Angels: God's Ministering Spirits

Psalm 103:20 KJV 1900

Bless the Lord, ye his angels, That excel in strength, that do his commandments, Hearkening unto the voice of his word.

Introduction

1. Show students resource 29-R5. Have them evaluate the depiction of the angel.

Give students paper and markers or colored pencils. Students draw what comes to their minds when they think about angels.

ASK: What does the angel figurine communicate about angels? They are cute, humanlike, small, and powerless.

ASK: What is your perception of angels?

ASK: How often do you think about angels and their part in your life?

2. Transition to Bible lesson.

Christians and non-Christians alike often depict angels as cute, harmless, and weak. Some think of departed people as angels, especially when a baby or small child dies. The Bible doesn’t tell us all we would like to know about angels, but it reveals all we need to know. This lesson will help us gain a Biblical understanding of angels.

Creation of Angels

God created angels (Ps. 148:2–5), meaning they have not existed from eternity past.

Nehemiah 9:6 KJV 1900

Thou, even thou, art Lord alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.

God created angels before creating the earth.

God questioned Job, asking him where he was when God laid the foundations of the earth. God said the “morning stars” and “sons of God” sang together at the earth’s creation (Job 38:4–7). The “stars” and “sons” refer to angels.

Angels are innumerable (unable to be numbered) from our perspective (Heb. 12:22). The apostle John saw a vision of God’s throne and wrote there were thousands of thousands of angels (Rev. 5:11).

Revelation 5:11 KJV 1900

And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

ASK: Why do you think God made the angels innumerable? What might He be revealing about Himself? That He is worthy of infinite praise; that He has more than enough servants to do His bidding; that His power is great.

Although they can appear in bodily form, angels are spirit beings and have no physical bodies (Heb. 1:13, 14). Two angels appeared as men to deliver a message to Abraham concerning the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 18; 19). The Angel of the Lord, or the preincarnate Christ, also appeared as a man. All three even enjoyed a meal prepared by Sarah. But their human bodies were a temporary arrangement to fulfill God’s mission. The angels returned to their spirit state after leading Lot out of Sodom. It is unlikely angels take on human form today, though Hebrew 13:2 might leave some room for that possibility.

Angels are personal creatures, meaning they have intellect, emotions, and will.

All three are seen in their response when a person believes in Christ as Savior. Angels understand salvation, decide to respond to the salvation decisions humans make, and feel joy when people choose to be saved.

Luke 15:10 KJV 1900

Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

ASK: Why might angels rejoice to see a person saved? They understand the value of a human soul; they know what God has in store for believers in eternity; they know the high price Jesus paid to purchase human redemption.

Under God’s direction and enabling, angels excel in strength and abilities so that they can do things that humans could not do (Ps. 103:20). For instance, an angel opened a prison door to free some of the apostles (Acts 5:19).

God created angels as perfectly holy, but their holiness wasn’t guaranteed.

God gave His angels the responsibility to choose to worship and serve Him.

Some chose to rebel and swing their loyalty to Lucifer (Satan) instead (Is. 14:12–14). As we covered in the previous session, the fallen angels not kept in chains are now serving Satan. All the fallen angels will end up in the Lake of Fire at the end of time (Matt. 25:41). Angels who remained faithful to God are called “holy angels” (Matt. 25:31; Mark 8:38). They will never choose to follow Satan. They form the army of God and continually stand ready to do the Lord’s bidding.

Psalm 103:20 KJV 1900

Bless the Lord, ye his angels, That excel in strength, that do his commandments, Hearkening unto the voice of his word.

Classes of Angles

Cherubim

God organized the angels into different classes. “Cherubim” means “to cover,” or “to guard.”

Cherubim guard God’s holiness.

