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
For when the flame came up out of the altar, the angel of the LORD ascended up in the flame of the altar. And Manoah and his wife looked upon and fell flat on their faces unto the ground.
there came a messenger unto Job, and said, "While the oxen were a plowing, and the asses going in the pasture beside them,
Where wast thou, when the morning stars praised me together, and all the children of God rejoiced triumphantly?
How he sent upon them the furiousness of his wrath, anger, displeasure, and trouble, and sent evil angels among them;
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
O praise the LORD ye angels of his, ye that excel in strength, ye that fulfill his commandment, and hearken unto the voice of his word.
O praise the LORD ye angels of his, ye that excel in strength, ye that fulfill his commandment, and hearken unto the voice of his word.
Thou makest thine angels spirits, and thy ministers a flaming fire.
Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh for to sin, neither say thou before the angel that it is thy ignorance. For then God will be angry at thy voice, and destroy all the works of thine hands.
From above flickered the Seraphims, whereof every one had six wings: With twain each covered his face, with twain his feet, and with twain did he fly.
From above flickered the Seraphims, whereof every one had six wings: With twain each covered his face, with twain his feet, and with twain did he fly. They cried also each one to other on this manner: "Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of Hosts! The whole world is full of his glory!"
They cried also each one to other on this manner: "Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of Hosts! The whole world is full of his glory!" Yea, the joists and doorchecks moved at their crying, and the house was full of smoke.
Yea, the joists and doorchecks moved at their crying, and the house was full of smoke. Then I said, "O woe is me! For I am lost: inasmuch as I am a man of unclean lips, and dwell among people that hath unclean lips also. For mine eyes have seen the King and LORD of Hosts."
Then I said, "O woe is me! For I am lost: inasmuch as I am a man of unclean lips, and dwell among people that hath unclean lips also. For mine eyes have seen the King and LORD of Hosts." Then flew one of the Seraphims unto me, having a hot coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with the tongs,
Then flew one of the Seraphims unto me, having a hot coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with the tongs,
But who is blinder, than my servant? Or so deaf, as my messengers, whom I send unto thee? For who is so blind as the perfect man, and so blind as the LORD's servant?
And as I looked, behold, in the firmament that was above the cherubims there appeared the similitude of a stool of sapphire upon them.
There drew forth a fiery stream, and went out from him. A thousand times a thousand served him. Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The judgment was set, and the books opened.
Yea, while I was yet speaking in my prayer, behold, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen afore in the vision, came flying to me, and touched me about the offering time in the evening. He informed me, and spake unto me, "O Daniel," said he, "I am now come, to make thee understand it: read more. For as soon as thou begannest to make thy prayer, it was so devised, and therefore am I come to show thee. And why? For thou art a man greatly beloved. Wherefore, ponder the matter well, that thou mayest learn to understand the vision.
Then Haggai the LORD's messenger said in the LORD's message to the people, "I am with you, sayeth the LORD."
For the priest's lips should be sure knowledge, that men may seek the law at his mouth, for he is a messenger of the LORD of Hosts.
Behold, I send my messenger which shall prepare the way before me. And suddenly shall the Lord whom ye seek, come unto his temple, and the messenger of the covenant whom ye desire. Behold, he cometh saith the LORD Sabaoth.
While he thus thought, Behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: For that which is conceived in her is of the holy ghost.
For this is he, of whom it is written, 'Behold, I send my messenger before thy face which shall prepare thy way before thee.'
So shall it be at the end of the world. The angels shall go out and sever the bad from the good,
See that ye despise not one of these little ones. For I say unto you, that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my father, which is in heaven.
For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are married: but are as the angels of God in heaven.
For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are married: but are as the angels of God in heaven.
Then shall the King say unto them that shall be on the left hand, 'Depart from me ye cursed, into everlasting fire, which is prepared for the devil and his angels.
Either thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my father, and he shall give me more than twelve legions of angels?
Either thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my father, and he shall give me more than twelve legions of angels?
But the angel said unto them, "Be not afraid: For behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, that shall come to all the people: for unto you is born this day in the city of David a saviour, which is Christ the Lord. read more. And take this for a sign: ye shall find the child swaddled, and laid in a manger." And straightway there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly soldiers, lauding God, and saying,
When the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people of John, "What went ye out for to see into the wilderness? Went ye to see a reed shaken with the wind?
and sent messengers before him. And they went, and entered into a city of the Samaritans to make ready for him.
