BS-17 ‘Angels – Created to serve GOD’
The word in Hebrew and Greek means MESSENGER. They are ‘created’ beings with a primary purpose or function, to serve and worship GOD. In Heaven, once the saved become immortal they are like the angels: probably not a male gender or female, and neither marry or given in marriage. Luke 20:34-38 [At times in scripture angels are called the ‘Sons of God’.]
[Comment – The snake or serpent in Genesis was the fallen angel we call Satan. Angels were serving God prior to the creation of the heavens and the creation of Adam & Eve. It could be called ‘Eternity Past’.]
Question-1, How many angels would you guess are serving God?
Angels, a number beyond calculation
Rev. 5:11, Heb. 12:22, Enoch [44] [66],
Rev. 5:11, – Then I [that would be John] looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.”
Question-2, What was the name of the angel who spoke with Daniel?
Messengers – Gabriel, who is one of the archangels or ‘strong’ angels.
Daniel 8:15, Luke 1:26
Daniel 8:15, – When I, Daniel, had seen the vision, I sought to understand it; and behold, standing before me was one who looked like a man. 16 And I heard the voice of a man between the banks of Ulai, and he called out and said, “Gabriel, give this man an understanding of the vision [the message given to Daniel].”
Luke 1:26, – Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” [Mariam & Yosef were Hebrew names]
Question-3, What angel waged war with the dragon in heaven?
Warriors – Michael who is also an archangel.
Revelation 12:7, – And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war, 8 and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
[The mystery is; where are they? Are they hanging out at the South Pole or in some bottomless pit?]
[OR was the vision FUTURE tense?]
Jude vs.9, – But Michael, the archangel, when disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgement, but said, “the Lord rebuke you!” [Unlike the people today who think they have a right to judge others]
Question-4, Are there other forms of angels mentioned in scripture?
Winged Angel – Cherubim & Seraphim – Ophanin – [Enoch 72 & 90]
Winged Angel – Seraphim – Isaiah 6:1-2 – In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. 2 Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.
Winged Angel – Cherubim – Genesis 3:22-24 – Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”— 23 therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden, to cultivate the ground from which he was taken. 24 So He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.
Question-5, Can an angel fall into a state of sin and be cast out of heaven?
Fallen Angels
Genesis 6:4, – the Nephilim, possible the sons of God who fell from heaven.
Isaiah 14:12, KJV – How you have fallen from heaven, Lucifer, star of the morning.
Numbers 13:33, – There also we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak are part of the Nephilim); and we became like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.” [Anak was a name possible for Satan or one of the leaders of fallen angels]
Deut. 1:28, – Where can we go up? Our brethren have made our hearts melt, saying, “The people are bigger and taller than we; the cities are large and fortified to heaven. And besides, we saw the sons of the Anakim there.”’
2 Peter 2:4, – For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell [In dungeons lower than Sh’ol] and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment;5 and did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;
James 2:19, – You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. [Demons are servants of Satan. The point is that Satan BELIEVES in Jesus; we have to TRUST HIM, be committed to HIM, become obedient to HIM; an intellect BELIEF won’t get a person SAVED.]
Revelation 12:13, 20:12 – And when the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child. – 12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. – 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. [Is the woman the country of Israel?]
Question-6, Of all the angels, are there any of great significance?
Holy Angels
Revelation [Chapter 15, 16, & 17]
The seven angels of heaven unleased the seven plagues; next, they unleased the seven bowls of Wrath. [These are angels without a name in this scripture but have a special job to perform]
Book of Enoch – A separate document not in the PROTESTER’s Bible; IT names the Holy angels.
[pg.-26] Uriel, one of the holy angels, who presides over clamour and terror. – Raphael, one of the holy angels, who presides over the spirits of men. – Raguel, one of the holy angels, who inflicts punishment on the world and the luminaries. – Michael, one of the holy angels, who, presiding over human virtue, commands the nations. – Sarakiel, one of the holy angels, who presides over the spirits of the children of men that transgress. Gabriel, one of the holy angels, who presides over Ikisat, over paradise, and over the cherubim. – [pg.45 & 60] is Phanuel, the angel who presides over Repentance and the Hope of those who will inherit eternal life. [Comment – Don’t take these names to the Bank to cash in but besides the 66 books we use as our Bible; there are many documents who do have history recorded for mankind to use.] [An archangel is POWERFUL – that is one to take to the Bank.]
