Untitled Sermon

What Are Angels?

Angels are personal spiritual beings who have intelligence, emotions, and will.  This is true of both the good and evil angels (demons).  Angels possess intelligence (Matthew 8:29; 2 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Peter 1:12), show emotion (Luke 2:13; James 2:19; Revelation 12:17), and exercise will (Luke 8:28-31; 2 Timothy 2:26; Jude 6). Angels are spirit beings (Hebrews 1:14) without true physical bodies.  Although they do not have physical bodies, they are still personalities.

Because they are created beings, their knowledge is limited.  This means they do not know all things as God does (Matthew 24:36).  They do seem to have greater knowledge than humans, however, which may be due to three things.  First, angels were created as an order of creatures higher than humans.  Therefore, they innately possess greater knowledge.  Second, angels study the Bible and the world more thoroughly than humans do and gain knowledge from it (James 2:19; Revelation 12:12).  Third, angels gain knowledge through long observation of human activities.  Unlike humans, angels do not have to study the past; they have experienced it.  Therefore, they know how others have acted and reacted in situations and can predict with a greater degree of accuracy how we may act in similar circumstances. Though they have wills, angels, like all creatures, are subject to the will of God.  Good angels are sent by God to help believers (Hebrews 1:14 - Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?).

Here are some activities where the Bible talks about angels: They praise God (Psalm 148:1-2; Isaiah 6:3).

They worship God (Hebrews 1:6; Revelation 5:8-13).

They rejoice in what God does (Job 38:6-7).

They serve God (Psalm 103:20; Revelation 22:9).

They appear before God (Job 1:6; 2:1).

They are instruments of God’s judgments (Revelation 7:1; 8:2).

They bring answers to prayer (Acts 12:5-10).

They aid in winning people to Christ (Acts 8:26; 10:3).

They observe Christian order, work, and suffering (1 Corinthians 4:9; 11:10; Ephesians 3:10; 1 Peter 1:12).

They encourage in times of danger (Acts 27:23-24).

They care for the righteous at the time of death (Luke 16:22). Angels are an entirely different order of being than humans.  Human beings do not become angels after they die. Angels will never become, and never were, human beings.  God created the angels, just as He created humanity.  The Bible nowhere states that angels are created in the image and likeness of God, as humans are (Genesis 1:26 -  Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.").  Angels are spiritual beings that can take on physical form.  Humans are primarily physical beings, but with a spiritual aspect.  The greatest thing we can learn from the holy angels is their instant, unquestioning obedience to God’s commands.

Where Do Angels Come From?

Angels are personal spirit beings created to worship and serve God.  We don’t know when angels were created in relation to the events of Genesis 1-2, but Scripture indicates that angels were present when God created the earth (Job 38:4-7 - "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation?  Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone -- while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?). Angels are mysterious to us, and they are powerful beings, but they are created as all things are.  Scripture is clear about this.  Psalm 148:2,5 - “Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his heavenly hosts. . . . Let them praise the name of the Lord, for at his command they were created”.

Angels are part of the “invisible” things and “powers” created by God and mentioned by Paul:  “In him [the Son] all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things” (Colossians 1:16–17). We know that mankind came from the earth.  God used mud and formed Adam’s body, then breathed life into it, and man became a living soul (Genesis 2:7). We are not told what “substance,” if any, God used to create angels.  They may have been "spoken" into existance like the rest of God's creation.

Some people believe that "good" people become angels when they die.  There is no biblical proof that angels are former people.       Even in heaven, the difference between mankind and “angelkind” is different.  Revelations 7:9-11 says - Then I looked, and there was a large crowd of people.  There were so many people that no one could count them all.  They were from every nation, tribe, race of people, and language of the earth.  They were standing before the throne and before the Lamb.  They all wore white robes and had palm branches in their hands.  They shouted loudly, “Victory belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

The elders and the four living beings were there.  All the angels were standing around them and the throne.  The angels bowed down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God.

How Many Angels Are There?

No exact number is given in the Bible, but it does teach there is a vast multitude of angels. When Jesus is arrested the night before His crucifixion, Peter cuts off the ear of the high priest’s servant.  Jesus immediately tells Peter to put away his sword and that if He wants, He can call on His Father for help (Mt 26:50-53a).  Then, what does He say His Father could do (26:53b)?  ". . . he would give me more than twelve armies of angels.".

A legion of Roman soldiers could number as many as 6,000 troops.  Twelve legions would be 72,000 angels. However, this is only a small fraction of the angels that exist.  In Revelation 5:11, John sees and hears thousands and thousands of angels — 10,000 times 10,000.  What is 10,000 times 10,000?   One hundred million!

Yet, the Bible teaches there are perhaps many more than this number of angels in Heaven to serve God.

Where Do Angels Live?

Angels don’t simply exist as invisible spirits on earth. Their home is in heaven around God’s throne.  But they are sent out from heaven, to earth, on special assignments.  For example, on the Sunday of Christ’s resurrection what does an angel of the Lord do (Matthew 28:2 - for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tumb, rolled back the stone and sat on it).

When their assignments on earth are finished, they return to heaven.

What is the purpose of angels?