I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
Likewise I say unto you, Joy is made in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth."
And it fortuned that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: The rich man also died, and was buried in hell.
"And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush.
For there stood by me this night the angel of God: whose I am, and whom I serve:
For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head, for the angels' sakes.
for by him were all things created, things that are in heaven, and things that are in earth: things visible, and things invisible: whether they be majesty or lordship, either rule or power.
Are they not all spirits to do service, sent for to minister for their sakes, which shall be heirs of salvation?
Are they not all spirits to do service, sent for to minister for their sakes, which shall be heirs of salvation?
But ye are come unto the mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, the celestial Jerusalem: and to an innumerable sight of angels,
But ye are come unto the mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, the celestial Jerusalem: and to an innumerable sight of angels, and unto the congregation of the first born sons, which are written in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of just and perfect men:
For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down into hell, and delivered them in chains of darkness, to be kept unto judgement;
Unto the messenger of the congregation of Ephesus write, 'These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, and walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks:
"And unto the angel of the congregation of Smyrna write, 'These things saith he that is first, and the last, which was dead and is alive:
"And to the messenger of the congregation in Pergamum write, 'This saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges.
And I saw a strong angel which cried with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?"
And I beheld and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, "Woe; Woe, to the inhabiters of the earth because of the voices to come of the trumpet of the three angels which were yet to blow!"
And there was great battle in heaven, Michael and his angels fought with the dragon and the dragon fought and his angels,
And the great dragon, that old serpent called the devil and Satan; Was cast out. Which deceiveth all the world. And he was cast into the earth, and his angels were cast out also.
And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, "With such violence shall that great city Babylon be cast, and shall be found no more.
And I fell at his feet, to worship him. And he said unto me, "See thou do it not. For I am thy fellow servant, and one of thy brethren, and of them that have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."
And I saw an angel stand in the sun, and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly by the midst of heaven, "Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God,
I am John, which saw these things and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down, to worship before the feet of the angel which showed me these things. And he said unto me, "See thou do it not, for I am thy fellow servant and the fellow servant of thy brethren the prophets and of them which keep the sayings of this book. But 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/mstc'>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 the Angel of the LORD found her beside a fountain of water in the wilderness: even by a well in the way to Shur.
And the angel of the LORD said unto her, "I will so increase thy seed, that it shall not be numbered for multitude." And the LORD's angel said further unto her, "See, thou art with child and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael: because the LORD hath heard thy tribulation.
And he lift up his eyes and looked: and lo, three men stood not far from him. And when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and fell to the ground
And he lift up his eyes and looked: and lo, three men stood not far from him. And when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and fell to the ground
And the men departed thence and went to Sodomward. But Abraham stood yet before the LORD,
And there came two angels to Sodom at even. And Lot sat at the gate of the city. And Lot saw them, and rose up to meet them, and he bowed himself to the ground with his face.
And there came two angels to Sodom at even. And Lot sat at the gate of the city. And Lot saw them, and rose up to meet them, and he bowed himself to the ground with his face.
the men put forth their hands and pulled Lot into the house to them and shut to the door.
The LORD God of heaven which took me from my father's house and from the land where I was born, and which spake unto me and sware unto me saying 'unto thy seed will I give this land' - he shall send his angel before thee, that thou mayest take a wife unto my son from thence.
And he said unto me, 'The LORD before whom I walk, will send his angel with thee, and prosper thy journey that thou shalt take a wife for my son, of my kindred and of my father's house.
And he dreamed: and behold there stood a ladder upon the earth, and the top of it reached up to heaven. And see, the angels of God went up and down upon it.
and tarried behind; himself alone. And there wrestled a man with him unto the breaking of the day.
And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, "for I have seen God face to face, and yet is my life reserved."
For the LORD will go about and smite Egypt. And when he seeth the blood upon the upper door post and on the two side posts, he will pass over the door and will not suffer the destroyer to come into your house to plague you.
"Behold, I send mine angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. Beware of him and hear his voice and anger him not: for he will not spare your misdeeds, yea and my name is in him.
