The Purpose of Angels

Last week we began our study of the angelic host and looked at some various aspects of their creation. Tonight we are going to get into the purpose of the angels, why they were created. As we discussed last week angels serve many purposes, primarily they are messengers, but also soldiers and defenders. But for what purpose were they created, especially considering they were created before mankind…meaning there were no people to convey messages to, or any enemies to fight or allies to defend. What then was the original purpose of the angels?

In their orignal state they were created to...

Praise God

Psalm 148:1–3 (KJV 1900)

1 Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: Praise him in the heights.

2 Praise ye him, all his angels: Praise ye him, all his hosts.

3 Praise ye him, sun and moon: Praise him, all ye stars of light.

The most simplistic meaning of the word “praise” is “thanks”, but to give thanks is not nearly descriptive enough!

Praise is thanking God for being God and for what He has done, is doing, is going to do, and is able to do. In short, it is thanking God for being God!

I’m reminded of the little girl who was asked to pray before Sunday school. She was asked to remember all those who were sick and in need of prayer, and so she began listing everyone and every ailment. When she was almost done she said, to the effect, “And God, please bless yourself, because without you we’re all sunk!”

We are guilty of forgetting how wonderful God is to us, but not the angels. They were created for the purpose of praising God and for...

Serving God

Revelation 1:7 (KJV 1900)

7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

Angels, in their original state, were created to praise God, glorify God, and serve God.

Notice, I keep referring to angels in “their original state”? Clearly they no longer exist in this state, in fact a good number of the angels have fallen far away from their original purpose of praise, glory, and service to God. That sounds like a good topic!

The Original State in Which Angels were Created

All angels were created, originally, in a state of “unconfirmed holiness”. Their current, eternal condition was predicated upon a choice they would be required to make.

I say required, not because caused this choice to arise, but required because the choice did arise. There would be no conscientious observers in the conflict that ensued. Their current and eternal condition is the result of individual choice which divided them into two different groups. 2 Peter 2:4

2 Peter 2:4 KJV 1900

4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

Jude 6 KJV 1900

6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

The fall of angles is the subject for our next study, tonight we will stay focused on the original purpose of angles, the “why” they were created. This leads us to our final point for tonight...

The Place and Privilege Which all Angles Originally Enjoyed

All angels, prior to the fall, enjoyed the privilege of...

Being in God’s presence and delighting in it. Matthew 18:10 “10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.”

Praising God Psalm 148:1–3 “1 Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: Praise him in the heights. 2 Praise ye him, all his angels: Praise ye him, all his hosts. 3 Praise ye him, sun and moon: Praise him, all ye stars of light.”

Coming before God and communicating with Him

Job 1:6 “6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.”

Job 2:1 “1 Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the Lord.”

Being involved in God’s service Hebrews 1:7 “7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.”

Take Away

There is an elusive idea called “utopia”. In a utopia everything is perfect, everyone is equal, there is no crime, there is no hatred. Utopia is a fantasy. It is unattainable, and unrealistic. Many have tried, and none have succeeded. The reason this is impossible is becasue of sin. Even among the angelic host there was found jealousy and pride. Next time we discuss the angels, we will discuss their nature(s) after the fall, but for tonight I simply wanted to discuss their ORIGINAL purpose, the one for which God created them.