Looking At The Notion Of Angels. Who? What? Where? When?
Posted: Friday, October 14, 2011
by Joel Hendon
http://hebronics.org/index.html
I have, on several occasions, been asked if I believe in angels. My reply is always, Yes, of course. Then the conversation begins to get sticky. Who or what are they? Have you ever seen one? Why do you say you believe in them? What do they do? And on and on. Most of the questions I have to answer, “I don’t know”.
But not one, of these references describe who/what they are. They are mentioned in conjunction of the thing they do at the time, or the relationship of their being.
When asked why I believe in angels, my answer is simple. Because they are mentioned in the Holy Bible and Jesus Himself refers to them. They were assigned to watch over him and care for his safety and well being.
When asked what they are, I am obligated to describe them to the best of my ability from the mentions of them in the bible. First of all let us resolve that they are not humans gone on before us. Read this passage:
But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, (Hebrews 12:22-23 KJV)
Here the writer refers to them as separate groups. The word “angel” is from the Greek “aggelos” which means “messenger” and therefore, it appears that their prime position was/is that of delivering messages. The Hebrew term “malak” has the same meaning. These two terms are used several times in reference to humans, but when it does, it is not translated into the word, angel. It is translated as messenger in Job 1:14; Luke 7:24; and 9:52. It is also translated “prophet(s)” in Isaiah 42:19; Malachi 3:1.
Most scholars have concluded that angels which are referred to in scripture are spirits who were created by God. Both good and bad angels, and special angels called cherubim, seraphim, and the archangel.
How many angels are there? The bible does not reveal a total number so therefore we can give no certain answer. A number of scholars agree though, that the number is enormous. Jesus said he could call down ten thousand angels. Daniel, in his visions stated that thousand thousands ministered unto him and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The writer of the Hebrew letter above renders it an innumerable number. Some other scholars suppose it means more than all mankind who has ever been or ever will be. I know of no reason to compare that number since no one knows it either.
Do angels have bodies? No, certainly not like a human body. Jesus explained that in Luke 24:39 when the disciples could not believe it was Jesus who had arisen. He said, “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. Jesus here denies that he is in the spirit. That he is still in the flesh.
It is a most difficult thing for humans to be able to perceive a spirit. When a human dies, the spirit leaves the body. That is what death is…a separation of the body and the spirit. What do you see leave that body? Spirits are not visible to the human eye because they are not composed of any literal, physical substance. They are a mentality. Certainly they are able to be manifested in whatever form or vision which God chooses.
Are angels superior to human?
Yes, in our way of thinking at least. They are much stronger than man, yet they are not strong like God, omnipotent. The Psalmist tells us that in Psalms 103:20 and Peter adds his voice to that fact in 2 Peter 2:11.
They are also superior to man in knowledge and wisdom, but again, not omniscient as is God. Again the scriptures explain that in: 2 Samuel 14:20 and Matthew 24:36.
Seemingly they are not able to be in more than one place at a time, as are those of the Godhead. Daniel even tells of the angel (believed to be Gabriel) explaining to Daniel the fact that he was delayed in his coming because he was detained by the prince of Persia for 21 days. But he was relieved by Michael so he could come to Daniel. (Daniel 10: 10-14)
Both Michael and Gabriel are referred to as archangels.
There are numerous questions concerning angels which I cannot answer, because I do not find the answers in God’s word. There are questions asked me that I have a strong belief concerning based on some things in the bible and some basic common sense. But I am hesitant to proclaim them since we will be held accountable for any error we teach. So any questions I do not know for sure what the true answer might be, I have to insist that the reader try and determine on his own. I can give answers as I believe them only.
I am very often asked if there are angels among us, if one has a guardian angel, and such like. I believe the answer for those two questions is no. I cannot prove that, but I know of no reason to believe there are either. I believe it is against the nature of God to intervene in the affairs of this world during this “Christian” age, and most assuredly not to miraculously catch one from falling while allowing another to fall. And so on. I do believe that God intervenes in the affairs of this world in non-miraculous ways but rather in providential ways.
Providence is happenings within the realm of natural laws, but by the guidance of God. I believe He intervenes within the minds of men, only for the purpose of bringing about his eternal purpose for man.
Since the reward of heaven and the punishment of hell is dependant upon man’s own freely made decisions, and since the bible assures us that God is no respecter of persons, it would seem that His intervention in the form of miracles for some and not for others would of necessity be respect of persons.
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Boy, this would cause a stir at Friends Meeting this Sunday. Thanks for the expose'Thanks for the comment Jack. I just call the shots as I see them.
Well written, as always, Joel. I disagree with you on a couple things, but they are not salvation issues, so I enjoyed reading your interpretation. My response to someone wondering about angels is Hebrews 1:14 - Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? KJV. Do we have an angel(a) assigned to us? I tend to believe the answer is yes. Have I seen angels? Yes again, though other than my pup at a time (that's on MPT) I can't tell you when or where, but because of the Scripture about ministering to strangers. Thanks for a good read and another thing to add to my list to research! Have a good weekend!Thank you Lorrie for reading and the nice comment. I never try and force any of my opinions on anyone. I hope you fully understood that when I ventured my opinion that we did not have individual guardian angels. I have to admit the one thing I do know is that I DON'T know. :o)Joel, you never force - I value your interpretations and rarely disagree. I don't know either when it comes right down to it. How interesting it must be when believers get to Heaven and find out how limited our knowledge is. Our finite minds just can't comprehend what God puts into motion. Thanks for responding to my (not so coherent) comment. In reading it now, it is rather jumbled.
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