What
Are Angels?
Angels
are ministering spirits sent by God to do His will.
“Are
they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who
shall be heirs of salvation.” -Hebrews 1:14
"Let
us consider the whole multitude of His angels how they stand ready to
minister to His will." -Clement of Rome
The
title "angel" means messenger. Angels were created by God.
“Praise
ye Him, all His angels: praise ye Him, all His hosts. Let them praise
the name of the Lord:”
“For
He commanded and they were created.” -Psalms 148:2 and 5
“For
by Him were all things created, that are in Heaven, and that are in
earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions,
or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him and for
Him." -Colossians 1:16
All
the angels were righteous and holy when they were first created. They
worshiped and served the one true God.
The Organization of Angels
The holy Angels have been
organized by God in a special order.
"We
recognize also a multitude of angels and ministers, whom God, the
Maker and Framer of the world, distributed and appointed to their
various posts by His Logos." -Athenagoras
"The
other angels were created by Him, and entrusted with the control of
matter and the forms of matter."- Athenagoras
The Orders of Angels
The angels were created in hierarchy. Science
tells us that material creation, that which we can see, accounts for
only a small percentage of existence. That leaves a vast amount of
things we do not see that are very real. This means that, since there
is a guardian angel for each person, there must be billions of angels
just in the lower hierarchy of angels, and traditionally there are 9
“choirs” of angels. A third of these angels fell. Their fall was
a rebellion to Christ- His authority. Satan refused to serve. So when
we speak of demonic activity we must keep in mind that in every case
it is ultimately rooted in rebellion to Christ. There are literally
multitudes of angels (Luke 2:13-15) who are apparently classified
according to the duties they perform. We will not explore all nine
choirs, but these are a few of the main classifications of angels.
"God
works through archangels and kindred angels..." -Clement of
Alexandria
Messengers- This function of angels is most likely the
largest in number. These are the angels composing the innumerable
group, visualized by Daniel (Daniel 7:10), who carry out the will of
God in Heaven and on earth. This is the group that usually relates to
the Christian in terms of spiritual warfare,
though this is not to say others do not assist as well. They
interpret God's will, protect, provide guidance, bring answers to
prayer, announce, warn, instruct, bring judgment, encourage, sustain,
deliver, and intercede on behalf of Christians. This order would also
encompass guardian angels.
"Every believer-although the humblest in
the church is said to be attended by an angel, who the Savior
declares always beholds the face of God the Father. Now, this angel
has the purpose of being his guardian. So if that person is rendered
unworthy by his lack of obedience, the angel of God is said to be
taken from him." -Origen
Cherubim- This order of angels is first
mentioned in Genesis 3:24. They are also mentioned as part of the ark
of the covenant (Exodus 25:18-22). Ezekiel mentions these beings and
describes them as having four appearances; the face of a lion, the
face of an ox, the face of a man, and the face of an eagle (Ezekiel
1:3-28; 10:22). This symbolism of the cherubim suggests they are the
living creatures surrounding the throne of God in Revelation 4:6.
They appear to be the highest order of angels, the guardians of God.
Satan was originally a part of this order.
Seraphim- This order is
mentioned in Isaiah 6:2,6. Their position is above the throne of God
in contrast to the position of cherubim who surround His throne. The
duty of these angels seems to be to lead Heaven in the worship of
God. In addition to the different orders of angels, there are some
individual angels mentioned by name in Sacred Scripture.
- Michael: Michael the archangel is mentioned by name in Daniel 10:13,21; 12:1; Jude 9; and Revelation 12:7. He is the only angel who is called an archangel. He is represented as having charge over an army of angels in Revelation 12:7 and is said to be the prince of the people of Israel in Daniel 10:13,21; 12:1.
"The
great and glorious angel Michael is he who has authority over this
people, and governs them." -Hermas
"When
Michael, the archangel, disputing with the devil, debated about the
body of Moses...." - Hippolytus
- Gabriel: The meaning of his name is "mighty one." He is mentioned in Daniel 8:16; 9:21; and in Luke 1:19,26. He is always used to deliver an important message from God. It is Gabriel who interpreted the vision for Daniel in 8:16; 9:21 and who announced the birth of John and Jesus Luke 1:19,26.
- Raphael: The meaning of his name is “healing of God”. He is a key figure in the Book of Tobit.
Attributes are personality traits or
characteristics of an individual.
Angels...
• Are spirits: Hebrews
1:14
• Are sexless: Luke 20:34-36
• Are immortal: Matthew
22:28-30
• Have both visible and invisible forms: Numbers 22:22- 35
• Appear with the likeness of human form: Genesis 19:1-22; 18:2,4,8
• Have
emotions: Luke 15:1-10 (angels rejoicing).
