. :: All About Angels

All About Angels

Angels are referred to in 34 of the 66 books of the Bible. They are mentioned 108 times in the Old Testament and 165 times in the New Testament.

Here's a quick quiz to get you thinking - then let's have an Angel Party!

1. What does the word "angel" mean?
The basic meaning of the word angel is "messenger." This is significant because a messenger is given a message by a higher person. Much of the contemporary romance with angels sees them as somewhat independent, if not totally autonomous, but a messenger is on a mission from someone higher, in this case from God...or Satan.

Other terms used to describe angels are: ministers, hosts (the armies of God), chariots, watchers, sons of the mighty, sons of God, elohim (or sons of Elohim), holy ones, and stars.(3)

2. When were angels created?
They were created some time prior to the creation of the earth because Job 38:4-7 says that the sons of God (angels) sang with joy when the earth was created.

3. What do angels look like?
When angels appear on earth, they usually have the appearance of adult human males and are often described in the same passage both as men and as angels (Genesis 18:1-2). In Mark 16:5 an angel is described as a young man.

4. Do angels really have wings?
Cherubim are pictured as having four wings in Ezek. 1:5-12; 10:15; 11:22) and Seraphim, as having six wings in Isaiah 6:2. Cherubim and Seraphim are spirit beings, but they are usually classified separately from angels. We never see angels in the Bible described as having wings. Besides, we would not be "unaware" of angels if they appeared with wings, would we?

5. What do angels wear?
They are often reported to wear white (Acts 1:10), white robes (Mark 16:15), garments white as snow (Matt. 28:3), dazzling apparel (Luke 24:4), and shining garments (Acts 10:30).

6. Will the appearance of an angel on earth be obvious?
In Hebrews 13:2 we are warned to show hospitality to strangers because "some have entertained angels without knowing it."

7. Satan was an angel. What caused his "fall"?
Conceit and Pride (I Tim 3.6 and Isaiah 14:12-15)

8. When did Satan and (the angels who followed him) fall?
They fell some time after their own creation and before the temptation of Eve in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3). Most likely, they fell after the sixth day; the creation of man. God placed man at the top of of the created world (see Psalm 8) and this apparently made Lucifer - the angel of light - very jealous.

9. Do you think the opening verses of Genesis 6 refer to angels?
There the sons of God took wives from among the daughters of men. One interpretation of the passage takes the sons of God to mean "angels" as the term is normally used. If this is so, then these angels are the evil angels who, in a very unique occurrence, cohabited with human females and produced unusual offspring. For this heinous sin these angels are kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day (see Jude 6-7, II Peter 2:4-5.

10. What famous incident involved Jacob and many angels?
In Genesis 28 Jacob had a dream of a ladder stretching from earth into heaven, and he saw angels ascending and descending on the ladder. In the dream God gave the land around Jacob to him and to his descendants and proclaimed "in you and in your descendants shall all the earth be blessed" (Gen. 28:10-22).

Bonus question - what or whom did that ladder represent?
Read the last verse of the first chapter of the fourth book of the New Testament.

11. What Old Testament character was greeted by the angel of the Lord by this statement, "The Lord is with you, O valiant warrior"?
Gideon (Judges 6:11-12).

12. Angels were involved in Jesus birth in several ways. How many events can you name?
The angel Gabriel (Luke 1:19) announced the coming birth of John the Baptist who would prepare the way for Jesus (Luke 1: 5-25). Gabriel also announced to Mary, who was a virgin, the miraculous coming birth of Jesus (Luke 1:26-38). An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him not to put Mary away but to marry her because the child she was carrying was conceived by the Holy Spirit. He was also told to name the child Jesus. When he woke up he did as the angel commanded him (Matt. 1:18-25). On the night of Jesus' birth, an angel announced the good news to shepherds keeping watch over their flocks. Then "suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God" (Luke 1:8-15).

13. How were angels involved after Christ's death?
On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to visit the grave. Before they got there, "a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord had descended from heaven and rolled away the stone and sat upon it" (Matt. 28:2). Angels at the tomb announced that Christ was risen (Luke 24:4). Immediately after He ascended, two angels appeared and told the disciples that Jesus would return in the same manner that He had departed (Acts 1:10).

