|
I.
The Angels Of God: Developing
a Biblical Perspective “Are
they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for
the sake of those who will inherit salvation.” Hebrews
1:14 (NASB) II.
The Origin & Form Of Angels A.
Angels are a part of God’s creation.
1.
All things, including angels, were created by and for Jesus (Colossians
1:16). The things invisible in the heavens would include
angels (cf. also John
1:1-3).
2.
The Psalmist calls upon all of God’s creation to sing
praise to Him (Psalm
148:1-5). This passage clearly teaches that angels were
created by God. B.
Angels were created prior to the beginning of time.
1.
The angels shouted for joy when God laid the foundation of
the earth (Job
38:4-7). The “sons of God” is a reference to angels.
Obviously, the reference would not be to man since he was created
after the earth.
2.
Since angels were created and were present when God laid the
foundation of the earth, it is reasonable to conclude that they
were created prior to the creation of the world.
3.
Exactly how long before the creation cannot be determined. It
is a fact that has not been revealed. C.
Angels were created of a higher order than man.
1.
The Psalmist wrote that man was made a little lower than
angels (Psalm
8:4-5).
2.
It is interesting to note that even though man was made a
little lower than the angels, it is the angels that minister to
man (Hebrews
1:14).
3.
It is also interesting to consider that as a part of God’s
creation, angels are under his authority and have free moral
agency just like man (Psalm
103:20, 21). Their free moral agency is evident given that the
angels who disobeyed God are being kept for judgment (Jude
6; 2 Peter 2:4). D.
Angels are invisible to unaided human vision.
1.
Angels may be seen only when human vision is aided by God
(e.g., cf. Numbers
22:22-27, 31; 2 Kings 6:15-17).
2.
Thus, it can be seen that angels are incorporeal; that is,
they are without material bodies. They are in essence of a spirit
substance, yet they can take on a physical form and be seen when
God so permits. E.
Angels frequently took on the form of a man.
1.
God sent three angels to Abraham to inform him that Sarah
would have a son (Genesis
18:1-2; 19:1, 11; cf. also Hebrews 13:2). Note that two of
them went to warn Lot of the impending destruction of Sodom.
2.
The angel that appeared to Jesus’ disciples after His
resurrection is described by Mark as a young man wearing a white
robe (Mark
16:5).
3.
When Jesus ascended back to heaven, the two angels who spoke
to the apostles of his return appeared as men in white apparel (Acts
1:10-11).
Glory
to God in the church by Christ Jesus
|
||||||||||
