The Angels of GodThe Angels of God

Class 1:Class 1:

Who are the Angels?Who are the Angels?

Reasons to Study the AngelsReasons to Study the Angels1.1. They reveal God’s character to usThey reveal God’s character to us2.2. They are part of the “whole family of God”They are part of the “whole family of God”3.3. We are training to be like themWe are training to be like them

MorallyMorally: now: now PhysicallyPhysically: in the kingdom: in the kingdom4.4. They are always with us and know our They are always with us and know our

thoughtsthoughts5.5. They will bring us to Christ when he comesThey will bring us to Christ when he comes6.6. They are God’s Spirit at work todayThey are God’s Spirit at work today7.7. They are the 1They are the 1stst step in understanding how step in understanding how

God manifests himself in individualsGod manifests himself in individuals

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

personalities!

MisconceptionsMisconceptions

Job 38:4-7Job 38:4-744 "Where were you when I laid the "Where were you when I laid the

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

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

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

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

They were involved & interested in our creation.

Excited from the start! Sang & shouted for joy!

Psalm 103:20-22Psalm 103:20-2220 Bless the LORD, you His angels, who 20 Bless the LORD, you His angels, who

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

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

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

Note 17-18: We must do the same to receive God’s mercy and be members of His family

2 Chronicles 16:92 Chronicles 16:9"For the eyes of the LORD run to "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole and fro throughout the whole earth,earth, to show Himself strong on to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have therefore from now on you shall have wars."wars."

Note the context: Asa thought his plan worked, but the angels knew his heart!

Angels find out what’s happening and why – they know our attitudes

Angels work for those whose hearts are loyal to God

Luke 20:35-36Luke 20:35-363535 "But those who are counted worthy to "But those who are counted worthy to

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

3636 "nor can they die anymore,"nor can they die anymore, for for they they are equal to the angelsare equal to the angels and are and are sons sons of Godof God, being sons of the resurrection., 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 6:15-161 Timothy 6:15-161515 which He will manifest in His own time, which He will manifest in His own time,

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

1616 who alone has immortality,who alone has immortality, dwelling in dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Ameneverlasting power. Amen

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

Genesis 3:5, 22Genesis 3:5, 22 55 "For God knows that in the day you eat of "For God knows that in the day you eat of

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

2222 Then the LORD God said, "Behold, the Then the LORD God said, "Behold, the man has become man has become like one of Us like one of Us (angels),(angels), to know good and evil.to know good and evil. And And now, lest he put out his hand and take now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever"--forever"--

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

robots.

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

sons of God sons of God shouted for joy?shouted for joy?

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

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

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

1010 "Likewise, I say to you, "Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the there is joy in the presence of the angels of Godpresence of the angels of God over one sinner who over one sinner who repents."repents."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Angels show compassionAngels show compassionGenesis 19:10-16Genesis 19:10-16

10 But 10 But the men reached out their hands and pulled the men reached out their hands and pulled Lot into the houseLot into the house with them, and shut the door. with them, and shut the door.

11 And they struck the men who were at the doorway of 11 And they struck the men who were at the doorway of the house with blindness, both small and great, so the house with blindness, both small and great, so that they became weary trying to find the door.that they became weary trying to find the door.

15 When the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot to 15 When the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot to hurry, saying, "Arise, take your wife and your two hurry, saying, "Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city."punishment of the city."

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

1 Timothy 5:211 Timothy 5:212121 I charge you before God and the I charge you before God and the

Lord Jesus Christ and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect elect (eklektos)(eklektos) angels angels that you observe that you observe these things without prejudice, these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality.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 16:5Mark 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 18:1-2Genesis 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

What do Angels look like?

Matthew 28:2-3Matthew 28:2-322 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an an

angel of the Lord descended from heaven,angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it.door, and sat on it.

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

Exodus 33:22-23Exodus 33:22-232222 "So it shall be, "So it shall be, while My glory passes bywhile My glory passes by, that I , that I

will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by.you with My hand while I pass by.

2323 "Then I will take away My hand, and "Then I will take away My hand, and you shall you shall see My back; but My face shall not be see My back; but My face shall not be seen."seen."

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

continuous brightness

Judges 13:3, 6Judges 13:3, 633 And And the Angel of the LORD appearedthe Angel of the LORD appeared to the to the

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

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

Angels appear to look like humans, even when reflecting God’s glory in a

limited way.

Judges 13:15-16Judges 13:15-161515 Then Manoah Then Manoah said to the Angelsaid to the Angel of the of the

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

1616 And the Angel of the LORD said to And the Angel of the LORD said to Manoah, "Though you detain Me, I will not Manoah, "Though you detain Me, I will not eat your food. But if you offer a burnt eat your food. But if you offer a burnt offering, you must offer it to the LORD." offering, you must offer it to the LORD." (For Manoah did not know He was (For Manoah did not know He was the Angel of the LORD.)the Angel of the LORD.)

Angels can appear so much like humans that some humans don’t even know they

are angels!

They don’t want us to worship them.

Judges 13:20-21Judges 13:20-212020 it happened as the flame went up toward it happened as the flame went up toward

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

2121 When the Angel of the LORD appeared no When the Angel of the LORD appeared no more to Manoah and his wife, more to Manoah and his wife, then then Manoah knew that He was the Angel Manoah knew that He was the Angel of the LORD.of the LORD.

