Angels Minister To Us At Out Time Of Death
Luke 17:22: “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side.”
A cold chill runs up many of our backs to think that sometime in the future, and perhaps in the very near future for some of us, the Death Angel will be dispatched from Heaven to Earth.
If we are Christians, we need not be afraid of the Death Angel. They may be our rod and staff which brings us through the Valley of the Shadow of Death.
What Does The Bible Say About The Nature And Power Of Angelic Beings
There are good reasons to believe in the existence of angelic beings, but our reasoning powers cannot reveal everything there is to know about these beings. Gods special revelation provides us with the information unavailable elsewhere. The Apostle Paul, for example, acknowledged the existence of angelic beings and wrote about the power and influence they have in the world around us. While we are sometimes tempted to focus on the material forces we can see, Paul reminded his readers there are immaterial forces we cant see. These non-physical powers are at work all around us their influence often goes unnoticed because we choose to focus narrowly on the natural, material world:
Ephesians 6:12-13For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
The Bible says a battle is raging, even as we read these words. Its not a battle of flesh and blood. It is an immaterial, spiritual battle of angelic proportion. The Bible describes supernatural beings living alongside the natural realm, and these beings are engaged in an epic battle for the hearts and minds of humans. This unseen angelic world is filled with both angels and demons. God created two kinds of sentient, conscious, rational beings. We are not alone in the Universe. The Scriptures says God also created invisible spirits :
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We Dont Know When Angels Were Created
Genesis 2:1 tells us that the angels were made at some point before the seventh day of creation: Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them .
Exodus 20:11 is even more explicit: In six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. We can at least confirm that all the angels were created by the sixth day of creation.
But can we be any more specific? There may be a hint at the creation of angelic beings on the first day of creation, when we read that in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth , immediately followed by, the earth was without form and void . Theres no mention of the heavens in this second verse. This may be intended to contrast the emptiness of the earth is with the heavens, where God already created angelic beings. This idea could be supported by Job, where we read that the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy when God laid the cornerstone of the earth and sunk its bases . If the angels shouted for joy when God was forming the earth, this could imply that God created the angelic beings early on the first day. However, this is only speculation.
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We Dont Know How Many Angels Exist
The Bible doesnt tell us how many angels God created. But apparently, there are a lot of them. Here are a few of the ways the Bible tells us how many angels there are:
- On Mount Sinai, God came from the ten thousands of holy ones, with flaming fire at his right hand .
- We also learn that, the chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands .
- When we come to worship, we come into the presence of innumerable angels .
- John says, I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands .
Every biblical reference to the total number of angels suggests that theyre beyond counting.
What Angels Look Like
Above it stood seraphim each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.
We know that angels are spiritual beings. They dont have physical bodies . However, the Bible presents a few different descriptions of angels:
- Angels with human form: Genesis 18:1-3, Daniel 9:21, Luke 24:4-5.
- Angels with wings: Exodus 25:20, 1 Kings 6:27, Isaiah 6:2.
- Some impressive descriptions: Ezekiel 1:5-14, Matthew 28:2-3, Revelation 10:1-6.
- In some cases, even though the angels looked like men, they still struck fear upon those who saw them .
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Attribute #: Angels Are Spirit Beings
Angels are spirit beings who are often invisible, but their presence may be made manifest in human form, in dreams and visions, in their natural state, or audibly without a visible form.
To illustrate this point, its helpful to contrast Daniels angel encounter in Daniel 9 with his experience in Daniel 10. When Gabriel appears in Daniel 9:21, he is described as a man. Daniel goes on to have a pleasant conversation with Gabriel, and there is no indication that Daniel is at all intimidated by Gabriels presence. Its as if two peers are discussing the politics of the day, albeit one has profound prophetic insight.
Then, flipping forward to chapter 10, Daniel encounters an unnamed angel, trembles in his presence, and describes him in a way that is completely unlike any human. Here is his description:
Daniel 10:5-6
So, angels appear as humans and in their natural state. They have also been known to appear in visions. Genesis 28 and 31 record prophetic dreams the Lord gave to Jacob in which he saw angels.
In the New Testament, Marys husband, Joseph, repeatedly encountered angels who instructed him regarding Mary and Jesus while he was dreaming. It doesnt particularly matter whether these angels appeared in human or angelic form Jacob and Joseph clearly recognized them as angels.
Regardless of how angels may appear, the important point to remember is this: their presence is revealed selectively and strategically.
Spirits of Wind, Fire, and Stars
Are angels made of stardust?
Angels Are Examples For Us
Angels show us what perfect obedience looks like. Jesus teaches us to pray, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven , and in heaven Gods will is done by angels, immediately, joyfully, and without question. Their delight is to be Gods humble servants, faithfully performing their assigned tasks, great or small. Our desire and prayer should be that we will do the same.
Angels also model worship. John sees around Gods throne a great angelic army, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing! . If the angels find it their highest joy to praise God continuously, shouldnt we, too?
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Angels And Jesus In The Bible
When Jesus was arrested on the night before his crucifixion, one of the disciples grabbed a sword and sliced off the ear of one of the perpetrators. Jesus told him to put away the sword and then said, Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?
It seems that our angels stay with us through this life from the moment of salvation until we go home to be with Jesus. In Jesus parable about the rich man and Lazarus, Jesus said, The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abrahams side. How do our spirits get into the presence of God since we have no idea where to go? It is very possible that one or more of our assigned angels carry us to him. I dont know about you, but I find that very calming.
