Doctrine of Angels #6-Bible Doctrine

INTRODUCTION

The doctrine of Angelology has been a neglected doctrine for the following reason.

1. Ignorance concerning what the scripture teaches on the subject. 

2. Unbelief in the supernatural including the existence of Angels (which was the doctrine of the Sadducees),

3. Fear or superstition concerning the unseen realm of spirit beings.

4. Undue adoration, prayer to and worship of angels by some.

The solution to this problem is to be found in a thorough searching of the Word of God.

Relying upon the opinions or subjective experiences of man is dangerous.  The only sure, inspired and infallible revelation upon which we can wholly depend is the Word of God.  All other teachings, subjective experiences or visions of angels, must be tested by it.

THE EXISTENCE OF ANGELS

The Scriptures reveal that God has an everlasting kingdom, and in this kingdom there are created spirits being called angels.

The Greek word for angel is “angelos” which also means “Messenger”.  These words are used of God, of men, and of the angelic beings.  Only the surrounding context will clarify which is being referred to, but in most instances it is the angelic beings.

In both the Old and New Testaments there are accounts of angels ministering to the people of God.  The Lord Jesus Christ Himself spoke often of the angels, and was also ministered to by them.

THE ORDER OF THE ANGELS

God is a King who has a universal Kingdom.  Is this kingdom there is a divine order.  This order seems to involve the Eternal Godhead as Father, son and Holy Spirit and the various orders of angelic beings.  Scripture speaks of archangels, principalities, powers, seraphim cherubim, the Angel of the Lord and then also the myriads of angels.

A.    The Godhead

B.     The Archangels

1. Lucifer
2. Michael
3. Gabriel

3. The Heavenly Sanhedrin or 70 princes “angels.”

1. Jewish tradition angels over the 70 nations into which humanity was divided at the Tower of Babel.

2. Daniel 10:13

But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.

Daniel 10:20-21

Then he said, "Do you know why I have come to you? And now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come. 21But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince.

Ephes. 3:10

to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,

Col. 2:15

Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

4. The Multitudes of the Angelic Hosts.

1. Elect Angels - These angles did not fall
2. Fallen Angels - These angels fell by the sin of self-will.

THE NATURE OF ANGELS

A.    Angels are created beings.

 

B.     Angels are Spirit Beings

C.    Angels are Immortal

D.    Angels are a Company

E.     Angels are Innumerable

F.     Angels are Higher than man

G.    Angels are a Freewill Creation

 

H.    Angels are Personalities

 

I.       Angels are invisible

THE CHARACTER OF ANGELS

A.    Their Worship

B.     Their Obedience

C.    Their Wisdom

D.    Their Knowledge

E.     Their Meekness

F.     Their Strength

G.    Their Holiness

H.    Their patience

I.       Their Modesty

J.      Their Ability

K.    Their Joy

L.     Their Clothing

THE TITLES OF ANGELS

A.    Watchers

B.     Gods

C.    Host of God

D.    Saints

E.     Ministering Spirits

F.     Flames of Fire

G.    The Elect

H.    Sons of God

I.       Morning Stars

J.      Sons of the Mighty

11.  Angels

L.     Princes

M.   Thrones

N.    Dominions

O.    Powers

THE MINISTERY OF ANGELS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

A.    Ministered to Hagar and Ishmael

B.     Three Angels visited Abraham and Sarah

C.    Rescued Lot out of Sodom from the fire and brimstone

4. Called Abraham to spares Isaac on the mountain

E.     Jacob experienced he ministry of angels throughout his life

F.     Angel wrestled with Jacob

G.    Moses the angel of the Lord in the burning bush

H.    Angels involved in the giving of the Law at Sinai

I.       Angel of His presence guides Israel in the cloud

J.      Angel warned the prophet Balaam

11. An angel reproved Israel for their compromise and idolatry among the Canaanites.

12. An angel cursed those who did not help the Lord in battle.

13. The angel of the Lord encamps around those that fear him.

14. An angel destroyed 70,000 Israelites when David sinned in numbering the people.

15. An angel strengthened Elijah.

P.     Daniel preserved by angel in the lion’s den

17. Three Hebrew youths preserved by angel in fiery furnace.

R.    Angels hear the vows that God’s people make in the House of the Lord

S.      Angel appeared to Gideon

T.     Angel-Princes are over the various nations

U.    Angels are used in Judgement and blessings

V.    Angels as God’s messengers did his bidding on earth as well as in heaven

THE MINISTERY OF ANGELS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT TO JESUS

A.    In His Birth

B.     In His Temptation

C.    In His Ministry

D.    In His Intercession

E.     IN His Resurrection

F.     IN His Ascension

G.    IN His Advent

THE MINISTERY OF ANGELS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT THE EARLY CHURCH

1. An angel opens prison doors to release the apostles to witness

2. An angel sent Phillip to the dessert and the Ethiopian.

C.    An angel instructed Cornelius to send for Peter

4. An angel rescued peter out of the prison the night before he was to be slain.

5. An Angel because of His pride smote Herod.

6. Paul was visited by an Angel in the Storm on the way to Rome

7. The Saints are to judge the Angels in due time

8. Saints are forbidden to worship

9. Angelic spirits are round about the church as believer gather to worship Christ.

10. The final ministry of angels is to escort the departed spirit of the saints to Paradise, the immediate presence of God Luke 16: 22; psalm 91:11-12; Hebrews 1:13-14; Psalm 34:7; Luke 24:50-51. Consider these scriptures in light of the bodily translation of Enoch, Elijah, and Jesus. 2 Kings 2:1-11, the chariots of God are symbolic of divine and angelic transport of the Saints.

