Christ First Forum

The Doctrine of Angels
I. The Existence of Angels

A.. The Bible assumes their existence.

1. 34 books (of 66 total) refer to angels.

2. Christ taught their existence (Matt.8:10; 24:31; 26:53 etc.).

B. The Bible describes their creation.

1. Angels were created by God (Ps.148:2,5; Col.1:16). Only God had no beginning (1 Tim.6:16).

2. Angels were created before the world and man (Job 38:6,7).

3. Angels were created holy (Ezek.28:15; Jude 6).

II. The Nature of Angels

A. Angels are personal beings.

1. They have intellect (Matt.28:5; 1 Pet.1:12).

2. They have emotions (Job 38:7; Luke 2:13; 15:10)

3. They have will (Jude 6).

B. Angels are spirit beings.

1. They exist as spirits – not with material bodies (Heb. 1:14).

a. An angel can be in only one place at one time (Dan.9:21-23; 10:10-14)

b. Although they are spirit beings, they can appear in the form of men (in dreams – Matt.1:20; in natural sight with human functions – Gen.18: 1-8; 22: 19:1; seen by some and not others – 2 Kings 6:15-17).

2. They cannot reproduce (Mark 12:25).

3. They do not die (Luke 20:36).

C. Angels have communicable attributes in a degree greater than man but less than God.

1. They have more knowledge than man (Matt.24:31; Luke 1:13-16) but less than God (Matt.24:36).

2. They have more power than man (2 Pet.2:11; acts 5:19) but less than God.

D. Angels are organized and ranked. One “archangel,” Michael is named (Jude 9). There are also “chief princes” (Dan.10:13), “seraphim” (Is.6:1-3) and “cherubim” (Gen.3:22-24).

III. The Ministries of Angels

A. They worship God. Angels are continually involved in praising God (Rev.4:6-11) through describing His attributes (Is.6:3) and singing praises (Rev.5:8,9).

B. They ministered to Christ. Angels announced His birth (Luke 1:26-33; 2:13), protected Him (Matt.2:13), strengthened Him (Matt.4:11; Luke 22:43), and explained to men His resurrection (Matt.28:6) and ascension (Acts 1:10,11).

C. They carry out God’s government. Angels are God’s servants (Ps.103:20; Heb.1:7) and messengers (Luke 1:19; 2:8-14). They can be involved in controlling nature (Rev.7:1; 16:3,8,9), nations (2 Kings 19:35), and Satan and demons (Dan.10:13,21; 12:1). They will perform future judgment for God (Matt.13:3a; Rev.15:1; 16:1-21).

D. They protect God’s people. Angels are sent to serve believers (Heb.1:14). They protect the godly (Ps.34:7; Dan.6:20,23), oppose our enemies (Ps.35:4,5) and are specifically assigned as guardians of individuals (Matt.18:10). They are God’s agents in answering prayer (Acts 12:7) even bringing physical provisions (Gen.21:17-20; 1 Kings 19:5-7).

E. They assist believers at death (Luke 16:22; Jude 9).

I believe in angles, they are real and they do what God commands them to do.

I do not believe that they are active during this age in the Church doing the work of God to the believers. We were sent the Holy Spirit to indwell us , which the Israelites never had except at times for a certain job.

They probably do indirect work for God, but they do not speak to us, guide us nor arrange our lives. Nor do they sit on our shoulder.

Following is part of a news letter I receive from 'news with views'
By Marsha West

December 21, 2007

NewsWithViews.com

"For centuries, angels were seen as messengers for a holy God. Today, they seem to be
all-forgiving therapists." --Terry Maddingly

'Tis the season of angels! At Christmastime angels are brought to our attention more than
any other time of the year. Angel objects are everywhere you look and they come in just
about every shape and size imaginable.

