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The Meaning of Christmas Part I “Rejoice” Trinity Bible Church 12/4/05
Introduction: Luke 1:5-12; 26-30; Luke 2:8-14; Matt 1:18-21; Matt 2:13-14; 19-21
There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years. 8 So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!" 29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. NKJV
Matt 1:18-21
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins." NKJV
Luke 2:8-14
Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" NKJV
Matt 2:13-14; 19-21
Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him." 14 When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt,
Now when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, "Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child's life are dead." 21 Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. NKJV
These are not all the texts that surround the Christmas story, but they do have a remarkable theme common to each of them namely angels.
If we didn’t know better, we would assume angels were everywhere visible to the people in Bible times, especially at the time around the birth of Christ!
What is the largest ornament on most Christmas trees? I suggest to you it is the angel on the top of the tree!
What are the purposes of angels? Why do some say they see them with regularity and the rest of us never see them at all? Can we learn anything from their appearances in the Bible?
I. Confusion
1. 20-30 years ago, many cited a common experience; a person would be hitchhiking, as they were picked up, they would share the Gospel with the car driver, then vanish! Was this an angel?
2. A bumper sticker recently seen – “I brake for…not – pets/garage sales/ etc… but “I brake for angels”.
3. Many reports have been filed about near death experiences; there are books and TV shows plenty about this. What is the common message? They go to a place of light and peace and hear something like; “You are loved, now go love others”.
4. My wife and I stayed at Bed and Breakfast in a river town in Southern MN, (Red Wing). In the library of this Victorian style home were several books on guess what, angels! And on the end tables? Angel cards. And at the gift shop in the town’s grand old hotel? Dried flowers, knick-knacks, and guess what kind of plaques? Angel plaques with words like – “You are special” and “May you feel the joy of angels today”.
5. People can buy little crystal angels to hang from their car mirror or anywhere you like!
6. You can be pleasantly entertained every night by a TV series called “Touched by an___?”
Why so much fascination with angels?
People are confused today about what angels are here for, they think it’s all about them, their feelings of needing affirmation or something.
Angels are never known to appear to wicked people-only to those whom the Bible views as good, such as Abraham, Moses, David, Daniel, Jesus, Peter, and Paul. They are charged with caring for such people and serving them in times of need (Ps 91:11-12; Heb 1:14). Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary
II. Solution
In pure defense of some, I’ll present this case. If the only message you read every year from the Bible, is the Christmas story and you never picked it up again till next December, I can see why you would think angels were popping out everywhere! It sure looks like it from the opening texts we read.
But the truth is, angel visits in the Bible were quite rare and even when they did, God’s goal wasn’t to make people feel all “warm and fuzzy” with messages that “you are loved”.
No, there are two main reasons for angelic visitations and if we know this, we won’t be suckered into accepting a bunch of New Age bunk.
A. To Protect Ps 91:9-12
Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, 10 No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; 11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. 12 In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. NKJV
What will angels protect? Our possessions that God wants us to have; and our lives if He so wills that we live to see another day.
1. Our possessions.
Not all of them, but for sure the ones He has designed for us to have that would most glorify Him. Remember the story of Corrie Ten Boom? She was in a Nazi concentration camp during WWII. She rolled up her Bible in some cloth and although it bulged she prayed, “Lord, cause now thine angel to surround me and let them not be transparent today, for the guards must not see me.” The guards grabbed the woman in front of her for they saw she was trying to hide a woolen vest, but they shoved Corrie out the door! As she stepped outside, she still had her Bible. Angels by Billy Graham, p. 90-91
Missionary Jim Hafaz in the mountains of Mexico told me the story as we crossed a rope bridge over a deep ravine. He showed me how the bridge had several slats missing and one had to be careful as we crossed - not to fall through!
Coming back late one night from an evangelistic meeting, some drunks were waiting for him. They came out of the dark and holding their machetes, demanded he hand over his belongings, especially that boom-box he used for background music tapes for his meetings. Jim had to make a choice, and he did by responding, “No, you can’t have this, it belongs to God”. As they raised their machetes to come after him, he started running down the path. Remember, this is a mountain path, no lights, and plenty of rocks. Jim could hear their yelling behind him but he kept trusting God to protect him as he ran. He hit the rope bridge at full speed and never missed a board. How did he do it? God’s angels protected him!
Have you ever been spared from a sure catastrophe? How did you ever survive? Was it possibly the protection of one of God’s angels?
*I was driving north on I 35; coming south was a flat-bed trailer semi that was out of control and crossed the median right in front of me, went down into the ditch on my right, busted through the chain-link fence and ended up rolling across the frozen lake.
