Angels?

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:

• Who are angels?

• What does the word “angels” actually mean?

• When were angels created?

• What race are angels?

• What form /shape to angels have?

• How do angels compared to mortal humans?

VIEWS TO CONSIDER:

• EVANGELICAL VIEW: Angels are a race of being separate from humanity which God created in part to bring messages to mankind and to perform various other God-commanded tasks.

• LATTER DAY SAINT VIEW: The word “angels” means “messengers”. In the context of heavenly messengers from God, the term refers to humans that God sends to earth to give messengers to humans on earth, or to do various other misc. tasks. Those humans are either spirits that have not yet been born on earth or they are resurrected beings that already lived on earth (often as prophets). Adam (Michael), Noah (Gabriel), Jesus (the angel of the Lord) and others are a few examples of prophets that have acted as angels (messengers from God) either before or after their mortal lives on earth.

CONTENTS:

• Angel = Messenger

• Angels with names given in the Bible

• Archangels

• Brothers, Our

• Cannot die (not mortal)

• Created by God

• Dwell in the presence of God the Father

• Elohim / Gods

• Existed with God before the physical creation

• Feelings / Emotions

• Fellow servants

• Free will / Can choose good or evil

• Great strength, power and knowledge

• Human form / Men / Man of God

• Humans on earth are also called “angels”

• Little higher status than mortal man

• Ministering spirits

• Number of angels: Innumerable

• Some have physical bodies that can eat

• Some are spirits (without a physical body)

• Presence / Location

• Prophets

• Sons of God

• Unmarried

• Wings are likely metaphorical

ANGEL = MESSENGER:

• Hebrew (OT) word ,”malak”, means “messenger”

• Greek (NT) word, “aggelos“, means “messenger”

• Note: Many have assumed that the word “angel” is the name of race of beings (ex. cat, human, angel etc.) However, as seen above, the word “angel“, in both Biblical languages, simply means “messenger“. The English word “angel” is basically an un-translated version of the Greek word for messenger, “aggelos“. The word “angel” itself tells us nothing about the nature or race of these heavenly messengers of God, so we must look to the rest of scripture for those answers.

ANGELS WITH KNOWN NAMES:

• Gabriel, Luke 1:26 etc.

• Michael, Jude 1:9 etc.

• Lucifer / Satan, Job 1:6 etc.

• Abaddon / Apollyon, Rev. 9:11

ARCHANGEL = MICHAEL: The phrase “Arch” (archo’ in Greek) refers to a “chief” or “ruler”. The Bible speaks of an arch (or chief) angel of God named Michael who. was directly involved in the heavenly battle in which Satan and his following angels were defeated and cast out of heaven. Cool!

• 1 Thess. 4:6 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first

• Dan. 10:13 The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia

• Dan. 10:21 I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince

• Dan. 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book

• Jude 1:9 Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation

• Rev. 12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven

BROTHERS, OUR :

• Rev. 22:8-9 And when I had heard and seen, I feel down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me those things. Then saith he unto; see though do it not, for I am… of thy brethren the prophets and of them which keep the sayings of this book. Worship God.

CANNOT DIE OR BE HARMED:

• Luke 20:36 Neither can they (resurrected humans) die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God

CREATED BY GOD:

• Neh. 9:6 Thou, even thou, art Lord alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host

• Ps. 148:2, 5 Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts… Let them praise the name of the Lord: for he commanded, and they were created

DWELL IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD THE FATHER:

• Matt. 18:10 Angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven

• Note: This passage clearly does not refer to the rebellious angels that were cast from His presence.

ELOHIM / GODS:

• Ps. 8:5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor (Note: the Hebrew word for “angels” in this passage is “Elohim“, which, in every other instance, translates to “God” or “Gods“)

• Note: The term “elohim” is also given to humans of great power and authority (ex. Ps.82:6, Exo. 22:28 etc.)

EXISTED BEFORE THE PHYSICAL CREATION:

• Job 38:1-7 When I laid the foundations of the earth… the sons of God shouted for joy

FEELINGS / EMOTIONS:

• Job 38:1-7 When I laid the foundations of the earth… the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy

• Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth

FELLOW SERVANTS:

• Rev. 22:8-9 And when I had heard and seen, I feel down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me those things. Then saith he unto; see though do it not, for I am thy fellow servant

FREE WILL / CAN CHOOSE GOOD OR EVIL:

• Isa. 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!… For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God

• Rev. 12:4-12 His tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth… And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him

• Rev. 22:9 I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

GREAT STENGTH, POWER AND KNOWLEDGE:

• 2 Peter 2:11 Angels… are greater in power and might.

