Ref. Genesis 16:1-13; 21:17-19; 22:11-16; 31:11-13; Cf. Gateway: Genesis 16:1-13; 21:17-19; 22:11-16; 31:11-13
Malachi 3:1.
See Ref. Note Page 982_1..
The word angel is used of men in
Ref. Luke 7:24; Cf. Gateway assorted verses: Luke 7:24;
James 2:25; Revelation 1:20; Revelation 2:1, 2:8, 2:12, 2:18; Revelation 3:1, 3:7, 3:14;
(See Ref. James 2:25; Revelaton 1:20; Revelation 2:1, 2:8, 2:12, 2:18; Revelation 3:1, 3:7, 3:14.)
In
Revelation 8:3-5
Christ is evidently meant. Sometimes angel is used of the spirit of man
(Matt. 18:10; Acts 12:15; Ref. Matthew 18:10; Acts 12:15).
Though angels are spirits
(Ref. Hebrews 1:14; Psalm 104:4; Hebrews 1:14),
power is given them to become visible in the semblance of human form
(Genesis 19:1, cf. Hebrews 1:5; Exodus 3:2; Numbers 22:22-31; Judges 2:1; Judges 6:11, 22; Judges 13:3, 6; 1 Chr. 21:16, 20; Mt. 1:20; Lk. 1:26; John 20:12; Acts 7:30; Acts 12:7, 8, etc.).
The word is always
used in the masculine gender, though sex, in the human sense, is never ascribed to angels
(Ref. Matthew 22:30; Mark 12:25; Cf. Gateway: Matthew 22:30; Mark 12:25).
They are exceedingly numerous
(Ref. Matthew 26:53; Hebrews 12:22; Revelation 5:11; Cf. Gateway: Matthew 26:53; Hebrews 12:22; Revelation 5:11; Psalm 68:17).
Their power is inconceivable
(2 Kings 19:35).
Their place is about the throne of God
(Ref. Ref. Revelaton 5:11; Revelation 7:11; Cf. Gateway: Revelaton 5:11; Revelation 7:11 ).
Their relation to the believer
is that of "ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of
salvation," and this ministry has reference largely to the physical safety and
well-being of believers
(Ref. Daniel 6:22; Matthew 2:13, Matthew 2:19; Matthew 4:11; Cf. Gateway: 1 Kings 19:5; Psalm 34:7; Psalm 91:11; Dan. 6:22; Matthew 2:13, 19; Matthew 4:11; Luke 22:43; Acts 5:19; Acts 12;7-10 ).
From
Ref. Hebrews 1:14, with Matthew 18:10; Cf. Gateway: Hebrews 1:14, with Matthew 18:10; Psalm 91:11,
it would
seem that this care for the heirs of salvation begins in infancy and continues through
life.
The angels observe us
(Ref. 1 Corinthians 4:9; Ephesians 3:10; Cf. Gateway: 1 Corinthians 4:9; Ephesians 3:10; Ecclesiastes 5:6),
a fact which should
influence conduct.
They receive departing saints
(Luke 16:22).
Man is made "a little lower than the angels," and in incarnation Christ took "
for a little"
(time) this lower place
(Ref. Hebrews 2:6, 9; Cf. Gateway: Psalm 8:4, 5; Hebrews 2:6, 9)
that He might lift the believer into His
own sphere above angels
(Hebrews 2:9, 10).
The angels are to accompany Christ in
His second advent
(Ref. Matthew 25:31; Cf. Gateway: Mt. 25:31 ).
To them will be committed the preparation of
the judgment of the nations
(See Ref. Matthew 13:30, 39, 41, 42; Cf. Gateway: Matthew 13:30, 39, 41, 42;
Ref. Note Page 1036_1).
The kingdom-age is not to be subject to angels, but to Christ and those for whom He was made
a little lower than the angels
(Hebrews 2:5).
An archangel, Michael, is mentioned
as having a particular relation to Israel and to the resurrections
( Ref. Daniel 10:13, 10:21; Daniel 12:1-2; Jude 9; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Cf. Gateway: Daniel 10:13, 21; Daniel 12:1-2; Jude 9; 1 Thessalonians 4:16).
The only other, angel whose name is revealed,
Gabriel, was employed in the most distinguished services
(Daniel 8:16; Daniel 9:21; Luke 1:19, 1:26).
Fallen angels.
