Angels

Well, happy Independence Day! It's good to see everyone here, and thank you for that. What powerful words! That was really thought-provoking, and there's definitely a lot to that. I hope you all are doing well today. It's a warm, sweltering day, but it's a beautiful day out there. Clouds are just photographic, very picturesque. From the time that we're children, there's a lot of fascinating stories that the world throws at us regarding angels and the spirit world.

A couple cute little things I saw. One said, in a children's song, you may have heard, stars are the windows of heaven where angels peek through. A blog says, when you find a penny, an angel has tossed it to the ground when you're frowning to give you a smile. Clever theories, but what's the truth about angels? What's the truth about the spirit world? We live in a world that's increasingly focusing our attention on the supernatural. You see it in the movies, you see it in TV, you see it in a lot of places. What's disturbing is, if you compare the amount of attention that's focused on demons, it's more than what's focused on angels.

Well, I think too many people also carelessly base their beliefs on what they've always heard or what sounds good. If you'll turn to 1 John 4 and verse 4. 1 John 4 and verse 4. Angels have a much more important place in the Bible than the devil, than the demons. And they guide, they comfort, they provide for the people of God as we face suffering, as we face persecutions. Today, we're going to study, I would argue, one of the most positive topics in our Christian faith. And that is, we're going to learn about angels. 1 John 4 and verse 4.

You are of God little children and have overcome them, referring to evil spirits, because he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. And that is a foundational encouragement of today's message. See, Satan is capable of doing amazing supernatural things, but he acts only by the permissive will of God. God is all-powerful. God is omnipotent. If you can say he has Satan on a leash. In the Bible in nearly 300 places, teaches that God has countless angels at his command and has commissioned them to aid his children with their struggle against Satan. My goal today is for you is threefold.

One is to leave knowing more about the incredible power and capabilities of angels. You probably haven't heard a sermon in a while on angels, I haven't. Secondly, to better understand the angelic resources God has provided for us. And finally, to help us appreciate how God has planned a potential for us that is even greater than the amazing things that we're told in the Bible about angels. Can you look back over your life? Can you see times where angels seem to be there protecting you or helping you out?

I think there are so many stories. Probably we all could think of something, and it's fun to hear in church. Maybe afterwards people will share. There was one time in California when I was a college student that a friend of mine and I went to the top of Mount Wilson, which is about 5,000 feet at the top elevation. And there's a road that switches back right along the side, winding with big sheer drops on the side. And so we'd get on there on bicycles, road bikes, and we would rip down that mountain as quick as we could, and we'd have a car following so nobody would have ended us.

But we were just tearing 45 miles plus as a constant speed for four or five miles. It was exhilarating. And when I finished, I got to the bottom, my friend pulled up, and I said, that was awesome. And I rolled my back. I probably lifted the front tire an inch, and the front wheel rolled off. Who knows how many times I would have been so dead going at that speed around those turns. There's just no way I would have been thousands of feet floating through the air saying, ah, it was just big, big drops.

Anyway, but there are so many examples that people have. I'd like to spend some time learning about the characteristics of angels. If you'll turn to Job, I'm sorry, to John 1 and verse 1. Do you know when angels are around? Our ability to sense reality is limited. And so I think we shouldn't be surprised that we don't, even if you compare to animals, right? Deer have an amazing ability to smell. Bats, phenomenal, sensitive radar system. You can look at swallows and geese and turtles, salmon, a guidance system that's just mind blowing where they can come back to pinpoint an exact location.

So if animals can sense things, we can't. Why should we think it's strange that we don't perceive the evidence of the spirit world around us? But the Bible does tell us a lot about angels. Where do angels come from? John 1 and verse 1. In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God, he was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him nothing was made that was made.

