ANGELS

Hebrews 13:1-8

INTRODUCTION: We live today in a very real physical world, but there is an equally real and important spiritual world all around us and there is a spiritual battle going on all the time for the souls of men: Ephesians 6:10-13. Our enemy, the devil comes, the Bible says “to steal, kill and destroy!” Today we will look at God’s good angels to see who the angels are, what they do, and how they affect our lives. Hebrews 13:2.

      I.   WHAT ARE ANGELS?

There is a lot of misinformation about angels today. Angels according the Scriptures are God’s servants. They are supernatural beings created by God and for God’s glory. There are two main types of angels today. There are the “holy angels” and there are fallen angels, or demons. The Bible tells us that when Lucifer, the guarding cherub rebelled against the Lord, one third of the angels followed him in his rebellion and became demons. Isaiah 14:12-15; Revelation 12:3-5. Wayne Grudem defines angels: “Angels are created, spiritual beings with moral judgement and high intelligence, but without physical bodies.” Angels were all created by God during the six days of creation, they are not eternal. Nehemiah 9:6; Colossians 1:15-17. Angels exercise moral judgment: 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6. Angels have high intelligence: Revelation 5:11-14. Angels are ministering spirits who worship Jesus Christ: Hebrews 1:1-14 and do not ordinarily have physical bodies. Usually angels cannot be seen by us unless the Lord gives us a special ability to see them: 2 Kings 6:15-17; Luke 2:8-14; Matthew 28:1-7.

      II.   HOW DOES THE BIBLE DESCRIBE ANGELS?

The Bible tells us there are different types of angels and that there is a rank or order among the angels. There are only three angels named in the Scriptures. Michael is mentioned in multiple places and is call one of the chief princes: Daniel 10:13. Gabriel is mentioned in Daniel chapters 8 and 9 as a messenger who comes from God: Daniel 8:15-17. In Luke 1:26-28 Gabriel was God’s messenger to Zechariah and Mary: Luke 1:5-20; Luke 1:26-28. The third angel the Bible speaks of by name is Lucifer who fell away from the Lord and took one third of the angels with him: Isaiah 14:12-15. God tells us that angels are our guardians: Psalm 91:9-12; Matthew 18:10.

      III.   WHAT DO ANGELS DO?

      First angels are God’s messengers: Luke 1:29-38. The word “angel” in the Greek language is “anggelos” which means “messenger.” Angels brings God’s messages to mankind and some even carry out God’s judgments on mankind. Acts 12:19-24; Revelation 16:1. Angels are also worshippers of God: Revelation 5:11-14. Angels constantly worship the Lord: Psalms 103:19- 21. When our Lord Jesus was born in Bethlehem it was a multitude of angels that were praising God: Luke 2:8-14. When someone receives Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior the angels of God rejoice: Luke 15:8-10. Angels are also warriors who fight for the glory of God! Matthew 25:31; Daniel 10:12-14; Revelation 12:7-8. It will be an angel that puts Satan into the Abyss during the Millennial reign of Christ: Revelation 20:1-3. As powerful as angels are they do not rebuke Satan: Jude 9; Revelation 12:7-9. Angels perform a protective function for God’s children and that is another reason we can love and trust our Lord because He created these beings for His glory and our good.