Reference: Angel
American
The original word, both in Hebrew and Greek, means messenger, and is so translated, Mt 11:10; Lu 7:24. It is often applied to an ordinary messenger, Job 1:14; 1Sa 11:3; Lu 9:52; to prophets, Isa 42:19; Hag 1:13; to priests, Ec 5:6; Mal 2:7; and even to inanimate objects, Ps 78:49; 104:4; 2Co 12:7. Under the general sense of messenger, the term, angel is properly applied also to Christ, as the great Angel or Messenger of the covenant, Mal 3:1, and to the ministers of his gospel, the overseers or angels of the churches, Re 2:1,8,12, etc. In 1Co 11:10, the best interpreters understand by the term "angels" the holy angels, who were present in an especial sense in the Christian assemblies; and from reverence to them it was proper that the women should have power (veils, as a sign of their being in subjection to a higher power) on their heads. See under VEIL.
But generally in the Bible the word is applied to a race of intelligent beings, of a higher order than man, who surround the Deity, and whom he employs as his messengers or agents in administering the affairs of the world, and in promoting the welfare of individuals, as well as of the whole human race,
Mt 1:20; 22:30; Ac 7:30. Whether pure spirits, or having spiritual bodies, they have no bodily organization like ours, and are not distinguished in sex, Mt 22:30. They were doubtless created long before our present world was made, Job 38:7.
The Bible represents them as exceedingly numerous, Da 7:10; Mt 26:53; Lu 2:13; Heb 12:22-23; as remarkable for strength, Ps 103:20; 2Pe 2:11; Re 5:2; 18:21; 19:17; and for activity, Jg 13:20; Isa 6:2-6; Da 9:21-23; Mt 13:49; 26:53; Ac 27:23; Re 8:13. They appear to be of divers orders, Isa 6:2-6; Eze 10:1; Col 1:16; Re 12:7. Their name indicates their agency in the dispensations of Providence towards man, and the Bible abounds in narratives of events in which they have borne a visible part. Yet in this employment they act as the mere instruments of God, and in fulfilment of his commands, Ps 91:11; 103:20; Heb 1:14. We are not therefore to put trust in them, pay them adoration, or pray in their name, Re 19:10; 22:8-9. Though Scripture does not warrant us to believe that each individual has his particular guardian angel, it teaches very explicitly that the angels minister to every Christian, Mt 18:10; Lu 16:22; Heb 1:14. They are intensely concerned in the salvation of men, Lu 2:10-12; 15:7,10; 1Pe 1:12; and will share with saints the blessedness of heaven forever, Heb 12:22.
Those angels "who kept not their first estate," but fell and rebelled against God, are called the angels of Satan or the devil, Mt 25:41; Re 12:9. These are represented as being "cast down to hell, and reserved unto judgment," 2Pe 2:4. See SYNAGOGUE, ARCHANGEL.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And while he was having this in mind, behold! an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying.
"for this is he of whom it is written. "Behold, I send my messenger before my face, And he will prepare thy road for thee.
"So will it be at the end of the age. The angels will go forth and separate the wicked from the righteous, and fling them into the furnace of fire.
"See to it that you never despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father in heaven.
"For in the resurrection men do not marry, nor are women given in marriage, but they are like angels in heaven.
"For in the resurrection men do not marry, nor are women given in marriage, but they are like angels in heaven.
"Then he will say to those also at his left hand. 'Depart from me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels;
"Do you not suppose that I am able to appeal to my Father to furnish me at this very moment with twelve legions of angels?
"Do you not suppose that I am able to appeal to my Father to furnish me at this very moment with twelve legions of angels?
"Have no fear, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be for all the people. "For unto you born this day in there is born in David's town a Saviour, who is the Anointed Lord. read more. "And this is a sign to you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling-clothes lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the Heavenly army praising God and saying,
When John's messengers were gone he began to speak to the crowds about John, saying, "What went out you out to the desert to behold? A reed shaken by the wind?
and sent messengers before him. These went and entered into a Samaritan village to make ready for him.
"I say to you that even so there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons who need no repentance.
"Even so I tell you there is joy in the presence of the angels for God over one sinner who repents."
"But in the course of time the beggar died; and he was carried by angels into Abraham's bosom.
"But at the end of forty years there appeared to him, in the desert of Mt. Sinai, an angel in a flame of fire, in a bush.
