The Angels of God

God’s eternal Family

Reasons to Study the Angels1. They reveal God’s character to us2. They are part of the “whole family of God”3. We are training to be like them

Morally: now Physically: in the kingdom4. They are always with us and know our

thoughts5. They will bring us to Christ when he comes6. They are God’s Spirit at work today7. They are the 1st step in understanding how

God manifests himself in individuals

Note: They reveal God’s character, but still maintain their individual

personalities!

Misconceptions

These misconceptions in the churches may have influenced our

community to shy away from acknowledging the daily

involvement of angels in our lives

Members of God’s FamilyEphesians 1:10

10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth-- in Him.

Ephesians 3:14-1514 For this reason I bow my knees to the

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,15 from whom the whole family in heaven

and earth is named,

Matthew 26:53"Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? (at least 60,000)

Daniel 7:10A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands (a million!) ministered to Him; ten thousand times ten thousand (100,000,000) stood before Him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.

There are lots of angels!

These are involved in saving humans on earth. There could be many more in other

places!

“innumerable company of angels” in Heb 12:22 might be “ten thousand” as in Jude 14

Job 38:4-74 "Where were you when I laid the

foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding.

5 Who determined its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it?

6 To what were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone,

7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God (angels) shouted for joy? (New King James Version)

They were involved & interested in our creation.

Excited from the start! Sang & shouted for joy!

Psalm 103:20-2220 Bless the LORD, you His angels, who

excel in strength, who do His word, heeding the voice of His word.

21 Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, you ministers of His, who do His pleasure.

22 Bless the LORD, all His works, in all places of His dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!

Note vs 17-18: We must do the same to receive God’s mercy and live in His

kingdom

Angels do God’s word

Luke 20:35-3635 "But those who are counted worthy to

attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage;

36 "nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.

Angels are immortal

They don’t have individual family relationships

They are now, what we hope to become

1 Timothy 6:15-1615 which He will manifest in His own time,

He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

16 who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen

Angels were not always immortal. Only God has underived immortality.

Genesis 3:5, 22 5 "For God knows that in the day you eat of

it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God [“elohim” – angels], knowing good and evil."

22 Then the LORD God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of Us (angels), to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever"--

Angels know good and evil like us. They have a conscience – must make moral decisions. They are individuals, not

robots.

2 Samuel 14:17-2017 Your maidservant said, 'The word of my lord the king will now be comforting; for as the angel of God, so is my lord the king in discerning good and evil. And may the Lord your God be with you.'" 20 To bring about this change of affairs your servant Joab has done this thing; but my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of the angel of God, to know everything that is in the earth."

2 Samuel 19:2727 And he (Ziba) has slandered your servant (Mephibosheth) to my lord the king, but my lord the king is like the angel of God. Therefore do what is good in your eyes.

Angels are known for wisdom

Angels have emotions!Job 38:7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the

sons of God shouted for joy?

Luke 1:28 And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!"

Luke 2:10 Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.

Luke 15:7 "I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.

10 "Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

If we can bring them joy, we can also cause sadness

Angels show compassionGen 21:17 And God heard the voice of the lad. Then the

angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said to her, "What ails you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is.

Dan 10:19 And he said, "O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!" So when he spoke to me I was strengthened, and said, "Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me."

Matt 28:5 But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.

Luke 1:13 But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.

Luke 1:30 Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

Luke 2:10 Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.

1 Timothy 5:2121 I charge you before God and the

Lord Jesus Christ and the elect (eklektos) angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality.

Eklektos is also used of the rewarded saints of our creation (Rom 8:33 – who will bring a charge against God’s elect?)

If some angels are “elect”, then some were not! Not all angels were successful during their probation. Angels probably came from another creation, experienced a period of probation, and some made it by faith!

Mark 16:55 And entering the tomb, they (Mary, Mary and

Salome) saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.

Genesis 18:1-21 Then the LORD appeared to him by the terebinth

trees of Mamre, as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day.

2 So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground

Angels are restored to youth, and appear dressed in white

robes Each angel looks different

The appearance of Angels

Matthew 28:2-3

2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it.

3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.

Angels can let humans see them reflecting the glory of God –

continuous brightness

Exodus 34:20-23

20 But He said, "You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live." 21 And the Lord said, "Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. 22 So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. 23 Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen."