Listen to what Christian apologist Ron Rhodes says about the angel craze in his article
"Close Encounters of the Celestial Kind":"There was a time when angels were mainly relegated
to Christmas cards. But not anymore. Angels have infiltrated the popular culture--big time.
Indeed, interest in angels is virtually soaring across the religious spectrum in North America--
from mainline Christians to New Agers who seek comfort from these heavenly helpers in a troubled
and often chaotic world." [1]

Rhode's article was written more than a decade ago, but interest in angels has not waned,
thanks largely to New Agers.

Rhodes goes on to say,

"New Agers -- have become almost fanatically excited about angels because they have bought
into a plethora of wildly unbiblical ideas about angels that nevertheless have great
appeal in today's religious climate. One reason cited for angel popularity in New Age
literature is that angels offer people a spirituality that does not involve commitment to
God or His laws. Sophy Burnham, author of A Book of Angels, believes the current
popularity of angels is 'because we have created this concept of God as punitive, jealous,
judgmental,' while 'angels never are. They are utterly compassionate.'" [2]

Compassionate? The truth is, angels are utterly fearsome. In the Bible when someone
experienced an angelic visitation, they were gripped with fear. Thus the angel's first
words were, "Do not be afraid."

What we know about angels is limited. The Bible tells us that they are powerful
supernatural spirit beings without gender, but on occasion they manifest in human form.

Even though angels are spirits, like the deities in ancient mythology, they are given
human characteristics. Most angel artists depict angels in the feminine gender. However,
in the Bible angels are referred to in the masculine pronouns "he/him." For example, the
angel Gabriel took on the form of a man when he appeared to Mary, the mother of Jesus
Christ, and also to Zechariah. A male angel appeared to Joseph in dreams. It was a male
angel who rolled back the stone at Jesus's tomb. Two angels appeared at the tomb at which
Jesus had risen and were perceived by the apostles as men. Cornelius was given
instructions by a male angel. Then there was the male angel that engineered Peter's prison
break. Jacob wrestled all night with a male angel. The Archangel Michael wrestled with a
fallen angel, namely Satan and we all know Satan is no lady. And in the book of Revelation
we're told that God will employ an all male army of angels to pour out His wrath on Planet Earth.

The aforementioned are examples, not from mythology, but from the Holy Bible. If angels
have a gender the Bible would indicate that they are predominately or universally male.
But it doesn't say that. This bears repeating: Angels are genderless.

"At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like
the angels in heaven."Matthew 22:30

Today it has become fashionable for humans to seek out angels. Some Christians even
engage in this unbiblical practice! My question for followers of Jesus Christ is why would
you want to go to the trouble of contacting an angel when believers have direct access to God?
It's true! Listen to what the Bible says,

"Access to God is secured by Christ's atoning work on the cross. Therefore, brothers,since
we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and
living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great
priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full
assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and
having our bodies washed with pure water" (Hebrews 10:19-22). The Holy Spirit enables our
access, "For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit"(Ephesians 2:18).

God knows our problems and struggles. He truly understands! His people are encouraged to
draw near to Him.

"We find grace and strength to sustain us under the intense pressures of life. Draw near
to the throne of grace. Our High Priest (Jesus Christ) is there, eager to restore you."
Pastor Stan Way


In a commentary I wrote about angels, Beware of Angels from the Dark Side [5], I commented on the
participation of demon's in the practice of contacting so-called angels: "The principle goal of
demonic spirits that imitate angels is to confuse people as to their modus operandi. If people can
be convinced that the realm of the occult is 'safe' they'll be much more willing to experiment.
But they're not safe! A person who channels an angel (or a spirit guide) is possessed by a control
spirit every bit as much as if they were a medium or a trans-channeller. The messages and phenomena
found in angel channeling and in mediumism are essentially the same."

Forewarned is forearmed
As for praying to angels, Scripture does not teach us to pray to spirits! In Matthew 6:6 Jesus made
this statement to his followers, "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to
your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
(See also Luke 11:1-4)

Christians can come directly to God because of Christ!