2. Our lives. (They protect our possessions, but more importantly, our lives)
If God so wills that we live and do this or that, He will send His angel to protect us. 2 Kings 6:14-18 Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. 15 And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?" 16 So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." 17 And Elisha prayed, and said, "LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. NKJV
When I was in second grade, I went down to local public beach to take swimming lessons. That was the first time I had ever seen a St. Christopher’s metal. I think the Catholic boys wore them for protection; their parents had similar little statues on the dash of their cars. Do you know what they were for? For protection. My young immature mind looked at them and noticed how the silver chain glistened on the tan bodies and I thought “neat”. Do you want to know something? God’s angels are “Neater”. Some people hang a crystal on their mirror or put one under their pillow. God’s way? Much better! Elisha didn’t need a St. Christopher metal or statue or even a hunk of crystal to protect him. He knew something God wants each of us to know. "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them."
Because of job change, Chris and Linda had to move from their home in the mountains of Colorado outside Breckenridge to the urban nightmare of Detroit. The only work Chris could get at the time was during the night shift at the auto plant. Linda was racked with fear over the inner-city crime and danger for her and her small children. She did what any woman in this place would do, she prayed! And do you know what? One night, she looked out her kitchen window and yes, there was the alley where any number of trouble could come from, but do you know what else she saw out the window? God opened up her eyes to see a large angel stationed in her yard to protect her and the children. She told us it was at least 15’ tall! Now what would you rather have to trust in? A 15” statue or an eternal God with 15’ angels? Do you think she was still afraid at night? Not on your life, she was busy praising and worshipping God!
Do we need to see them too? Is God’s word enough for us?
(See story about Chinese mission compound, Angels p.168-169)
B. To Serve Heb 1:13-14 (Angels are here to protect and to serve us).
To which of the angels did God ever say, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet"? 14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? NIV
How do you suppose they “minister” or “serve” us? Like the maid or the butler? They exist to make our lives more “comfortable”? Isn’t that the concept that’s marketed in the gift shops? - Fluffy clouds and fat cherubs – all around to make you feel good?
A quick Bible study shows an entirely different purpose for angel’s ministry to the saints. They serve us so we can serve the Lord! They help us so we can better help others! Acts 1:9-11; 5:17-20; 8:26-27; 12:5-11
Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."
Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, 18 and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. 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."
Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, "Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is desert. 27 So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship,
Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. 6 And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. 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. 10 When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.
11 And when Peter had come to himself, he said, "Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people." NKJV
Billy Graham said: The most important characteristic of angels is not that they have power to exercise control over our lives, or that they are beautiful, but that they work on our behalf. They are motivated by an inexhaustible love for God and are jealous to see that the will of God in Jesus Christ is fulfilled in us”. Angels p. 88-89
Have you ever felt helped to accomplish a task God had given you to do? Where did the help come from? The Lord Jesus received the help of angels twice – in the wilderness after fasting 40 days and in the garden, all alone, in prayer.
During the Korean War, American marines were trapped behind enemy lines, it was -20 degrees and they had no food for six days, starving and close to freezing to death they contemplated surrender to the Chinese. A Christian soldier strengthened his comrades with some promises from the Bible and taught them a praise song. As they joined him in singing praises, they heard a crash in the woods, it was a wild boar! Before they could get up a rifle for a shot, it fell dead right in front of them. They quickly butchered it and were revived. The next morning, they heard another noise, this time they feared it was a Chinese patrol, instead it was a So. Korean that could speak English! He told them, “I show you way out”. The followed him through forest and ravine until they were safe behind own lines. As they looked up to thank him, he was gone! Angels p. 169-170
Conclusion: Rev 19:9-10 Then he said to me, "Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!'" And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God." 10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." NKJV
There’s a lot of confusion today regarding the subject of angels. God doesn’t want us to minimize their power and consider them no better than fat little cherubs. But nor does He want us to be mesmerized with their power and fall down and worship them.
You and I know why they are here. They, as God’s police, are here to protect and to serve. We know they are everywhere, yet we don’t need to see them to experience their presence.
Luke 15:7-10 In the same way, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine respectable people who do not need to repent. 8 "Or suppose a woman who has ten silver coins loses one of them — what does she do? She lights a lamp, sweeps her house, and looks carefully everywhere until she finds it. 9 When she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, and says to them, 'I am so happy I found the coin I lost. Let us celebrate!' 10 In the same way, I tell you, the angels of God rejoice over one sinner who repents." TEV
The title of today’s message: The Meaning of Christmas Part I “Rejoice”. We can rejoice as the angels do. When do they rejoice?
