(Psa. 148:2,5) - "Praise ye him, all his angels; praise ye him, all his hosts... for he commanded, and they were created." (Neh. 9:6; I Kings 22:19; Heb. 1:3-6; I Tim. 5:21; Dan. 4:13)

I. THE NATURE OF ANGELS:

[1]. Angels are referred to as masculine.
[2]. Angels are intelligent, but not omniscient (Matt. 24:36; I Pet. 1:10,12).
[3]. Angels are holy and obedient (Mark 8:38).
[4]. Angel power is limited (Jude 9; Dan. 10:12,13).
[5]. Their number is beyond computation: innumerable (Heb. 12:22).
[6]. Angels have a language (I Cor. 13:1); they speak and sing (Job 38:7; Rev. 5:11,12; Luke 2:8-15).
[7]. Worship of angels is forbidden (Col. 2:18,19; Rev. 22:8,9); neither are we to seek to make "contact."

II. ANGELIC MINISTRY IN THE OLD TESTAMENT:

(There are over 100 specific references in the O.T.)

[1]. Cherubims placed at Eden to keep the way of the tree of life (Gen. 3:24).
[2]. Angels witness the Lord's promise to "Abraham's seed" (Gen. 18:1-4).
[3]. Angels sent to deliver Lot from Sodom (Gen 19:15).
[4]. Angels and Jacob's ladder (Gen. 28:12,13).
[5]. An angel bars the way of Balaam (the donkey had no doubts about angels - Numbers 22:22).
[6]. Angels participate in the giving of the Law to Moses (Deut. 33:2; Gal. 3:19; Heb. 2:2).
[7]. An angel serves Elijah (I Kings 19:1-8).
[8]. An angle destroys an army (II Kings 19:35).
[9]. An angel ministers to Daniel in lion's den (Dan. 6:22).
[10]. An angel declares the future glory of Jerusalem (Zech. 1:15).

III. ANGELS AND CHRIST'S EARTHLY MINISTRY (I Tim. 3:16; I Pet. 1:10-12):

[1]. Gabriel announces birth of the Forerunner - John (Luke 1:5-25).
[2]. An angel announces His birth to Mary (Luke 1:26-38).
[3]. An angel assures Joseph of God's purposes (Matt. 1:18-25).
[4]. Angels announce the Saviour's birth at Bethlehem (Luke 2:8-20).
[5]. An angel directs the 'holy family' to Egypt (Matt 2:13-15).
[6]. Angels attend the temptation of Jesus (Matt. 4:4).
[7]. Angels strengthened Jesus at Gethsemane (Luke 22:39-46; Matt. 26:53).
[8]. No ministering angels at Calvary!
[9]. Angels announce the Resurrection (Luke 24:1-7; Matt. 28:2-4; John 20:123).
[10]. Angels were present at the Ascension of Jesus (Acts 1:8-11).

 

IV. ANGELIC MINISTRY IN THE CHURCH AGE:

(Angels are the unseen "messengers" cooperating in the ministry of the Holy Spirit to the saved.)

[1]. Angels attend the death of the saints (saved) (Luke 16:22). If we could only see the "angel escort" waiting; it was little consequence that Lazarus' body was "full of sores" - angels took him to God.
[2]. An angel delivers the Apostles from prison (Acts 5:17- 28).
[3]. An angel directs Philip (Acts 8:26,27). The believer is indwelt with the Holy Spirit to guide and direct all Christian service. We are promised that He will GUIDE, COMPORT, ABIDE, TEACH, REPROVE, CONVICT, REVEAL, EMPOWER, etc.; yet (Psa. 91:11) angels cooperate with the Holy Spirit. (Carnal security (Rev. 3:14-19) causes modern Christians to neglect and be indifferent to this blessed angelic ministry.)
[4]. An angel instructs Cornelius. (Acts 10)
[5]. An angel delivers Peter from prison (Acts 12:7-10). "It's almost too good to be true" is the testimony of some marvelous experience - could it have been angelic help?
[6]. An angel assures Paul in the storm (Acts 27:23). The angel knew where to find Paul; the assurance of safety was because a godly man was aboard the ship.
[7]. Angel spectators (Luke 12:8,9; Rev. 14:10).

(a). Those who confess Christ, He will confess before angels.
(b). Those who reject Christ will be judged in the presence of angels.

[8]. Angels joy over repentance (Luke 15:10). Even ONE sinner!
[9]. Guardian angels (Heb. 1:14; Acts 12:15; Matt. 18:10)
[10]. Angels at the Rapture (I Thess. 4:16) The "shout" calls angelic host to accompany Christ to meet His saints - their earthly ministry is no longer needed!
[11]. They defend (Matt. 4:6; Matt. 18:10; Acts 5:19; 12:7).
[12]. They watch over the church (I Tim. 5:21; Rev. 1:20).
[13]. Angels do not preach; gospel is told by men (I Cor. 1:18); in the Tribulation they will carry God's message (Rev. 14:6).
[14]. They have charge of the dead (Heb. 12:22,23; Mark 13:27; Luke 16:22).
[15]. They help in answering prayer (Acts 10:3,22; Dan. 9:21).
[16]. Christ reports our salvation before angels in heaven (Luke 12:8,9; Luke 15:10).
[17]. Angels are keepers of the Book of Life (Rev. 3:5).

 

V. ANGELS ALSO EMPLOYED AS:

[1]. Chariot drivers (Psa. 68:17; II Kings 2:11; II Kings 6:17)
[2]. Bodyguards: Peter (Acts 12:7-9); Paul (Acts 27:23,24; Daniel (Dan. 6:22)
[3]. Firemen (Dan. 3:28) - Nebuchadnezzar's testimony
[4]. Policemen (Matt. 13:39;41,42,49,50)
[5]. Stop clock of time (Rev. 10:5-6)
[6]. Execute judgment (Matt. 13:41-42; Jude 14- 15)

 

VI. ANGELS AND THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST:

No earthward angelic ministry is mentioned for the Millennium (the Kingdom Age) for the King is present in His visible, personal glory (Dan. 7:14; Luke 1:32-33; 11:2; Rev. 20:4-6; 11:15; Psa. 72).

[1]. Angels exalt the Lamb with Song of Adoration (Rev. 5:11).
[2]. The four angels seal the Tribulation saints (Rev. 7:1).
[3]. Seven angels and seven trumpet judgments (Rev. 8:2;15:50; 21:9).
[4]. Michael casts out Satan and his angels (Rev. 12:7-12).
[5]. The angel with the everlasting gospel (Rev. 14:6,7).
[6]. An angel announces the fall of Babylon the Great (Rev. 14:8).
[7]. An angel announces the doom of Anti-christ worshippers (Rev. 14:9-11).
[8]. The angel with the sickle (Rev. 14:14-20; angel "reapers" Matt. 13:39).
[9]. Angels at Armageddon (Rev. 19:17; 14:17; 16:13-16).
[10]. An angel is commissioned to bind Satan (Rev. 20:1-6).

 

"PRAISE YE THE LORD FROM THE HEAVENS: PRAISE HIM IN THE HEIGHTS: PRAISE YE HIM...ALL HIS HOSTS". (Psalm 148:1,2)