Enoch – Who was Enoch? He was ‘one of two men of Faith’ [Hebrews, chapter 11] that God took to heaven; who did not die an earthly death; the other was Elijah. He was a man who had the Faith that God blessed. More than likely, Noah was Enoch’s great-grandson.
Genesis 5:18-24, – 18 Jared lived one hundred and sixty-two years, and became the father of Enoch. 19 Then Jared lived eight hundred years after he became the father of Enoch, and he had other sons and daughters. 20 So all the days of Jared were nine hundred and sixty-two years, and he died. 21 Enoch lived sixty-five years, and became the father of Methuselah.22 Then Enoch walked with God three hundred years after he became the father of Methuselah, and he had other sons and daughters. 23 So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. 24 Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.
Hebrews 11:5-6, – FAITH – 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God. [Why?] 6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. [How would you like to be taken up because you are pleasing to God?]
Jude 1:14-16, – 14 It was also about these men that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord came with many thousands of His holy ones, 15 to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.” 16 These are grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts; they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage. [Comment – These words are not in Genesis so apparently Jude read the book of Enoch]
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The Angels will accompany Christ when HE returns to earth. Matthew 25:31-46
The shout of the archangel will proceed Christ as HE descends from Heaven. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Christ sends HIS angel to testify to those who hears the words of the prophet. Revelation 22:16
Angels deal out retribution to those who do not know or obey the Gospel of CHRIST. 2 Thes. 1:6-8
Christ will send Angels to gather HIS Elect. Matthew 24:31, Mark 13:24-27
Question-7, Are angels strong or mighty?
Strong Angel
And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, a strong angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. 3 And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. – Matthew 28:2
And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?”– Rev. 5:2
Angel killed 185,000 – Isiah 37:36, 2 Kings 19:35, … [strong or what?]
Daniel 12:1 – The Time of the End, Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. [Will there be plaques, and destruction on earth?]
Daniel 10:13 – The angel Gabriel [9:21] speaking to Daniel commented; “the prince of the kingdom of Persia [probably Satan] was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia.”
Question-8, Are angels involved with worship of God?
Angels Exalt the Lord
11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” – Rev 5:11
Question-9, Do angels ever avenge the sins of mankind?
Angels visit Abraham and then Destroy Sodom [Announcement of Judgment]
Gen. 19:1 – Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening as Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom.
15 When morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Up, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away in the punishment of the city.” 16 But he hesitated. So the men [Angels] seized his hand and the hand of his wife and the hands of his two daughters, for the compassion of the Lord was upon him; and they brought him out, and put him outside the city. 23 The sun had risen over the earth when Lot came to Zoar. 24 Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven, 25 and He overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. 26 But his wife [Lots wife], from behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. [Were they told not to look back?]
Question-10, Which angel did God send to announce the births of Yochanan & Yeshua? [John and Jesus]
Birth of John the Baptist Foretold by Gabriel [Announcement]
Luke 1:5 – In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zacharias, both righteous in the sight of God… 11 And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. 12 Zacharias was troubled when he saw the angel, and fear gripped him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John”. Hebrew name would have been – Yochanan
18 Zacharias said to the angel, “How will I know this for certain? For I am an old man [less than 50] and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 The angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.”
Jesus’ Birth Foretold [Announcement]
Luke 1:26. Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. 30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; 33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.” 34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. 36 And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, the bond slave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her
Jesus’ Birth in Bethlehem announced by an Angel
Luke 2:1 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all [a]the inhabited earth. 2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5 in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. 6 While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” [What name would Mary have called Jesus?]
Question-11, When Christ ascended, how many angels spoke to the disciples?
The Ascension
Acts 1:9-11 – 9 And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men [Angels] in white clothing stood beside them. 11 They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”
Question-12, Have you ever entertained an angel?
Hebrews 13:2, – Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it. [Sometimes there are sweet people here on earth; they do amazing good deeds for people in need; often referred to their earthly angels.] Angels; created to serve God; How about you?
‘SELAH’-So what do you think about Angels?
DG