But go, and bring the people unto the land which I said unto thee, 'Behold, mine angel shall go before thee.' Neverthelater in the day when I visit, I will visit their sin upon them."
And I will send an angel before thee, and will cast out the Canaanites, the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites:
Then we cried unto the LORD and he heard our voices, and sent an angel and hath fetched us out of Egypt. And behold, we are in Kadesh, a city hard by the borders of thy country:
And when Joshua was come to Jericho, he lift up his eyes and looked: and behold there stood a man before him with his sword drawn in his hand. And Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, "Art thou on our side or on our adversaries?"
And the captain of the LORD's host said unto Joshua, "Put thy shoes off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy." And Joshua did so.
And the angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim and said, "I brought you out of Egypt and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers. And I said that I would never break my covenant with you, but ye should have made no covenant with the inhabiters of this land, ye should have broken down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice. Why have ye this done? read more. Wherefore I have likewise determined that I will not cast them out before you: that they may be a fall unto you, and their gods shall be snares unto you." And when the angel of the LORD had spoken these words unto all the children of Israel, the people cried out and wept.
And the Angel of the LORD came and sat under an oak in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the father of the Abiezrites. And his son Gideon pressed out wheat out of the ears in a press, for to flee from the Midianites. And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said, "The LORD is with thee, thou man of might."
And the children of Israel began again to commit wickedness in the sight of the LORD. And the LORD delivered them into the hands of the Philistines forty years. And there was a man in Zorah of the kindred of the Danites, named Manoah, whose wife was barren and bare not. read more. And the Angel of the LORD appeared unto his wife and said unto her, "Behold, thou art barren and bearest not: But thou shalt conceive and bear a son.
And the Angel of the LORD appeared unto his wife and said unto her, "Behold, thou art barren and bearest not: But thou shalt conceive and bear a son. And now beware, and drink no wine nor strong drink; neither eat any unclean thing. read more. For see, thou shalt conceive and bear a son. And there may no razor or shearers come on his head: for the lad shall be an abstainer unto God, even from the time of his birth. And he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hands of the Philistines." Then the wife went and told her husband, saying, "A man of God came unto me, and the fashion of him was like the fashion of an Angel of God, exceeding fearful. But I asked him not whence he was, neither told he me his name. And he said unto me, 'Behold, thou shalt be with child and bear a son, and now drink no wine nor strong drink, neither eat any unclean thing: for the lad shall be an abstainer to God even from his birth to the day of his death.'" Then Manoah made intercession to the LORD, and said, "I pray thee, my LORD, let the man of God which thou sentest come once more unto us and teach us what we shall do unto the lad when he is born." And God heard the voice of Manoah, and the angel of God came again unto the wife, as she sat in the fields: But Manoah her husband was not with her. Then the wife made haste and ran and showed her husband and said to him, "Behold, the man appeared unto me that came the other day unto me." And Manoah arose and went after his wife and came to the man and said unto him, "Art thou the man that spakest unto my wife?" And he said, "Yea." Then Manoah said, "Now when thy saying is come to pass: what shall be the manner of the child, and what shall he do?" And the Angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, "Thy wife must abstain from all that I said unto her: she may eat of nothing that cometh of the vine tree, nor drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing: But must observe all that I bade her." Then said Manoah unto the Angel of the LORD, "Grant us to tarry until we have made ready a kid and have set it before thee." And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, "Though thou make me abide, I will not eat of thy meat. And moreover, if thou wilt prepare a burnt offering, that thou must offer unto the LORD." For Manoah wist not that it was an angel of the LORD. And Manoah said unto the angel of the LORD, "What is thy name, that when thy saying is come to pass, we may do thee some worship?" And the angel of the LORD said unto him, "Why askest thou after my name, when it is wonderful?" And Manoah took a kid with a meat offering and offered it upon a rock unto the LORD. And the angel did wonderfully, Manoah and his wife looking upon. For when the flame came up out of the altar, the angel of the LORD ascended up in the flame of the altar. And Manoah and his wife looked upon and fell flat on their faces unto the ground. But the angel of the LORD did no more appear unto Manoah and his wife. And then Manoah knew that it was an angel of the LORD,
And when the Angel stretched out his hand unto Jerusalem to have destroyed it, the LORD had compassion to do that evil, and said to the Angel that destroyed the people, "It is sufficient: let thine hand cease." And the Angel was at the threshing place of Araunah the Jebusite. Then spake David unto the LORD when he saw the Angel that smote the people, and said, "Lo, it is I that have sinned, and I that have done wickedly. But these sheep what have they done? Let I pray thee thine hand be on me and on my father's house."
