 6:1-8). They also created beings.

There are angels called “Cherubim” or “Living Creatures” described in Ezekiel 1:4-25; 10:1-22, have only two pair of wings, but have four faces on their head, the front face, that of a man”; the right side, that of a “lion”; the left side, that of an “Ox”; and the back, that of an “eagle.” They also have the “hand of a man” under their wings on each of their four sides. They are guardians of the throne of God. They also are created beings.

Michael is a prominent angel mentioned three times in Daniel, (Dan. 10:13,21; 12:1). He is called a “prince” who stands for Daniel’s people. (the Jews.). In Jude 9, he is called the archangel, and in Revelation 12:7, he is seen in command of the angelic army of Heaven. In Revelation 12:7-9 he is shown delivering God’s people, particularly, the Jews, from the power of Satan, and finally to drive him and his helpers from the Heavenlies, and cast them down to the earth. He (Michael), is also associated with the resurrection of the dead mentioned in Daniel 12:1,2, and he fought with the devil over the body of Moses (Jude 9) and the voice of the archangel that will be heard when the “dead in Christ” shall rise, (1st Thess. 4:16) will be the voice of Michael, because he is the only archangel mentioned in the Scriptures.

Gabriel is the other prominent angel mentioned by name four times, in Luke twice, and Daniel, twice. He appears to Daniel (Dan. 8:16; 9:21-27) to inform him as to the time of Christ’s first coming, and when the time had come, he announced to Zechariahs the birth of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, and later to Mary, the birth of Jesus. He seems to be used by God as a helper in His redemptive work. (Luke 1:19,26,27). Gabriel told Zechariahs about his position in Heaven when he said, “I am Gabriel that stands in the presence of God!

The work of angels goes on daily, in which they meet responsibilities that only beings with personal bodies, souls, and spirits are capable of such as the following examples cited in the Bible: They bring answers to prayer, (Daniel 9:21-23; 10:12; Acts 10): impart God’s will (Acts 5:19-20; 10:1-6); guard the tree of life (Genesis 3:24); give revelations (2nd Kings 1:15; Daniel 8:19; 9:21-23; 10:10-20); give laws (Acts 7:53; Hebrews 2:2); witness confessions (Luke 15:8-9); eive departed spirits (Luke 16:22); separate departed spirits (Luke 16:22); separate good and bad (Matt.13:39-41); accompany Christ to earth (Matt. 16:27; 25:31; 2nd Thess. 1:7-10); protect saints (psalms 34:7); 91:11; Acts 12:7-10); guard the abyss (Rev. 9:1; 20:1-3); re-gather Israel (Matt. 24:31); bind Satan (Rev. 20); minister before God (Rev. 8:2;14:15-19); appear in dreams (Matt. 1:20-24); direct preachers (Acts 8:26); lead sinners to Gospel workers (Acts 10:13); strengthen in trial (Matt. 4:11; Luke 22:43); guards gates (Rev. 21:12); wages war in actual bodily combat (Rev. 12:7-9; 2nd Thess. 1:7-10); executes judgements (2nd Samuel 24; 2nd Kings 19:35; Genesis 19; 2nd Chronicles 32:21; Acts 12:23; Rev. 8:1-9, 21; 15:1-6); rules nations (Daniel 10:13-21;12:1); and even have driven horses! (2nd Kings 2:12; 6:13-17; Zechariah 1:7-11; 6:1-6).