14. What person was described as having the face of an angel?
Stephen, a young man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, was taken before the Sanhedrin and charged with blasphemy. He began to preach. Then "fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel" (Acts 6:15). His sermon, however, so angered the Council that they stoned him (Acts 7:1-60).

A Quick Review of what we know about Angels

What do they look like?
Remember "Angels unaware" (Hebrews 13.2) - we porbably can't distinguish them from other humans when they visit the earth.

In Sodom: very attractive, very human Gen 19

Wings? - Only in "It's a wonderful life" (see #4 above)

Terrorizing appearance
To Samson's Mother (Manoah)
Judg 13:6 Then the woman came and told her husband, saying, "A man of God came to me and his appearance was like the appearance of the angel of God, very awesome. And I did not ask him where he came from, nor did he tell me his name.

To Daniel
Dan 10:5-6 I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, there was a certain man dressed in linen, whose waist was girded with a belt of pure gold of Uphaz. His body also was like beryl, his face had the appearance of lightning, his eyes were like flaming torches, his arms and feet like the gleam of polished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a tumult.

To Zacharias - Father of John the Baptist
Luke 1:11-12 And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. And Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear gripped him.

To Roman Soldiers
Matt 28:2-4 And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. And his appearance was like lightning, and his garment as white as snow; and the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.

What do they do?
1. The ministry of holy angels will never contradict the Bible.
2. The actions of holy angels will always be consistent with the character of Christ.
3. A genuine encounter with a holy angel will glorify God, not the angel. Holy angels never draw attention to themselves. They typically do their work and disappear.

A clue to their purpose is the names given the only two names angels in the Bible
Michael, the archangel - who is like God?
Gabriel - mighty one of God

How many angels?
Numberless as the stars of the sky (are numberable, but not by us)
Isaiah 40:26 Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these stars, the One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power not one of them is missing.

Job 38:7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

Ps 148:1-3
1 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!

A note about their power - Do the Math!

II Kings 19:35 Then it happened that night that the angel of the LORD went out, and struck 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians

At Jesus disposal (see Matthew 26.53)
12 legions = 12 x (minimum 6000 to12000) - 72,000 to 144,000
x 185k = power over 13 billion (more than double the world's current population)

Around the throne
10,000 times 10,000 = one hundred million ( that's just the ones that stand around the throne of God)

if every person alive today has one guardian angel, that's another 5.5 billion
plus those around the throne = 5.6 billion
If one angel slew 185,000 soldiers, then that means just the angels alone have the power of life over 1,036 TRILLION people or 188,364 x the population of Planet Earth

Genderless?
Perhaps anatomically, but always referred to as male - not one single reference to female
Ezekiel 9:2 And behold, six men came from the direction of the upper gate which faces north, each with his shattering weapon in his hand; and among them was a certain man clothed in linen with a writing case at his loins. And they went in and stood beside the bronze altar.

An Angel Party!

First thing you’ll want to know is time and place and what to bring – easy that’s the business angels are in:
Messenger / Deliver the Invitations
Rev 19:17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun. . . "Come, assemble for the great supper of God (said to the birds)

Acts 10:22 "Cornelius. . . was divinely directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house

I once owned a house that out at the end of one of those winding South Carolina roads – no one really has addresses there, you just people how to “get there” – so we’ll put the angels in charge of getting you to your destination:

Guide and Direct
(Men don't hesitate to stop and ask directions to this party - remember the angels themselves are male and they love to give directions)

Acts 8 - Philip to Ethiopian Eunuch
Acts 8:26 But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, "Arise and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza." (This is a desert road )

Acts 10 - Peter to Cornelius
Acts 10:22 And they said, "Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man well spoken of by the entire nation of the Jews, was divinely directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and hear a message from you."

And did you notice - this is an integrated party - just like the kingdom of heaven!
Angels are involved in the opening of the gospel to other races!
Michael = angel of the Jews
Angel involved in the opening of the gospel to Africans and Gentiles
There may well be an angel over each race

Now there are some strange folks that live out in the woods around here. Seems that some folks aren’t quite settled with the 20th Century yet, let alone the 21st century. I want you to arrive safe and sound so we’ll ask the angels to cover that as well:
Prepare the way
Exod 33:2 "And I will send an angel before you and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Hivite and the Jebusite.