And as he lay and slept under the Juniper tree, behold, there came an Angel and touched him, and said unto him, "Up and eat."
Now upon a time, when the servants of God came and stood before the LORD, Satan came also among them.
there came a messenger unto Job, and said, "While the oxen were a plowing, and the asses going in the pasture beside them,
Behold, he hath found unfaithfulness among his own servants, and proud disobedience among his angels.
Where wast thou, when the morning stars praised me together, and all the children of God rejoiced triumphantly?
The angel of the LORD pitcheth his tent round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
The angel of the LORD pitcheth his tent round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
O praise the LORD ye angels of his, ye that excel in strength, ye that fulfill his commandment, and hearken unto the voice of his word.
Thou makest thine angels spirits, and thy ministers a flaming fire.
Thou makest thine angels spirits, and thy ministers a flaming fire.
But who is blinder, than my servant? Or so deaf, as my messengers, whom I send unto thee? For who is so blind as the perfect man, and so blind as the LORD's servant?
In their troubles he forsook them not, but the angel that went forth from his presence delivered them. Of very love and kindness that he had unto them, he redeemed them: He hath born them, and carried them up ever since the world began.
He answered and said, "Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt. And the form of the fourth is like the Son of God."
Then spake Nebuchadnezzar, and said, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: which hath sent his angel, and defended his servants that put their trust in him: that have altered the king's commandment, and jeopardized their bodies thereupon, rather than they would serve or worship any other god except their own God only.
I saw in my head a vision upon my bed: and behold, a watcher, and a holy one, came down from heaven
But whereas the king saw a watcher, even a holy angel, that came down from heaven, and said, 'Hew down the tree, and destroy it: yet leave the ground of the root in the earth, and bind him upon the plain field with chains of iron and steel: He shall be wet with the dew of heaven, and his part shall be with the beasts of the field, till seven years be come and gone upon him.'
There drew forth a fiery stream, and went out from him. A thousand times a thousand served him. Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The judgment was set, and the books opened.
And behold a hand touched me, which set me up upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands,
had not the prince over the kingdom of the Persians withstood me twenty one days. But lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; him have I left by the king of Persia,
had not the prince over the kingdom of the Persians withstood me twenty one days. But lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; him have I left by the king of Persia,
Then said he, "Knowest thou wherefore I am come unto thee? Now will I go again to fight with the prince of the Persians: As soon as I go forth, lo, the prince of Greekland shall come. Nevertheless, I will show thee the thing that is fast noted in the scripture of truth. And as for all yonder matters, there is none that helpeth me in them, but Michael your prince.
The time will come also, that the great prince Michael, which standeth on thy people side, shall arise up, for there shall come a time of trouble, such as never was, since there began to be any people, unto that same time. Then shall thy people be delivered, yea all those that be found written in the book.
Then Haggai the LORD's messenger said in the LORD's message to the people, "I am with you, sayeth the LORD."
Then said I, 'O my lord, what are these?' And the angel that talked with me, said unto me, 'I will show thee what these be.'
And they answered the angel of the LORD, that stood among the myrtle trees, and said, 'We have gone through the world: and behold all the world dwell at ease, and are careless.'
For the priest's lips should be sure knowledge, that men may seek the law at his mouth, for he is a messenger of the LORD of Hosts.
While he thus thought, Behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: For that which is conceived in her is of the holy ghost.
Then the devil left him, and, Behold, the angels came and ministered unto him.
And the enemy that soweth them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world. And the reapers be the angels.
The son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that do offend, and all them which do iniquity,
So shall it be at the end of the world. The angels shall go out and sever the bad from the good,
For the son of man shall come in the glory of his father, with his angels, and then shall he reward every man according to his deeds.
See that ye despise not one of these little ones. For I say unto you, that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my father, which is in heaven.
See that ye despise not one of these little ones. For I say unto you, that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my father, which is in heaven.
And he shall send his angels with the great voice of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his chosen from the four winds, and from the one end of the world to the other.