• Have appetites:
Genesis 18:8
• Are glorified beings: Luke 9:26
• Are intelligent:
II Samuel 14:20
• Are meek: Jude 9
• Are powerful: Psalms 103:20;
II Peter 2:11
• Have no need to rest: Revelation 4:8
• Travel at
an unrecorded speed: Revelation 8:13; 9:1
• Speak languages: I
Corinthians 13:1
• Are innumerable: Luke 2:13; Hebrews 12:22;
Psalms 68:17; Mark 1:13; Revelation 5:19
• Are immortal: Luke
20:34-36
• Do not marry or have children: Luke 20:34-36
• Are
obedient: Psalms 103:20
• Are holy: Revelation 14:10; Mark 8:38
•
Are reverent: Their highest activity is the worship of God. Nehemiah
9:6; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 1:6
Angels are active in both Heaven
and on earth. The source of their power is both granted and governed by
God. They have access to the presence of God in Heaven.
"...In Heaven
their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in
Heaven." -Matthew 18:10
Angels minister in many ways in both Heaven
and on earth. The ministry of angels in Heaven includes:
• Worship:
Revelation 4:8; 5:11-12; Isaiah 6:3; Psalms 103:20; 148:1-2
•
Standing ready to do God's will: Psalms 103:20-21
• Ministering to
the godly who have died in Christ Jesus: Jude 9; Luke 16:22
•
Representing children in a special way: Matthew 18:10
• Rejoicing
over those who accept the Gospel: Luke 15:10 The ministry of angels
on earth includes: • Ruling nations: Daniel 10
• Ministering
to believers in times of testing: Matthew 4:11
• Strengthening
believers: Luke 22:43
• Interpreting God's will for men: Zechariah
1:9; Daniel 7:16
• Guiding believers: Acts 8:26.
• Bringing
judgment on individuals and nations: Acts 12:23; Genesis 19:3; II
Samuel 24:16; Revelation 16:1
• Bringing answers to prayer: Daniel
9:21-22
• Announcing: Luke 1:11-20; Matthew 1:20, 21 • Warning:
Matthew 2:13;
• Instructing: Matthew 28:2-6; Acts 10:3-6; Daniel
4:13-17
• Encouraging: Acts 27:23; Genesis 28:12 • Revealing:
Acts 7:53; Galatians 3:19; Hebrews 2:2; Daniel 9:21-27; Revelation
1:1
• Sustaining: Matthew 4:11; Luke 22:43
• Preserving: Genesis
16:7; 24:7; Exodus 23:20; Revelation 7:1
• Protecting: Psalms 91:11
• Delivering: Numbers 20:16; Psalms 34:7; Isaiah 63:9; Daniel 3:28;
6:22; Genesis 48:16; Matthew 26:53; Acts 12:1-19
• Destroying: Acts
12:20-23
• Interceding: Zechariah 1:12; Revelation 8:3,4
The future
activities of angels will include:
• Participating in the return of
Jesus: I Thessalonians 4:16
• Gathering the elect: Matthew 24:31
•
Warning and preaching during the tribulation: Revelation 14:6-9
•
Separating the wicked from the righteous: Matthew 13:39 and 49
•
Binding Satan: Revelation 20
Angels and Spiritual Warfare
Angels
usually relate to the Christian in terms of spiritual warfare. They
interpret God's will, protect, provide guidance, bring answers to
prayer, announce, warn, instruct, bring judgment, encourage, sustain,
deliver, and intercede on behalf of priests and laity in battle. Many
Christians have not availed themselves of the aid available from
angels because they have not been taught regarding their function in
spiritual warfare. They
may have rejected the ministry of angels due to poor instruction, or
anti-Catholic bias. They are "ministering
spirits" and can minister for you as well as to you. You can ask
God to dispatch angels to assist you in battle. King David did this.
He prayed...
"Let the angel of the Lord persecute them...Let the angel
of the Lord chase them..." -Psalms 35:5-6
Read the following Biblical
accounts of angels participating in warring against the enemy:
- II Kings 19:35;
- II Chronicles 32:21;
- Isaiah 37:36;
- Revelation 12:7.
Angels are holy beings with important duties they
must carry out on behalf of the Church Militant. But Sacred
Scripture gives some warnings concerning angels.
1. You are not to
worship angels:
"Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary
humility and worshiping of angels, intruding into those things which
he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind." -Colossians
2:18
"And
I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and
seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which
shewed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not:
for I am thy fellow servant and of thy brethren the prophets, and of
them which keep the sayings of this book: Worship God."-Revelation
22:8-9
2. Angels will not bring messages opposing the Scriptures
Some people have claimed to have been visited by angels who
gave them a "new revelation" contrary to God's revelation
and deposit of Faith given to the Church. Entire religious movements
have been founded on such false revelations.
"But
though we, or an angel from Heaven, preach any other gospel unto you
than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
-Galatians 1:8 You are not to listen to a man, an angel, or any other
being that would guide you contrary to the teachings of the Church.
As you will learn, one of the main strategies of Satan is deception.
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of
light." -II Corinthians 11:14 2
3. Do not provoke angels!
Read the story
of Balaam in Numbers 22, a prophet who was acting in disobedience to
God. You will note that he was opposed by an angel of the Lord. When
you are disobedient to God, the angels may actually hinder you. You
will be fighting a battle, but it will not be warfare against the
enemy. Be careful that you do not provoke the angels of God
(Ecclesiastes 5:1-6).
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