(For further study)
Angels don’t preach the Gospel; he told Phillip Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. Someone could contend, “What if man is unfaithful?” God has no other plan.
Why did the angel release Peter and John from prison? 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
So one came and told them, saying, "Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!" Acts 5:25 NKJV
*Illus. “A pastor at a funeral referred to the little girl as, ‘God has another angel’” People think angels are part of the Trinity manifested to be worshipped! Not true, John was told, “Don’t do that – worship God, not me”. (Rev. 19:9-10)
*Illus. Our house in No. Mpls., many times people would park out in front because we were the last house on a cul-de-sac, and drink. Often we would find empty beer cans littering our street and yard. We would put our hand on the window of the house facing the street and call on God, saying, “Lord, we pray You either drive them to Yourself, or drive them away”. Within minutes, the car would start and drive off! It was so unusual our neighbor remarked how things have changed now that we’re living here. “Maybe they see the bumper stickers on your car or something”? is all they could think, we knew better, we were helped by God’s angels!
Angel
(Heb. mal`ak; Grk. angelos, both meaning "messenger"). In some cases the word is applied to human beings (Mal 2:7; Rev 1:20) or even figuratively to impersonal agents (Ex 14:19; 2 Sam 24:16-17; Ps 104:4). The connection must determine its force. In its most common use in Scripture the word nevertheless designates certain spiritual and superhuman beings who are introduced to us as messengers of God. There are but few books of the Bible-such as Ruth, Nehemiah, Esther, the epistles of John, and James-that make no mention of angels.
With respect to their existence and nature, we find the Scriptures presenting the same progress and development as with many other subjects of revelation. Thus it is that the doctrine of angels becomes more distinct in the later periods of Jewish history and is more full and significant in the NT writings. Angels appear most frequently and conspicuously in connection with the coming and ministry of our Lord. His words concerning the angels are of unmistakable meaning and value. According to His teaching they are personal, sinless, immortal beings, existing in great number, and in close relation not only with individual men but also with the history of God's kingdom (Matt 13:39; 18:10; 22:30; 25:31; 26:53; Luke 15:10; 16:22).
There is harmony between the teachings of our Lord upon this subject and those of the apostles and other Scripture writers. Many questions that may be raised can receive no answer whatever from the Scriptures. Of the history of the angels we can know but little. It is clear that Satan and the fallen angels (demons) were created sinless and later fell (Isa 14:12-15; Rev 12:3-4). Some of their number "did not keep their own domain" but fell under divine displeasure and are reserved "for the judgment of the great day" (Jude 6).
Aside from the teachings of Scripture there is nothing irrational, but quite the opposite, in believing in the existence of creatures superior to man in intelligence, as there are many inferior. But we depend wholly upon the Scriptures for our knowledge. The denial of the existence of angels, as that of a personal devil and demons, springs from the materialistic, unbelieving spirit, which in its most terrible form denies the existence of God.
The revelations of Scripture concerning angels are few, but nevertheless have great value:
1. They furnish a necessary safeguard against narrowness of thought as to the extent and variety of the creations of God.
2. They help us in acquiring the proper conception of Christ, who is above the angels, and the object of angelic worship.
3. They give a wonderful attractiveness to our conception of that unseen world to which we are hastening.
4. They set before us an example of joyous and perfect fulfillment of God's will. "Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven," i.e., by the angels.
5. They put to shame the horrible indifference of multitudes of mankind with respect to the great work of conversion. "There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents" (Luke 15:10).
6. They broaden our view of the manifold mercies of God, whose angels are "sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation" (Heb 1:14; cf. 12:22).
7. They remind us of our high rank as human beings, and our exalted destiny as Christians. We, who are made but "a little lower than the angels" (KJV, Ps 8:5; NASB, "lower than God") may become "like angels in heaven" (Matt 22:30).
BIBLIOGRAPHY: L. S. Chafer, Systematic Theology (1948), 4:5, 411-16; 7:13-15; H. Lockyer, The Mystery and Ministry of Angels (1958); A. C. Gaebelein, The Angels of God (1969). (from The New Unger's Bible Dictionary. Originally published by Moody Press of Chicago, Illinois. Copyright (c) 1988.)
Angel A member of an order of heavenly beings who are superior to man in power and intelligence. By nature angels are spiritual beings (Heb 1:14). Their nature is superior to human nature (Heb 2:7), and they have superhuman power and knowledge (2 Sam 14:17,20; 2 Peter 2:11). They are not, however, all-powerful and all-knowing (Ps 103:20; 2 Thess 1:7).