But of that day and hour knoweth no man: no not the angels of heaven, but my father only.
Then shall the King say unto them that shall be on the left hand, 'Depart from me ye cursed, into everlasting fire, which is prepared for the devil and his angels.
Either thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my father, and he shall give me more than twelve legions of angels?
And behold, there was a great earthquake. For the angel of the Lord descended from heaven: and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
And behold, there was a great earthquake. For the angel of the Lord descended from heaven: and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow.
His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow. And for fear of him the keepers were astunned, and became as dead men.
And for fear of him the keepers were astunned, and became as dead men. The angel answered, and said to the women, "Fear ye not. I know well that ye seek Jesus which was crucified.
The angel answered, and said to the women, "Fear ye not. I know well that ye seek Jesus which was crucified. He is not here. He is risen, as he said. Come, and see the place where the Lord was put. read more. And go quickly and tell his disciples that he is risen from death. And behold, he will go before you into Galilee: there ye shall see him. Lo I have told you." And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great Joy. And did run to bring his disciples word.
But of the day and the hour, knoweth no man: No, not the angels which are in heaven: neither the son himself, save the father only.
And the angel answered, and said unto him, "I am Gabriel that stand in the presence of God, and am sent to speak unto thee: and to show thee these glad tidings.
And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man, whose name was Joseph, of the house of David: and the virgin's name was Mary. read more. And the angel went in unto her, and said, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." When she saw him, she was abashed at his saying: and cast in her mind what manner of salutation that should be. And the angel said unto her, "Fear not Mary, for thou hast found grace with God. Lo: thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the son of the highest. And the Lord God shall give unto him the seat of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom shall be none end." Then said Mary unto the angel, "How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?" And the angel answered, and said unto her, "The holy ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the highest shall overshadow thee. Therefore also that holy thing which shall be born, shall be called the son of God. And behold, thy cousin Elizabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age. And this is her sixth month, though she be called barren, for with God can nothing be impossible." And Mary said, "Behold the handmaiden of the Lord, be it unto me even as thou hast said." And the angel departed from her.
And straightway there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly soldiers, lauding God, and saying,
which was the son of Enos: which was the son of Seth: which was the son of Adam: which was the son of God.
When the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people of John, "What went ye out for to see into the wilderness? Went ye to see a reed shaken with the wind?
For whosoever is ashamed of me, and of my sayings: of him shall the son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in his own glory, and in the glory of his father, and of the holy angels.
and sent messengers before him. And they went, and entered into a city of the Samaritans to make ready for him.
Likewise I say unto you, Joy is made in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth."
And it fortuned that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: The rich man also died, and was buried in hell.
neither are married, nor yet can die any more. For they are equal unto the angels: and are the sons of God, inasmuch as they are the children of the resurrection.
neither are married, nor yet can die any more. For they are equal unto the angels: and are the sons of God, inasmuch as they are the children of the resurrection.
neither are married, nor yet can die any more. For they are equal unto the angels: and are the sons of God, inasmuch as they are the children of the resurrection.
And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, comforting him.
And it happened, as they were amazed thereat, behold, two men stood by them, in shining vestures.
and saw two angels clothed in white sitting the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where they had laid the body of Jesus. And they said unto her, "Woman why weepest thou?" She said unto them, "For they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him."
And while they looked steadfastly up to heaven, as he went; behold, two men stood by them in white apparel,
And while they looked steadfastly up to heaven, as he went; behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, which also said, "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come, even as ye have seen him go into heaven."
But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors and brought them forth, and said,
Then the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, "Arise and go towards midday unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is in the desert."
The same man saw in a vision evidently, about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming into him, and saying unto him, "Cornelius."
And behold, the angel of the Lord was there present, and a light shined in the lodge. And he smote Peter on the side, and stirred him up, saying, "Arise up quickly." And his chains fell off from his hands.
And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the honour, and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
For there stood by me this night the angel of God: whose I am, and whom I serve:
above all rule, power, and might, and domination, and above all names that are named, not in this world only, but also in the world to come.
for by him were all things created, things that are in heaven, and things that are in earth: things visible, and things invisible: whether they be majesty or lordship, either rule or power.
