1Angels
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Angels and Demons
Lesson 1 – Existence and Origin of Angels
1. “Mention the word ‘Angel’ and what do you visualize? In my mind’s eye I see a beautiful woman with long golden hair; a full, flowing white robe; and lovely shining wings that flutter gracefully, propelling this wonder along. Her voice is soft and gentle…”
a. “Others think of angels as fat, pink babies with a crossbow and heart-shaped arrows, aiming at some hapless fellow…” (A Study of Angels, Francis Parr)
b. According to the Bible, both these ideas are inaccurate
2. “Angelology” is the theological term which refers to the study of angels
a. The word “angel” or “angels” occurs at least 300x in the Bible
3. There was a time not so long ago when our society sneered at the idea of spirit beings living in a spirit world – Naturalism ruled
a. Now, thanks to the rising popularity of New Age ideas and interest in wicca and the occult, angels and demons are enjoying a renewed popularity.
b. Christians need perspective lest we belittle angels and demons, or lest we give them more than their due.
c. The Bible is the final arbiter of what is true and false about angels and demons – we need to know what it says!
4. Why study angels and demons?
a. It is a Biblical topic ()
i. Large parts of both the Old Testament and the New Testament fail to make much sense if angels and demons are not real – they worship, serve, interact, reveal, challenge, possess and threaten the main characters of the Bible
ii. In 34 of 66 books, there are specific references to angels – 17 OT and 17 New
iii. The word “angel” is used 108x in OT and 165-183x in NT
iv. The Bible takes for granted that they exist
b. We will gain a greater understanding and appreciation of God’s Scheme of Redemption – He used angels to accomplish a number of things
i. – “You received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it”
ii. – “The word spoken through angels proved steadfast…”
c. They are interested in man
i. Angels rejoice over a man who repents and returns to God (, )
ii. Demons intend to deceive us by instigating false doctrine (), and separating us from the love of God ()
d. It helps us understand God’s holiness and righteousness better
i. Angels worship in His presence – “Holy, holy, holy” ()
ii. Demons – “I know who You are – the Holy One of God!” ()
iii. The example of angels helps us understand how we ought to worship and serve God better – in spirit and in truth
e. The Bible says our spiritual warfare involves angels and demons
i. “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” ()
I. The Existence of Angels – References in Scripture
I. The Existence of Angels – References in Scripture
Not exhaustive list…
1. Hagar comforted by Angel of the Lord ()
Now the Angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur.
2. Abraham and Lot visited by angels
And he said, “Here now, my lords, please turn in to your servant’s house and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may rise early and go on your way.” And they said, “No, but we will spend the night in the open square.”
Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them, and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground.
3. Jacob dreamed of angels on ladder ()
Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.
4. Moses called by Angel of the Lord ()
And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed.
5. Balaam’s donkey saw an Angel of the Lord ()
Then God’s anger was aroused because he went, and the Angel of the Lord took His stand in the way as an adversary against him. And he was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him.
6. Gideon spoke to an Angel of the Lord ()
Now the Angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth tree which was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon threshed wheat in the winepress, in order to hide it from the Midianites.
7. Manoah (Samson’s dad) spoke to Angel of the Lord (
And the Angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, “Indeed now, you are barren and have borne no children, but you shall conceive and bear a son.
Now there was a certain man from Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren and had no children.
8. Isaiah saw angels in a vision (
Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.
9. Joseph and Mary (; )
And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”
9. Joseph and Mary (; )
Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.”
10. Jesus helped by angels (; )
Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.
11. Jesus said we will be like angels in resurrection ()
Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven.
12. Angels announced resurrection and ascension ()
And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
13. Released apostles from prison ()
But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.”
But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said,
14. Directed Philip ()
Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert.
15. Announced to Paul that he would be delivered from shipwreck ()
For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.
II. The Origin of Angels – Created or Eternal?
II. The Origin of Angels – Created or Eternal?
1. – “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? To what were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone, When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy?”
“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? To what were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone, When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy?
a. Seems from this passage that they existed [were created] before the foundation of the world
2. The Bible claims that angels were all created by God
a. – “For by Him [Jesus] all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.”
For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
b. – “All things were made through Him [Jesus], and without Him nothing was made that was made”
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
c. – “You alone are the LORD; You have made heaven, The heaven of heavens, with all their host, The earth and everything on it, The seas and all that is in them, And You preserve them all. The host of heaven worships You.”
You alone are the Lord; You have made heaven, The heaven of heavens, with all their host, The earth and everything on it, The seas and all that is in them, And You preserve them all. The host of heaven worships You.
3. The Bible affirms that angels and demons alike are created beings, and it seems to indicate that they existed before the foundation of the earth. Beyond this, we have no information.
a. They are included in the list of all things that are to praise God () – “for He commanded and they were created”
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts! Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars! Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the Lord! For he commanded and they were created.
III. Names for Angels (as a class of beings)
III. Names for Angels (as a class of beings)
1. Angel (Gk. Angelos) = “messenger” – can sometimes refer to human messengers ()
For this is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.’
a. Hebrew, “malak” = “messenger” – can refer to human messengers ()
So they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kirjath Jearim, saying, “The Philistines have brought back the ark of the Lord; come down and take it up with you.”
b. Context determines whether the “messenger” is human or a supernatural, spiritual being ()
Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
2. Minister (Gk. Leitourgos) = “priestly minister” (used of Jesus in )
a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man.
a. They minister in the presence of God in spiritual service ( contains both Hebrew words) – messenger, minister
Who makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flame of fire.
3. Host – a mighty army of God (; , )
For who in the heavens can be compared to the Lord? Who among the sons of the mighty can be likened to the Lord?
Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
4. Watchers – ,
“I saw in the visions of my head while on my bed, and there was a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven.
5. Sons of the Mighty / Sons of God – ; ; ;
nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.
a. In Job, Satan is classed among the “Sons of God” – seems to be a term that refers not necessarily to holiness or righteousness, but rather to origin and strength
6. Holy Ones – ;
Then I heard a holy one speaking; and another holy one said to that certain one who was speaking, “How long will the vision be, concerning the daily sacrifices and the transgression of desolation, the giving of both the sanctuary and the host to be trampled underfoot?”