Okay, so everything that exists in this universe was made by God the Father through Jesus Christ. Not going to have you turn there. Colossians 1, 16 similarly says, for by him, by Jesus were all things created that are in heaven, that are in earth, visible and invisible. So as a result, we know God created angels. How long have angels been around? Turn to Job 38. Job 38. So this is where God begins confronting Job, challenging his perspective a little bit. And he starts out by asking Job if he'd been around since the creation of the earth, right? Job 38 and verse 1. Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said, Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Now, prepare yourself like a man. I will question you. And you shall answer me. Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Now in verse 7, and I'm going to read it from the NIV, it says, when the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy. So angels are created beings and they were around the time of creation long before this world we know. What are angels made of? Throughout, they're referred to as spirits, mentoring spirits, but as part of the spirit world. And so that as a result, they're usually invisible to us, but God can authorize them to appear and disappear. If you will turn to Daniel 10 verses 5 through 6. Daniel 10, 5 through 6. If you think through the Bible, we could probably toss out a lot of examples where people saw angels. Abraham, Lot, Jacob, they had no difficulty recognizing angels when they were in the presence of them. And it was usually something that was glorious. It was impressive. It was magnificent. Daniel 10, 5. I lifted my eyes and looked and behold a certain man later shown to be an angel. Clothed in linen, whose waist was girded with gold of Uphaz, his body was like burl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze and color, and the sound of his words like the voice of a multitude. The angel that rolled the stone from the temple of Jesus was dressed in white, described as shining like a flash of lightning. So it seems pretty evident that they have a tremendous variety of appearances. We will talk about that as we talk about the types of angels, all of which seem spectacular, amazingly beautiful. When, like I said, when we get into discussing caribim, you'll see that some of their descriptions describe examples of animals, like lions and eagles and calves, which gives the impression the animals we see were fashioned after the angels which came before them.

So it makes you wonder, okay, so as we keep learning sea creatures or whatever of unique looks, might there be angels who have that look? We don't know.

No.

Satan has done a great job trying to misrepresent our perception of angels.

Because if you look at religious artwork, right, what do you tend to see?

Images of their appearing as women or cute-winged babies. That isn't biblical.

We don't know what all angels look like. I'm not going there.

But what Scripture says, in every situation, there appears useful men.

Not all men. Not ladies. Not children. So take that for what it is.

Turn next to Matthew 22, verses 29 through 30. Matthew 22, 29 through 30.

Okay, so let's just go to the next logical question. Since angels appear as men, are they masculine? Are they male?

Jesus clarified that angels have no gender.

The context that we're stepping into is when the Sadducees wrote that or presented that silly analogy about a woman marrying seven brothers who all died. That scenario.

Matthew 22 and verse 29. Jesus answered and said to them, You are mistaken, not knowing the Scripture, nor the power of God.

For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven. All right. How many angels are there?

The first answer to that question you can actually derive from the verse we just read.

The Greek phrase given in marriage refers to sexual relationships.

So, since they're created without a gender and they don't reproduce, it seems the number of agents angels is constant.

All right. The Bible never speaks of an angel aging. It never speaks of an angel sick.

As the exact number, though, the Bible is not really specific, but there are millions described. Turn to Matthew 26 verses 52 through 53. Matthew 26 52 through 53. So, the context here is when Peter pulled out the sword, right? He chopped off the ear of the high priest's servant, and then Jesus backed him off and said, backed him off and said, just give me a little perspective about how much protection was available with God, if that was his will. Matthew 26 52. But Jesus said to him, Peter, put your sword in its place for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot now pray to my father and he will provide me with more than 12 legions of angels, 72,000 angels. If he needed them, he's like, that's a lot more people than in this little group that are coming to arrest me. A larger number is referenced in Revelation 5 and verse 11, if you want to turn there. Revelation 5 11. And so, the context of this next verse is when Christ is as the Lamb seated at the throne of God. Revelation 5 11.

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures and the elders, and the number of them was 10,000 times 10,000 and thousands of thousands. All right, 10,000 times 10,000 equals 100 million. Angels ministering to the Lamb of God in the throne room of the universe. Hebrews 12 22 kind of supports the concepts of millions when it says an innumerable company of angels. We don't know an exact number.

Even more amazing, though, I'd argue, is the indescribable power of even one. You'd think of different scenarios and stories in the Bible. What? One angel guarded the Garden of Eden.

It took one angel to slay all the firstborns of Egypt. The Bible says, one angel will come from heaven with a great chain in his hand and lay hold of Satan and bind him.

Of course, you can go through revelations. There's all sorts of items that are brought up. But you have seven angels with seven bulls who will make the living things in the ocean die. Rivers turn to blood. Sun scorch the earth. Plagues kill most humanity. Seven angels.

So, it's obvious that angels enjoy far greater power than we do. Are they omnipotent?