Guard and Protect you on your way
Exod 14:19 And the angel of God, who had been going before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them.

DON"T WORRY ABOUT WHAT YOU LEFT AT HOME
Ps 91:10-12 No evil will befall you, nor will any plague come near your tent.
For He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways.
They will bear you up in their hands, lest you strike your foot against a stone.

DON"T WORRY ABOUT THE CRAZY PEOPLE ON THE ROAD - EVEN IF THEY ARE OUT TO GET YOU
II Ki 6:16-17 So he answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." Then Elisha prayed and said, "O LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." And the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
In Nazi Germany, one mother took her little boy, who was unchurched, to a shelter run by nuns that had become known as a safe place because nothing bad ever seemed to happen there. His first night, while everyone else was praying that God would protect them, this little boy kept his eyes open. After the "amen," he told his mother, "It came up to here on them!" and pointed to his breastbone. When asked what he meant, he said, "The gutter came up to here on them!" A nurse asked, "What are you talking about?" and he told her that he saw men filled with light guarding each corner of the shelter, so tall that they towered above the roof. The shelter was protected by huge warrior angels that only a little boy could see.

Now nothing ruins a party faster than having to watch after the children. My idea of heaven (okay, its my wife’s idea of heaven) is not having to have a conversation while wondering if your kids have run of down to the creek to catch snakes – no problem, angels are on duty:
Watchers
Watch children
Matt 18:10 "See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you, that their angels in heaven continually behold the face of My Father who is in heaven."

Watch the church (and how women submit to men within the church)
1 Cor 11:10 Therefore the woman ought to have {a symbol of} authority on her head, because of the angels.

Watch individuals in special service / Daniel / Apostles
1 Cor 4:9 For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.

When you come to my party, you are my guests and I want to be a good host. But I don’t want you looking in my medicine chest, and I don’t want you throwing away the drinking glasses even if they are plastic. (I’m going to write your name on the cup and you’d better not lose it ‘cuz if you ever come back to my house, you’re going to use that same cup.) Angels come in handy here because they are used to explaining the rules:
Explain the rules angels participated in delivering the Law to Moses
Heb 2:2 For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense

There are some places that you’ll be forbidden to go – like I said there’s that whole medicine chest issue and I don’t want you wandering off into the woods on account of booby traps and that whole liability issue. Now worry – the angels know how to handle this!
Centurions - Gen 3. Garden of Een
Gen 3:24 So He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim, and the flaming sword which turned every direction, to guard the way to the tree of life.

I don’t want anyone to miss this party and sad is it may be, we’ll occasionally lose people as guests of the county sherriff. The angels will see to it that no one misses just because they get slightly incarcerated.

Jail Breakers - (Alcatraz / Peter, the "rock") Acts 12:7,10
7 And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared, and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter's side and roused him, saying, "Get up quickly." And his chains fell off his hands.
10 And when they had passed the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened for them by itself; and they went out and went along one street; and immediately the angel departed from him.

We’ve got this neighbor with a yappy dog. Nothing irritates me more than people who don’t know how much yappy dogs irritate me! The angels are on duty here also:

Animal Patrol - Dan 6:20-22
And when he had come near the den to Daniel, he cried out with a troubled voice. The king spoke and said to Daniel, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you constantly serve, been able to deliver you from the lions?"
Then Daniel spoke to the king, "O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, inasmuch as I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime."

Okay – I think we’ve got all of our security issues taken care of – now to the good part – FOOD! One of the risks of having a party is when you do that pot luck thing. You’ve all been to family reunions – all of a sudden the official family food is potato salad and cold fried chicken. If I’m going to throw a party, then I want some good food, and you do to. How about we put the angels in charge of this also:
Caterers
I Kings 19:5-6 And he lay down and slept under a juniper tree; and behold, there was an angel touching him, and he said to him, "Arise, eat." Then he looked and behold, there was at his head a bread cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank and lay down again.
In 1944, the penniless wife of a pastor and evangelist in Switzerland, Susie Ware prayed, "God, I need five pounds of potatoes, two pounds of pastry flour, apples, pears, a cauliflower, carrots, veal cutlets for Saturday, and beef for Sunday." A few hours later, someone knocked on the door, and there was a young man carrying a basket, who said, "Mrs. Ware, I am bringing what you asked for." It was precisely what she'd prayed for--down to the exact brand of pastry flour she wanted. The young man slipped away, and even though Rev. and Mrs. Ware watched at the window to their building, the man never exited. He just disappeared.

