The Bible speaks about
classes of angels: Cherubim (Ezekiel 1:5-11); Seraphim (Isaiah 6:2) and Archangels like Michael and Gabriel (Daniel
9:21, 10:6, 13; Luke 1:19, 26; Jude 9).
Many scholars believe that Satan was an archangel, and higher than any other
angel. Some angels are “ministering spirits” (Hebrews 1:14; Matthew
18:10). The word “angel” actually comes
from the Greek word aggelos and the Hebrew word mal'ak,
which mean “messenger.”
Angels serve God through
worship and praise (Isaiah 6:1-3; Revelation 4-5), as messengers (Acts 7:52-53), to answer prayers (Daniel 9:20-24; 10:10-12; Acts
12:1-17), to carry our soul and spirit
to Heaven (Luke 16:22), to
provide (Genesis 24:7; Genesis 21:17-20; 1 Kings 19:5-6;
Matthew 4:11), to protect (Psalm
34:7; Daniel 6:22; 3:23; Genesis 3:24), to
guide (Matthew 1-2; John
20:12; Acts 10:1-8, 78:26), to deliver (Acts 5:19;
Acts 12:7) and to encourage (Matthew
4:11; Acts 5:19-20, 27:23-25).
Angels were not born and do
not have physical bodies like humans (Luke 20:34-36; Colossians
1:16-17). God created angels before He created human beings (Nehemiah 9:6; Psalm 148:2,5). Humans are not angels. Angels can appear as men,
but they are not human. When people die, even babies, they do not become
angels. Angels are always angels, and people are always human. Angels do not marry or
reproduce (Matthew 22:30). When
we get to heaven two groups meet us: “myriads of angels” and “the
spirits of righteous men made perfect” (Hebrews 12:22-23).
Jesus declared that angels
have no flesh and bones (Luke 24: 37-39). They are not usually visible (Colossians 1:16). Elisha prayed for his servant to see the invisible
forces surrounding the city, and the young man was amazed to see an army of a
host of angels and fiery chariots (2 Kings 6:17). At times, angels appear in bright white and flaming
glory (Matthew 28:2-4; Daniel 10:6). While the Bible
is not specific, we deduce that the number of angels is innumerable (Daniel
7:10; Matthew 26:53; Hebrews 12:22).
When angels do manifest to humans, they usually
appear in the form of a man (Mark 16:5). There
is one instance where two women appeared,
with the wind in their wings, which were like the wings of a stork (Zechariah 5:9). In Genesis 18, Abraham welcomes and feeds three men who are
traveling. It is clear, however, that one of them was the Lord, who remained
with Abraham to chat, while the others were two angels who went on to Sodom (Genesis
19:1). The Bible reminds us to be kind to strangers, because we may
be entertaining angels without realizing it (Hebrews 13:2).
When people in the Bible saw
an angel, they typically fell on their face in a muddle of both terror and wonder (Daniel
10:10; Revelation 1:17). Some Bible
passages picture angels with wings (Isaiah 6:2,6). Others talk about angels flying (Daniel
9:21). However, many scholars believe
that angels can move around without depending on wings. Most allusions to
angels in the Bible say nothing about wings, and in passages like Abraham and
the three men, they had no noticeable wings.
Angels are more mobile than
men, but are not omnipresent like God (Daniel 9:21-23, 10:10-14). They are stronger than men, but are not omnipotent (2 Peter 1:11; Psalm 103:2). They have more knowledge than men, but are not omniscient (Matthew
24:36; 2 Samuel 14:20). God created angels
as holy beings to worship Him (Mark 13:32; Matthew 18:10). Satan then deceived 1/3 of these angels to rebel
against God and they are now referred to as demons (2 Peter
2:4; Ephesians 6:12; Matthew 25:41; Jude 6).
We can open our life to
demonic forces by involvement in sinful and occult practices. The more we live
by the flesh, the more influence Satan and his demons have on our body and
soul. The Holy Spirit dwells in our spirit, so Satan cannot possess a
Christian’s spirit. However, we can give Satan permission by our ungodly
thoughts and behavior to oppress, demonize or inflict our body and soul. Satan
is the god of everyone who has not repented and believed in Jesus for salvation
(John 10:10). Their spirit is dead
in sin (Ephesians 2:1), and Satan usually possesses their body and soul and makes their life miserable (1 John 5:19; Jude 9; Revelation 16:13-14).
There is an invisible clash
rampant in the spiritual realm that the Bible only hints at. It is not an
equitable fight, however, because God is always in control and His forces
always prevail (Luke 4:6). Satan has
to get his permission from God to touch His Saints (Job 1:8;
2:3), because God uses demons and angels
to accomplish His purposes in our lives. After the Millennium, God
will cast all unbelievers, Satan and all of his demons into the lake of fire
for eternity (Revelation 20:10; Matthew 25:41).
Prayer:
Holy Lord, we thank You for
sending angels to guard us and minister to us. We are excited to know that
archangels do battle in the heavenly realms and that Your forces always
prevail. Help us to minister to You and for You as well. Lead us by Your Spirit
each and every moment of the day as we accomplish great things for Your
Kingdom.
Thought for the Day:
Only that which we
accomplish in the Spirit will last for eternity. Everything else is just a
temporary legacy. 