What Does The Bible Say About Angels?
(Part Two)
Introduction. This morning we began our examination
of the Biblical teachings regarding angels. We saw that…
·
The words translated “angel” means “messenger” and can refer
either to human messengers or that class of supernatural beings which are
superior to man but inferior to God.
·
Supernatural “angels” are heavenly in nature, they are created
beings which cannot die and do not marry.
·
There are archangels, cherubim and seraphim and sinful angels who
are faithful to Satan.
Tonight we are going to move beyond matters
which concern the nature and identity of angels and address their work. We
must keep in mind Deuteronomy 29:29 “the secret things belong to God.” Truly,
the more one studies this subject the more we some to see how little has been
revealed on this subject.
I. The Work of Angels in
the Old Testament.
A. Abraham and
the angels (Genesis 18:1-3). Note: Lord appeared to Abraham: 3 men (these
looked like men) – 16-22, 33; 19:1 Note: Two went to Sodom, rescued Lot – Lord
talked with Abraham.
B. Jacob’s
Dream (Genesis 28:10-12).
C. Law given
by angels (Acts 7:51-53).
1. Hebrews
2:2 speaks of the Mosaic law as “the word spoken through angels.”
2. Galatians
3:19 says of the law “it was appointed through angels by the hand of a
mediator.”
Some
argue that in these passages “angel” is used in its primary sense of
messenger. Yet the passage in Hebrews 2:2 comes just before the declaration in
vs. 7 that man is “a little lower than the angels” – thus this is talking about
heavenly angels. Acts 7:35 the Lord speaking in the bush was an “Angel.”
D. Daniel
and angels (Daniel 6:16-22).
II. The Work of Angels in
the New Testament.
A. Zacharias and the angel (Luke
1:8-14).
B. Mary and the angel (Luke
1:26-32).
C. Joseph and the angel (Matthew
1:20-25).
D. Jesus and the angels (Matthew
4:11; Luke 22:43).
E. Jesus’ ascension (Acts 1:9-11).
F. Apostles in prison (Acts
5:17-21; 12:5-10
III. The Work of Angels in
General.
A. Announce God’s Messages.
1. Birth
of Jesus to Mary (Luke 1:26-32).
2. Birth
of Isaac to Abraham and Sarah (Genesis 18).
B. Rescue God’s people (during the
age of miracles).
1. Peter
freed from prison (Acts 12:5-10).
2. Daniel
saved from the Lions (Daniel 6:16-22).
C. Inflict God’s Punishments (Acts
12:20-23).
D. Carry the Righteous to Paradise
(Luke 16:19-22).
E. Gather the Saints unto Judgment
(Mark 13:27).
IV. Questions About
Angels.
A. Who is the “Angel of the Lord?”
You might notice that some
times the NKJV will refer to the “Angel of the Lord” and capitalize the word
“Angel.” Why do they do this? It is believed that in some cases we are
not dealing with a representative of the Lord but actually a preincarnate
manifestation of God. Some suggest this is in fact Christ (Exodus 23:20-23; 1
Corinthians 10:1-4).
1. Remember
in the example with Abraham and the angels - he speaks to one and it is as unto
the Lord. In the Bush - it is as unto the Lord.
2. In
some cases this seems an inescapable conclusion.
B. Should Christians Pray to
Angels?
The Roman Catholic Church
teaches that believers should pray not only to the departed dead but also to
angels. “Question: To whom should you pray? Answer: You should pray to God,
the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, to the Blessed Mother, then to the saints and
angels” (The New Parish Catechism. By William G. Martin. p. 17).
Colossians 2:18,19 Prayer is an
act of worship.
1. Christ
is the only mediator. “For there is one God, and one mediator between
God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5, KJV).
C. Does Each Person Have a
Guardian Angel?
1. Primary
passage that addresses this (Matthew 18:10). What does this say and what
does it not say?
2. Here
angels are associated with “little ones” (not all people).
3. Nothing
about one angel for each person—simply “their angel.”
4. Nothing
about “guarding” the person simply watching and reporting to God. (Note: We
know that angels see our behavior (Luke 15:10) “Likewise, I say unto you, there
is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth”
Daniel 4:17 may be a reference to angels calling them “watchers.”
5. I
think there are a number of ways this passage may be understood:
·
Angels report to God what happens to the innocent that can’t
report for themselves.
·
God assigns angels to observe what goes on.
·
Could “angel” ever be a synonym for “soul” or “spirit”? Philo said
– “If therefore, you consider that souls, and demons, and angels are things
differing indeed in name, but one and identical in reality, you will then be
able to discard that most heavy burden” (On The Giants. IV. 16 -
Yonge. p. 153) Note: Hebrews 1:13,14 identifies angels as “ministering
spirits”. Acts 23:8 says of the Sadducees they say there is no “angel” or
“spirit.”
·
Could it be that the Lord is saying God himself beholds the
spiritual manifestations of these “little ones.”
What ever this is teaching
it is clear that there is no authority for men to pray to, rely upon or name a
“guardian angel.” Note: Must ask why some protect and some don’t?
D. How Do Angels Operate Today? We
don’t really know!
We know this:
·
Miracles were temporary: Tongues, Miraculous knowledge and
prophecies were to end (I Corinthians 13:8-10). Miraculous angelic work served
to confirm and preserve the word until complete revelation.
·
Evil spirits were to depart during the reign of Christ (Zechariah
13:1-6).
·
God doesn’t show partiality (Acts 10:34).
If God miraculously helps
some and denies others this miraculous angelic help that would be partiality.
Any help offered by angelic powers now is not miraculous (i.e. contrary to
natural law)—freeing from prison, etc. That is not to say that God doesn’t
help us through natural means. Could angels be God’s means of sustaining
natural laws? If so then they help us every day. I don’t believe today
there is direct communication or assistance between men and angels.
Read: Hebrews 1:13,14 Note: There
is no indication of the time frame or the age it is referring to. Apostles
minister to us through their work in the word. Angels have ministered to us
through their work in God’s scheme of redemption. Is this spiritual or physical
ministry? Who knows what is done in the spiritual realm which is for our
benefit?
Read: Hebrews 13:2 Note: Here we
have the same issue. What time frame is this talking about? Abraham did this.
Does that mean we will? If so it would be a miracle!
Carrol Sutton has some
observation at the end of his booklet on angels that may be of value to us:
1. There is no evidence that an
angel has ever saved a sinner from sins!
2. There is no evidence and angel
ever preached the gospel to anyone! (Note: Brought preacher & student
together)
3. No evidence angels will appear
to men today.
4. No evidence that an angel will
speak to a preacher to direct his message.
Conclusion. There
are certainly people who are claim to have had experiences with angels. If we
consider this carefully we are moved to realize that most of these claims are
claims to have had strong feelings about something rather than concrete
encounters. It is important for us to know what the Bible says on the matter
and what it does not.