ANGELOLOGY: STUDY OF ANGELS, SATAN, DEMONS
James F. Myers
A. Definition
of Angels
1. Angel: Hebrew word malak simply
means "messenger"; may refer to a human messenger (1 Kings 19:2) or
to a divine messenger (Genesis 28:12)
a. As
a divine messenger, an angel is a heavenly being charged by God with some commission.
The word is found more than 100 times in the Old Testament.
b. Greek
word angelos occurs 175 times in the New Testament. Only used six times
of men. Also means "messenger . . . who speaks and acts in the place of
the one who sends him.”
2. Sons
of God: Angels are called "sons of God", in that, in their unfallen
(non-sinful) estate, they
are God's sons by virtue of His creation of them (Job 1:6 38:7).
3. Holy
ones: Psalm 89:5,7 in the sense that they are "set apart" by God and
for God as attendants to
His holiness.
4. Host:
Understood to denote the armies of heaven (Psa 148:2): "Host of heaven;”
Sabaoth (1 Sa 1:11;
1 Sa 17:45), and as the millions of heavenly beings that surround God, they are
called "hosts" in the phrase, "Lord of hosts”: (Isa 31:4; Jam
5:4; Rom 9:29; Jer 5:14; 38:17; Hos 12:5). "Vast number"
B. Existence
of Angels
1. Thirty-four books of the Bible refer to
angels (17 in the OT, 17 in the NT).
2. Critical
to the belief in angels is the relationship of angels to Christ. The existence
of angels is tied to the reliability of the testimony of Christ.
a. He
was helped by angels following His temptation by Satan (Mt 4:11) and during His
agony in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:43), and angels were present at His
resurrection (Matthew 28:5-6) and ascension (Acts 1:10-11).
b. He
referred to the resurrected state as being comparable to that of angels (Mt
22:29-30).
c. He
taught that angels would regather the nation Israel at the time of His return
(Mt 25:31-32, 41).
d. He
said that He could pray, and that the Father would provide for Him more than 12
legions of angels to protect Him (Matthew 26:53).
3. One cannot reject the existence of angels
without rejecting the testimony of Jesus and the Bible.
C. Creation
of the Angels
1. Time of angelic
creation
a. At some point in eternity past, God
created an innumerable host of angels.
b. The
angels had already been created before the earth was created (Job 38:4-7),
hence, they were created in eternity past.
c. The
term “sons of God” in Job 38 refers to angels (cf Job 1:6; 2:1).
d. Job
38:4 uses the Hebrew yasad, which indicates the laying of a foundation
in the initial stages of construction (cf. Exodus 9:18; 1 Kings 5:17; Ezra
3:6). Thus, the angels were created before the events of Gen. 1:1.
2. Nature of
angelic creation
a. Angels
are created beings. The Lord created the angels by His word (Psalm 148:2-5).
Christ created the angels that they might ultimately give praise to Him
(Colossians 1:16).
b. Every
creature, including the angels, was created by God through the Lord Jesus
Christ (John 1:3; Col. 1:16).
c. Since
God is perfect and cannot create anything less than perfect because of to His absolute righteousness, He cannot be
involved in the creation of evil (Hab. 1:13a).
d. Thus,
all the angels were originally created perfect, holy, and righteous.
e. God
did not create the devil or demons as evil beings. They were originally created
as perfect angels, but subsequently sinned.
f. Since
angels are created, they are not the result of transformation from some other
state of being.
1) People who go to heaven do not become
angels. In fact, believers become judges of angels (1 Corinthians 6:3).
2) Angels are not babies who have died.
3) Distinction is made in Hebrews 12:22-23
between the spirits of just men made perfect and an innumerable company of
angels.
3. Number of angels
a. Angels
were created simultaneously and innumerable.
b. The
statement of creation in Colossians 1:16 points to the creation of angels as a
singular act; the act of creating does not continue (Genesis 2:1-2; Hebrews
4:3).
c. Therefore,
angelic numbers remain static.
1) Since they are created, angels are not born.
2) Hence, there is no need for angels to marry (Mark 12:25).
3) They do not die.