The brightness of some angels is too great for any humans to look

on

Judges 13:3, 63 And the Angel of the LORD appeared to the

woman and said to her, "Indeed now, you are barren and have borne no children, but you shall conceive and bear a son.

6 So the woman came and told her husband, saying, "A Man of God came to me, and His countenance was like the countenance of the Angel of God, very awesome; but I did not ask Him where He was from, and He did not tell me His name.

Angels appear to look like humans, even when reflecting

God’s glory

Judges 13:15-1615 Then Manoah said to the Angel of the

LORD, "Please let us detain You, and we will prepare a young goat for You."

16 And the Angel of the LORD said to Manoah, "Though you detain Me, I will not eat your food. But if you offer a burnt offering, you must offer it to the LORD." (For Manoah did not know He was the Angel of the LORD.)

Angels can appear so much like humans that some humans do not

know they are angels!

They don’t want us to worship them.

Judges 13:20-2120 it happened as the flame went up toward

heaven from the altar-- the Angel of the LORD ascended in the flame of the altar! When Manoah and his wife saw this, they fell on their faces to the ground.

21 When the Angel of the LORD appeared no more to Manoah and his wife, then Manoah knew that He was the Angel of the LORD.

Angels are not bound by our laws of physics. They are not limited by gravity and heat energy does not

affect them. They easily move between heaven & earth.

Hebrews 13:1-21 Let brotherly love continue.2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some

have unwittingly entertained angels.

Some of the people we meet may actually be angels! Should teach us to be kind and loving

to everyone we encounter, and show hospitality to strangers.

Genesis 37:15-1715 Now a certain man found him, and there he was,

wandering in the field. And the man asked him, saying, "What are you seeking?"

16 So he said, "I am seeking my brothers. Please tell me where they are feeding their flocks."

17 And the man said, "They have departed from here, for I heard them say, 'Let us go to Dothan.'" So Joseph went after his brothers and found them in Dothan.

Numbers 22:24-3124 Then the Angel of the LORD stood in a narrow

path between the vineyards, with a wall on this side and a wall on that side.

25 And when the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD, she pushed herself against the wall and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall; so he struck her again.

31 Then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the Angel of the LORD standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand; and he bowed his head and fell flat on his face.

Angels have bodies, but they can determine who is allowed to see them. The donkey saw the angel, and Balaam didn’t – all at the same time! Jehovah Witnesses are wrong about angels materializing a body.

2 Kings 6:15-1715 And when the servant of the man of God (Elisha)

arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?"

16 So he answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them."

17 And Elisha prayed, and said, "LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

Angels can determine the way we perceive them. In this case they chose to be seen as horses and chariots of fire – because they were there to protect Elisha. The angels have the power to affect our vision.

Angels have good memoriesLuke 18:32-34

32 For He will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon. 33 They will scourge Him and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.” 34 But they understood none of these things; this saying was hidden from them, and they did not know the things which were spoken.

Luke 24:4-7 (months later)4 And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed

about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. 5 Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they (angels) said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, 7 saying, 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.'"

Zechariah 1:12-1312 Then the Angel of the LORD answered

and said, "O LORD of hosts, how long will You not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which You were angry these seventy years?"

13 And the LORD answered the angel who talked to me, with good and comforting words.

Since they don’t know everything, at times they ask God questions about His plan

Angels are limited

Matthew 24:36"But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.

1 Peter 1:12To them (prophets) it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven-- things which angels desire to look into.

Angels don’t know everything. They do inquire & try to understand. They

probably don’t know whether or not we will be in the kingdom. God keeps life interesting and challenging for them.

Psalm 8:4-5 (RSV)4 what is man that thou art mindful of him, and the

son of man that thou dost care for him?5 Yet thou hast made him little less than God

(Elohim), and dost crown him with glory and honor.

Psalm 8:5 (NKJV)5 For You have made him a little lower than the

angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor.

Heb 2:7 (NKJV)7 You have made him a little lower than the angels;

you have crowned him with glory and honor, and set him over the works of Your hands.

Note the link of elohim and angels

Psalm 97:77 Let all be put to shame who serve

carved images, who boast of idols. Worship Him, all you gods (elohim).