• 2 Sam. 14:20 My lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth.

• Ps. 103:20 Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word

HUMAN FORM / MEN / MAN OF GOD:

• Acts 1:10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel

• Dan. 9:21 Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly… And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding

• Dan. 10: 8-XX I… saw this great vision… and, behold, an hand touched me… and, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips… one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me, And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee

• Gen. 18:2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground

• Gen. 19:1-5 And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground. And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat. But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter. And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night?

• Judges 6:21 Then the angel of the Lord put forth the end of the staff that was in his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes

• Judges 13:3-6 And the angel of the Lord appeared unto the woman… then the woman came and told her husband, saying, A man of God came unto me, and his countenance was like the countenance of an angel of God

• Judges 13:8-9 Then Manoah entreated the Lord, and said, O my Lord, let the man of God which thou didst send come again unto us, and teach us what we shall do unto the child that shall be born. And God hearkened to the voice of Manoah; and the angel of God came again unto the woman

• Luke 24:4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments

• Rev. 22:8-9 And when I (John) had heard and seen, I feel down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me those things. Then saith he unto; see though do it not, for I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren the prophets and of them which keep the sayings of this book. Worship God (Note: This passage suggests that the angel is a man like John, a prophet of old)

• Zech. 2:1,3 I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand… and, behold, the angel that talked with me…

HUMANS CALLED “ANGELS” (malak, aggelos):

• Job 1:14 And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them

• Luke 7:24 Job 1:14 And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them

• Luke 9:52 And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him

• Mal. 2:7 For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts

• Rev. 1:20 The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches

LITTLE HIGHER STATUS THAN MORTAL MEN:

• Ps. 8:4-5 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor

MINISTERING SPIRITS:

• Heb. 1:13-14 To which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

• Note: The word “spirit” is used to describe both physical and non-physical beings in the Bible. For example, Jesus calls born-again Christians “spirit”, “That which is born of the Spirit is spirit“.

NUMBER OF ANGELS: INNUMERABLE:

• Heb. 12:22 Ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels

PRESENCE / LOCATION:

• Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth

• Rev. 14:10 He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb

PROPHETS:

• Rev. 22:8-9 And when I had heard and seen, I feel down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me those things. Then saith he unto; see though do it not, for I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren the prophets

SOME HAVE PHYSICAL BODIES THAT CAN EAT:

• Gen. 19:1-5 And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground. And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat. But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter. And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night?

SOME ARE SPIRITS (WITHOUT PHYSICAL BODIES):

• Heb. 1:13-14 To which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

• Note: The word “spirit” is used to describe both physical and non-physical beings in the Bible. For example, Jesus calls born-again Christians “spirit”, “That which is born of the Spirit is spirit“. It is unclear which meaning is used here, but it does seem clear scripture that at least some angels are spirits (not having a physical body), since these beings clearly existed before the creation of the physical world (see Job 38:1-7).

SONS OF GOD:

• Job 1:6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them

• Job 38:1-7 When I laid the foundations of the earth… the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy

• Note: Humans are also called “sons of God” (Gen. 6:4, Rom. 8:16-17 etc.)

UNMARRIED (at least while in their capacity as God’s messengers)

• Matt. 22:30 In the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven

WINGS ARE LIKELY METAPHORICAL:

Note: Most descriptions of angles describe them in human form, but some, like those below, describe them as having wings. However, every single one of those wing passage are given with a symbolic context such as a dream, vision or carvings, suggesting that the wings are likely metaphorical visuals that represent the power, speed and/or access to heaven.

• 1 Kings 6:7 And he set the cherubims within the inner house: and they stretched forth the wings of the cherubims, so that the wing of the one touched the one wall, and the wing of the other cherub touched the other wall; and their wings touched one another in the midst of the house, And he overlaid the cherubims with gold

• 1 Kings 8:7 For the cherubims spread forth their two wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubims covered the ark and the staves thereof above

• 2 Sam. 22:11 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon the wings of the wind

• Exo. 37:1, 9 And Bezaleel made the ark of shittim wood… the cherubims spread out their wings on high, and covered with their wings over the mercy seat, with their faces one to another; even to the mercy seatward were the faces of the cherubims

• Ezek. 1:1-25 the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God… Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man, And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings

• Ezek. 10:1 – 11:22 Then I looked, and, behold, in the firmament… And the sound of the cherubims’ wings was heard even to the outer court, as the voice of the Almighty God when he speaketh

• Isa. 6:1-2 I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly…