At best, our perceptions of angels are primarily speculative because few, if any, human beings have ever seen a messenger of God. And if we did, assuming we could, we may not have recognized him as such. Again, as a matter of fact, whatever information we have received from the Scriptures is as far as we can go in our search for inspired information. There is an abundance of non-inspired reference material and fictional entertainment for our reading and viewing pleasure. Just remember that my opinion is not inspired and what I want to believe about angels is not mine to bind on another person. We must be careful not to hold our perceptions so dearly to us that we forget that Jesus Christ has the pre-eminence of all things on earth and in heaven (Philippians 2:11; Colossians 2:9, 10, 15-17).
The English word for angel, angelos, is derived from the Greek word for messenger. In the strictest definition of the word in a non-religious sense, a Western Union delivery person is an angel. The mail person is an angel. A preacher is an angel. In the Bible, it was not who or what they were, but what they did. It was an occupation as much as it was an identity.
We learn from the Scriptures that angels are spirit beings (Hebrews 1:14); they do not marry or give in marriage; therefore, they do not procreate, which means that they are not sexual beings (Matt: 22:30; Mark 12:25). But they are designated by masculine gender (see Zechariah 5:9 for possible exception). They do not die (Luke 20:36). In the order of creation, they are a higher order of beings than humans, but lower than Christ except when He was incarnated (Psalm 8:4, 5; Hebrews 1:6; 2:7). At some point some of them sinned, indicating free will, and were cast into a dungeon awaiting judgment (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6).
Yes, I believe in angels. Every day I thank God for his angels who protect me from harm, keep me from falling, keep me from having an automobile accident. No, I don’t have all the answers to your questions. And no, I am not going to try to convince you to change whatever your understanding of angels might be, except as it may be contradictory to the Scriptures. This is a subject that is “hard to understand,” and the subject of angels is not as clear-cut as some other topics. But it is a scriptural study, so we must continue to look at this topic through spiritual eyes and through eyes of faith.
Each of us should try to put aside the lifetime of outside influences that have shaped our concept of angels — influences governed by religious teachings, opinions, traditions, fantasies, fiction in movies and TV, fads, sentimentality, and other misconceptions. If the Bible does not state an answer clearly, we have no other inspired resource upon which to draw, so a conclusion may not be forthcoming. However, I believe that this bowl of Webstable Soup will serve to make us more aware of the spiritual nature of God and his plan for our lives today and throughout eternity.
This is truth: There are countless angels! God created them, through Jesus, before the creation of the world. Job 38:4-7; Psalm 148:5; John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:15-17.
The Son Superior to Angels
1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.5 For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father”? Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son”? 6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” 7 In speaking of the angels he says, “He makes his angels spirits, and his servants flames of fire.” 8 But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” 10 He also says, “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. 11 They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. 12 You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.” 13 To which of the angels did God ever say, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”?
14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? (Hebrews 1:1-14),
9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, 10 no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. 11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; 12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. (Psalm 91:9-12).
6 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea… 10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. (Matthew 18:6, 10).
1Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. 2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:1-2).
Do you remember this beautiful hymn? I will finish these thoughts today with these lyrics.
TEN THOUSAND ANGELS
They bound the hands of Jesus in the garden where he prayed
They led him thru the streets in shame
They spat upon the savior so pure and free from sin
They said, “crucify him: he’s to blame
He could have called ten thousand angels
To destroy the world and set him free
He could have called ten thousand angels
But he died alone, for you and me
Upon his precious head they placed a crown of thorns
They laughed and said, “Behold the king”
They struck him and they cursed him and mocked his holy name
All alone he suffered everything
He could have called ten thousand angels
To destroy the world and set him free
He could have called ten thousand angels
But he died alone, for you and me
Songwriters: Billy Henderson, Steven Dale Jones For non-commercial use only. Data From: Musixmatch
Blessings,
Sandra