Angels aren’t bound by our laws of physics. Heat energy does not affect

them. They are not limited by gravity.

Hebrews 13:1-2Hebrews 13:1-211 Let brotherly love continue.Let brotherly love continue.

22 Do not forget to entertain strangers, Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.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 meet, and show hospitality to

strangers.Genesis 37:15-17

15 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 22:24-31Numbers 22:24-312424 Then the Angel of the LORD stood in a narrow Then the Angel of the LORD stood in a narrow

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

2525 And when And when the donkey saw the Angelthe donkey saw the Angel of the of the LORD, she pushed herself against the wall and LORD, she pushed herself against the wall and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall; so he crushed Balaam's foot against the wall; so he struck her again.struck her again.

3131 Then Then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes, and the LORD opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the Angelhe saw the Angel of the LORD standing in the of the LORD standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand; and he way with His drawn sword in His hand; and he bowed his head and fell flat on his face.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 – both at the same time! Jehovah’s Witnesses are wrong about

angels materializing a body.

2 Kings 6:15-17 2 Kings 6:15-17 (Benhadad’s army)(Benhadad’s army)1515 And when the servant of the man of God arose And when the servant of the man of God arose

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

1616 So he answered, "Do not fear, for So he answered, "Do not fear, for those who are those who are with us are more than those who are with them."with us are more than those who are with them."

1717 And Elisha prayed, and said, "LORD, I pray, open And Elisha prayed, and said, "LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." his eyes that he may see." Then the LORD Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw.opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the And behold, the mountain was full of horses mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.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.

We need to learn to be aware We need to learn to be aware of the presence of angels all of the presence of angels all the time, even though they the time, even though they don’t let us see them. don’t let us see them. The more we feel their The more we feel their presence, the closer we will presence, the closer we will come to walking with God and come to walking with God and revealing his character.revealing his character.

Major Lesson for Us:

Matt 28:18, 5-6Matt 28:18, 5-618 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.earth.

5 But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do 5 But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesusyou seek Jesus who was who was crucified.crucified.6 "He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see 6 "He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the place where the Lordthe Lord lay. lay.

1 Pet 3:221 Pet 3:22Who (Jesus) has gone into heaven and is at the right hand Who (Jesus) has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, of God, angels and authorities and powers having angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.been made subject to Him.

Heb 1:6Heb 1:6But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: says: "Let all the angels of God worship Him.""Let all the angels of God worship Him."

Angels are now subject to Christ

Hebrews 2:5-9Hebrews 2:5-955 For For He has not put the world to come, of which He has not put the world to come, of which

we speak, in subjection to angels.we speak, in subjection to angels.66 But one testified in a certain place, saying: "What is But one testified in a certain place, saying: "What is

man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You take care of him?that You take care of him?

77 You have You have made him a little lower than the angels;made him a little lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor, and you have crowned him with glory and honor, and set set him over the works of Your hands.him over the works of Your hands.

88 You have put all things in subjection under his feet." You have put all things in subjection under his feet." For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him.yet see all things put under him.

99 But we see But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels,than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.might taste death for everyone.

Angels are subject to Christ now, and in the kingdom

2 Thessalonians 1:7-82 Thessalonians 1:7-877 and to give you who are troubled rest and to give you who are troubled rest

with us when the with us when the Lord Jesus is Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with revealed from heaven with HisHis mighty angels,mighty angels,

88 in flaming fire taking vengeance on in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.our Lord Jesus Christ.

Angels will assist Jesus Christ when he returns to establish his

kingdom

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

1 Peter 1:121 Peter 1:12To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven-- sent from heaven-- things which angels desire things which angels desire to look into.to look into.

Angels don’t know everything. They do inquire and 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.

Angels are not Omniscient (all-knowing)

Zechariah 1:12-13Zechariah 1:12-131212 Then Then the Angel of the LORD the Angel of the LORD

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

1313 And And the LORD answered the angelthe LORD answered the angel who talked to me, with good and who talked to me, with good and comforting words.comforting words.

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

His plan

Matthew 26:53Matthew 26:53"Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My "Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?twelve legions of angels? (12 legions are at (12 legions are at least 60,000)least 60,000)

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

There are lots of angels!

Joshua 5:14Joshua 5:14So He said, "No, but So He said, "No, but as Commander of the army of the LORDas Commander of the army of the LORD I have now come." And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and I have now come." And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, "What does my Lord say to His worshiped, and said to Him, "What does my Lord say to His servant?servant?

Daniel 10:13Daniel 10:13"But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-"But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes,Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.Persia.

Jude 1:9Jude 1:9Yet Yet Michael the archangelMichael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when , in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!"him a reviling accusation, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!"

Angels have different rankings because God gives them jobs

they can handle

Angels don’t all have the same authority

All Angels are also All Angels are also Members of God’s FamilyMembers of God’s Family

Ephesians 1:10Ephesians 1:101010 that in the dispensation of the fullness of that in the dispensation of the fullness of

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

Ephesians 3:14-15Ephesians 3:14-151414 For this reason I bow my knees to the For this reason I bow my knees to the

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,1515 from whom the from whom the whole family in heaven whole family in heaven

and earthand earth is named, is named,

Break Break Time! Time!

Next we’ll look at Next we’ll look at the Power & the Power &

Authority God Authority God gives His Angelsgives His Angels