The Apostle Paul chastised the Colossians for engaging in angel worship. Look at verse 18:
"Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you
for the prize."

In his article "Making Distinctions: A Warning Against Mixing Beliefs" Rick Wade explains the reason for
angel worship: "Some Greek philosophers had taught that the One, or the ultimate being, was too pure to get
close to evil matter. So there were many levels of lesser beings between the One and the material universe.
It was a simple step to associate angels with these beings. If people couldn't approach God, maybe they could
these intermediate beings. Hence, angel worship.


"False teachers were promoting a special knowledge that apparently only a few had. Paul
speaks of people puffed up with idle notions, in verse 18. He also mentions the
"appearance of wisdom" in verse 23. He responds that in Christ "are hidden all the
treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (v. 3). This knowledge is available to all who are in
Christ, and provides no reason for our being puffed up (1 Cor. 2:16).

"These three beliefs developed into what is called Gnosticism. Paul saw this as a very
grave danger. Why? Just because Christians might be deprived of some rightful pleasures?
Well, that was a problem. But something much more important was at stake. Because of these
beliefs, the person and work of Christ was diminished." [6]

Now, getting back to Mary. Note that in the Bible she made no attempt to contact Gabriel.
Here's what happened:

"The angel went to her and said, 'Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with
you'" (Luke 1:28).

Sending the angel to Mary was entirely God's idea!

"The God of the Bible is the only God who comes looking for us (because, of course, He is
the only God that actually exists). Every other 'god' must be searched out, found and
their blessing earned." -- Anonymous

It is patently absurd for followers of Jesus Christ to attempt to contact angels - or
dead relatives! Christians must focus their attention on the Lord Jesus Christ. How do
Christians receive instructions from Him? Through God's Word, the Bible.

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." (Psalm 119:105).

Why is post-modern Christianity sorely lacking in discernment? Because a large number of
Christians don't read and study the Bible. As a result they have no clue what God says
about mysticism or anythinng else! Additionally, many Christians have no interest in
attending a church where they'll hear expository teaching from the pulpit. What they
prefer is to hear the pastor preach on is their "felt needs." Moreover, Christians spend
their free time reading best-selling books and novels while God's Word goes largely
ignored. So, is it any wonder the Church lacks discernment?

And by the way, when professing Christians are advised that certain practices (yoga, for
example) are unbiblical, instead of having a humble heart they get their hackles up and
react defensively. From my own experience many of them will continue dabbling in occult
practices even though they're aware that what they're doing could be spiritually damaging.
I know a number of Christians who deceive themselves into believing that no harm is done!

I remember back in the '80's watching Touched By An Angel and crying. I think I was being convicted, but I didn't know what it was. I loved that show!

Remnant wrote:The Doctrine of Angels
I. The Existence of Angels

A.. The Bible assumes their existence.

1. 34 books (of 66 total) refer to angels.

2. Christ taught their existence (Matt.8:10; 24:31; 26:53 etc.).

B. The Bible describes their creation.

1. Angels were created by God (Ps.148:2,5; Col.1:16). Only God had no beginning (1 Tim.6:16).

2. Angels were created before the world and man (Job 38:6,7).

3. Angels were created holy (Ezek.28:15; Jude 6).

II. The Nature of Angels

A. Angels are personal beings.

1. They have intellect (Matt.28:5; 1 Pet.1:12).

2. They have emotions (Job 38:7; Luke 2:13; 15:10)

3. They have will (Jude 6).

B. Angels are spirit beings.

1. They exist as spirits – not with material bodies (Heb. 1:14).

a. An angel can be in only one place at one time (Dan.9:21-23; 10:10-14)

b. Although they are spirit beings, they can appear in the form of men (in dreams – Matt.1:20; in natural sight with human functions – Gen.18: 1-8; 22: 19:1; seen by some and not others – 2 Kings 6:15-17).

2. They cannot reproduce (Mark 12:25).

3. They do not die (Luke 20:36).

C. Angels have communicable attributes in a degree greater than man but less than God.

1. They have more knowledge than man (Matt.24:31; Luke 1:13-16) but less than God (Matt.24:36).

2. They have more power than man (2 Pet.2:11; acts 5:19) but less than God.

D. Angels are organized and ranked. One “archangel,” Michael is named (Jude 9). There are also “chief princes” (Dan.10:13), “seraphim” (Is.6:1-3) and “cherubim” (Gen.3:22-24).

III. The Ministries of Angels

A. They worship God. Angels are continually involved in praising God (Rev.4:6-11) through describing His attributes (Is.6:3) and singing praises (Rev.5:8,9).

B. They ministered to Christ. Angels announced His birth (Luke 1:26-33; 2:13), protected Him (Matt.2:13), strengthened Him (Matt.4:11; Luke 22:43), and explained to men His resurrection (Matt.28:6) and ascension (Acts 1:10,11).

C. They carry out God’s government. Angels are God’s servants (Ps.103:20; Heb.1:7) and messengers (Luke 1:19; 2:8-14). They can be involved in controlling nature (Rev.7:1; 16:3,8,9), nations (2 Kings 19:35), and Satan and demons (Dan.10:13,21; 12:1). They will perform future judgment for God (Matt.13:3a; Rev.15:1; 16:1-21).

D. They protect God’s people. Angels are sent to serve believers (Heb.1:14). They protect the godly (Ps.34:7; Dan.6:20,23), oppose our enemies (Ps.35:4,5) and are specifically assigned as guardians of individuals (Matt.18:10). They are God’s agents in answering prayer (Acts 12:7) even bringing physical provisions (Gen.21:17-20; 1 Kings 19:5-7).

E. They assist believers at death (Luke 16:22; Jude 9).

AMen.... angels were, are and will ever be active, carrying out duties they were given from the time God created them,each according to assigned , and many watch over us, and battle the fallen angels in the heavens, the 1st & 2nd , but not the third, no unclean thing is there, and since satan is unclean, himself being sin, he can only go as far as the 2nd heaven, but not the 3RD Heaven.

AMen.... angels were, are and will ever be active, carrying out duties they were given from the time God created them,each according to assigned , and many watch over us, and battle the fallen angels in the heavens, the 1st & 2nd , but not the third, no unclean thing is there, and since satan is unclean, himself being sin, he can only go as far as the 2nd heaven, but not the 3RD Heaven.[/quote]

Sis! What are you talking about!? This is a Mormon belief about the 3 levels of Heaven. Can you give me scripture to show the truth of this? I would be interested in knowing if it is the same place I was taught about it. Bonnie

There are in the Bible 551 references to the word: "heaven", and there are 127 references in the Bible to the word "heavens". There are three "heavens" found in the BOOK.

The first heaven is the firmament. This heaven is the closest to the Earth.

[Genesis 1:8] “And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.” The Bible also, refers this heaven as the sky.

[Matthew 16:2] “He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.”

The second heaven is the space is where the sun, moon and stars are located.

[Deuteronomy 4:19] “And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the Lord thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven. The plural form of “heavens” quite often is in reference to the stars beyond this solar system: the myriad of galaxies in the universe.

[Job 26:13] "By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent."

The third heaven is the location of God's throne: situate to the utter most north from the earth. According to the Apostle Paul he was caught up to the third heaven.

[II Corinthians 12:2] “I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.”

The location of this heaven “in the sides of the north” is shown in Scripture in Isaiah 14:13 in the rebellion of Satan. "For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:”

Thanx, Frank. I guess that is all she meant. That is my new understanding too, I just didn't know it was still called Third Heaven. Well, I guess the Mormons just had me all mixed up for awhile, anyway. Just kinda hard to get outa that mode sometimes.

sweetsurrender wrote:AMen.... angels were, are and will ever be active, carrying out duties they were given from the time God created them,each according to assigned , and many watch over us, and battle the fallen angels in the heavens, the 1st & 2nd , but not the third, no unclean thing is there, and since satan is unclean, himself being sin, he can only go as far as the 2nd heaven, but not the 3RD Heaven.

