MLC Sermon Notes Note 0304

Messengers of God

Angels: Hebrew Malik = Messenger of God.

1. Their Appearance / Powers

Though there are countless millions of angel beings in the universe (Rev.5:11) none of us in this audience have actually seen an angel. Indeed few people in the history of mankind, comparatively speaking, have actually seen an angel. We've all heard about angels and we believe that angels exist; but how many of us can actually say "I've seen an angel." In the Scriptures we read of many instances where angels have appeared to men and women. These appearances fall into 2 categories:

Literal appearances in which the angel came face to face with a person and even touched them or spoke to them. When angels made a literal appearance they were mistaken for men. No doubt there was something awesome and indefinably majestic about their appearance; but they nevertheless looked like men. They had faces, hands, feet and walked upon the earth. (see Judges 13:1-21)
Symbolic appearances in which the angels were seen in a vision or dream and appeared different in design and structure to men. They had 6 wings and 4 faces. (Ezekiel 1:5-12 ) In Rev.4:6-8 the symbolic description of angels may confuse many. But like the symbolic representations of Christ (who in Rev.19:15-21 is described as a lamb with a sword coming out of his mouth) they are given to illustrate the multiple characteristics and duties of angels.

Full of eyes = with ability to see all around.
Four faces = four primary areas of action:

lion-like = majestic, powerful
ox-like = the servant of man
man-like = similar interests as mankind
eagle-like = able to rise above the earth

Six wings = multiple modes of transport, each with specific boundaries.

Ezekiel 1:11	"With two he touched the other. Each had his allocated territory which reached up to the boundary of the next."
Isaiah 6:2	"With two he covered his face."

Though far reaching in access, these seraphim were not allowed to gaze on Yahweh's person. With two he flew. The seraphim (another order of angels) are able to travel the universe and - within limits - to look into matters of awesome importance. All this is symbolically displayed by their multiple eyes, faces and wings.

2. Angel Activities

If you were to analyse the Biblical records of people have seen or spoken to angels you would find that angel activity falls into recognisable categories. Here are a few of those categories:

They punish

Genesis 19:1-13	"Have you any others here? Sons in law, or your sons, or daughters? Whom ever you have in this city, bring them out of this place. For we will spoil and destroy Sodom, for the outcry and shriek against its people has grown great before the Lord; and He has sent us to destroy it."
2 Kings 19:32-37	"... And it came to pass, for that night the Angel of the Lord went forth and slew 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians; and when the living arose early in the morning, behold all these were dead bodies."

They give messages

Judges 6:11-40	Points of note in the message:
v12	"The Lord is with you."
v14	"Go in this your might and you shall save Israel from the hand of Midian. Have not I sent you?"
v16	"... Surely I will be with you."
v21	"Take the meat and unleavened cakes and lay them on this rock (representing Christ) and pour the broth over them." Note: Offerings of praise and thanks are only acceptable to Yahweh if they are free from pagan error and offered through Christ.
v23	"And the Lord said 'Peace be to you, you shall not die.'"
v25	"... Pull down the altar that your father has, and cut down the Asherah that is beside it. And build an altar to the Lord your God on the top of this stronghold (rock) with stones laid in proper order, then ... offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the Asherah which you shall cut down."

Carrying out instructions of this nature are frightening to say the least. But if they come from God we need have no fear because angels stand by God to protect the faithful. Yahweh is ever present to support all those who attempt to put away paganism and practice His law.
They minister to and guard believers: Angels are ministering spirit beings (Guardian angels) sent forth to minister to the heirs of salvation. (Hebrews 1:14) You may be certain that Yahweh's angels are all extremely active beings; each one daily completing a specific task in the great program of salvation. The kind of work these heavenly beings are engaged in is outlined in these verses.

Mark 1:13	"... and the angels ministered unto him."
Psalm 91:11	"For He will give His angels especial charge over you, to accompany, defend and preserve you in all your ways of obedience and service."
Psalm 34:7	"The Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him - who revere and worship Him with awe; and each of them He delivers."

They warn of coming danger

Acts 10:22

"And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee."

These are facts believers should never forget: that on Yahweh's orders angels accompany us to warn, defend and preserve us from all harm and danger. Nothing can happen to a believer without Yahweh's permission. The story of Job proves categorically that even Satan is unable to go beyond the limits that God has set for him. Believers attract Yahweh's protection by being obedient. This means that if one wilfully follows the path of evil or does that which is obviously wrong in the sight of God, then that person forfeits divine protection and blessing, and will pay the price.

3. Angels in the Last Days

The book of Revelation mentions angels in many places. Before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes, mankind will again be warned. Believers will be ministered to and protected. It is possible we shall even see the angels at that time. Here are texts which tell of these things:

Revelation 1:1	Angels instruct the servants of God.
Revelation 7:1-2	They hold back calamities till Yahweh's people are sealed.
Revelation 8 and 9	They unleash fearsome punishments on rebellious mankind.
Revelation 12:7	They war against Satan and the other fallen angels (demons).
Revelation 14	They warn against receiving the Mark of the Beast.
Revelation 15	They will pour out the seven last plagues upon this world.
Revelation 20:1	They will bind Satan and cast him into the Abyss.
Matthew 24:31	They will gather the saints to meet Christ at his return.

In view of these facts let all believers remember that angels are all about us. They may not be visible to human eyes at the moment; but we will see them in the near future. That is what the Bible teaches.

MLC Sermon Notes

July 1999
Matanyah Learning Centre, Duiwelskloof, South Africa
matanyah.cjb.net/snotes/note0304.html