Artistic portrayals of angels as winged beings are generally without basis in the Bible. Rarely is an angel so described. (For exceptions, compare the CHERUBIM and SERAPHIM and the living creatures-Ex 25:20; Ezek 1:6; Rev 4:8).
The Relation of Angels. Angels were created by God (Ps 148:2,5) and were present to rejoice when He created the world (Job 38:4-7). In their original state they were holy, but before the creation of the world some of them rebelled against God and lost this exalted position. The leading angel in this revolt became the devil, also known as SATAN (Gen 3:4,14; Ezek 28:12-16; Rev 12:4,7-9). Another of the fallen angels is named Abaddon or Apollyon (Rev 9:11), "the angel of the bottomless pit" [abyss], NASB, NIV, RSV.
Two of the vast company of unfallen angels are named in the Bible. They are the archangels Michael (Dan 10:13,21; 12:1; Jude 9; Rev 12:7) and Gabriel (Dan 8:16; 9:21; Luke 1:19,26). Michael has the special task of caring for Israel, and Gabriel communicates special messages to God's servants.
The vast army of unfallen angels delight in praising the name of the Lord continually (Ps 103:21; 148:1-2). Large numbers of them remain at God's side, ready to do His every command (1 Kings 22:19). Angels in God's presence include the cherubim, seraphim, and living creatures (or living beings) (Ex 25:20; Isa 6:2; Ezek 1:5-6; Rev 4:6).
Unfallen angels are known for their reverence for God and their obedience to His will. Angels represent God in making significant announcements of good news (Gen 18:9-10; Luke 1:13,30; 2:8-15). On His behalf they also warn of coming dangers (Gen 18:16-19:29; Matt 2:13). In some cases they are God's agents in the destruction and judgment of evil (Gen 19:13; 2 Sam 24:16).
Of special importance in the Old Testament is the ANGEL OF THE LORD (Gen 16:7; 22:11; 31:11). This angel is depicted as a visible manifestation of God Himself. He has powers and characteristics that belong only to God, such as the power to forgive sins (Ex 23:20-21). His similarities to Jesus lead most scholars to conclude that He is the pre-incarnate Word present with God at the creation of the world (John 1:1,14).
The Relation of Angels to Man. When visible to human beings, angels consistently appear in human form (Gen 18:2; Dan 10:18; Zech 2:1). Sometimes, however, their appearance inspires awe (Judg 13:6; Matt 28:3-4; Luke 24:4).
Angels are never known to appear to wicked people-only to those whom the Bible views as good, such as Abraham, Moses, David, Daniel, Jesus, Peter, and Paul. They are charged with caring for such people and serving them in times of need (Ps 91:11-12; Heb 1:14). They also guide and instruct good people (Gen 24:7,40; Ex 14:19). This task is illustrated by the role the angels played in God's giving of the Law to Moses (Acts 7:38,53; Heb 2:2). Sometimes their guidance comes through human dreams (Gen 28:12; 31:11).
Angels also protect the people of God (Ex 14:19-20; Dan 3:28; Matt 26:53). They meet a wide variety of human needs, including relieving hunger and thirst (Gen 21:17-19; Mark 1:13) and overcoming loneliness and dread (Luke 22:43). They sometimes deliver the people of God from danger (Acts 5:19; 12:6-11).
Although they are not the objects of salvation, angels are interested in the salvation of human beings (Luke 15:10; 1 Cor 4:9). They also were particularly active in the events surrounding the birth and resurrection of Jesus (Matt 1:20; 2:13,19; 28:2; Luke 1:11-38; 2:9-15; 22:43; 24:23; John 20:12). The frequency with which angels participate in human affairs has diminished since Pentecost, probably because of the larger role played by the Holy Spirit in the lives of Christians since then.
Jesus spoke frequently of angels, both good and bad (Matt 13:41; 26:53; Mark 8:38; Luke 12:8-9). Angels are quite real, and they play a vital part in God's plan for the world.
(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright (c)1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
Angel
- a word signifying, both in the Hebrew and Greek, a "messenger," and hence employed to denote any agent God sends forth to execute his purposes. It is used of an ordinary messenger (Job 1:14: 1 Sam 11:3; Luke 7:24; 9:52), of prophets (Isa 42:19; Hag 1:13), of priests (Mal 2:7), and ministers of the New Testament (Rev 1:20).
It is also applied to such impersonal agents as the pestilence (2 Sam 24:16,17; 2 Kings 19:35), the wind (Ps 104:4).
But its distinctive application is to certain heavenly intelligences whom God employs in carrying on his government of the world. The name does not denote their nature but their office as messengers. The appearances to Abraham at Mamre (Gen 18:2,22. Comp. 19:1), to Jacob at Peniel (Gen 32:24,30), to Joshua at Gilgal (Josh 5:13,15), of the Angel of the Lord, were doubtless manifestations of the Divine presence, "foreshadowings of the incarnation," revelations before the "fulness of the time" of the Son of God.
(1.) The existence and orders of angelic beings can only be discovered from the Scriptures. Although the Bible does not treat of this subject specially, yet there are numerous incidental details that furnish us with ample information. Their personal existence is plainly implied in such passages as Gen 16:7,10,11; Judg 13:1-21; Matt 28:2-5; Heb 1:4, etc.
These superior beings are very numerous. "Thousand thousands," etc. (Dan 7:10; Matt 26:53; Luke 2:13; Heb 12:22,23). They are also spoken of as of different ranks in dignity and power (Zech 1:9,11; Dan 10:13; 12:1; 1 Thess 4:16; Jude 9; Eph 1:21; Col 1:16).
(2.) As to their nature, they are spirits (Heb 1:14), like the soul of man, but not incorporeal. Such expressions as "like the angels" (Luke 20:36), and the fact that whenever angels appeared to man it was always in a human form (Gen 18:2; 19:1,10; Luke 24:4; Acts 1:10), and the titles that are applied to them ("sons of God," Job 1:6; 38:7; Dan 3:25; comp. 28) and to men (Luke 3:38), seem all to indicate some resemblance between them and the human race. Imperfection is ascribed to them as creatures (Job 4:18; Matt 24:36; 1 Peter 1:12). As finite creatures they may fall under temptation; and accordingly we read of "fallen angels." Of the cause and manner of their "fall" we are wholly ignorant. We know only that "they left their first estate" (Matt 25:41; Rev 12:7,9), and that they are "reserved unto judgement" (2 Peter 2:4). When the manna is called "angels' food," this is merely to denote its excellence (Ps 78:25). Angels never die (Luke 20:36). They are possessed of superhuman intelligence and power (Mark 13:32; 2 Thess 1:7; Ps 103:20). They are called "holy" (Luke 9:26), "elect" (1 Tim 5:21). The redeemed in glory are "like unto the angels" (Luke 20:36). They are not to be worshipped (Col 2:18; Rev 19:10).
(3.) Their functions are manifold. (a) In the widest sense they are agents of God's providence (Ex 12:23; Ps 104:4; Heb 11:28; 1 Cor 10:10; 2 Sam 24:16; 1 Chron 21:16; 2 Kings 19:35; Acts 12:23). (b) They are specially God's agents in carrying on his great work of redemption. There is no notice of angelic appearances to man till after the call of Abraham. From that time onward there are frequent references to their ministry on earth (Gen 18; 19; 24:7,40; 28:12; 32:1). They appear to rebuke idolatry (Judg 2:1-4), to call Gideon (Judg 6:11,12), and to consecrate Samson (13:3). In the days of the prophets, from Samuel downward, the angels appear only in their behalf (1 Kings 19:5; 2 Kings 6:17; Zech 1:1-6:15; Dan 4:13,23; 10:10,13,20,21).
The Incarnation introduces a new era in the ministrations of angels. They come with their Lord to earth to do him service while here. They predict his advent (Matt 1:20; Luke 1:26-38), minister to him after his temptation and agony (Matt 4:11; Luke 22:43), and declare his resurrection and ascension (Matt 28:2-8; John 20:12,13; Acts 1:10,11). They are now ministering spirits to the people of God (Heb 1:14; Ps 34:7; 91:11; Matt 18:10; Acts 5:19; 8:26; 10:3; 12:7; 27:23). They rejoice over a penitent sinner (Luke 15:10). They bear the souls of the redeemed to paradise (Luke 16:22); and they will be the ministers of judgement hereafter on the great day (Matt 13:39,41,49; 16:27; 24:31). The passages (Ps 34:7; Matt 18:10) usually referred to in support of the idea that every individual has a particular guardian angel have no such meaning. They merely indicate that God employs the ministry of angels to deliver his people from affliction and danger, and that the angels do not think it below their dignity to minister even to children and to the least among Christ's disciples.
The "angel of his presence" (Isa 63:9. Comp. Ex 23:20,21; 32:34; 33:2; Num 20:16) is probably rightly interpreted of the Messiah as the guide of his people. Others have supposed the expression to refer to Gabriel (Luke 1:19).
(from Easton's Bible Dictionary, PC Study Bible formatted electronic database Copyright © 2003 Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.) |