11. The scripture do imply that all have a guardian angel. Matt. 18:10 with Acts 12:5-16

THE MINISTERY OF ANGELS AND THE GOSPEL

A.     The Angel Gabriel announced the birth of Messiah’s forerunner to Zacharias  Luke 1:5-25

B.      Angel Gabriel also announced to the Virgin Mary, the birth of the Christ-child, and gave her the name for the baby, Jesus. Luke 1:26-35birth.

C.     Joseph told by an angel of the incarnation of the Christ-child in his espoused wife, Mary. Matt. 1:18-25

D.     Gabriel had also foretold to Daniel the notable 70 Week prophesy which involved the coming of the Messiah, and His crucifixion.  Daniel 9:24-27

E.      The shepherds in the field heard the angelic announcement of the birth of Jesus and the heavenly host worshipping God.  The angel announced the good tidings  that the Saviour had been born.  Luke 2:10-11

F.      The angel couldn’t preach the gospel to the Ethiopian but did tell Phillip where to go in the desert so he could preach. Acts 8:26

G.     The angel couldn’t preach the gospel but appeared to Cornelius to send for Peter. Acts 10: 1-4, 22, 44-46; 11: 13-14

H. An angel told Paul the He would testify before Caesar at Rome. Acts 27:23

ANGELS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATIONS

A.     Innumerable angels worship God and the Lamb. Rev 5:11

B.      Four angels restrain the winds of Judgement blowing upon the earth until the sealing of god’s servants. Rev 7:1

C.     Seven angels sound the seven trumpets of judgement. Rev 8: 2,7,8,10,12; 9: 1,13; 11:15

D.     Michael and his angels engage in war with Satan and his angels and cast them out. Rev. 12:7-10

E.      Angelic ministry is evident in the judgements of the earth. Rev. 14: 6,8,9,15,17,18,19

F.      An angel announces the fall of Babylon. Rev 14:8

G.     An angel announces the everlasting gospel of judgement, warning the earth dwellers not to take the mark of the beast. Rev 14:6,9

H.     The wicked are to tormented in the presence of the Lamb and the holy angels, whose mercy and ministry they have spurned.  Rev 14:10

I.        Angels are used as harvesters in the time of the end. Both of the good and the evil. Rev 14:17-19;Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43; 13:49-50.  These harvest are symbolized under wheat and tares, good and evil fish, and wheat and wine harvests.

J.       Angels pour out the seven vials of judgement on unrepentant mankind Rev. 15-16

K.     An angel reveals the harlot and the bride to John. Rev 17: 1-7; 21:9

L.      John saw an angel standing in the sun calling for the birds and beasts to the supper of the wicked.  Rev. 19:17

M.    A mighty and great Angel binds Satan in the bottomless pit for 1000 years. Rev. 20:1-4

N.     The angels will be associated with Christ in the gathering of the redeemed of earth at His second coming. Matt. 16:27; 24:31,36; 25;31; mark 8:38; 13:27; 2 Thessalonians  1:7

THE MANIFESTATIONS OF THE GODHEAD IN ANGELIC FORM

It seems apparent in the Old Testament that the Godhead was revealed in angelic form occasionally and was called angels or men.  God assumed the form of an angelic manifestation until the incarnation, when the Son would take upon Himself the form of Man.  Concerning the manifestation of the eternal Son of God in angelic form, there seems to be no doubt among expositors.

THE FATHER (Genesis 18: 1-22)

1. The three men called “Adonai” Plural Hebrew word for “Lords” appeared to Abraham in the heat of the day.

  

2. Abraham stood before one of these angels called “the Lord” (Verses 22,33) and made intercession for Sodom and Gomorrah, and especially for his nephew’s family. 

3. At this time two of these angels went to Sodom to save Lot and his family (Genesis 19:1) 

4. Some Hebrew believers see these three angels as a manifestation of the Godhead.  

5. In Genesis 19:14,16,24 THE ANGELS ARE CALLED “LORD”.  The two angels, also called “men” referred to the fact that “The Lord rained fire and brimstone from the LORD out of heaven”

(Compare this with Psalm 110:1 A Psalm of David.  The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”)

6. Many expositors hold that the angel before which Abraham stood and made intercession was the Father God manifest in angelic form.

