Angels

Angels

Angels

2 Corinthians 4:13 – “We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written (Psalm 116:10), I believe, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe and therefore speak…..”

We believe that Angels are part of God’s creation and while they are mostly invisible to us, they carry out God’s instructions as ministering spirits or flames of fire.  They also encamp around about those that fear God and have been sent to minister for the heirs of salvation.

All things were created by God, including angels, for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created (Colossians 1:16; Revelation 4:11; 1 Peter 3:22).  The angels ‘sang together’ and all the ‘sons of God’ shouted for joy while the foundations of the earth and the corner stone were being laid (Job 38:4-7).  The scriptures tell us that there are an innumerable company of angels (Revelation 5:11; Hebrews 12:22).

Angels do not have a body but are spirits and his ministers a flame of fire who are sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation. They were even involved in ministering unto Jesus (Matthew 4:11; Luke 22:43).  The scripture clearly states that the Lord Jesus took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.  Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same (Hebrews 2:14, 16).  Jesus said a spirit does not have flesh and bone, as you see me have (Luke 24:39).  Angels have neither a natural body nor a spiritual body.

In most instances they are invisible, but are able to manifest themselves in different ways.  When they appear in human form it is always male.  Angels do not, however have a gender, as they neither marry nor are given in marriage. Angels are not always recognisable, as the scripture says that it is possible to entertain angels unawares (Genesis 19:1 – 5; Luke 20:35; Hebrews 13:2).

Angels have three main purposes:

1. Witness - they signify events to come and bare record of the Word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:1-2; 21:6). There are many accounts of angels declaring and bearing witness to the Word of God.  They were created by God for this purpose (Judges 6:11 - 24).

2. Warfare – they are employed in battle in 3 ways:

  • To deliver and surround (2 Kings 6:8 – 18; Acts 12:1 - 11)
  • To destroy and punish (Genesis 19: 13)
  • To defend and protect(Psalm 91:11 – 12; )

The Lord said to Nathanael, verily, verily, I say unto you, hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.  What protection a believer has if they are in Christ!

3. Worship - We are not called to worship angels, but God alone. After John had received the revelation of Jesus Christ on the island of Patmos, and having heard a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?  No man could be found.  Eventually, one of the elders beheld and revealed a Lamb in the midst of the Throne.  This was clearly the Lord Jesus Christ.  In the book of Revelation 22:8 - 9, we read these amazing verses, And I John saw these things, and heard them.  And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which showed me these things. Then said he unto me, see thou do it not: for I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God (Hebrews 1:6; Revelation 22:8 - 9).  Somehow he missed the Lamb!  Good angels will always point us to worship God the Lamb.

Angels were very prevalent in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ, from His birth through to His ascension.

This indeed is a vast and fascinating topic.  Angels figure from Genesis through to Revelation with just under three hundred references.