4) They do not reproduce (Matthew 22:30).
d. The number of angels is
"myriads" (Hebrews 12:22). The term "myriads" literally
means 10,000, but here it denotes "countless thousands". The
repetition of "myriads" in Revelation 5:11 suggests the number of
angels is countless. (Cf. Psalm 68:17; Daniel 7:10; 2 Kings 6:17; Luke
2:13).
e. Jesus
indicated that more than 12 legions of angels were available to Him. A legion
consists of 4,000-6,000. So this means that, at the very least, He could call
upon more than 50,000 angels.
D. Nature and Attributes of
Angels
1. Angels
are rational, personal beings. They exhibit the traits of personality.
b. Angels
have volition to obey the commands of God (Hebrews 1:6; Matthew 24:31).
c. Angels
can speak, and sing, and shout; therefore, they have capacity to communicate.
2. Angels are spirit
beings.
a. Although
angels may reveal themselves to mankind in the form of human bodies (Gen 18:2;
cf 19:1), they are called "spirits" (Psalm 104:4; Heb 1:7, 14;
Ephesians 6:12), suggesting they do not have corporeal bodies (Luke 24:39).
b. Therefore,
also, they cannot die but are immortal (Luke 20:35-36).
c. Because
they are spirit beings, they are not limited as to space, and many may occupy
the same space (Mark 5:9, 13; Luke 8:30).
d. Being
spirit in nature does not mean omnipresence, nor the ability to travel from
place to place instantaneously (Daniel 9:21-23; 10:12-13).
3. Angels are holy beings
a. Because God is holy, He cannot create
that which is unholy. Therefore, angels were created as holy beings.
b. Some angels rebelled against God and
followed Satan, but the rest are holy and will remain in that state.
c. There will be holy angels at the Second
Advent of Christ (Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26; Acts 10:22; Revelation 14:10).
d. Apparently, these angels are no longer
capable of sinning, even as believers in eternity will be incapable of sinning.
4. Angelic ability
a. Compared
to man:
1) Angels are of a higher order than man, and are therefore
superior to man in ability (Psalm 8:4-5). Mankind, including Jesus Christ as a
man, is "lower than the angels” (Hebrews 2:7).
2) Angels are not subject to death (Luke 20:36).
3) Angels have greater wisdom than man (2 Sam 14:20), but are not
omniscient.
a) Their knowledge is limited (Matt 24:36).
4) Angels have greater power than man (Matthew 28:2; Acts 5:19; 2
Pet 2:11), but they are not omnipotent. Their power is limited (Daniel 10:13).
5) Angels are invisible (usually) Numbers 22:22-31.
6) Angels have limitations compared to man as regards future relationships.
Angels are not created in the image of God, therefore do not share man's
glorious destiny of redemption in Christ.
70 At the end of the age, man will be exalted above angels (1 Cor
6:3) and will become superior to angels (Hebrews 2:5-10; Romans 8:17).
b. Compared
to God
1) Angels, although superior to man, are subject to God’s
authority (2 Samuel 24:16; Revelation 7:1-4).
4) They are not worthy of worship, in spite of their superior
existence (Col. 2:18; cp. Rev. 19:10; 22:8-9).
5. Angelic gender
a. Angels
who appear to men always appear in the form of males, and masculine pronouns
are always used for them (e.g. Genesis 19). Although, when angels are seen in
non-earthly contexts, they do not look like men.
b. It
is likely that angels do not have male/female gender characteristics as we
think of them, or else they all are males.
c. Before
the Flood, not only could angels appear in human form, but at lest some could
procreate with human women (Gen. 6:1-4). Mark 12:25 says that the angels in heaven do not marry. (See addl Gn 6)
6. Angelic appearance
a. When
seen on earth
1) They appear as young men, never as old men, children, or
women.
2) Moreover, the effect of their appearance was generally to
arouse awe and/or fear (Dan. 10:4-9; Mt. 28:2-6; Lk. 1:11-12, 26-30; 2:9).
3) Their facial appearance, judging from Acts 6, is a
distinguishing characteristic—probably some sort of radiant light. When Stephen
was on trial, “all who sat in the
council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel”
(Acts 6:15).