Hebrews 1:66 But when He again brings the firstborn

into the world, He says: "Let all the angels of God worship Him."

Exodus 20:1-21 And God spoke all these words, saying:2 "I am the LORD your God, who brought

you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

Acts 7:3838 "This is he who was in the congregation

in the wilderness with the Angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, the one who received the living oracles to give to us

Genesis 18:1-21 Then the LORD appeared to him by the terebinth trees of

Mamre, as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day.2 So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were

standing by him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground,

4 "Please let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree.

5 "And I will bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh your hearts. After that you may pass by, inasmuch as you have come to your servant." They said, "Do as you have said."

8 So he took butter and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree as they ate.

See how angels accommodated Abraham

Genesis 18:12-1312 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, "After I

have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?"13 And the LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh,

saying, 'Shall I surely bear a child, since I am old?‘

1 Peter 3:5-65 For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who

trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands,

6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.

We can’t fool angels. They read our thoughts. They know our

motives.

Genesis 18:17-1917 And the LORD said, "Shall I hide from

Abraham what I am doing,

18 "since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?

19 "For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice, that the LORD may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him."

Note the discussion and decision-making of the angels, as they work together in God’s service!

Genesis 18:20-2220 And the LORD said, "Because the outcry against

Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grave,

21 "I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry against it that has come to Me; and if not, I will know."

22 Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the LORD.

Angels are not omniscient – they need to be present to see what is

happening. That’s why they are with us all the time!

Genesis 18:23-2623 And Abraham came near and said, "Would You

also destroy the righteous with the wicked?24 "Suppose there were fifty righteous within the

city; would You also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous that were in it?

25 "Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?"

26 So the LORD said, "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes."

Look at the power of prayer! Angels respond to our desires to save our

family and friends!

Genesis 19:1-21 Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening,

and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them, and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground.

2 And he said, "Here now, my lords, please turn in to your servant's house and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may rise early and go on your way." And they said, "No, but we will spend the night in the open square.“ (they came down to see for themselves!)

3 But he insisted strongly; so they turned in to him and entered his house. Then he made them a feast, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.

Note how accommodating the angels were to Lot. They do respond to our wants and needs.

Genesis 19:15-1715 When the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot to hurry,

saying, "Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city."

16 And while he lingered, the men took hold of his hand, his wife's hand, and the hands of his two daughters, the LORD being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city.

17 So it came to pass, when they had brought them outside, that he said, "Escape for your life! Do not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest you be destroyed.”

Angels don’t usually force us because they want us to make the good decisions. There

may be times when they force our hands out of compassion and mercy.

Remember: Lot was righteous!

2 Peter 2:6-96 and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into

ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly;

7 and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked

8 (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)--

9 then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment,

Genesis 19:18-2218 Then Lot said to them, "Please, no, my lords!19 "Indeed now, your servant has found favor in your

sight, and you have increased your mercy which you have shown me by saving my life; but I cannot escape to the mountains, lest some evil overtake me and I die.

20 "See now, this city is near enough to flee to, and it is a little one; please let me escape there (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live."

21 And he said to him, "See, I have favored you concerning this thing also, in that I will not overthrow this city for which you have spoken.

22 "Hurry, escape there. For I cannot do anything until you arrive there." Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.

The angel responded to Lot’s request, and had to wait for Lot to get to Zoar! Patience,

kindness & mercy.

Genesis 19:25-2625 So He overthrew those cities, all the plain,

all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground.

26 But his wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.

Angels are merciful, but they are also to be feared for their justice. Imagine the disappointment of Lot’s wife’s angel when she looked back Years of patient work ended in a moment by a bad choice. Let’s commit today to appreciate all the angels do for us and try not to let them down by our choices.

Characteristics of Angels revealed in Genesis 18-19 Can appear as normal men Want to save us Can develop a personal relationship with us Can read our thoughts Need to be present to know what’s happening Willing to reason with us Willing to accommodate us (within reason) Discuss with each other to make decisions Are extremely patient & merciful with us

Lessons for Us:• We need to learn to be aware of the

presence of angels all the time, even though they don’t let us see them.

• The more we feel their presence, the closer we will come to walking with God.

• Thank God for the work of His angels!

• Now is the time to practice living like angels – to show we really want to live as members of God’s family forever.