Naked cherubs, wings, halos, and cute kindergartners in the Christmas play are some of the images that come to mind when we think about angels.  But God’s Word gives us an entirely different picture. Hebrews 1:7 says, "In speaking of the angels he says, "He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire." Angels are spirits created to serve God’s purposes. Scripture gives us only glimpses into the supernatural realm, but it is enough to learn that angels perform a variety of jobs and are used for several purposes: 1. To serve the people God saves.  One purpose of angels is to minister to the elect of God: “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14).  Paul experienced an angelic visitation during a storm at sea.  The angel brought him comfort (Acts 27:23–24).   Others who have been served by angels include Elijah (1 Kings 19:3–8) and Peter (Acts 12:6–10). 2. To deliver messages.  The word angel literally means “messenger.”   In the Bible, angels usually appeared as men when they delivered messages from God to people (see Genesis 18:1–3 - Later, the Lord again appeared to Abraham near the oak trees of Mamre.  It was the hottest part of the day, and Abraham was sitting at the door of his tent.  He looked up and saw three men standing in front of him.  When he saw the men, he ran to them and bowed before them.  Abraham said, “Sirs, [Sirs This Hebrew word can mean “sirs” or “Lord.” This might show that these were angels, and not ordinary men.] please stay a while with me, your servant.]. The angel Gabriel appeared to at least three people in the Bible. -- He interpreted a vision for Daniel (Daniel 8:16), -- He told Zechariah about the birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:19), -- He proclaimed to Mary that she would be the mother of the Messiah (Luke 1:26). Angels in the form of men also warned Lot of God’s coming judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:1). 3. To wage spiritual battle.  Another purpose of angels is to fight the forces of spiritual darkness who try to defeat God’s plans (Ephesians 6:12 - Our fight is not against people on earth. We are fighting against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness. We are fighting against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly places.; Jude 1:9 - Not even the archangel Michael did this. Michael argued with the devil about who would have the body of Moses. But Michael did not dare to condemn even the devil for his false accusations. Instead, Michael said, “The Lord punish you!” ). When an angel appeared to Daniel to deliver the interpretation of a vision, the angel stated that Michael the archangel had to help him fight his way through enemy forces (Daniel 10:10-14 -  A hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees.  He said, "Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you." And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling. Then he continued, "Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.  But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia.  Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come."). The full extent of angelic warfare is not known to us, but these few glimpses are enough to suggest that a fierce cosmic battle rages just out of sight. 4. To worship God.  Angels constantly surround the throne of God, worshiping and shouting His praises (Psalm 148:1–2; Isaiah 6:3, Hebrews 1:6; Revelation 5:8–13). Since angels were created to worship God, their rejection of that purpose is an unforgivable wrong.  When Lucifer, a chief angel, refused to worship God and insisted that angels worship him instead, God cast him, and the angels that followed him, from heaven (Isaiah 14:12-15 - You were like the morning star, but you have fallen from the sky.  In the past, all the nations on earth bowed down before you, but now you have been cut down.  You always told yourself, “I will go to the skies above.  I will put my throne above God’s stars.  I will sit on Zaphon,14:13 Zaphon This Hebrew word literally means “north” or “hidden.” the holy mountain where the gods meet.  I will go up to the altar above the tops of the clouds.  I will be like God Most High.”  But that did not happen.  You were brought down to the deep pit—Sheol, the place of death. 5. To serve.  Angels exist to do the will of their Creator.  They go where God sends them, say what He gives them to say, and minister to His children on earth (Psalm 103:20; Revelation 22:9; Hebrews 1:14). After Jesus’ forty-day temptation in the wilderness, angels came (from heaven) and ministered to Him (Matthew 4:11 - Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.). When the righteous die, it seems that angels carry them straight to the place of God’s rest Luke 16:22 - "The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. 6. To execute judgment.  Angels are not all radiance and joy.  They also carry out God’s orders for destruction.  The book of Revelation foretells many angelic acts that will bring about the ultimate destruction of the world (Revelation 7:1; 8—10).  When Pharaoh refused to let the people of God leave Egypt, God sent an angel to strike down every firstborn son (Exodus 12:12, 23).  Angels were involved in the death of Herod (Acts 12:23), the slaughter of the Assyrian army (2 Kings 19:35), and the punishment of Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 21:15). 7. To aid in the spreading of God’s Word. Hebrews 2:2 - The teaching (Mosaic Laws) that God spoke through angels was shown to be true.  And every time his people did something against that teaching, they were punished for what they did.  They were punished when they did not obey that teaching.  Somehow, angels were involved in the process of Moses receiving the law on Sinai, revealing yet another purpose of angels (see Galations 3:19; Acts 7:38,53). God uses angels any way He chooses.  Because we hardly know anything about a world outside our physical universe, we cannot possibly understand all the purposes angels fulfill.  But Christians have the confidence that God’s holy angels stand ready to protect and deliver God’s mortal children (Psalm 91:11 - He will command his angels to protect you wherever you go.). While angels are created beings, as we are, and should never be worshiped, we can thank the Lord for them and the unseen ways He uses them to impact our lives. How Can I Experience (or meet) an Angel? The Bible teaches it is possible to experience (or meet) an angel and not even know it. This is because they can appear as people just like us.  Hebrews 13:2 tellss us - Always remember to help people by welcoming them into your home.  Some people have done that and have helped angels without knowing it. This happened to Abraham (Gen. 18) and Lot (Gen. 19). The point is that, as Christians, we are to be loving and caring to others in our homes, at church and everywhere else.