Let no man make you shoot at a wrong mark, which after his own imagination walketh in the humbleness and holiness of angels, things which he never saw: causeless, puffed up with his fleshly mind,
I testify before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without hasty judgment, and do nothing partially.
and is more excellent than the angels, inasmuch as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than have they.
Are they not all spirits to do service, sent for to minister for their sakes, which shall be heirs of salvation?
Are they not all spirits to do service, sent for to minister for their sakes, which shall be heirs of salvation?
Through faith he ordained the Easter lamb, and the effusion of blood, lest he that destroyed the first born should touch them.
But ye are come unto the mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, the celestial Jerusalem: and to an innumerable sight of angels, and unto the congregation of the first born sons, which are written in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of just and perfect men:
For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down into hell, and delivered them in chains of darkness, to be kept unto judgement;
Yet Michael the archangel, when he strove against the devil, and disputed the body of Moses, durst not give railing sentence, but said, "The Lord rebuke thee."
and the mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the messengers of the seven congregations: And the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven congregations.
And there was great battle in heaven, Michael and his angels fought with the dragon and the dragon fought and his angels,
And the great dragon, that old serpent called the devil and Satan; Was cast out. Which deceiveth all the world. And he was cast into the earth, and his angels were cast out also.
And I fell at his feet, to worship him. And he said unto me, "See thou do it not. For I am thy fellow servant, and one of thy brethren, and of them that have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."
Hastings
ANGEL
1. Old Testament.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair, and took unto them wives, which they best liked among them all.
There were tyrants in the world in those days. For after that the children of God had gone in unto the daughters of men and had begotten them children, the same children were the mightiest of the world and men of renown.
And the angel of the LORD said unto her, "I will so increase thy seed, that it shall not be numbered for multitude."
And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, "Thou art the God that lookest on me," for she said, "I have of a surety seen here the back parts of him that seeth me."
And he took butter and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and set it before them, and stood himself by them under the tree: and they ate.
And the LORD went his way as soon as he had left communing with Abraham. And Abraham returned unto his place.
And there came two angels to Sodom at even. And Lot sat at the gate of the city. And Lot saw them, and rose up to meet them, and he bowed himself to the ground with his face.
And as the morning arose, the angels caused Lot to speed him, saying, "Stand up, take thy wife and thy two daughters and that that is at hand, lest thou perish in the sin of the city."
And God heard the voice of the child. And the angel of God called Hagar out of heaven and said unto her, "What aileth thee, Hagar? Fear not, for God hath heard the voice of the child where he lieth.
The LORD God of heaven which took me from my father's house and from the land where I was born, and which spake unto me and sware unto me saying 'unto thy seed will I give this land' - he shall send his angel before thee, that thou mayest take a wife unto my son from thence.
And he said unto me, 'The LORD before whom I walk, will send his angel with thee, and prosper thy journey that thou shalt take a wife for my son, of my kindred and of my father's house.
And he dreamed: and behold there stood a ladder upon the earth, and the top of it reached up to heaven. And see, the angels of God went up and down upon it.
And he dreamed: and behold there stood a ladder upon the earth, and the top of it reached up to heaven. And see, the angels of God went up and down upon it.
But Jacob went forth on his journey. And the angels of God came and met him. And when Jacob saw them, he said, "This is God's host," and called the name of that same place Mahanaim.
And he commanded them, saying, "See that ye speak after this manner to my LORD Esau, 'thy servant, Jacob, sayeth thus: I have sojourned and been a stranger with Laban unto this time;
And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of a bush. And he perceived that the bush burned with fire, and consumed not.
And when the LORD saw that he came for to see, he called unto him out of the bush and said, "Moses, Moses." And he answered, "Here am I."
"Behold, I send mine angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.
Then I sent messengers out of the wilderness of Kedemoth unto Sihon king of Heshbon, with words of peace, saying,
so that they have gone and served strange gods and worshipped them, whether it be the sun or moon or anything contained in heaven which I forbade,
And he answered, "Nay, but I am the captain of the host of the LORD and am now come." And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and did reverence, and said unto him, "What sayeth my Lord unto his servant?"
From heaven came battle: for the stars, being in their course, fought against Sisera.
and sent messengers throughout all Manasseh and called them up to follow him also. And he sent messengers unto Asher, Zebulun and Naphtali, which came also to meet him.