Are they all-powerful? No, they're not. God has power over the angels and authorizes them when and how to use their power. In addition to their strengths, they're described with incredible levels of knowledge. If you'll turn to 2 Peter 2, verses 10 through 11.

2 Peter 2, 10 through 11. So, just, you know, we need to be real. Angels possess knowledge that we don't. We can't see things in the spirit world. They're able to perceive what's going on and understand the world and spiritual affairs in connection, which we cannot. And no matter how vast their knowledge is, though, we can be sure that angels are not omniscient. They are not all knowing. Remember, Jesus said the day and hour of his coming was not even known by the angels. That was Mark 13. All right. 2 Peter 2, 10. I'm going to jump mid-verse. They, speaking of those who walk according to the flesh, are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries. Whereas angels who are greater in power and might do not bring a reviling accusation against them before the Lord. That's encouraging, isn't it? Despite all angels see, and the power they have, they only use that knowledge for good and not for evil purposes.

That's a pretty amazing fact. See, I know if I brought it, I'm going to need it. So there you go.

All right. Are angels omnipotent? Can they be in multiple places at the same time?

Yeah. So we can read in the Bible and describe them traveling around the universe, some incredible speeds. But angels are not able to be present everywhere at the same time.

Think of the story of Daniel, where the angel came and he said, for three weeks, I've been coming to you, but I was having to fight against other Satan and his demons.

So that answers that question. Do angels require food?

Nothing in Scripture says angels must eat to stay alive. But the Bible does say on certain occasions that they did eat with humans. You could think of Lot, right? Where he entertained three people. One was Christ, two angels, they ate with him. Lot being that example. But manna, interestingly, is called the bread of angels. I don't think that's anything more than an analogy that it was a spiritual gift of what it did. The Bible gives us some interesting descriptions of angels. Also, as they're described as very musical.

John describes this massive heavenly choir singing praises in Revelation 5, 11, and 12.

Lucifer was described as having timbrels and pipes. So music is this very, you know, praising God. It's a great method of praising God, which we enjoy singing hymns and listen to special music.

In 1 Corinthians 13, 1, Paul mentions a language of angels.

Though I speak with tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I become a sounding brass and a clanging cymbal. So the world often looks to all the amazing acts of power and knowledge and then views angels as something to be worshipped. Are angels to be worshipped?

Other people, I would argue, want angels to do their own personal bidding, rather than calling on God for help. So are either of those things what God wants? If you'll turn to Revelation 22, 6-8, Revelation 22, 6-8, both of those are pagan teachings. They go back, well, back to Lucifer, but even in the time of Christ, we'll read Gnostics for teaching that concept. It's an opposition of what God or even his angels want. Revelation 22, verse 6, Then he said to me, These words are faithful and true, and the Lord God of the holy prophet sent his angel to show his servant the things which must shortly take place. Behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who keeps the word of the prophecy of this book. Now I, John, saw and heard these things, and when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before they feeded the angel, who showed me these things. Then what did the angel say in verse 9? Then he said, See that you do not do that, for I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the word of this book, worship God.

So it's a clear scheme of Satan to have people try to worship angels, because that's, in essence, worshiping him. True angels do not want to take our focus away from God, and they don't draw unnecessary attention to themselves. They want God to get the credit.

Angels understand their place, and that's why you'll hear them singing praises to God at the throne of God. They're careful not to develop relationships with us. You don't read about people with a personal relationship with an angel in the Bible, or to be seen as personal guardians. We'll address that myth along the way in a bit. We're to rely only on God. God the Father, in Christ, are the only beings that should be worshipped. Okay, let's look at one more verse to reinforce the point, and we'll turn to Colossians 2 and verse 8. Colossians 2 and verse 8.

This is where I referenced that it's a Gnostic teaching at the time of the New Testament.

This is Paul directly warning against some of the worship that was happening at his time. Verse 8 clarifies where we should put our focus. Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophies and empty deceptions according to the traditions of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him dwells all the fullness of the God head boldly. Now turn to verse 18, and you're going to get this example of the traditions of men. Let no one cheat you of your rewards, taking delight and false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vaguely puffed up by his fleshly mind. So Paul warned, even in Romans, when Romans 1, 24, and 25, we shouldn't worship the creation rather than the creator.