They did so in the Garden of Eden after Adam and Eve sinned (Gen. 3:24). Their winged likenesses were placed on the mercy seat that sat on the top of the ark of the covenant (Exod. 25:18–22). God manifested His presence over the mercy seat in the Holiest of Holies. Cherubim were also woven into the texture of the inner curtains of the tabernacle (Exod. 36:8). They are also presented as flanking the throne of God (Ps. 80:1).

DISPLAY: Resource 29-R6. The image shows an artist’s rendering of the ark of the covenant.

Exodus 25:18–22 KJV 1900

And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat. And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof. And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be. And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee. And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.

ASK: What did God communicate by placing cherubim or images of cherubim around His manifested presence? That He is holy and separate from sin. Sinful men cannot simply enter God’s presence.

Seraphim

While the cherubim guard the holiness of God, the seraphim ensure proper worship of God.

Seraphim proclaim God’s holiness and lead Heaven in worshiping God.

Isaiah 6:2–7 KJV 1900

Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: The whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.

ASK: What did the seraphim do in Isaiah’s vision of God’s throne room? They declared God’s holiness and purified Isaiah with a live coal from the altar of sacrifice.

The root word “seraphs,” which means “to burn,” suggests that they are ardent in their zeal for the Lord. Their decadency is seen in their repeated declaration of God’s holiness.

The altar in Isaiah’s vision was symbolic of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, a still-future event at the time of Isaiah’s vision. Jesus’ shed blood cleanses us from sin and makes us ready to worship God.

Archangel

Michael the archangel seems to be the highest-ranking angel. He is the only archangel mentioned in the Bible, though there may be others.

Revelation 12:7–9 KJV 1900

And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

In the middle of the Tribulation, Michael and his army of angels will defeat the dragon, a reference to Satan. Satan and his angels will be forever banished from God’s presence in Heaven. Michael will get his power from God. There is no doubt he will defeat Satan, though Satan still thinks he will win.

ASK: What is your response to the prophesy of Michael’s victory over Satan?

Michael also oversees angels who administer God’s affairs for the nation of Israel. Michael is called the “prince” of Israel (Dan. 10:21).

Michael’s connection to Israel emphasizes the role Israel plays in God’s plan of salvation and plan to restore human rule over earth.

Jesus came to earth in the line of King David to die for the sins of the world and will one day return to rule over the earth.

Elsewhere, the Scriptures portray the archangel as a valiant warrior who fights God’s battles against Israel’s enemies (Dan. 12:1) and the evil powers of the spirit world (Jude 9; Rev. 12:7). An archangel will also forcefully and dramatically announce the coming of Christ for His church (1 Thess. 4:16).

Messengers

“Messengers” make up the unclassified group of countless angels. These angels watch from Heaven and witness God’s work through the church (Eph. 3:10–12). They have dominion and power (Col. 1:16). Jesus explained that the

Messenger angels follow God the Father’s orders.

He told the disciples that He had the authority to ask God the Father to command the angels to rescue Him (Matt. 26:53).

Genesis 28:10–21 KJV 1900

And Jacob went out from Beer-sheba, and went toward Haran. And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. And, behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of. And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not. And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven. And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it. And he called the name of that place Beth-el: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first. And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God:

God allowed Jacob to dream and see angels ascending and descending between Heaven and earth. At that time, Jacob was worried about his life and about God’s promises to him and his descendants. He was running scared.

ASK: What could Jacob learn about God from the stairway of angels he saw in the vision from God? That God had everything under control. God’s countless angels received their instructions from God and then carried out God’s will without delay.

God still uses His messenger angels in the world today. They carry out all kinds of ministries for the Lord.

Ministries of Angels

Protect

Angels protect, guard, and minister to believers, though we aren’t aware of their presence with us.

Psalm 34:7 KJV 1900

The angel of the Lord encampeth Round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

Psalm 91:11 KJV 1900

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, To keep thee in all thy ways.

ASK: Does God’s angelic presence in your life mean you will never get hurt or get in an accident? Explain. No. It means nothing will happen to us that is outside God’s will.