THE SON (Judges 6:11-22; 13:3-21)

1. Frequently found in the scripture is an angel referred to as the Angel of the Lord or the Jehovah angel.

2. This angel was a manifestation of the eternal Son of God before His incarnation.

3. These manifestations are called Theophanies or Christophanies.  The Lord Jesus was the “Messenger (Angel) of the Covenant “ (Malachi 3:1  "Behold, I send My messenger, And he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, Will suddenly come to His temple, Even the Messenger of the covenant, In whom you delight. Behold, He is coming," Says the Lord of hosts.)

THE HOLY SPIRIT

A.     The Holy Spirit was manifested in the Cloudy Pillar, the Shekinah Glory in the form of a Dove, in some references in the form of an angel.  If the three angels that appeared to Abraham were the Godhead certainly one would be the Holy Spirit. (Genesis18: 1-4)  The Lord spoke to Moses concerning the Angel, which was to lead Israel to Canaan land.  The name of God was in Him, and He would not pardon Israel’s transgressions or sins.

(Exodus 23:20-25 

"Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. 21Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions; for My name is in Him. 22But if you indeed obey His voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries. 23For My Angel will go before you and bring you in to the Amorites and the Hittites and the Perizzites and the Canaanites and the Hivites and the Jebusites; and I will cut them off. 24You shall not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do according to their works; but you shall utterly overthrow them and completely break down their sacred pillars. 25So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you.)

Matthew 12:31-32 

"Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 32Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.

B.      The language concerning not pardoning transgressions certainly is applicable to the Holy Sprit.

Isaiah 63:9-10

In all their affliction He was afflicted, And the Angel of His Presence saved them; In His love and in His pity He redeemed them; And He bore them and carried them All the days of old. 10 But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit; So He turned Himself against them as an enemy, and He fought against them.

C.     Isaiah speaks of the angel of His presence, which can certainly be identified with the Holy Ghost.

THEOPHANIES

A.     The Lord appeared to Adam (genesis 2:16; 3:15).  He foretold the coming incarnation as the seed of the woman.

B.      The Lord translated Enoch to heaven (Genesis 5:24)

C.     The Lord spoke to Noah. (Genesis 6:9)

D.     Abraham received the call of the Lord, or Jehovah Jireh (Genesis 12:1; 22:11-15)

E.      The angel of the Lord ministered to Hagar and Ishmael (Genesis 16:7-11; 21:27)

F.      It was the angel who went before Abraham’s servant to prepare the Bride for Isaac. (Gen 24:7,40)

G.     Jacob wrestled with the person spoken of as an angel, a man, and God, and whose name was a wonderful secret. (Genesis 31:11; 32:24-32; Hosea 12:3-5).  This angel redeemed Jacob. (Genesis 48:16)

H.     The angel in the burning bush who called to Moses was certainly a revelation of the Lord God.  He is spoken as a the angel, whose name is I AM THAT I AM, or the Lord God (Jehovah Elohim) (Exodus 3:2,14-15; Numbers 20:16; Acts 7:30,35)

I.        There was the revelation of the angel in the cloudy pillar, leading and guiding Israel to the promised land (Exodus 14:19-24; 32:34; 33:32)

J.       The Jehovah Angel gave the Law to Moses, amidst angelic hosts (Acts 7:35,38,53; Galatians 3:19; Hebrews 2:2)

K.     Balaam saw the Angel of the Lord with the drawn sword (Numbers 22:22-35; 2 Peter 2:15)

L.      The captain of the Lord’s Host who appeared to Joshua was a Christophany (Joshua 5:13-14; Hebrews 2:10)

M.    The Angel warned Israel concerning the disobedience (Judges 2:1-4; 5:23)

N.     Gideon was equipped by the Angel of the Lord, whose name was Jehovah our Peace (Judges 6:11-22)

O.     Manoah and his wife, the parents of Samson, had a revelation of the Christ of God.  This mysterious person spoken of, in the contest, as a man, an angel, and the Lord His name was Wonderful or a wonderful Secret. (Judges 13:3-21)

P.      God sent an angel to destroy 70,000 Israelites when David sinned in numbering the people (1 Chronicles 21:12-30; 2 Samuel 24:16-17)

Q.     An angel ministered food to Elijah (1 Kings 19:5-7; 2 Kings 1:3,15)

R.     The Angel of the Lord slew 185,000 Assyrians in one night, thus saving Judah (2 Kings 19:35; Isaiah 37:36)

S.       The Lord appeared to Isaiah in vision. (Isaiah 6:1-13 John 12:39-42) 

T.      The appearance of the fourth man in the fiery furnace is alls accepted as a Theophany, or Christophany.  Nebuchadnezzar spoke of Him as the Son of God (Daniel 3:28)

U.     An Angel closed the mouths of the lions and preserved Daniel (Daniel 6:22)

V.     The angel who interpreted the visions to Zechariah is spoken of as the Angel if the Lord (Zechariah 1:9,11,19; 2:3; 3:1-6; 4L1-5; 5:5,10)

W.   The Angel Messenger of the Covenant is the Lord Jesus Christ (Malachi 3:1)