All these examples that show angels are not something to be worshiped, and we need to evaluate our belief systems because there's so many things that we're surrounded by.

And we hear them so often, we start thinking, well, that must be normal, because others... So what I hear all the time. It may not always be based on what the Word of God says.

Okay, so with this background, are all angels equal? Or is there some kind of a difference in roles or ranks and authority? Turn to Jude 1 in verse 9.

There are references to seraphim, to carobim, to elders, to living creatures. We will talk about each of those. But if you try to rank celestial powers, there's a lot of guesswork. We don't know.

The easiest one is archangel. Arc suggests chief, principal, great angel. It's been equated to first prince, prime minister. Now, this may surprise you, but the only archangel mentioned in the Bible is Michael. Michael is the only archangel that's mentioned in the Bible. Jude 1 in verse 9.

Yet Michael, the archangel, in contending with the devil when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said the Lord rebuke you.

All right, so Mr. Armstrong used a bit of conjecture, as of many theologians, in teaching there were three. And he pointed to three, which I'll reference, that are named angels and made that assumption. But to show he's not alone, Jewish tradition teaches there are seven archangels. Islam believers say there are four named Jibrel, Michal, Israel, and Israel.

Catholicism says there are four the names of Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and Uriel. So, there's a lot of theories along this line. The angel who talked to Daniel described Michael as one of the chief princes. So, there probably are other archangels. We just don't know exactly how many. The only one listed by name is Michael. Now, we have biblical background to give us the impression that Lucifer was probably an archangel, because he was at the throne of God, the power he was given, very high position to sway a third of the angels. But that is conjecture.

Usually, when the Bible refers to Michael, his main function is to protect and defend God's people.

Michael was the one who came and helped the angels get past fighting the demon, who was trying to help Daniel. Revelations describe Michael leading the armies at the end to battle Satan. Michael will also be the one who will shout, maybe not alone, as he accompanies Jesus at his second coming. 1 Thessalonians 4, 16 says that the sound of archangel. So, maybe they're all going to sound. Maybe it's one. We don't know.

There are some religious groups, so we should face this one, that believe Jesus was the angel Michael. I don't know if you've ever been confronted with that one. I remember being confronted and having to write somebody a paper on that one. It's false. It's not biblical.

You can even reflect back on what we've covered so far, and you see different things that would dispel that. And there are a lot of other scriptures. In the beginning was God and the Word. All things were created by them. That was visible, invisible, in heaven and on earth.

There's a handful of scriptures throughout the Bible that are really absolute, that are dogmatic.

If God and Jesus created all things, that would include Michael.

The Bible says angels aren't to be worshipped or prayed to. Christ is. Hebrews 2 is this complete comparison of Jesus and man and how that differs from angels. Even the verse we just read in Jude 9, notice Michael didn't dare rebuke Satan, but asked the Lord to do it. Jesus had no problem saying to Satan, get you behind me. So there's different things we could look at.

All right, turn next to Luke 1 in verse 19. Luke 1 and verse 19. Gabriel is also mentioned several times in the Bible. Gabriel. He met with Zacharias. He told him that he and Elizabeth would have a child, for example, Luke 1 and verse 19. And the angel answered and said to him, I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. So Gabriel is normally the Lord's messenger, and he's used in that way.

That appears to be his main function. He was the one who announced the Daniel, the vision of the end times. He informed Mary about the birth of Jesus in Luke 1. He's definitely a lead angel. Often a spokesman brings good news to mankind. He's possibly an archangel, but it doesn't say that directly. There's one other angel specifically named, and you know that one that's Lucifer. If you will turn to Ezekiel 28, you'll see a description of Lucifer prior to the rebellion. So Ezekiel 28. And we'll start in verse 12.

You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom, perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God. Every precious stone was your covering. The sardias, topaz, and diamonds, burl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emeralds with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes were prepared for you on the day you were created. You were the anointed carob who covers.

I established you. You were on the holy mountain of God. You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created till iniquity was found in you. So Lucifer is described as this most brilliant and most beautiful of all created beings in heaven. It must have been amazing. He was probably the ruling prince of the universe under God. Go ahead and turn to Isaiah 14, 12 through 14. You know I'd be doing the flip to show the other side of what happened. Many people will ask and say, how could this kind of conflict occur? How could this happen in God's universe? Lucifer was created to glorify God. We were created to glorify God. The Bible shows Satan desired to rule over heaven and creation in place of God. God hates pride. That's what we all can face. And so Isaiah 14 shows five desires of Lucifer. And they all start with the word I will. Isaiah 14, 12. How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of mourning. You are cut down to the ground. You who weaken the nations. For you have said in your heart, I will ascend into heaven. I will exalt my throne above the stars of God.

I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farther side of the north. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds. I will be like the Most High. So Lucifer wasn't satisfied being subordinate to his Creator. He wanted what didn't belong to him. And you can argue the greatest catastrophe that happened in the history of this universe was Lucifer's defiance of God that resulted in a third of the angels leaving and all that's happened since along the way.

You may wonder where we get a third from. Revelation 12, verses 3-4. Revelation 12, 3-4 if you want to turn there. Scripture sometimes refers to angels as stars. You see that even in what we just read in Isaiah. So prior to his fall, Satan was referred to as the star of the morning. And in Revelation 12, 3, John is describing what happened to Satan when he rebelled. Another sign appeared in heaven. Behold, a great fiery red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns and seven diandems on his head.

His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth.

So we know Satan is powerful. He's a powerful force on earth at this time.

And if this was God's time to save everyone, Satan would be winning.

The holy days show God is only calling firstfruits at this time. If you'll turn to 2 Peter 2, you'll see what God has in mind for Satan and for his demons. And you know from going through the holy days that God will bring the demons to judgment when he returns. And that's what the Feast of Atonement pictures. 2 Peter 2.4, we're cutting into a thought. But for if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness to be reserved for judgment, and then he continues. And you can read the finality of their judgment by the example of Noah that's mentioned in verse 5.

So we're told they will be thrown into everlasting fire in Matthew 25 and verse 41. But until that happens, they constitute this mighty force, and they're at battle with us all the time.

The wars that we picture, even World War II, was atomic guns. That's like a BB gun battle. Compared to what happened spiritually, Satan's primary objective now is to destroy faith on Earth. But again, remember, God and his angels are much stronger. Much stronger.

Sillucifer, Gabriel, and Michael are the only angels specifically named in the Bible. There are two ranks of angels that are described. The first is Seraphim.

Seraphim. If you turn to Isaiah 6, you'll find them referenced. That's the only place in Scripture where a Seraphim is mentioned. And it's magnificent. Very different than your two-winged babies, again, that you see in museums when you're looking at pictures. Isaiah 6.1. In the year the king Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, high and lifted up, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above it stood Seraphim. Each one had six wings. With two, he covered his face. With two, he covered his feet. And with two, he flew. So it seems to resemble this human, both wings. And they're positioned above the throne. Their ministry seems to be to praise the name and character of God in heaven. Verse 7, God uses them to cleanse and purify His servants. Again, we know very little. The other that's described is caribim. And that's in over 90 places. If you want to turn to Ezekiel 10, 9 through 24, we'll jump around a bit.

Now, this description is one that I don't know about you. I can't fully picture in my brain. I'm looking forward to actually seeing it, to understand what in the world these words are describing. But let's start in verse 9. Ezekiel 10. And when I looked, there were four wheels by the caribim. One wheel by one caribim, and another wheel by another. Each other caribim, the wheels appeared to have the color of a burlestone. As for their appearance, all four looked alike.

As it were, a wheel in the middle of wheels. And when they went, they went toward any of their four directions. They did not turn aside when they went, but followed in the directions the head was facing. They did not turn aside when they went, and their whole body with their backs, their face, their hands, their wings, and the wheels that the four had were full of eyes all around. As for the wheels, they were called in my hearing, wheel. Each one had four faces. The first face was the face of a carib. The second face, the face of a man. The third, the face of a lion. And the fourth, the face of an eagle. And the caribim were lifted up. This was the living creature I saw by the river Kibar.

When the caribim went, the wheels beside them, or went, the wheels went beside them. And when the caribim lifted their wings to the mount from the earth, the same wheel also did not turn from beside them. You can finish that in verse 24. When they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of many waters, like the voice of the Almighty, tumult, like the noise of an army. And when they stood still, they let down their wings. Other places describe caribim having four wings. Caribim, six. And it's described that they stand on the side of the throne of God holding it up.

