I. THE MINISTRY OF ANGELS IS:

A. NOT witchcraft or sorcery or demonology (I Samuel 15:23; Galatians 5:20).

B. NOT speaking with departed (dead) persons, disembodied spirits or familiar spirits (I Samuel 28:5-13).

C. BUT IT IS... "Ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation (deliverance, preservation of material, and temporal deliverance)," Hebrews 1:14.

1. In History angels have led Abraham (Genesis 24:7) into the land of Israel; removed the wheels from the Egyptian chariots as they pursued Israel (Exodus 14:25); protected the three Hebrew children against the fire of the furnace (Daniel 3:28); shut lion's mouths (Daniel 6:22); revealed mysteries of God (Ezekiel 1:9; Matthew 1:20; 28:5-6; Luke 2:8-14; Revelation 1:1); opened prison doors (Acts 5:19); told disciples where to minister (Acts 8:26; 10:3,7,22); and they have ministered unto Jesus (Matthew 4:11; Mark 1:13).

2. Angels assist us after death to heaven or hell (Luke 16:22).

3. In the end times angels will help judge the world (II Thessalonians 1:6-10). The angels will accompany Jesus at His return to reward men according to their works (Matthew 16:27; Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26; I Thessalonians 4:16). They are the reapers at the end of the world, "they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity," the angels "shall sever the wicked from among the just" (Matthew 13:39, 41, 49; 24:31; 25:31-32; Mark 13:27).

1. This means that the angels held the power to arrange, settle or manage; to administer the law. Angels are predisposed to fulfill the requirements of the law; regarding either penalties or rewards thereof! (Galatians 3:19)

2. Angels DO NOT forgive, neither do they judge according to their own standards, but only and strictly by the standards of God (Exodus 23:20-23).

3. Angels are NOT to be provoked! How do you provoke angels? Write your answers from the following Scriptures:

Hebrews 3:7-19; 4:1-2:

Genesis 19:15-17, 21-36:

Luke 17:29-32; 1:11-15, 18-20.

An attitude opposite of the above Scriptures is found in Jesus' mother Mary (Luke 1:30-35,38). It is called "faith."

4. Paul "charged" Timothy (I Tim. 5:21) before God, Jesus Christ, and the angels to observe what he had written; because all three will confirm the Word in our lives to our good or to our detriment (Hebrews 2:2).

II. WHO IS AN ANGEL?

A. Angels are NOT always discernable (Hebrews 13:2).

B. An angel is a messenger sent by God or by man or by Satan; it is a title of office not descriptive of the nature of the being, is also used of a guardian or representative (Psalm 34:7; 104:4; Matthew 18:10; Acts 12:15; Revelation 1:20).

1) Angel refers to the ministering servants of God, of prophets, holy men acting under divine direction (Luke 7:24).

2) For Overseers, Bishops or Pastors (Revelation 1:20; 2:1).

3) The most frequent use is as an order of created beings, familiar with God face to face, many therefore hold the angels as superior to man (Hebrews 2:7). Angels belong to heaven (Matthew 24:36; Mark 12:25), and to God (Luke 12:8) and are engaged in God's service (Psalm 103:20). These angels are spirits (Psalm 104:4; Hebrews 1:14), NOT impersonal thoughts, meaning they do not have material bodies as men have; however they are either human in form, or can assume human form when necessary (Luke 24:4, 23; Acts 10:3, 30). Angels are always spoken of in masculine gender, the feminine form of the word does not occur. The use of a masculine gender here denotes strength.

4) Demons. Angels are called holy (Mark 8:38) and elect (I Timothy 5:21) except for those of the original number who sinned and are destined for everlasting fire (Matthew 25:41; II Peter 2:4). Jude 6 tells us that these angels left their "first estate" which God had prepared for them. Their final estate is everlasting fire specifically prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41).

III. KNOWN ANGELS

A. THE ANGEL OF THE LORD: This angel is presented as NO OTHER ANGEL in Scripture. He possess a position that no other angel could occupy. He is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. When appearing to men he is recognized as a divine being, even though in human form, and is addressed as God (Genesis 16:13). The Angel of the Lord appeared to Hagar (Genesis 16:7ff; 21:17f); Isaac (Genesis 22:11ff); Jacob (Genesis 31:13); Moses (Exodus 3:2); Gideon (Judges 6:11ff).

B. MICHAEL whose name means "who is like God": An Archangel (meaning one who stands in the presence of the Lord), the angel of and intercessor over the nation of Israel (Daniel 12:1). The first mention of Michael, not by name, might be found in Genesis 24:7, also Genesis 24:40; Exodus 14:19; 23:20-23; 32:34; Numbers 20:16. Michael is also an angel of war (Daniel 10:13) who fought for Israel, the body of Moses (Jude 9), and against the devil in heaven (Rev. 12:7). Mentioned in Daniel, Jude, and Revelation.

