ADD - Angels

Christian Disciple and Angels Right mouse click to save this Podcast as a MP3.

The Psalmist writes in Psalm 148v2-5 :

Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his heavenly hosts.

Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars.

Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies.

Let them praise the name of the LORD, for he commanded and they were created.

There has risen, in the Western world over the last few years a great deal of interest in angels! Any bookstore will have hundreds of books written by people claiming to either be some form of authority on angels or as a messenger relaying a message from angels for us humans. Amazon.com had over 20,000 different titles when I did a search on there about angels, with the vast majority of these would not be written from a Christian or even a biblical viewpoint. So what does the Christian Disciple’s authority, the Bible, say about angels.

1. What Bible says -

Angels are mentioned frequently in the Bible; at least one hundred times in the Old Testament and 175 times in the New Testament.

We know that they are created beings (Psalm 148v2-5) possibly created before humanity (Job38v7). Hebrews 1v14 tells us that these spiritual beings also serve humans who are inheriting salvation! They appear in human form, as in Abraham’s visitor (Genesis 13 - Angel of the Lord). They do not die (Luke 20v36), and they do not marry(Mark 12v25).

From the information we have, we know that they are personal, intelligent & able to communicate with humans. They have a will (2 Peter 2v4), are separate from humanity (1 Corinthians 6v3) and powerful yet also finite. There are large companies of angels (Revelation 5v11), and they do not naturally increase unless God creates more. They are organized and there are ranks of angels. For example: Michael the archangel (Jude 9) and legions of angels (Matthew 26v53). Cherubim are another class of angel. Their job was to protect (Genesis 3v24) and also were seen on the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25v17-22).

2. Their service

As the Greek word Angelos means Messenger, we know that they carry God’s message in times such as at the birth of John the Baptist and Jesus (Luke 1). For Elijah, they provided food (1 Kings 19); for Daniel they protected him from the lions (Daniel 6) and ministered to Jesus after the temptations in the wilderness (Matthew 4v11). This personal service however does not justify the thinking that some people have, that we all have a “guardian angel”. We also know that they were created to be holy (Matthew 8v38), and that they praise & worship God (Psalm 89v7). This is seen in their rejoicing at God’s work (Revelation 5v11-12); rejoicing in a sinner’s conversion (Luke 15v10); and they rejoiced in the birth of Jesus (Luke 2v13). They watch over Christians (Hebrews 1v14; Psalm 24v7; Psalm 91v11) and carry out God’s judgments (2 Kings 19v35; Matthew 16v27). Daniel 10-12 would seem to intimate that they also guide nations and the early chapters of the Book of Revelation seems to indicate that churches have angels to watch over them.

Finally, the job of spreading the Gospel is not for angels. It is for Christian Disciples to do as commanded by Jesus (Matthew 28). God obviously thinks it is a much more efficient and effective method, than getting angels to do it!

Fallen Angels

At some point in time, some obviously chose to rebel against God (2 Peter 2v4; Jude 6). Their leader is Satan and these fallen angels are called wicked (Matthew 12v45) and evil (Acts 19v13). We know that they know Jesus and His authority and that they know their eternal fate is destruction and torment (Matthew 8v29-31). Because of this, they want to take as many humans with them as possible. So they tempt humans to disobey God (Genesis 3); possess people (Mark 5) and give inspiration to false teachers (Galatians 1v8).

How can we know the difference between unfallen angels and fallen angels? We listen to what they are telling us. If what they say is bringing all glory to God, then they are truly from God, for in the Biblical accounts, they always give the glory to God. If they don’t, then they cannot be from God.

Two dangerous teaching about fallen angels are these. Firstly, we forget they are not our only enemy as Christian Disciples. There is also our old nature trying to rear its ugly head (Ephesians 2v3) and the world (James 4v4). Of course satan and his fallen angels can use our old nature and the world to tempt us to disobey God, but the old nature and the world are also two of our foes. Secondly there is the danger that fictional Christian novels concerning the spiritual world and satanic darkness, can be turned into factual doctrine, regardless of the lack of biblical warrant.

Our interaction with Angels.

If you seen an angel, how would you react? Would you be afraid, as the women at Jesus’ tomb seemingly were when the angel told them about Jesus having risen from the dead (Matthew 28v5)? Would you bow to worship them like the Apostle John endeavoured to do, before the angel rebuked him and said "Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers the prophets and of all who keep the words of this book. Worship God!" (Revelation 22v9)?

We know from these and other Bible stories that humans have seen angels. Jacob did when on his way to meet Esau (Genesis 32v1) as did those who witnessed Jesus’ ascension (Acts 1v10). As they are God’s messengers, they need to be listened to as well as allowing them to serve and minister.

By practising hospitality, particularly to those we don’t know, we may well be unaware that we are entertaining angels according to Hebrews 13v2. We know that Angels are not to be worshipped, both according to Paul (Colossians 2v18) and to angels themselves (Revelation 22v8-9). Also, according to Paul, we will be judging the angels (1 Corinthians 6v3)!.

Perhaps one of the best book on this subject is “Angels: God's Secret Agents” by Billy Graham. It is well worth a read.

For more to think about please do ask your self the following questions, writing them down if you can, and see how you respond or react to them. Then why not share your answers with your spouse or a close friend, so that you can pray over any issues together.

Q1. Read Revelation 7v11-12. How does this encourage me to worship the Lord even more than I currently do?

Q2. Read Hebrews 13v2. What change could I make in regards to offering hospitality?

Q3. Read Psalm 91v11-12. How does that encourage me in my day to day life as a Christian Disciple?

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