1 Bible Question Box Concerning Angels

2 Myths about angels Angels are dead people with wings Angels are passive, baby-like Everybody has a personal, guardian angel Angels are dead people with wings Angels are passive, baby-like Everybody has a personal, guardian angel

3 Questions about Angels Could you explain the purpose of angels? Are they active in our lives today? How would you start a conversation with someone who believes in guardian angels? Could you explain the purpose of angels? Are they active in our lives today? How would you start a conversation with someone who believes in guardian angels?

4 Purpose: Ministering Spirits Psa. 103:20-21; Heb. 1:13-14 aggelos : “a messenger, envoy, one who is sent, an angel, a messenger from God” “…an order of supernatural or heavenly beings whose business it is to act as God’s messengers to men, and as agents who carry out His will.” (ISBE) Messengers to carry out the Divine will, Psa. 104:4 (Acts 12:23) aggelos : “a messenger, envoy, one who is sent, an angel, a messenger from God” “…an order of supernatural or heavenly beings whose business it is to act as God’s messengers to men, and as agents who carry out His will.” (ISBE) Messengers to carry out the Divine will, Psa. 104:4 (Acts 12:23)

5 Origin & Nature: Created Spirits Psalms 148:1-5 Created through & for the Son, Col. 1:16 Called “sons of God”, Job 38:4-7 (1:6) Above humans, Psa. 8:4-5 Judged by saints (1 Cor. 6:3) Free will, can sin, no redemption, 2 Pet. 2:4 (Jude 6) Created through & for the Son, Col. 1:16 Called “sons of God”, Job 38:4-7 (1:6) Above humans, Psa. 8:4-5 Judged by saints (1 Cor. 6:3) Free will, can sin, no redemption, 2 Pet. 2:4 (Jude 6)

6 Origin & Nature: Created Spirits Psalms 148:1-5 Limited in knowledge, Matt. 24:36; 1 Pet. 1:10-12; Eph. 3:10-11 Do not marry, Matthew 22:30 Not to be worshiped, Rev. 22:8-9 (5:11) Limited in knowledge, Matt. 24:36; 1 Pet. 1:10-12; Eph. 3:10-11 Do not marry, Matthew 22:30 Not to be worshiped, Rev. 22:8-9 (5:11)

7 Are angels active in our lives? Past: Delivered Divine Messages Heb. 1:1 Law of Moses, Acts 7:38, 53; Gal. 3:19; Heb. 2:2 Gospel age, Acts 5:19-20; 8:26; 10:3-6; Rev. 1:1 Without alteration, Gal. 1:8 Past: Delivered Divine Messages Heb. 1:1 Law of Moses, Acts 7:38, 53; Gal. 3:19; Heb. 2:2 Gospel age, Acts 5:19-20; 8:26; 10:3-6; Rev. 1:1 Without alteration, Gal. 1:8

8 Are angels active in our lives? Present: Serve before God’s throne on behalf of God’s people, Heb. 1:14 (Lk. 1:19) Visible activity has ended (Rev. 7:11) Fight for God’s people, cf. Rev. 12:7-8 (Dan. 12:1) Present: Serve before God’s throne on behalf of God’s people, Heb. 1:14 (Lk. 1:19) Visible activity has ended (Rev. 7:11) Fight for God’s people, cf. Rev. 12:7-8 (Dan. 12:1)

9 Are angels active in our lives? Future: At the death of the righteous, Lk. 16:22 Separation of the wicked from the just, Matt. 13:49-50 Execute divine wrath at 2nd coming, 2 Ths. 1:7 (Matt. 13:41) Future: At the death of the righteous, Lk. 16:22 Separation of the wicked from the just, Matt. 13:49-50 Execute divine wrath at 2nd coming, 2 Ths. 1:7 (Matt. 13:41)

10 What about guardian angels? Catholic definition: Every person has a guardian angel “That every individual soul has a guardian angel has never been defined by the Church, and is, consequently, not an article of faith; but it is the “mind of the Church”, as St. Jerome expressed it: “how great the dignity of the soul, since each one has from his birth an angel commissioned to guard it.” (Comm. in Matt., xviii, lib. II). -( Catholic Encyclopedia ) Catholic definition: Every person has a guardian angel “That every individual soul has a guardian angel has never been defined by the Church, and is, consequently, not an article of faith; but it is the “mind of the Church”, as St. Jerome expressed it: “how great the dignity of the soul, since each one has from his birth an angel commissioned to guard it.” (Comm. in Matt., xviii, lib. II). -( Catholic Encyclopedia )

11 What about guardian angels? Catholic definition: Not in the Bible Angels, in God’s presence, care about us, Matt. 18:10 Sympathetic, Luke 15:10 Our salvation, 1 Peter 1:12 Serve us, Hebrews 1:14 (Rev. 22:9) Catholic definition: Not in the Bible Angels, in God’s presence, care about us, Matt. 18:10 Sympathetic, Luke 15:10 Our salvation, 1 Peter 1:12 Serve us, Hebrews 1:14 (Rev. 22:9)

12 ANGELS Gospel has brought us into fellowship with “an innumerable company of angels” Hebrews 12:22-23 Angels will be present when Jesus confesses or denies knowing us, Lk. 12:8-9 Follow example of the angels: Confess & worship Jesus now! Revelation 7:11-12 Gospel has brought us into fellowship with “an innumerable company of angels” Hebrews 12:22-23 Angels will be present when Jesus confesses or denies knowing us, Lk. 12:8-9 Follow example of the angels: Confess & worship Jesus now! Revelation 7:11-12