C. GABRIEL whose name means "man of God or strength of God": An Archangel who announced the birth of Christ. Gabriel gave Daniel "skill and understanding" (Daniel 9:22), and explained visions (Daniel 8:16). Mentioned in Daniel and Luke 1:19.

In Jewish literature, Gabriel is one of either 4 or 7 archangels who stand before God's throne praising Him and interceding for men. His special responsibility is Paradise, with other angels he will officiate at the last judgement (II Thessalonians 1:7-9).

D. LUCIFER whose name means "light-bearer": Satan's name before he fell (Isaiah 14:12). Once an Archangel of music (Ezekiel 28:13) and covered with precious jewels of earth.

IV. CHARACTERISTICS OF ANGELS

A. Angels are spirit beings created by Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:16) with individual unique personalities (intelligence, emotions, and wills).

B. Angels have a face to face relation with God. They have an audience with God on our behalf (Matthew 18:10).

C. They are immortal beings who do not die (Luke 20:36).

D. They are not subject to limitation or space, but they are NOT omnipresent.

E. They are mighty (possessing dunamis strength) - but they are NOT omnipotent (II Thessalonians 1:7).

F. Psalm 68:17 tells us that there are "thousands of angels" or literally "thousands of repetitions"! Hebrews 12:22 speaks of an "innumerable" company. Thus the number of angels is uncountable to men. Revelation 5:11 speaks of "ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands" of angels around the throne of God.

G. Angels are NOT "sons of God" or "children of God" (Hebrews 1:4-7, 13).

H. Jesus is NOT an angel (Hebrews 2:16)!

I. Angels are NOT to be worshipped (Colossians 2:18; Revelation 19:10; 22:8-9).

J. Angels have their own language (I Corinthians 13:1), tongues.

K. Angels do not marry in heaven, they do not replicate or reproduce themselves (Matthew 22:30; Mark 12:25).

L. Angels DO NOT control our "destiny" (Romans 8:37-39), they have no authority or ability to separate us from our Father God.

M. Angels have authority to speak only as God permits, they are messengers who speak on behalf of God and enforce the Word of God (Psalm 103:20). Angels do not act on their own but on command or request (Matthew 26:53; I Peter 3:22). They are Subordinate - always subject to God and His Word. This subordination applies to ALL angels holy angels AND fallen angels.

N. Angels are assigned to nations, such as Michael is Israel's angel (Daniel 10:13,21; 12:1). Other nations are similarly equipped (Daniel 10:20). Nation means people who speak a common tongue or share a common heritage. There are also angels over geographical regions, rivers, cities (Revelation 2:13); also over principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, spiritual wickedness in heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12); thrones, dominions, principalities, powers (Colossians 1:16).

Each of us also has an angel assigned to us (Psalm 34:7; Matthew 18:10).

Hebrews 2:5,6 tells us that the world to come is NOT to be put in subjection to angels! Man has been created a little lower than God (Psalm 8:2, John 10:30-35) and above the angels (Hebrews 1:14). Even though angels will assist Jesus at the judgment of the world, we shall judge (Greek: KRINO) the angels (I Corinthians 6:3). If this refers to fallen angels it denotes an execution of judgment and condemnation. If this means angels of God it denotes an administering of the affairs of angels; or to govern, direct, control, rule, manage angelic activities.

Q. There is NO SALVATION for angels. Jesus is the Savior of MEN, NOT of angels. I Peter 1:12 reveals that angels are curious or desire to look into the things concerning man's salvation. While not coveting the experience for themselves, they are curious to its wonderful and glorious workings. II Corinthians 5:17, says we are a new creature or species of being never before seen on the face of the earth! So it is of interest to the angels.

R. Angels cannot accuse other angels (Jude 9) without permission from God or man.

V. THE FALL OF LUCIFER AND HIS COHORTS!

A. Scriptural references: Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:12-19; Matthew 25:41; II Peter 2:4; Revelation 12:9.

B. After an angelic war with Michael the devil and one third of the angels fell from heaven when Lucifer rebelled (Revelation 12:7-9). Not all of these angels are loose today, some are in chains yet to be released (II Peter 2:4; Revelation 9:14).

Their eventual end: There is no salvation for angels. Jesus is the Savior of MEN, NOT of angels. Those who followed Lucifer in rebellion are destined for everlasting fire (Matthew 25:41).