And when thou hearest the noise of a thing going in the tops of the pear trees, then move. For then the LORD is gone out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines."
Then thine handmaid said, 'I pray God that the word of my lord the king may be immutable. For my lord the king is as an angel of God, in hearing of good or bad.' And therefore the LORD thy God be with thee."
And the turning of my tale another way, that made thy servant Joab. And so I see that my lord is wise, even as an angel of God, to understand all things that are in the earth."
And when the Angel stretched out his hand unto Jerusalem to have destroyed it, the LORD had compassion to do that evil, and said to the Angel that destroyed the people, "It is sufficient: let thine hand cease." And the Angel was at the threshing place of Araunah the Jebusite. Then spake David unto the LORD when he saw the Angel that smote the people, and said, "Lo, it is I that have sinned, and I that have done wickedly. But these sheep what have they done? Let I pray thee thine hand be on me and on my father's house."
And the old prophet said unto him, "I am a prophet as well as thou, and an Angel spake unto me with the word of the LORD saying, 'Bring him again with thee to thine house, and let him eat bread and drink water.' Bvt he lied unto him.
And as he lay and slept under the Juniper tree, behold, there came an Angel and touched him, and said unto him, "Up and eat."
And as he lay and slept under the Juniper tree, behold, there came an Angel and touched him, and said unto him, "Up and eat."
But the Angel of the LORD spake to Elijah the Tishbite, "Up, and go against the messengers of the king of Samaria and say unto them, 'Is it because there is no God in Israel, that ye go to ask through Beelzebub the god of Ekron?
Then said the Angel of the LORD unto Elijah, "Go down with him, and be not afraid of him." And he went down with him unto the king.
And Elisha prayed and said, "LORD open the eyes of the young man," and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
And Elisha prayed and said, "LORD open the eyes of the young man," and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
Esther the queen answered and said: If I have found grace in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, then grant me my life at my desire and my people for my petition's sake:
Now upon a time, when the servants of God came and stood before the LORD, Satan came also among them.
It happened also upon a time, that when the servants of God came and stood before the LORD, Satan also came among them, and stood before him.
Behold, he hath found unfaithfulness among his own servants, and proud disobedience among his angels.
His soul draweth on to destruction, and his life to death. Now if there be a messenger, one among a thousand sent for to speak unto man, and to show him the right way;
He made darkness his secret place, his pavilion round about him; with dark waters and thick clouds to cover him. {TYNDALE: And he made darkness a tabernacle round about him, with water gathered together in thick clouds.}
{A Psalm of David} Ascribe unto the LORD, O ye mighty, ascribe unto the LORD worship and strength.
O taste and see how friendly the LORD is; blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
Let their way be dark and slippery, and let the angel of the LORD to persecute them.
How he sent upon them the furiousness of his wrath, anger, displeasure, and trouble, and sent evil angels among them;
God is greatly to be feared in the council of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
O praise the LORD ye angels of his, ye that excel in strength, ye that fulfill his commandment, and hearken unto the voice of his word.
Thou makest thine angels spirits, and thy ministers a flaming fire.
After this I heard the voice of the LORD, taking advisement on this manner, "Whom shall I send, and who will be our messenger?" Then I said, "Here am I, send me."
This is the heavy burden upon Egypt: Behold, the LORD will ride upon a swift cloud, and come into Egypt. And the idols of Egypt shall tremble at his coming, and the heart of Egypt shall quake within her.
At in that day shall the LORD muster together the high host above, and the kings of the world upon the earth.
'To whom now will ye liken me, and whom shall I be like?' sayeth the holy one. Lift up your eyes on high, and consider who hath made those things, which come out by so great heaps; and he can call them all by their names. For there is nothing hid unto the greatness of his power, strength, and might.
Upon the walls of Jerusalem, I have set keepers which shall never cease, neither by day nor yet by night.
Upon the walls of Jerusalem, I have set keepers which shall never cease, neither by day nor yet by night.
