Miscellaneous Questions Concerning Angels Answered

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Subject: angels

Introduction:

A.     Series continues.

1.      Hope you have profited from our studies today.

2.      Many questions that we have concerning angels & the spirit realm in general.

3.      Can’t possibly answer all questions on these – but I picked out just a few that are of interest to me.

B.     Answers not intended to be exhaustive.

C.    Deut 29:29; Isa. 55:8-9 must be stressed.  God has not intended for man to know everything there is to know when it comes to the spirit realm.

1.      I tend to think we have been given all the information that we can understand – b/c so much w/in the spirit world is probably above our capability to comprehend.

2.      Whatever we can & should know about angels & the spirit world has been revealed.

D.    Following are 5 questions of interest that I will attempt to answer:

 

I.  Are there Guardian Angels?

A.       Will present 2 opposing views.  One by Charles Hodge.  The other by Ed Meyers.

B.       Hodge:  Believes that “angels” do “guard.”

1.      Psa. 91:11-12 – Jesus had guardian angels.

a)       This text quoted in Mt. 4:6 & Lk. 4:10 as Satan tempted Jesus.

2.      Hodge believes we have access to what Jesus had.  Bases this on Psa. 34:7.

a)       Mt. 18:10 – this verse used as proof as well.  Note phrase “their angels.”

b)       Of course Heb. 1:14 comes to mind – angels minister to the heirs of salvation.

3.      Hodge claims “This is the Christian truth – His angel surround us!  What an exceedingly precious promise! God has not asked us to understand – but he does expect us to believe it!”

C.       Meyer:

1.      A highly emotional issue.

2.      Maintains that the scriptures doe not support the concept of a guardian angel.

a)       Scriptures do not teach the appointment, at birth or at any other time, of a specific angel to guard an individual.

b)       Also brings up a good point:  The dependence of a Christian upon an angel for ANY form of preservation or guidance is contrary to the teaching of the NT.

4.      This in no way lessens God’s concern for us or diminishes His power & ability to utilize an angel as the guardian & personal defender of every faithful Christian, or any person on earth for that matter.

 

II.  Is Satan a fallen angel?

A.      What is the origin of Satan?  Where did he come from?  Was he, like God, w/o any beginning?  What is the origin of evil?  Is Satan a fallen angel?

1.       Other questions we might ask:  why did God allow sin to enter the world – which He pronounced as “very good” in Gen. 1:31?

2.       General assumption is that Satan was once an angel, who because of rebellion, was cast out of heaven.

a)       based upon Isa. 14:12-14; Ezek. 28:1-19 esp. 11-19

B.      Passage in Ezek – prophecy addressed to the king of Tyre.

1.       some contend that Ezekiel represented king of Tyre as being a personification of Satan.

2.       Same true in Isaiah’s account – text addressed to the king of Babylon

a)        Lucifer (KJV) thought to be Satan – when he tried to make himself above God in power/authority.

b)        Conclusion:  Satan sinned against divine sovereignty & was cast out of heaven.  After this many angels rebelled against God & followed Lucifer as their leader in going against God.

c)         As a result, the passages in Isaiah and Ezekiel are taken as a personification of Satan himself.

C.      This idea raises many questions – noted by Charles Hodge:

1.       If Satan = fallen angel – then did God create evil?

2.       Who tempted Satan?  What caused him to fall?

3.       If one fallen angel became Satan – why didn’t all fallen angels become Satan?

4.       Why would an angel sin?

5.       Why doest he devil persevere when he is defeated?

6.       Why is there not mutiny (division) in hell among Satan’s angels?

D.      I tend to believe – at this present time – not adamant about it….

1.       he was an angel of the rank of archangel who rebelled against God

2.       was thrown out of heaven

3.       sentenced to a final judgment.

E.      Regardless of what you think of this:

1.       Satan =real!  He = archenemy of God – responsible for all evil.

2.       Evil had it’s beginning before time.

3.       Satan desires to devour God’s creation by tempting man to reject his Creator.

4.       Angels are given free will – they have the opportunity to either obey/disobey God.

 

III.  Are Angels Created Beings?

A.     Job 38:4-7 – angels present at the creation of the earth.  See also Neh. 9:6; Col. 1:15-17

1.      Col 1 – thrones/powers or authorities refer to angels in heaven.

B.     Just when before creation they were created – we are not told.

C.     To go farther than this is to go w/o bible authority.

D.     Conclusion:  angels are created beings and have not always existed.

 

IV.  What about their appearance?

A.     Invisible to “unaided” human vision.

1.      i.e., they may be seen when human vision is aided by God.

2.      Num. 22:31 – angel standing in way of donkey.

3.      Conclusion: they w/o material bodies. They = spirit substance.

4.      They can be seen when God allows them to be seen.

B.     Can assume any form God chooses.

1.      remember: angels generally unseen – Col. 1:16 – part of the invisible creation of God.

2.      They can assume any for that God chooses for them:

a)        2 Kings 6:14-17 – as horses pulling chariot

b)        Ex. 3:2 – in a flame in the middle of the burning bush.

c)         Heb. 1:7 – appear as fire & wind.

C.    Frequently appear as men.

1.      Gen. 18:1-2 – as man to Abraham – telling news of Isaac.

2.      Gen. 19:1-2 – as men to Lot – warning of dest of Sodom.

3.      Jud 13:9-11 – appeared to Manoah and wife.

4.      Gen. 32:22-28 – Jacob wrestled with angel in the form of a man.

5.      Mk. 16:5 – “young man” told women about resurrection of Jesus.

6.      Acts 1:10-11 – appeared as men in white apparel.

D.    Misconceptions answered:

1.      no female angels – all references point to masculine form.

2.      no indication as to having wings….

a)     assumed b/c bible says angels fly – Dan. 9:21; Rom. 14:6

b)     know that cherubim & seraphim represented as winged creatures – but no assurance that rest of angels have wings.

 

V.  What about Heb. 13:2?

A.     Can this happen today?

B.     Many commentators say this verse in ref to Abraham/Lot in Gen. 18:2 and 19:1.

1.      A & L entertained angels unawares?

2.      main point of passage: the need for God’s people to be hospitable.

a)     Mt. 25:35; Rom. 12:13; 1 Pet. 4:9

b)     Just form the text no implication that this still applicable…

C.    But it could be possible – we just don’t know.

D.    Matthew Henry: God has bestowed honors/favors upon his hospitable servants – beyond all their thoughts, unawares.

 

Conclusion:

A.     Many more things we could discuss – but no time.

B.     Hope you enjoyed today’s lessons.

C.    I N V I T A T I O N