Not only do angels minister to us and lead us, but they have been given the assignment to protect us. Remember Daniel was thrown into a den of hungry lions for praying to God, not the king? The next morning when King Darius ran to open the pit and discovered Daniel still alive with the lions Daniel reported, My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. The lions genuinely wanted a Daniel burger for dinner but God sent Daniels angel to shut the mouths of the lions. As I think about it, there have been times when I think God commanded my angels to shut the mouths of several proverbial lions. How about you?
Role #: Angels Are Worshipers
When angels are not ministering to mankind, they live in the presence of God, continually shouting and singing praises to Him.
The book of Revelation provides some of the richest scenes of heavenly worship available to us, in which we observe angels demonstrating their reverence for God. Revelation 4:8 describes living creatures who do not rest day or night rather, they proclaim, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come! This fervent adulation prompts 24 elders to fall down before the Lord, cast their crowns before His throne, and say, You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created .
We would do well to learn from the angels example of worship. In all their beauty, Gods angels keep no praise for themselves. The angel John encountered in Revelation 19 made this truth clear. Overcome by the angels presence, John fell at his feet to worship him, but the angel rebuked him saying, See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy .
I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Angel in Revelation 19
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Some Angels Rebelled Against God
Lucifer, who was in charge of guarding the throne of God and with bringing God praise and worship, and who was apparently co-equal with the angel Michael, chose to rebel .
A huge number of angels rebelled with him. Fallen angels live in one of two places today: On earth, attacking and discouraging humans and In Tartarus, a prison cell in the lowest hell, waiting to be released during the Great Tribulation.
Role #: Angels Are Ministering Spirits
The role angels play as ministering spirits is perhaps the most comforting aspect of their nature.
Hebrews 1:14 explains their ministry this way, Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation? Other passages of Scripture provide vivid examples of angelic ministry.
In 1 Kings 19:5, an angel appeared to Elijah when he was fleeing from Jezebel in great despair. The angel provided life-giving food and water that sustained him for forty days and nights. After Jesus Christ was tempted by the Devil in Matthew 4, Scripture states that angels came and ministered to Him. The Greek word translated ministered implies that they fed Him.
In Luke 16, Jesus tells a parable that introduces the idea of angels ministering to mankind by carrying Gods children home to heaven. Other passages are less descriptive but point to this truth with phrases including carried up into heaven, received up into heaven, and taken up .
As if the blessed assurance of our salvation werent enough, God provides angels to transport our loved ones home. Praise God for these ministering spirits!
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Angels Were Created By God
Angels are created beings just like everything else in nature. God alone is the only being that has existed since time began. Everything else was made by Him. Angels dwell in Heaven with God and serve Him.
1. Genesis 2:1 Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.
2. Job 38:1-7 Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said, Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man I will question you, and you shall answer me. Where were you when I laid the earths foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone while the morning stars sang together, and all the angels shouted for joy?
3. Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
4. Exodus 20:1 For the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and everything in them in six days then he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and declared it holy.
5. John 1:4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.
Will Angels Come Back With Jesus
When our Saviour comes in glory, He will not come alone. For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works …and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other .
So the angels will take part in the final gathering of God’s people. All the holy angels come with Him, not simply a part of them. They are all interested in our salvation, for they have all been ministering spirits to the children of God.
Turn to Matthew 25 and read this beautiful picture of the second coming of Christ, When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.
What a scene, what glory, what a day! Remember, all the holy angels will be there, your guardian angel and mine. All the angels will be with Christ. Then comes the last act in this great drama.
Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord .
We do not speak much today of the wicked and dark acts of evil angels. Part of the angelic host fell into sin and followed Lucifer into bondage. They are even now kept in chains of darkness to the judgment of the great day.
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Angels Are Very Powerful
Angels are called mighty ones who do his word , powers , and dominions and authorities . They are certainly greater in might and power than humans . Angels use their power to battle against Satans demonic forces .
During our earthly lives, were lower than the angels . But as powerful as angels are, when Jesus returns, followers of Christ will be raised higher than them .
Angels Interact With The Physical World
But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth,
Even though angels are spirits , they can interact with the physical world. The Bible teaches that:
- They are spirits, so they dont have physical bodies like we do .
- They cannot be seen by humans unless the Lord Almighty allows it .
- They may take a bodily form and interact with human beings .
- They can affect the physical world when fulfilling a mission from God .
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Bible Verses About Angels
And of the angels He says,Who makes His angels winds,And His ministers a flame of fire.
Then I fell at his feet to worship him. But he *said to me, Do not do that I am a fellow servant of yours and your brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
Man did eat the bread of angels He sent them food in abundance.
You were the anointed cherub who covers,And I placed you there.You were on the holy mountain of God You walked in the midst of the stones of fire.
By the abundance of your tradeYou were internally filled with violence,And you sinned Therefore I have cast you as profaneFrom the mountain of God.And I have destroyed you, O covering cherub,From the midst of the stones of fire.
But to which of the angels has He ever said,Sit at My right hand,Until I make Your enemiesA footstool for Your feet?
For who in the skies is comparable to the Lord?Who among the sons of the mighty is like the Lord,
You have made himfor a little while lower than the angels You have crowned him with glory and honor,And have appointed him over the works of Your hands
Angels Of Good And Evil
Speaking of lions, Peter reminds us there are two types of angels those for God and those for Satan.
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
With as much intensity as our angels work to guard us, the devil and his angels seek to devour us like a lion. We are no match for the devil and his angels. We need our angels to shut their mouths lest we be destroyed.
Paul reminds us that there is more going on than we can see.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
I think if there was such a thing as a spiritual strobe flashlight that we could shine at night into the spaces around us, we would see a lot more spirit activity than we ever imagined.
While it is true from Scriptures that there is a spirit world made up of both good and evil, and we have not one but many angels watching out over us, there are two things we must remember that the Bible tells us about angels:
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