"Angel food cake" manna in wilderness
Ps 78:25 Man did eat the bread of angels; He sent them food in abundance.

It is a good practice, modeled after Jesus Himself when he fed the 5000 to say GRACE – a simple prayer before eating. Did you know that the angels are right on the job there too?
Attendants at Prayer - Instruments through which God hears and answers prayers
Rev 8:3-4 And another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel's hand.

Gen 21:16-17 Hagar in the desert: "Do not let me see the boy die." And she sat opposite him, and lifted up her voice and wept. And God heard the lad crying; and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, and said to her, "What is the matter with you, Hagar? Do not fear, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is.

Now, if I didn’t tell you, you find out soon enough from my wife - - - or the fire department - - - that I am a pyromaniac. I love a good roaring open fire and no party seems complete with out one. I’m not saying that I tend to LET fire get out of control, but I guess you could say that I do DARE them to rage. (Towering Inferno is my favorite movie.) Even here angels are going to make this party a success:
- - - By the way, I appreciate God making the cherubim at the Garden hold swords of fire. . . .
Fire Management (Meshach, Shadrach, Abed-nego)
Dan 3:25 He answered and said, "Look! I see four men loosed and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!"

EVERY Gathering is full of social issues, the business of having people come together is always an interesting thing.
Birth Announcements EVERY PARTY IS BRIGHTENED BY SURPRISE ANNOUNCEMENTS
Gen 16:11 The angel of the LORD said to her further, "Behold, you are with child, and you shall bear a son; and you shall call his name Ishmael

Gen 18:10 And he said, "I will surely return to you at this time next year; and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son."

Matt 1:20 But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for that which has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.

If anyone is a little down, we’ve got some angelic good news for you:
Encouragers
Acts 27:22-24 "And yet now I urge you to keep up your courage, for there shall be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me, saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.'" One mother of a young girl told me that the night after her daughter's cancer surgery, a very tall nurse with long braids, a real Amazon, ministered to her all night long. She was caring for the girl with a strong but gentle tenderness, and talking with the mom about how good God is. After they went home, the mother decided to write a thank-you note to the nurse, and called the hospital to ask for her name. Everyone--even the head of nursing-insisted that there was no nurse with that description working at the hospital. She believes God sent an angel to encourage her through that dark night.

And also:
Comforters
Dan 10:18-19 An angel said to Daniel "O man of high esteem, do not be afraid. Peace be with you; take courage and be courageous!" Now as soon as he spoke to me, I received strength and said, "May my lord speak, for you have strengthened me."

Luke 22:43 Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him.

Some people are the life of the party and some people can really kill a good time. If you party too hardy . . .
Pall-bearers - angels carrying us not to the grave but to "Abraham's Bosom"
Luke 16:22 "Now it came about that the poor man died and he was carried away by the angels to Abraham's bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried.

Well, I am pretty generous host – you can see that the angels of heaven are capable involved in making this a most memorable event. I am inviting a great number of people who I think will be blessed by this great party. But not everyone is invited. I don’t like trouble. . . and even though I have to let my kids in, I don’t have to let all the trouble-makers of the IRMO in. If any one tries to crash this party, I’ve got an angeliuc message for them!
Agents of judgement –
II Kings 19, Sodom, Acts 12-Herod, Rev 6-19 angels pour out judgements / Matthew 13.41 angels separate righteous from the wicked

Gather out of His kingdom all things that offend and do iniquity
NIV: Matt 13:41 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. (NIV)

But alas,
NOT ALL THE ANGELS ARE GOING TO BE WITH US
Hanging out with God
IKing 22:19 (Micaiah said) "I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by Him on His right and on His left.

Worshipping Him - Rev 4 & 5

Ready for His command
Ps 103:21 Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, you who serve Him, doing His will.

Announcing the coming of Christ
1Thes 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

Where is the party really going on?
Heb 12:22 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 (NIV)

Watchers - They also watch GOD!
Luke 15:8-10 "Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? "And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost!' "In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

And that's when the real party begins!