1. Angels

2. Angels have become very popular in recent years. –“Angel Watch” bi-monthly newsletter. –“Angels: God’s Secret Agents” by Billy Graham. –“It’s A Wonderful Life,” “Angels In The Outfield,” “Highway To Heaven...” Unfortunately, much of the information people have today about angels is based more on fiction than fact. Why should we study angels? –It is a biblical topic (2 Timothy 3:16-17). –They are interested in us (Luke 15:7,10; 1 Peter 1:10-12). –We will someday be like them (Matthew 22:29-30). Let us examine some of the facts that the Bible reveals to us about angels 2 Tim 3:16-17 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. Luke 15:7 "I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. Luke 15:10 "In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." 1 Peter 1:10-12 As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, 11 seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven — things into which angels long to look. Matt 22:29-30 But Jesus answered and said to them, "You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God. 30 "For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven

3. The Origin And Nature Of Angels The Origin. –They were created Psalm 148:1-5 Nehemiah 9:6 –They were created before the earth was created (Job 38:4-7). –They are a part of God’s family in heaven (Ephesians 3:15). Ps 148:1-5 Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; Praise Him in the heights! 2 Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts! 3 Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all stars of light! 4 Praise Him, highest heavens, And the waters that are above the heavens! 5 Let them praise the name of the LORD, For He commanded and they were created. Neh 9:6 You alone are the LORD. You have made the heavens, The heaven of heavens with all their host, The earth and all that is on it, The seas and all that is in them. You give life to all of them And the heavenly host bows down before You Job 38:4-7 Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding, 5 Who set its measurements? Since you know. Or who stretched the line on it? 6 "On what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone, 7 When the morning stars sang together And all the sons of God shouted for joy? Eph 3:15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name,

4. The Origin And Nature Of Angels The Origin. The Nature. –They are a higher order than man, but lower than God Psalm 8:5 Heb. 2:7 Ps 8:5 Yet You have made him a little lower than God, And You crown him with glory and majesty! Heb 2:7 YOU HAVE MADE HIM FOR A LITTLE WHILE LOWER THAN THE ANGELS; YOU HAVE CROWNED HIM WITH GLORY AND HONOR

5. The Origin And Nature Of Angels The Origin. The Nature. –They are a higher order than man, but lower than God –They have super-human knowledge, but are not omniscient Mark 13:32 Matthew 24:36 Mark 13:32 But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. Matt 24:36 "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.

6. The Origin And Nature Of Angels The Origin. The Nature. –They are a higher order than man, but lower than God –They have super-human knowledge, but are not omniscient –They have super-human strength, but are not omnipotent Ps. 103:20 2 Samuel 24:15-17 Ps 103:20 20 Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. 2 Sam 24:15-17 So the LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning until the appointed time, and seventy thousand men of the people from Dan to Beersheba died. 16 When the angel stretched out his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD relented from the calamity and said to the angel who destroyed the people, "It is enough! Now relax your hand!" And the angel of the LORD was by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. 17 Then David spoke to the LORD when he saw the angel who was striking down the people, and said, "Behold, it is I who have sinned, and it is I who have done wrong; but these sheep, what have they done? Please let Your hand be against me and against my father's house."

7. The Origin And Nature Of Angels The Origin. The Nature. –They are a higher order than man, but lower than God –They have super-human knowledge, but are not omniscient –They have super-human strength, but are not omnipotent –They have super-human speed, but are not omnipresent (Daniel 9:20-23). –They are innumerable Hebrews 12:22 Revelation 5:11 Dan 9:20-23 Now while I was speaking and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God in behalf of the holy mountain of my God, 21 while I was still speaking in prayer, then the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision previously, came to me in my extreme weariness about the time of the evening offering. 22 He gave me instruction and talked with me and said, "O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you insight with understanding. 23 "At the beginning of your supplications the command was issued, and I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed; so give heed to the message and gain understanding of the vision. Heb 12:22 2 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, Rev 5:11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders

8. The Origin And Nature Of Angels The Origin. The Nature. –They are a higher order than man, but lower than God –They have super-human knowledge, but are not omniscient –They have super-human strength, but are not omnipotent –They have super-human speed, but are not omnipresent (Daniel 9:20-23). –They are innumerable –They are without marriage (Matthew 22:30). –They have a special interest in our salvation Luke 2:13-14; 15:10 1 Pet. 1:10-12 Matt 22:30 At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven Luke 2:13-14 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." Luke 15:10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." 1 Peter 1:10-12 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.

9. The Origin And Nature Of Angels The Origin. The Nature. –They are a higher order than man, but lower than God –They have super-human knowledge, but are not omniscient –They have super-human strength, but are not omnipotent –They have super-human speed, but are not omnipresent (Daniel 9:20-23). –They are innumerable –They are without marriage (Matthew 22:30). –They have a special interest in our salvation –The form of angels vary, taking whatever form God desires for them Exodus 3:2 Hebrews 1:7; Genesis 18:1-2 2 Kings 6:15-17 Ex 3:2-3 There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, "I will go over and see this strange sight — why the bush does not burn up." Heb 1:7 In speaking of the angels he says, "He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire. Gen 18:1-2 The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. 2 Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. 2 Kings 6:15-17 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" the servant asked. 16 "Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." 17 And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

10. The Activity Of Angels Their Present Activity. –They worship God (Revelation 5:11-14). –They are ministers of God’s providence Ps. 34:4-7 Hebrews 1:14 –They are possessed by children (Matthew 18:10). –They rejoice at a sinner’s repentance (Luke 15:10). –They carry the spirits of the deceased into Hades (Luke 16:22). Rev 5:11-14 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" 13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!" 14 The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped Ps 34:4-7 I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. 6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Heb 1:14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? Matt 18:10 "See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven Luke 15:10 the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." Luke 16:22 "The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried

11. The Activity Of Angels Their Present Activity. Their Future Activity. –They will accompany Christ at His return (Matthew 16:27). –They will announce His coming (1 Thess. 4:16). –They will separate the wicked from the righteous (Matthew 13:41-42). –They will execute judgment (2 Thessalonians 1:7-8). Matt 16:27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. 1 Thess 4:16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Matt 13:41-42 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42 They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth 2 Thess 1:7-8 and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. 8 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus