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WHAT ABOUT ANGELS?
Man has always wondered whether another intelligent
being exists in this vast universe. This has led to
the speculations of super beings, UFOs, and aliens
invading earth. Yet if man had read the Scriptures
he would be aware of these beings. Information about
superior beings from outer space is abundant in the
Bible. The Scripture describes these beings as
stronger, smarter, and swifter than man. They travel
through the universe and at times dwell among us.
From the Scriptures the identification of these
beings is what we call angels.
Unfortunately most people have a bad misconception
about angels. Many people picture angels as small
babies with wings and halos carrying a bow and arrow
and floating slowly through the sky. Some people
picture angels like fairy godmothers with a magic
wand. Others believe more in the guardian angel,
which is the belief that every person has an angel
watching over them. Some people, including some
Christians, believe man can become an angel when he
dies. Of course many simply write angels off as a
myth. Scripture clearly explains these beings and
the roles they play in God's kingdom.
To claim man is the only intelligent being in the
universe defies both logic and Scripture. With
trillions of stars and planets in the universe the
probability of being alone is unlikely. There are
some 374 references to angels in 34 different books
of the Bible. Seventeen books of the Old Testament,
starting with Genesis, and an equal number of books
in the New Testament, ending with the book of
Revelation, mention angels. Scripture teaches that
God created angels before the earth and they are to
last forever. Unlike humans they do not multiply, so
the number first created is presently the total
number of existing angels.
Psalms 148:1-6 tells us that God created the angels.
They did not evolve into being. Here we learn
several important facts about angels. Since God
created angels as angels forever, they do not
evolve. We do not become angels in the hereafter.
Scripture teaches that the angels do not reproduce
themselves (Matthew 22:30). Thus the original number
of angels will never increase or decrease. We
consider angels as a company of beings and do not
regard them as a race. Their number may be in the
trillions. Scripture compares the number of angels
with the number of stars to help us visualize the
vast number.
Angels are spirit beings. They have separate and
individual personalities. In all probability no two
angels are alike. They have the three necessary
features required of personality, intelligence,
will, and emotion. Angels are superior to men
(Psalms 8:4-5) being stronger (Psalms 103:20; II
Peter 2:11), smarter (Daniel 9:21-22; 10:14), and
swifter (Daniel 9:21; Rev. 14:1). Still, they are
inferior to God.
Although Scripture gives the names of only four
angels, one can conclude that each has a name. In
addition there are ranks and different types of
angels listed. The only Archangel mentioned in the
Bible is Michael. While the Scriptures mention the
angel Gabriel more often than they mention Michael,
he is not ranked as an archangel. There are angels
called Cherubims. They kept Adam from the Tree of
Life. Before his fall Satan (then known as Lucifer)
was the chief cherubim angel (Isa. 14:12; Ezek
28:14). Seraphins are angels whose role includes
forming the great chorus praising God. Scripture
simply refer to most angels as angels. Finally there
are the fallen angels. These are the one-third who
fell with Lucifier. For information on the fallen
angels see the tract "What About Demons."
The exciting and comforting facts about angels are
their work and duties. The word angel means
messenger. In this role their primary mission is
always to glorify God. In glorifying God they serve
Him in many ways. In heaven they worship the person
of God (Psa. 29:1; Isa. 6:3; Rev. 19:4). The angels
predicted the birth of Jesus (Luke 1:31; Matt.
1:20,21) and then announced His birth (Luke 2:19).
They helped protect Him (Matt. 2:13; Psa. 91:11).
When Jesus was in the garden the angel ministered to
Him (Luke 22:43). Matthew (28:2-6) states that it
was an angel who rolled away the tombstone and
announced the resurrection of Jesus. The Scriptures
record in Acts 1:10,11 the angel predicting Jesus'
second coming. Second Thessalonians states that the
angels will accompany Jesus at the second coming.
There are many other cases of the angels serving God
to His glory.
In addition the Scriptures teach that the angels
duties also include watching over mankind. The Bible
is full of cases where angels inform, instruct, and
interpret both the Will and Word of God. There are
also many cases recorded where angels protect and
comfort man. Space does not allow listing most of
the recorded cases described in the Scriptures.
However, the following examples show the angels at
work.
It was angels who protected Lot from the Sodomites
and led him and his family out of Sodom (Genesis
19:10,11).
An angel stood by Paul telling him to fear not (Acts
27:24).
An angel opened the prison doors and brought the
apostles out (Acts 5:19).
An angel released Peter from his chains and prison
(Acts 12:7).
Most comforting is the story told by Jesus in Luke
16:22. Here when the beggar died, the angels carried
him into Abraham's bosom.
Often it is an angel who is sent by God to answer
our prayers (Daniel 9:21-23; 10:12-13; Acts 10).
Scripture records 104 cases where angels have
appeared before man.
Thus Christians should find comfort in the strength
and protection God offers through His angels."For He
shall give His angels charge over thee to keep thee
in all thy ways" (Psalms 91:11). Hebrews 13:2 tells
us, "be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for
thereby some have entertained angels unaware." In
closing Billy Graham states the following, "If you
are a believer, expect powerful angels to accompany
you in your life experiences." What a joyful
knowledge to know you are not only in the presence
of the Lord, but also the friendly protective
presence of "the holy ones," as Daniel calls them.
Reference: Angels, Angels, Angels, God's Secret
Agents, Billy Graham, World Books, Waco Texas, 1986
pp.30.
For Additional Information Contact
True Light Educational Ministry
P.O. Box 310
Shirley, NY 11967
Telephone (631) 395-4646
www.tlem.net
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TLEM