"for last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve, stood by me and said:
For this reason the woman ought to have authority over her head, because of her guardian angels.
for in him was the universe created, things in heaven and on earth, the seen and the unseen, thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; by him and for him all have been created;
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth for service in behalf of those who are about to inherit salvation?
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth for service in behalf of those who are about to inherit salvation?
On the contrary you are come to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to innumerable hosts of angels,
On the contrary you are come to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to innumerable hosts of angels, to the festal assemblage and church of the firstborn, registered in heaven, to a Judge who is God of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,
For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them down to Tartarus, and committed them to chains of darkness, and reserved them for judgment;
To the angel of the Church in Ephesus, write. These are the words of Him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, and who walks among the seven golden candlesticks.
And unto the angel of the Church in Smyrna, write. These are the words of the First and the Last, he who died and has returned to life.
And to the angel of the Church in Pergamum, write These are the words of Him who holds the sharp two-edged sword.
And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose its seals."
And I looked and I heard a solitary eagle flying in mid-heaven, and crying with a loud voice, "Woe, woe, woe for all who live on the earth, Because of the rest of the trumpet-blasts That the three angels are about to blow!"
And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels went forth to war with the dragon; and the dragon also fought, and his angels;
Now the great dragon was thrown down??hat old Serpent, he who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
Then a mighty angel lifted a boulder like a great millstone, and hurled it into the sea, saying, "So shall Babylon, the great city, be overthrown with a mighty fall, And shall be found no more at all.
And I fell down at his feet to worship him, and he said to me. "See that you do it not. I am a fellow slave of yours and of your brothers who hold the testimony of Jesus; for the testimony of Jesus is the vital breath of prophecy."
And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who shouted in a loud voice to all the birds that fly in mid-heaven, "Come, gather yourselves together to the great supper of God,
And I, John, am he who heard and saw these things. And after I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me. But he said to me. "See thou do it not. I am only a fellow slave with you and your brothers, the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this Book. "WORSHIP GOD!"
Easton
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; 1Sa 11:3; Lu 7:24; 9:52), of prophets (Isa 42:19; Hag 1:13), of priests (Mal 2:7), and ministers of the New Testament (Re 1:20).
It is also applied to such impersonal agents as the pestilence (2Sa 24:16-17; 2Ki 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 (Ge 18:2,22. Comp. Ge 19:1), to Jacob at Peniel (Ge 32:24,30), to Joshua at Gilgal (Jos 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 Ge 16:7,10-11; Jg 13:1-21; Mt 28:2-5; Heb 1:4, etc.
These superior beings are very numerous. "Thousand thousands," etc. (Da 7:10; Mt 26:53; Lu 2:13; Heb 12:22-23). They are also spoken of as of different ranks in dignity and power (Zec 1:9,11; Da 10:13; 12:1; 1Th 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" (Lu 20:36), and the fact that whenever angels appeared to man it was always in a human form (Ge 18:2; 19:1,10; Lu 24:4; Ac 1:10), and the titles that are applied to them ("sons of God," Job 1:6; 38:7; Da 3:25; comp. Da 3:28) and to men (Lu 3:38), seem all to indicate some resemblance between them and the human race. Imperfection is ascribed to them as creatures (Job 4:18; Mt 24:36; 1Pe 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" (Mt 25:41; Re 12:7,9), and that they are "reserved unto judgement" (2Pe 2:4). When the manna is called "angels' food," this is merely to denote its excellence (Ps 78:25). Angels never die (Lu 20:36). They are possessed of superhuman intelligence and power (Mr 13:32; 2Th 1:7; Ps 103:20). They are called "holy" (Lu 9:26), "elect" (1Ti 5:21). The redeemed in glory are "like unto the angels" (Lu 20:36). They are not to be worshipped (Col 2:18; Re 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; 1Co 10:10; 2Sa 24:16; 1Ch 21:16; 2Ki 19:35; Ac 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; Ge 24:7,40; 28:12; 32:1). They appear to rebuke idolatry (Jg 2:1-4), to call Gideon (Jg 6:11-12), and to consecrate Samson (Jg 13:3). In the days of the prophets, from Samuel downward, the angels appear only in their behalf (1Ki 19:5; 2Ki 6:17; Zech 1-6; 13/type/mnt'>Da 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 (Mt 1:20; Lu 1:26-38), minister to him after his temptation and agony (Mt 4:11; Lu 22:43), and declare his resurrection and ascension (Mt 28:2-8; Joh 20:12-13; Ac 1:10-11). They are now ministering spirits to the people of God (Heb 1:14; Ps 34:7; 91:11; Mt 18:10; Ac 5:19; 8:26; 10:3; 12:7; 27:23). They rejoice over a penitent sinner (Lu 15:10). They bear the souls of the redeemed to paradise (Lu 16:22); and they will be the ministers of judgement hereafter on the great day (Mt 13:39,41,49; 16:27; 24:31). The passages (Ps 34:7; Mt 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; Nu 20:16) is probably rightly interpreted of the Messiah as the guide of his people. Others have supposed the expression to refer to Gabriel (Lu 1:19).
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And while he was having this in mind, behold! an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying.
Then the devil left him, and behold! angels came and began ministering to him.
"The enemy who sows the weeds is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age. The reapers are the angels.
"The son of man will send forth his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all hindrances, and whoever practices iniquity,
"So will it be at the end of the age. The angels will go forth and separate the wicked from the righteous, and fling them into the furnace of fire.
For the Son of man is about to come in the glory of his Father, and his angels with him, and then will he reward each one in accordance with his actions.
"See to it that you never despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father in heaven.
"See to it that you never despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father in heaven.
And he will send forth his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather his elect together from the four winds, from utmost heaven to utmost earth.
"But no one knows about that day and hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
"Then he will say to those also at his left hand. 'Depart from me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels;
"Do you not suppose that I am able to appeal to my Father to furnish me at this very moment with twelve legions of angels?
There had been a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord had come down from heaven, and gone and rolled away the stone, and was sitting upon it.
There had been a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord had come down from heaven, and gone and rolled away the stone, and was sitting upon it. His appearance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow.
His appearance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow. The guards trembled for fear of him, and became like dead men.
The guards trembled for fear of him, and became like dead men. But to the women the angel said: "You need have no fear, for I know that you are seeking Jesus, the Crucified One.
But to the women the angel said: "You need have no fear, for I know that you are seeking Jesus, the Crucified One. He is not here; for he is risen, even as he said. Come, see the place where the Master was lying! read more. And go quickly and tell his disciples. 'He is risen from the dead; he goes before you into Galilee; you will see him there.' Remember, I have told you." On this they ran quickly from the sepulcher, in fear and great joy, to tell the news to his disciples.
But concerning that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven,
"I am Gabriel," answered the angel, "who stand in the presence of God; and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring and to bring you this good news.
Six months later the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee, called Nazareth, to a maiden betrothed to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. Her name was Mary. read more. The angel went in and said to her. "Joy to you, highly favored one! "The Lord is with you." Mary was greatly agitated at his word, and was revolving in her mind what this salutation could mean. when the angel said to her. "Fear not Mary, for you have found grace with God. "And behold, you shall conceive in your womb and bear a son; and you shall call his name Jesus. "He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High. "And the Lord God will give him the throne of his forefather David, "and he shall reign over the House of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end." And Mary said to the angel. "How can this be? For I have no husband?" "The Holy Spirit shall come upon you," said the angel, "and the power of the most High shall overshadow you, and therefore the holy offspring which is born, shall be called the son of God. "And behold your kinswoman, Elizabeth, she also has conceived a son in her old age, and this was the sixth month with her that was called barren. "For no word of God shall be void of power." Then Mary said: "Behold I am Lord's slave. Let it be to me as you have said." Then the angel departed from her.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the Heavenly army praising God and saying,
When John's messengers were gone he began to speak to the crowds about John, saying, "What went out you out to the desert to behold? A reed shaken by the wind?
"For whoever is ashamed of me and of my teachings, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed when he comes in his own and in his Father's glory, and in that of the holy angels.
and sent messengers before him. These went and entered into a Samaritan village to make ready for him.
"Even so I tell you there is joy in the presence of the angels for God over one sinner who repents."
"But in the course of time the beggar died; and he was carried by angels into Abraham's bosom.
"For indeed they cannot die any more; they are equal to the angels, and through being sons of the resurrection are sons of God.
"For indeed they cannot die any more; they are equal to the angels, and through being sons of the resurrection are sons of God.
"For indeed they cannot die any more; they are equal to the angels, and through being sons of the resurrection are sons of God.
(And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him.)
While they were still perplexed over this, it happened that the two men stood near them in dazzling raiment.
and gazed at two angels in glistening white sitting, one at the head the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She answered, "Because they have taken away my Master, and I do not know where they have laid him."
While they were gazing into the sky as he was going up, suddenly there were two men in white garments standing by them,
While they were gazing into the sky as he was going up, suddenly there were two men in white garments standing by them, and they said: "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing into the sky? This same Jesus who has been taken up from you into the sky will come back in just the same way as you have seen him going into the sky."
But an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors during the night, and let them out.
And an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, "Arise and go on your way south, along the road that runs down from Jerusalem to Gaza, the desert way."
About three o'clock one afternoon he had a vision, and distinctly saw an angel of God enter his house and say to him, "Cornelius."
suddenly an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the cell. Striking Peter on the side, he woke him saying, "Rise up quickly." At once the chains dropped from his hands.
Instantly an angel of the Lord smote him, because he had not given God the glory, and being eaten up by worms, he died.
"for last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve, stood by me and said:
far above all hierarchies and authorities and powers and dominions and every name that is named, not only in this age but in that which is to come.
for in him was the universe created, things in heaven and on earth, the seen and the unseen, thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; by him and for him all have been created;
Let no man at his will defraud you of your prize through his false humility and worship of the angels, taking his stand on the visions he has seen, and vainly puffed up by his material mind;
I charge you solemnly in the presence of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ and of the elect angels, that you observe these things without prejudice against any man, and do nothing out of partiality.
He is as much superior to the angels as the name that he has inherited surpasses theirs.
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth for service in behalf of those who are about to inherit salvation?
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth for service in behalf of those who are about to inherit salvation?
By faith he established the Passover, and the sprinkling with blood, in order that the Destroying Angel might not touch the firstborn.
On the contrary you are come to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to innumerable hosts of angels, to the festal assemblage and church of the firstborn, registered in heaven, to a Judge who is God of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,
For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them down to Tartarus, and committed them to chains of darkness, and reserved them for judgment;
But Michael, the Archangel, when in contending with the devil, he was disputing about the body of Moses, did not dare to pronounce sentence for blasphemy, but said, "The Lord rebuke you."
The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks, is this. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven candlesticks are the seven churches."
And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels went forth to war with the dragon; and the dragon also fought, and his angels;
Now the great dragon was thrown down??hat old Serpent, he who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
And I fell down at his feet to worship him, and he said to me. "See that you do it not. I am a fellow slave of yours and of your brothers who hold the testimony of Jesus; for the testimony of Jesus is the vital breath of prophecy."
Hastings
ANGEL
1. Old Testament.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And while he was having this in mind, behold! an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying.
And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with great gladness.
Then the devil left him, and behold! angels came and began ministering to him.
"The enemy who sows the weeds is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age. The reapers are the angels.
For the Son of man is about to come in the glory of his Father, and his angels with him, and then will he reward each one in accordance with his actions.
"See to it that you never despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father in heaven.
"See to it that you never despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father in heaven.
"For in the resurrection men do not marry, nor are women given in marriage, but they are like angels in heaven.
And he will send forth his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather his elect together from the four winds, from utmost heaven to utmost earth.
"But no one knows about that day and hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
"But when the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then will he take his seat on the throne of his glory;
"Then he will say to those also at his left hand. 'Depart from me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels;
"Do you not suppose that I am able to appeal to my Father to furnish me at this very moment with twelve legions of angels?
But to the women the angel said: "You need have no fear, for I know that you are seeking Jesus, the Crucified One.
and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was among the wild beasts, but the angels were ministering to him.
Whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this unfaithful and wicked generation, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."
The angel went in and said to her. "Joy to you, highly favored one! "The Lord is with you."
So, after exhausting on him every kind of temptation, the devil left him for a time.
"For whoever is ashamed of me and of my teachings, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed when he comes in his own and in his Father's glory, and in that of the holy angels.
"And I tell you that whoever confesses me before men, the Son of man will confess him before the angels of God; "and whoever disowns me before men, shall be disowned before the angels of God.
"Even so I tell you there is joy in the presence of the angels for God over one sinner who repents."
"But in the course of time the beggar died; and he was carried by angels into Abraham's bosom.
"For indeed they cannot die any more; they are equal to the angels, and through being sons of the resurrection are sons of God.
"and found that his body was not there; then they came and told us that besides they had seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.
You shall see greater things than that! Believe me," he added, "you all shall see heaven opened wide, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."
You shall see greater things than that! Believe me," he added, "you all shall see heaven opened wide, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."
But an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors during the night, and let them out.
But an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors during the night, and let them out. He said to them, "Go take your stand in the Temple, and continue to tell the people all the words of this Life."
"But at the end of forty years there appeared to him, in the desert of Mt. Sinai, an angel in a flame of fire, in a bush.
And an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, "Arise and go on your way south, along the road that runs down from Jerusalem to Gaza, the desert way."
About three o'clock one afternoon he had a vision, and distinctly saw an angel of God enter his house and say to him, "Cornelius."
"Then he told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying. "'Send to Joppa and fetch Simon who is also called Peter.
suddenly an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the cell. Striking Peter on the side, he woke him saying, "Rise up quickly." At once the chains dropped from his hands. "Gird yourself," said the angel, "and put on your sandals." He did so. Then he said unto him, "Throw your cloak about you, and follow me."
"You are mad," they said. But she confidently insisted that it was so. "It is his angel," they said.
Instantly an angel of the Lord smote him, because he had not given God the glory, and being eaten up by worms, he died.
For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel nor spirit; the Pharisees affirm them all. Then a great clamor arose; some of the scribes who belonged to the Pharisaic party stood up, and contended. "We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit has spoken to him, or an angel?"
"for last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve, stood by me and said: "'Fear not, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. Behold, God has granted you the lives of all who are sailing with you.'
For I am fully persuaded that neither death nor life, Neither angels nor principalities, nor powers, Neither the present world nor the world to come, Nor the powers of Nature,
But it seems to me that God has exhibited us apostles, last of all, like men doomed to death; for we are made a spectacle to the whole world, both to men and to angels.
You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and also the cup of demons; you cannot be partakers in the Lord's table and in the table of demons.
For this reason the woman ought to have authority over her head, because of her guardian angels.
for neither did I myself receive it from man, nor by man was I taught it, but by a revelation an apocalypse of Jesus Christ.
for in him was the universe created, things in heaven and on earth, the seen and the unseen, thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; by him and for him all have been created;
Let no man at his will defraud you of your prize through his false humility and worship of the angels, taking his stand on the visions he has seen, and vainly puffed up by his material mind;
Let no man at his will defraud you of your prize through his false humility and worship of the angels, taking his stand on the visions he has seen, and vainly puffed up by his material mind;
and give to you, who are now troubled, rest, along with me at the unveiling "apocalypse" of the Lord Jesus from heaven, with his mighty angels,
But Michael, the Archangel, when in contending with the devil, he was disputing about the body of Moses, did not dare to pronounce sentence for blasphemy, but said, "The Lord rebuke you."
And I, John, am he who heard and saw these things. And after I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me. But he said to me. "See thou do it not. I am only a fellow slave with you and your brothers, the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this Book. "WORSHIP GOD!"
Watsons
ANGEL, a spiritual, intelligent substance, the first in rank and dignity among created beings The word angel, ???????, is not properly a denomination of nature but of office; denoting as much as nuncius, messenger, a person employed to carry one's orders, or declare his will. Thus it is St. Paul represents angels, Heb 1:14, where he calls them "ministering spirits;" and yet custom has prevailed so much, that angel is now commonly taken for the denomination of a particular order of spiritual beings, of great understanding and power, superior to the souls or spirits of men. Some of these are spoken of in Scripture in such a manner as plainly to signify that they are real beings, of a spiritual nature, of high power, perfection, dignity, and happiness. Others of them are distinguished as not having kept their first station, Jude 1:6. These are represented as evil spirits, enemies of God, and intent on mischief. The devil as the head of them, and they as his angels, are represented as the rulers of the darkness of this world, or spiritual wickednesses, or wicked spirits, ?? ?????????? ??? ???????? ?? ???? ???????????, Eph 6:12; which may not be unfitly rendered, "the spiritual managers of opposition to the kingdom of God." The existence of angels is supposed in all religions, though it is incapable of being proved a priori. Indeed, the ancient Sadducees are represented as denying all spirits; and yet the Samaritans, and Caraites, who are reputed Sadducees, openly allowed them: witness Abusaid, the author of an Arabic version of the Pentateuch; and Aaron, a Caraite Jew, in his comment on the Pentateuch; both extant in manuscript in the king of France's library. In the Alcoran we find frequent mention of angels. The Mussulmen believe them of different orders or degrees, and to be destined for different employments both in heaven and on earth. They attribute exceedingly great power to the angel Gabriel, as that he is able to descend in the space of an hour from heaven to earth; to overturn a mountain with a single feather of his wing, &c. The angel Asrael, they suppose, is appointed to take the souls of such as die; and another angel, named Esraphil, they tell us, stands with a trumpet ready in his mouth to proclaim the day of judgment.