So, this describes transporting the throne supernaturally with wheels that are full of eyes. Picture that, right? Just whatever. Look forward to seeing it. I don't get it. Don't ask me to draw it. That's one of those funny things of like our art class. Draw this image, and it would look so differently of what it turned out to. And remember, Lucifer was described as an anointed carib that covered God's throne. Caribim clearly have to do with the glory of God. They're often used to symbolize heavenly things. We don't know where one of those faces is the face of a carib and what that means. But you see that they were in the designs and decorations of the Ark, of the Covenant, on the Tabernacle, on Solomon's Temple. So, they were pictured in some form.

Caribim guarded the Tree of Life in Eden, and they also were the ones who assured only the High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies on a tournament. Now, interesting contrast, if you think about that, today, because of Christ's sacrifice, they won't refuse even the homeless Christian to have access to God's throne. It's pretty amazing. There are two other groups of angels who are mentioned in Revelation 4. If you want to turn there, the two groups are the four living creatures and the 24 elders. Are they seraphim? Are they caribim? Are they something different? We don't know. Revelation 4, verse 2. Immediately I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And the capital O tells you, we're talking about God. Go to verse 6. Before the throne, there was a sea of glass like crystal, and in the midst of the throne and around the throne were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. You were told your momma could see what's going on behind her. These can't see what's going on behind them. They have eyes to see in all directions. Verse 7. The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf. The third living creature had a face like a man. The fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. And the four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. They did not rest day or night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God, Almighty, who was and is and is to come. Go back to verse 4, and you're going to see mentioned of the 24 elders. Around the throne were 24 thrones. And on the throne, I saw 24 elders sitting clothed in white robes, and they had crowns of gold on their head. I'm jumping around. I'll go to verse 9.

Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the 24 elders fall down before him, who sit on the throne, and worship him who lives forever and ever. And what they say is in verse 11, You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created. A lot there. If you want, you can jump forward a chapter to Revelation 5 and verse 6. We're going to read it in 6 and 8. It says, And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne, the four living creatures, and then the midst of the elders, stood a lamb, as though it had been slain. And then I'm jumping to verse 8 now.

Now, when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and 24 elders fell down before the lamb, each having a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

It's an amazing scene at God's throne, right? Some people, some angels, let's just say, dedicated to worshiping God, 24 elders, living creatures, gathering the prayers of you and me, of the saints. Pretty amazing. Let's move to another set of topics, though, because I really want to conclude this message, having us think about the so what of this all. Let's look at the major roles that angels play. Turn to Hebrews 1 and verse 14. Hebrews 1 and verse 14.

Angels have a much more important place in the Bible than the devil and the demons. I started with that because I want you to understand that contrast. And the Bible teaches that angels do a lot of things. We'll talk about some of them, but they intervene in world affairs. We've talked about that. They execute judgment on earth. They guide, they comfort, they provide for people of God in the midst of suffering. The first role, though, you're going to see in Hebrews 1.14. I think it's probably their primary role here to summarize it. Hebrews 1.14. Are they, speaking of angels, not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation? Ministering spirits. So, we know little about that constant ministry, right, that angels have. There are experiences that we have that suggest, like I mentioned earlier, that an angel was there helping us out. We could probably list a handful of them in our lives.

Sure, there's many, many, many more where angels were involved, and we had no clue.

But their help is real. So, angels are ministering spirits. Angels are also messengers of God.

An angel met Philip, instructed him to go to the desert and meet an Ethiopian, right?

An angel met John on the Isle of Patmos and revealed the message of revelations.

An angel wrestled with Jacob all night, and God used this to more fully reveal his will for Jacob.

After 40 years, as a shepherd, God decided Moses was ready to service him and relayed the message through an angel of the Lord appearing in a burning bush. Now, I point that one out in particular because it's important to recognize that sometime the angelic image in the Old Testament was Jesus Christ. And that is a very obvious one because the ground you're standing on is holy. God makes things holy.

The authors of the Old Testament didn't realize that there were two parts of the Godhead. Instead, he used words that they understood. And everything changed, of course, when Jesus Christ came in the flesh because Jesus no longer needed to manifest himself in a form that others didn't know how to describe other than the angel of the Lord. So, anytime an angel appears in the New Testament or is mentioned, you know it's an angel and it's not Jesus Christ because God presents himself differently at that time. But they use the words that they knew and so conjecture has to come.

