Angels Part 1 - Introduction

I. Understanding the Reality of Angels

A. Angels as Created Beings

1. Angels are part of Elohim’s created order, distinct from humans but still created by Elohim.

2. “because all things in the heavens and on the earth were created by Him, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers, all thingswere created through Him and for Him, and He himself is before all things, and in Him all things are held together,” (Colossians 1:16–17, AT)

B. Angels within the Hebrew Bible Context

1. In the Hebrew Bible, Angels appear as messengers of Elohim, often invisible but sometimes taking human form.

2. "And the two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he stood up to meet them, and he bowed down with his face to the ground." (Genesis 19:1, AT)

II. Angelic Terminology in the Bible

A. The Hebrew Word for Angel ("Mal'ak")

1. The term mal'ak* is often transliterated as "angel" but literally means "messenger." This emphasizes their role as divine agents.

2. "For the lips of the priest should guard knowledge, and they should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger [mal'ak] of Yahweh ṣəbāʾôt ." (Malachi 2:7, AT)

B. The Greek Word for Angel ("Angelos")

1. In the New Testament, the Greek word “angelos” also means messenger and often refers to spiritual beings sent by God (theos).

2. "But as he was considering these things, behold, an angelos of the kyrios appeared to him in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for what has been conceived in her is from the ἁγίου πνεύματός.'" (Matthew 1:20)

III. The Roles of Angels

A. Mal'akim as Messengers of Elohim/Theos

1. Their primary role in scripture is to deliver messages from Elohim/Theos to humans.

2. "And I was still speaking in prayer, and the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, in my weariness touched me at the time of the evening offering. And he instructed me and he spoke with me and he said, 'Daniel I have now come out to teach you understanding. At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and now I have come to declare it, for you are highly esteemed, and so consider the word and understand the vision.'" (Daniel 9:21-23, AT)

B. Mal'akim/Angeloi as Ministers to Elohim/Kurios’ People

1. Mal'akim/Angeloi often appear to serve and protect Elohim/theos’ people, acting as intermediaries between Elohim/theos and man.

2. "For he will command his mal’akim concerning you, to watch over you in all your ways. In their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone." (Psalm 91:11-12, AT)

IV. The Misunderstanding of Angels in Popular Culture

A. Angels Are Not to Be Worshiped

1. The Bible makes it clear that angels, while holy, are not divine and should not be objects of worship.

2. "And I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angelos who was showing me these things. And he said to me, 'Do not do that! I am a fellow slave of you and of your brothers the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship (proskynēson) Theos!” (Revelation 22:8-9, AT)

3. Proskynēson means to express complete dependence or submission to a diety through gestures like worship or obeisance. It is described as the act of prostrating oneself before a deity and kissing their feet or garment. This illustrates how New Testament believers worship God and particularly the significance of worshiping the risen kurios, Iēsous christos!

B. Angels Do Not Function as Independent Beings

1. Mal,akim/Angeloi always act in accordance with Elohim/theos’ will and are not independent agents.

2. Hebrews 1:14** – "Are they not all spirits (πνεύματα) engaged in special service, sent on assignment for the sake of those who are going to inherit salvation?"

V. Angels in the New Testament: Jesus and the Angels

A. Angels at Key Moments of Jesus’ Life

1. Mal’akim/angeloi appear at key points in Jesus’ life, signaling their importance in the unfolding of God's plan of salvation.

2. "And suddenly there was with the angelos a multitude of the heavenly army, praising Theos and saying, 'Glory to Theos in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom he is pleased!'" (Luke 2:13-14, AT)

a. Not goodwill toward men (NKJ)

3. "Then the devil (satana) left him, and behold, angeloi came and began ministering to Him." (Matthew 4:11, AT)

VI. Conclusion: The Importance of Understanding Angels in the Bible

A. Why Study Angels?

1. Understanding the biblical role of ‘angels’ provides insight into Theos’s governance of the universe and His interactions with humanity.

2. Angels are reminders of God’s active involvement in the world through His created spiritual agents.

3. "To whom it was revealed that they were serving not themselves, but you with regard to the things that have now been “gospeled” to you through those who “gospeled” the gospel (euangeliōn) to you by the hagiō pneumati sent from heaven (ouranou), things into which angeloi desire to look." (1 Peter 1:12, AT)

Closing Thoughts

A. Mal,akim/angeloi serve as Elohim/Theos’ messengers and ministers, pointing us to Elohim/Theos' sovereignty and grace - the realities of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. Their roles in scripture should be understood in the context of Elohim/Theos’ larger plan for humanity.