TLEM
True Light Educational Ministry
Then
you will
know the Truth and the Truth will set you free ( John
8:32)
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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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