4) Their appearance and clothing like a brilliant light (Daniel
10:5ff; Matthew 28:3; Luke 24:4).
5) When angels visited Abraham in Genesis 18, they walked, sat,
talked, and ate as ordinary men.
6) The men of Sodom sought to have sexual relations with the angels,
whom they assumed to be men (Genesis 19:1, 5).
7) Angels also appeared as men at the resurrection and ascension
of Christ (Mark 16:5; Luke 24:4; Acts 1:10).
b. When
seen in non-earthly settings
When angels are seen in
non-earthly settings, they appear as creatures unlike anything man has ever
encountered.
1) Seraphs have six wings (Isaiah 6).
2) Cherubs are described in Ezekiel 1, 10:
a) One head with four faces
b) Four wings
c) Full of eyes
d) Hoofed feet
e) Wheels beneath so they need not turn
f) Human-like hands under their wings
3) Living Creatures are described in Revelation 4:6-8
a) Six wings
b) Four faces on one head
c) Many eyes
4) A different kind of angel is described in Revelation 10:1-3
a) Clothed with a cloud
b) Wears a rainbow on his head
c) Face like the sun (brilliant, shining)
d) Feet like pillars of fire
E. Angelic
Abode
1. The
primary abode of angels is in the presence of God in heaven (Luke 1:19).
F. Angelic
work
(Organized in rank - Isa 6; 1 Thess 4:16; Eph
6:12)
1. Ministry to God
a. Cherubs have a ministry to
God to defend His holiness.
b. Seraphs have a ministry to
God in surrounding the throne of God as they attend to His holiness.
2. Ministry to
Christ
Angels have a significant ministry to Christ from
before His birth until His second advent. That angels have this important
ministry also emphasizes His deity; just as the angelic beings surround the
throne of the Father, so the angels attend to God the Son.
a. Angels predicted His birth
(Luke 1:26-38).
b. Angels protected Him in
infancy (Matt 2:13, 20).
c. Angels ministered to Him
after the temptation by Satan (Matt 4:11). This may have included encouragement
following the exhaustion of 40 days of temptation, as well as supplying Him with
food, as an angel ministered to Elijah (1 Kings 19:5-7).
d. Angels strengthened Him at
Gethsemane (Luke 22:43).
f. Angels attended His ascension
(Acts 1:10).
g. Angels will attend His second
advent to earth (Mt 25:31).
3. Ministry to
believers
a. Angels are called
"ministering spirits" (Hebrews 1:14).
1) The word "ministering" does not carry the idea of
slavery, but of official functioning.
2) They have been duly commissioned and sent forth with the
responsibility of aiding believers.
b. Physical protection
1) David experienced physical protection by an angel when he was
forced to flee to the Philistines (Ps 34:7). Elisha: 2 Kings 6:15-17; Daniel:
Daniel 6:22
2) Angels protect from physical harm those who seek refuge in the
Lord (Ps 91:9-12).
3). They protect the 144,000 in the Tribulation(Rev 7:1-4).
e. Carry believers home (Luke
16:22)
4. Relationship
to unbelievers
Angels have been and will be involved in meting out
judgment to unbelievers.
a. Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 19:1,
13)
b. Bowl judgments (Rev 14; 16)
c. Judging Jerusalem for
idolatry (Ezek 9:1-11)
d. Sudden death: Herod Agrippa I
for his blasphemy (Acts 12:23)
e. On unbelievers at second
advent (Matt 13:39-42)
f. Trumpet judgments (Rev 8-9)
g. Cause problems (Ps 35:5-6 5)
5. Special ministries
a. Sang at creation of the earth
(Job 38:7)
b. Helped deliver the Mosaic Law
(Ac 7:38, 53)
c. Bind Satan at the second
advent of Chris.( Rev 20:1-3)
d. Remove unbelievers from the
earth at Christ's return (Mt 13:41, 49)
g. Classification
of Angels
1. Governmental rulers. Ephesians 6:12
refers to "ranking of fallen angels".
a. Rulers:
those who are first or high in rank
b. Powers:
those invested with authority
c. World-forces
of this darkness: the power of authority which they exercise over the world
d. Spiritual
forces of wickedness: expresses their character or nature
Daniel 10:13 refers to the
"prince of the kingdom of Persia" opposing Michael. This was not the
king of Persia, but rather a fallen angel under Satan's control. He was a demon
of high rank, assigned to Persia -- his special area of activity -- by the
chief of demons, Satan (cf Rev 12:7).