Another role of angels is to protect and to deliver us.

Turn to 2 Corinthians 6, 15 through 16. As Christians, we know we're in a spiritual war in that our battle is not against flesh and blood. We know Satan is a force to be respected but not feared. Respected. God assures us that his mighty angels are always nearby ready to help. And so, I just love the story we're going to read. We have Elisha here, who had to assure his helper when he saw the city of Dothan being surrounded by the army of the King of Syria. Second King, 615. 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 Elisha's sermon said to him, "'Alas, my master, what shall we do?' 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." It's just a great story. Surrounded by angels.

I know I too often lose sight of the angels surrounding me. But we have a promise from God in Psalms 91, 10-11. It says, "'No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwellings, for he shall give his angels charge over you to keep you in all your ways.'" So angels are powerful beings who do God's bidding. They are there to help protect and guide us.

Turn to Matthew 18, verse 10. Some Christians believe they have their own guardian angel. Where does that concept come from? I'll give you my best read of where I've seen people try to point toward, but it's not a biblical concept. Matthew 18, 10. See that you do not look down on one of these little ones, for I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my father in heaven. So angels are ministering spirits. And it seems there are different angels that may minister to the same person at different times. But in no place does it say we each have our own personal angel. That's making up something from that verse that is not being represented there. But they are definitely ministering spirits to help us. The key is that angels are there to protect and to deliver us. They are real. And again, but that doesn't mean we should give credit to angels when the real credit for miracles, for answered blessings, and prayers in our life belongs to God. He may use angels to save us and help us and guide us, but remember who deserves the praise. Thank God for the angelic forces that are constantly fighting off the works of darkness. But angels never minister for glory. That glory goes to God. They're not selfish. Angels are also God's agents in judgment. There are vendors, you could say, who use our great power to fulfill God's will and judgment. And lots of examples that you know from the Bible, right? God used them to bring judgment on Sodom, on Gomorrah, on Babylon, Nineveh. Angels, blinded people, aimed to harm the lost household, remember? Aiming to harm them. 2 Corinthians 19, just one angel struck the Assyrian encampment and 185,000 soldiers died. The destroying angels swept over Egypt, as we mentioned before, and killed all of the firstborns. So, with all that power, there's an interesting contrast, is to know no ministering angel spared Jesus from the awful suffering and death that he encountered. They were there. Angels were ready to rescue him, but he refused. When Jesus said no to angels, help. In effect, he said, I will die for the sins of mankind because I love them that much.

Angels have a hand to play in prophecy. Part of that area of being avengers, being agents of judgment, throughout the book of Revelation, we see the involvement of angels. When the Son of Man will come in his glory, all the holy angels will come with him. Matthew 25, 31. Christ will send forth his angels and they will gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, cast it into furnace of fire. Matthew 13, 41-42. So again, areas that we could sitch together. I'm not taking you obviously to all of them. While angels have tremendous authority, it's always important to remember their authority is limited to doing the will of God. And that's inspiring. It's something we can look toward. They never deviate from God's message. They never deluded. They never changed God's plan. Throughout time, it seems their joy, other than those who left with Satan, has been to glorify God and not themselves. Turn next to Luke 15, verse 10. The final role of angels that we'll discuss is angels as spectators. As spectators. The Bible tells us that angels are watching us. We have a holy host, angelic host, witnessing everything that happens on earth.

Luke 15, verse 10. Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. Which is interesting. Do they observe us standing fast in our faith, rejoicing at the throne of God? Or maybe they wonder our lack of commitment. No matter how much they want to, they aren't free to deliver the oppressed until God gives them the signal. And then one day they will. If you'll turn to Hebrews 2, verses 5 through 9.

Let's finish by comparing angels with mankind. Because that's an important thing to sum up this amazing concept and awareness about angels with. It's important that we finish by reviewing how mankind is different than angels. Because I wanted to start by talking about the grandeur of angels. Just amazing, humbling. But it's even more humbling to realize that God has designed angels to be ministering spirits for those who will inherit salvation.