Sis! What are you talking about!? This is a Mormon belief about the 3 levels of Heaven. Can you give me scripture to show the truth of this? I would be interested in knowing if it is the same place I was taught about it. Bonnie[/quote]

2 COR. 12: 2
Read from 1-4

Sweetheart, I am so sorry they did that to you, yes they mix truth and lies togather, and unless one is rooted in the Holy Word of God, they can not know..
There will be new heaven"S" pural and a new earth , which will b e Jerusalem come down from Heaven




HUGS 2 U, Sissy

sweetsurrender wrote:Thanx, Frank. I guess that is all she meant. That is my new understanding too, I just didn't know it was still called Third Heaven. Well, I guess the Mormons just had me all mixed up for awhile, anyway. Just kinda hard to get outa that mode sometimes.

Here is a link that may help

http://www.kjvbible.org/firmament.html

Some where up there I was reading that angels aren't active today?

I believe they are, as Hebrews 1:14 tells us, "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?"

Then I know I had an experience , either with an angel, or the Lord himself, when I heard a voice command to me,
'No! Go Through!' when I was about to put my friend, and I in harms way.
Had I not obeyed the voice we would have been hit by a car.

I was only 11 years old, and had no pre-conceived theology.

We were talking about Jesus as we rode along, and Gods word says where two,or three are gathered together in
my name, there I am in the midst, but it also says we have angels in charge over us who will be heirs of salvation.
So, either way, it was God who saved our lives that day, one way, or the other.
He is the same,yesterday, today, and forever, and his word is eternal too.

Oh, yes, It was a masculine voice I heard.

I believe angels were created in the masculine gender, not feminine.

I'm sure there must be other angel stories from our brothers and sisters here, if
they thought back.
I know I have been protected by them throughout my life, but
when I go home I want to see Jesus .

Then maybe the angel God sent can tell me what a time he had taking care of me!

Great Study.

My grandfather was stationed in Germany during WW2.

He was only 17 at the time (lied to get in). He was shot in an ambush. He was shot twice. Once through the side, and once through the stomach and out the back. He said he remembered it was raining. He told me that it was probably a good thing they had not eaten in 2 days.

As he lay there, literally bleeding to death, he saw two angels that he described as "pinkish, with beautiful faces like women, blondish hair, gowns overed their feet, no wings, and they just hovered, never spoke a word". He went on to explain that they hovered over him for a few minutes and then left, just like they came. The soldier next to him was dead. I only saw my grandfather about once year, but I always wanted him to tell me the story.

Not long ago, Papa died of congestive heart failure. My mom was there. She said he looked up and held his arms up, and asked "do you see them"?

Gracealone wrote:Some where up there I was reading that angels aren't active today?

I believe they are, as Hebrews 1:14 tells us, "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?"

Then I know I had an experience , either with an angel, or the Lord himself, when I heard a voice command to me,
'No! Go Through!' when I was about to put my friend, and I in harms way.
Had I not obeyed the voice we would have been hit by a car.

I was only 11 years old, and had no pre-conceived theology.

We were talking about Jesus as we rode along, and Gods word says where two,or three are gathered together in
my name, there I am in the midst, but it also says we have angels in charge over us who will be heirs of salvation.
So, either way, it was God who saved our lives that day, one way, or the other.
He is the same,yesterday, today, and forever, and his word is eternal too.

Oh, yes, It was a masculine voice I heard.

I believe angels were created in the masculine gender, not feminine.

Grace,
I have also heard a masculine voice say "NO". It was while I was thinking about whether or not to go on a Senior trip. I got my answer.

I opened my eyes while lying in my bed, and said, "okay" in a very small voice, and I did not go.