God’s angels can protect believers, but they won’t change God’s will for our lives. God’s will for us might involve an accident. The accident doesn’t mean God and His angels were asleep or busy elsewhere.

God sent an angelic multitude to deliver Elisha and the nation of Israel from the Syrians because Israel’s defeat wasn’t part of God’s will.

2 Kings 6:14–20 KJV 1900

Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about. And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the Lord, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha. And Elisha said unto them, This is not the way, neither is this the city: follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom ye seek. But he led them to Samaria. And it came to pass, when they were come into Samaria, that Elisha said, Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see. And the Lord opened their eyes, and they saw; and, behold, they were in the midst of Samaria.

ASK: What did the angelic host reveal to Elisha’s servant? That God and His army are far greater than any army or power man could assemble.

God sent an angel to shut the lions’ mouths when Daniel was thrown into their den (Dan. 6:16–23). Angels also ministered to Christ, refreshing Him after He was tempted by Satan (Matt. 4:11). When Peter faced inevitable torture and death in prison, God sent an angel to free him. The angel loosed his chains and safely led him out of the prison (Acts 12:7–10). Angels also protect little ones from harm (Matt. 18:10).

Announce

Angels sometimes acted as God’s couriers, delivering divine messages.

God sent the angel Gabriel to Mary. Gabriel explained that she, a virgin, would conceive and bear Jesus through the work of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:26–37). God also sent an angel to Joseph. He assured Joseph of Mary’s integrity and explained the matters of Christ’s birth (Matt. 1:20–23). God sent a host of angels to announce Christ’s birth to the shepherds on the hillside (Luke 2:8–14). Further, they announced His resurrection to the women at the tomb (Matt. 28:2–6).

Luke 2:8–14 KJV 1900

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, Good will toward men.

ASK: What made the angels so excited to announce Jesus’ birth? Jesus’ birth would both glorify God and bring peace to those who trusted in Jesus for salvation.

Direct

God has sometimes employed angels to direct people.

An angel told Philip to go down into the desert to Gaza (Acts 8:26). As a result, Philip led the Ethiopian eunuch to Christ. An angel of the Lord also directed John through a vision (Rev. 1:1). He revealed things which would come to pass and answered John’s questions about the mysteries of the future.

Worship

Angels are obsessed with worshiping God.

As we covered earlier, Isaiah saw a vision of seraphim who couldn’t help worshiping God (Isa. 6:3). They said the word “holy” three times in a row to communicate God’s holiness is perfect. One side cried out and then the other side. Back and forth they went without stopping. Angels can’t help but shout about God’s glory. They loved to proclaim God’s perfection.

God showed the apostle John visions of Heaven. In those visions angels surrounded the throne of God, tirelessly praising Him (Rev. 4:5–11; 5:11–14). We will take part in the angels’ praise to God. The twenty four elders seated around God’s throne and casting their crowns at His feet most likely represent Church-age believers (4:10, 11).

ASK: When have you felt compelled to worship God’s greatness?

ASK: What encourages you to worship His greatness?

conclusion

David wrote Psalm 103 to praise God for salvation and the permanent removal of sin. He called on all creation, including the angels, to praise God. The holy angels understand the meaning and impact of salvation for humanity. They gladly praised God for humanity’s salvation. They realize their fellow angels who rebelled against God are forever lost in their sin. Satan and his demons cannot know God’s mercy and redemption. We ought to praise God that we can benefit from God’s merciful plan of salvation.

God created angels holy and good. They all rejoiced at the creation of the world. Some chose to follow Satan’s rebellion. Those angels have no means of restoration. They will be lost forever. God created angels with different levels of authority and responsibilities. Cherubim protect and cover God’s holiness. Seraphim lead in the worship of God. Michael the archangel is instrumental in Israel’s protection and God’s unfolding plans. Angels minister by protecting believers, announcing God’s will, directing God’s servants, and worshiping the Lord.