Hopefully that's you and I. That's us. Hebrews 2, verse 5. For he has not put the world to calm, of which we speak in subjection to angels. But one testified in a certain place, saying, What is man that you are mindful of him, or the son of man that you take care of him? You have made him a little lower than the angels. You have crowned him with glory and honor, and set him over the work of your hands. You have put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. Isn't that amazing? The Bible tells us God has made man a little lower than the angels. By what I just read, it seems like that's a little bit of an understatement. A lot more than a little. Yet it also says angels are ministering spirits to us, and they will be in subjection because all things will be put under those who were raised into God's family.

So while God has delegated angels to make special pronouncements for him, he has not given them the privilege of proclaiming the gospel message. It's another thing to realize. He's not given them the privilege of proclaiming the gospel message. The scripture doesn't explain why. Perhaps spirit beings who have never experienced the effect of separation from fellowship with God because of sin wouldn't be able to preach with understanding. It's a concept of how can angels who have never sinned fully understand what it means to be delivered from sin. Either way, God has commanded the church to preach. So no angel can be an evangelist. No angel can pastor a church.

Only humans can speak salvation's experience to other humans.

Where God has used angels is to assist those who preach. They assist through the use of miracles, through signs. You can think of the angel sent Philip to the Ethiopian, ordered Cornelius to send for Peter, took Paul, or told Paul not to fear as he was being brought before Caesar. But the angels in all those situations didn't preach to those people who needed to have a message conveyed. Only God's messengers were chosen to do that.

God brought the first message of the birth of Jesus to ordinary people, to shepherds. Angels didn't preach the gospel, but they witnessed to it. They demonstrated overwhelming concern for it. Nuances. The task of preaching the gospel to the world will be completed by men and women with the Holy Spirit. And whenever we see the gospel being preached, though, we know in the background angels are involved, giving us strength and protecting and helping and servicing and all the other things we talked about.

Another item that separates us is God made provisions for the salvation of mankind.

God made provisions for the salvation of mankind. He made us to be part of his family. And the Bible mentions no provisions for the salvation of fallen angels.

Why? I don't know. But God cared enough about us to give his very life for mankind, for us.

When he refers to our relationship with God as Abba Father, that's very different than the relationship angels have. God is father to both of us as our creator, yes, but he is a father to mankind in a special way because he's welcoming us into his family as adopted children. We're joint heirs with God. Romans 8-17. That's different.

So what the holy angels maintain is their original glory, spiritual relationship with God, exalted place in the royal order, amazing powers and gifts. But as a contrast, Jesus chose to identify himself with fallen mankind when he said he was made a little lower than angels for the suffering of death. So it's just this beautiful thing of Christ's love. There's the ultimate example of love, right? We sing songs about it that could go that deep, that it could stand that far, that move God the Father to give his only begotten Son. And the angels are aware of that joy. They rejoice when people are saved. They glorify God who has saved them.

Who has saved them? But they can't testify personally to something that they've never experienced, that redemption through the grace of God. So angels can't testify of salvation by grace through faith, at least not in the first-hand personal experience that we can.

Kind of similar to a person who's never married, can't fully appreciate the wonders of the relationship until you've been in it, then you can testify the uniqueness of it.

In conclusion, turn to Job 1 in verse 10. Job 1 in verse 10.

I hope today's message has given you encouragement. I hope it's given you some new insights.

We must not get so busy thinking about demons as this world talks about spirit, powers, and take for granted angels, which are so much more powerful and more special in the plan of God. We're surrounded by this heavenly host that is so powerful. Yes, that is true for Satan and his demons. But we don't need to fear the warfare because the battle is God's. And when we realize all the ways that God protects us through His Holy Spirit and through His angels, we can face Satan and his legions. We can have confidence. You've heard the analogy of probably the story of that seat captain who, when he was told that he was surrounded by the enemy, he said, good, don't let them escape. We know that we have protection around us. And some of the greatest and most precious words in Scripture were spoken by Satan himself, though he didn't intend to.

Job 1 in verse 10, have you not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. We may not always know the means God is using in our lives, but God tells us that we can count on the powerful presence of His angels. He will put a hedge around us to protect us if we ask Him to, and Satan knows he can't get past that hedge. Angels are many things, more numerous and powerful than Satan. We can always take confidence from that. And they're there because they love us. They care for us. The kingdom of God is going to allow many wonderful things. One that I look forward to is to see angels and get to know them personally. And that's going to be quite an amazing thing. Not only does God love you, but the angels love you also.