2. Angels who are highest ranking.
a. Archangel
1) Michael (meaning "who is like God?") is called the
archangel (Jude 1:9) and the great prince (Daniel 12:1).
2) Michael is the only angel designated archangel, and is the
only one of this rank.
3) The mission of the archangel is protector of Israel (Daniel
12:1 cf Daniel 10:21).
4) Daniel 10:13 "one of the chief princes",
designatesMichael as the chief angel over a nation, in this case, Israel.
5) Michael is the defender of Israel who will wage war on behalf
of Israel against Satan in the Tribulation (Rev 12:7-9).
6) Michael also disputed with Satan about the body of Moses, but
Michael refrained from judgment, leaving that to God (Jude 1:9).
7) Some cults identify Michael with Christ but that would mean
that Jesus is an angel, which Scripture denies. See Hebrews 1:5-8.
b. Chief
princes (Dan 10:13) (of whom Michael was one) are the highest ranking angels of
God.
c. Ruling
angels (Eph 3:10) are also mentioned, but no details are given.
3. Other prominent angels
1) The name means "God is strong".
2) Gabriel seems to be God's special
messenger of His kingdom program in each of the four times he appears in the
Bible.
3) He reveals and interprets God's purpose
and program concerning Messiah and His kingdom to the prophets and people of
Israel. See Daniel 9:21-27; 8:15-16; Luke 1:26-27; 1:11-20.
b. Lucifer (Isaiah 14:12) means "shining one", or
"star of the morning".
1) He is the wisest and most beautiful of
all God's created beings.
2) He was originally placed in a position of
authority over the angels (cherubs) surrounding the throne of God.
3) It is recognized that Lucifer is not a
proper name for this creature, but is derived from the KJV translation of
Isaiah 14:12 helel ben shahar, “shining one, son of the dawn”. Since
this has become an accepted cognomen for this creature, “Lucifer” will be used
throughout this paper to refer to Satan prior to his fall.
4. Angels who are divine attendants
1) Cherubs were originally created as the
highest order or class, created with great power and beauty.
2) Their main purpose and activity might be
summarized in this way: they are proclaimers and protectors of God's glorious
presence, His sovereignty and His holiness, keeping away anything that is
unholy.
a. They stood guard at the gate of the
Garden of Eden, preventing sinful man from returning (Genesis 3:24).
b. They were the golden figures covering the
mercy seat above the ark in the Holy of Holies (Exodus 25:17-22).
c. Embroidered on the veil between Holy Place
and Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle, as well as on the innermost curtain in
the tabernacle (Exodus 26:31)
d. Attended the glory of God in Ezekiel's
vision (Ezekiel 1). Cherubs have an unusual
appearance with four faces: man, lion, ox, eagle; four wings; feet like a calf; gleaming like burnished
bronze (cf Ezek 10:20).
e. They are always associated with the
righteousness, justice, and holiness of God.
b. Seraphs ("burning ones")
1) They surround the throne of God in Isaiah 6.
2) Described as having 6 wings
3) They continually cry out, "Holy, holy, holy" (Isa
6:3), recognizing God as perfectly holy.
4) They praise and proclaim the perfect holiness of God.
5) They express the holiness of God, in that they proclaim that
man must be cleansed of sin's defilement before he can stand before God and
serve Him (Isaiah 6:5-7).
6) Seraphim are mentioned by name twice, whereas the more than 90
references to cherubim suggest the latter have a more significant role and are
superior to the seraphim.
5. Other angels
a. Evangelizing (Rev 14:6)
b. Teaching (Acts 7, Gal 3, Psalm 63, Deut 33, Zech 1:9,11)
c. Ruling (Rev 4-5)
e. In the Abyss (Rev 9:1)
Angels
have names, apparently have nationalities, races, different ministries, also
such distinctions as some are more powerful, more intelligent, more beautiful,
more musical than others.