Angels

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Where do we begin? Why not begin near the end … perhaps close to the time in which we live.

Revelation 12 NKJV

7  And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought,

8  but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer.

9  So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

10  Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.

11  “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

12 ¶  “Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”

Angels at war; cleansing the heavens; readying the day of judgement which is to come upon all creation. Who are, what are these angels? 

The word angel(s) appears 283 times in the KJV, one fourth of those, (72 times), in the book of Revelation alone. This does not account for the references to God’s messengers, holy servants, and other mentions of angelic beings.

Angels were very active players mentioned in many of the greatest stories of the Bible. From appearing and talking with Abraham to King David, and from the prophet Daniel to Joseph the husband of Mary, angels play vital roles in the plan of God for every generation. Why would we imagine God has retired them from their duties in our day?

We see angels intervening in the New Testament account of the Apostle Peter when he was in prison facing execution in the book of Acts.

Acts 12 NKJV

7  Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands.

8  Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.”

9  So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.

I wonder if it was the same angel who had previously delivered the Apostles from prison in Jerusalem.

Acts 5

19  But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said,

20  “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.”

The Apostle Paul experienced angelic intervention several times. One when he was in the middle of a storm at sea.

Acts 27 NKJV

23  “For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve,

24  “saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’

25  “Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.

Personal testimony:

·        Reubel and the motorcycle.

·        The Jerusalem angel at Ramadan.

·        Traveling Angel

Angels are created beings, they were not pre-existent as were God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. God created angels and relegated them to serve Him and His will within the limits He prescribed.

·        Angels fulfill the roles they are assigned by God as messengers, warriors, worshippers, servants, workers, guardians, and guides just to name a few.

·        Angels are of a higher order or creation for this time in which we live. They are not subject to the physical laws of nature as we know them and they excel in strength and wisdom.

·        There are good angels of God and there are evil angels loyal to Satan.

·        There are rebellious angels bound in chains in prison awaiting final judgment.

·        Some angels have wings and some don’t.

·        Angels can appear as humans without notice and walk among us.

·        There is an army of angels ready to come back with Jesus when the trumpet sounds.

·        Angels are on assignment, listening for the word of God just waiting to help His children.

Hebrews 13:2  Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!

Since our future on planet earth and beyond heavily involves angels and their interventions surrounding the plan of God for our lives, I believe taking a closer look at angels and their activities might be in order. Let’s begin with an overview of the book of Psalms.

The word angel(s) is mentioned 10 times in the Psalms and gives us a varied look at angels. (Added commentary for each verse.)

Psalms 8:5  For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor.

Psalms 34:7  The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them.

Psalms 35:5  Let them be like chaff before the wind, And let the angel of the LORD chase them.

Psalms 35:6  Let their way be dark and slippery, And let the angel of the LORD pursue them.

Psalms 78:25  Men ate angels’ food; He sent them food to the full.

Psalms 78:49  He cast on them the fierceness of His anger, Wrath, indignation, and trouble, By sending angels of destruction among them.

Psalms 91:11  For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.

Psalms 103:20  Bless the LORD, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word.

Psalms 104:4  Who makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flame of fire.

Psalms 148:2  Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts!