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Topic:
Thoughts
And Things Of The Bible -- Angel
The word "angel" is 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 1:9; 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 Pet. 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 judgment" (2 Pet. 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 Chr. 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. 1-6; 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 judgment
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).
Derived from Easton's and Smith's Bible Dictionaries
Fair Use. Presented for educational purposes only.
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These words were posted at one of Shepherd's Care Ministries Sites
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