The Heathen philosophers and poets were also agreed as to the existence of intelligent beings, superior to man; as is shown by St. Cyprian in his treatise of the vanity of idols; from the testimonies of Plato, Socrates, Trismegistus, &c. They were acknowledged under different appellations; the Greeks calling them daemons, and the Romans genii, or lares. Epicurus seems to have been the only one among the old philosophers who absolutely rejected them.
Authors are not so unanimous about the nature as about the existence of angels. Clemens Alexandrinus believed they had bodies; which was also the opinion of Origen, Caesarius, Tertullian, and several others. Athanasius, St. Basil, St. Gregory Nicene, St. Cyril, St. Chrysostom, &c, held them to be mere spirits. It has been the more current opinion, especially in later times, that they are substances entirely spiritual, who can, at any time, assume bodies, and appear in human or other shapes. Ecclesiastical writers make a hierarchy of nine orders of angels. Others have distributed angels into nine orders, according to the names by which they are called in Scripture, and reduced these orders into three hierarchies; to the first of which belong seraphim, cherubim, and thrones; to the second, dominions, virtues, and powers; and to the third, principalities, archangels, and angels. The Jews reckon four orders or companies of angels, each headed by an archangel; the first order being that of Michael; the second, of Gabriel; the third, of Uriel; and the fourth, of Raphael. Following the Scripture account, we shall find mention made of different orders of these superior beings; for such a distinction of orders seems intimated in the names given to different classes. Thus we have thrones, dominions, principalities, or princedoms, powers, authorities, living ones, cherubim and seraphim. That some of these titles may indicate the same class of angels is probable; but that they all should be but different appellations of one common and equal order is improbable. We learn also from Scripture, that they dwell in the immediate presence of God; that they "excel in strength;" that they are immortal; and that they are the agents through which God very often accomplishes his special purposes of judgment and mercy. Nothing is more frequent in Scripture than the missions and appearances of good and bad angels, whom God employed to declare his will; to correct, teach, reprove, and comfort. God gave the law to Moses, and appeared to the old patriarchs, by the mediation of angels, who represented him, and spoke in his name, Ac 7:30,35; Ga 3:19; Heb 13:2.
Though the Jews, in general, believed the existence of angels, there was a sect among them, namely, the Sadducees, who denied the existence of all spirits whatever, God only excepted, Ac 23:8. Before the Babylonish captivity, the Hebrews seem not to have known the names of any angel. The Talmudists say they brought the names of angels from Babylon. Tobit, who is thought to have resided in Nineveh some time before the captivity, mentions the angel Raphael, Tob. 3:17; 11:2, 7; and Daniel, who lived at Babylon some time after Tobit, has taught us the names of Michael and Gabriel, Da 8:16; 9:21; 10:21. In the New Testament, we find only the two latter mentioned by name.
There are various opinions as to the time when the angels were created. Some think this took place when our heavens and the earth were made. For this opinion, however, there is no just foundation in the Mosaic account. Others think that angels existed long before the formation of our solar system; and Scripture seems to favour this opinion, Job 38:4,7, where God says, "Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?
See Verses Found in Dictionary
"Do you not suppose that I am able to appeal to my Father to furnish me at this very moment with twelve legions of angels?
"But at the end of forty years there appeared to him, in the desert of Mt. Sinai, an angel in a flame of fire, in a bush.
"This Moses whom they refused when they said, Who made you to be a ruler and a judge? that same Moses we find God sending as a ruler and a redeemer by the hand in the bush.
"You are mad," they said. But she confidently insisted that it was so. "It is his angel," they said.
For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel nor spirit; the Pharisees affirm them all.
To what purpose, then, was the Law? It was imposed later for the sake of transgressions, until the "Offspring" should come to whom the promise had been made. It was arranged through angels by the hand of a mediator.
For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the despotisms, the empires, the rulers of this present darkness, the spirit-hosts of evil in the heavenly realm.
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth for service in behalf of those who are about to inherit salvation?
Do not neglect to show hospitality; for by it some have even entertained angels unawares.
while the angels who did not keep their first domain but left their proper abode, are held by him in blank darkness, in everlasting chains, in preparation for the judgment of the Great Day.
while the angels who did not keep their first domain but left their proper abode, are held by him in blank darkness, in everlasting chains, in preparation for the judgment of the Great Day.