And as he was communing with me, the spirit came in to me, and set me up upon my feet: so that I marked the thing, that he said unto me. And he said, "Behold, thou son of man: I will send thee to the children of Israel, to those renegades and obstinate people - for they have taken part against me, and are run away from me: both they and their forefathers unto this day. read more. Yea, I will send thee unto a people that have rough visages and stiff stomachs: unto whom thou shalt say on this manner, 'This the LORD God himself hath spoken,'
After this said he unto me, "Thou son of man, eat that, whatsoever it be: Yea, eat that closed book, and go thy way, and speak unto the children of Israel." So I opened my mouth, and he gave me the book for to eat, read more. and said unto me, "Thou son of man, thy belly shall eat, and thy bowels shall be filled with the book, that I give thee." Then did I eat the book and it was, in my mouth, sweeter than honey. And he said unto me, "Thou son of man, get thee soon unto the house of Israel, and show them the words that I command thee. For I send thee not to a people that hath a strange, unknown, or hard speech, but unto the house of Israel; Not to many nations which have divers speeches and hard languages, whose words thou understandest not. Nevertheless, if I sent thee to those people, they would follow thee:
With that, the spirit took me up. And I heard the noise of a great rushing and removing of the most blessed glory of the LORD out of his place.
Thou son of man, take a tile stone, and lay it before thee, and describe upon it the city of Jerusalem;
It happened that in the sixth year, the fifth day of the sixth Month, I sat in my house, and the lords of the counsel of Judah with me. And the hand of the LORD God fell even there upon me.
And to the other, he said that I might hear, "Go ye after him through the city: slay, oversee none, spare none,
And behold, the man that had the linen raiment upon him, and the writer's inkhorn by his side, told all the matter how it happened, and said, "LORD, as thou hast commanded me, so have I done."
And with that fell the spirit of the LORD upon me, and said unto me, "Speak, 'Thus sayeth the LORD: On this manner have ye spoken, O ye house of Israel, and I know the imaginations of your hearts.
In the twenty fifth year of our captivity, in the beginning of the year, the tenth day of the month - that is, the fourteenth year, after that the city was smitten down - the same day came the hand of the LORD upon me, and carried me forth:
Thither he carried me, and behold, there was a man, whose similitude was like brass, which had a thread of flax in his hand, and a measuring rod also. He stood in the door,
And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego fell down in the hot burning oven, being fast bound.
I saw in my head a vision upon my bed: and behold, a watcher, and a holy one, came down from heaven and cried mightily, saying, 'Hew down the tree, break off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit abroad: that all the beasts may get them away from under him, and the fowls from his branches.
and cried mightily, saying, 'Hew down the tree, break off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit abroad: that all the beasts may get them away from under him, and the fowls from his branches.
This errand of the watcher, is a commandment grounded and sought out, in the counsel of him that is most holy: to learn men for to understand, that the highest hath power over the kingdoms of men; and giveth them to whom it liketh him, and bringeth the very outcasts of men over them.'
And I heard a man's voice in the river of Ulai, which cried, and said, "O Gabriel, make this man understand the vision."
had not the prince over the kingdom of the Persians withstood me twenty one days. But lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; him have I left by the king of Persia,
had not the prince over the kingdom of the Persians withstood me twenty one days. But lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; him have I left by the king of Persia,
Then said he, "Knowest thou wherefore I am come unto thee? Now will I go again to fight with the prince of the Persians: As soon as I go forth, lo, the prince of Greekland shall come. Nevertheless, I will show thee the thing that is fast noted in the scripture of truth. And as for all yonder matters, there is none that helpeth me in them, but Michael your prince.
Muster you, and come, all ye Heathen round about. Gather you together, there shall the LORD lay all thy giants to the ground.
Muster you, and come, all ye Heathen round about. Gather you together, there shall the LORD lay all thy giants to the ground.
"I saw by night, and lo, there sat one upon a red horse, and stood still among the Myrtle trees, that were beneath upon the ground: and behind him were there red, speckled and white horses. Then said I, 'O my lord, what are these?' And the angel that talked with me, said unto me, 'I will show thee what these be.'
Then said I, 'O my lord, what are these?' And the angel that talked with me, said unto me, 'I will show thee what these be.' And the man that stood among the Myrtle trees, answered and said, 'These are they, whom the LORD hath sent to go through the world.'
In that day shall the LORD defend the citizens of Jerusalem: so that the weakest then among them shall be as David: and the house of David shall be like as God's house, and as the Angel of the LORD before them.
And ye shall flee unto the valley of my hills, for the valley of the hills shall reach unto Asia. Yea, flee shall ye, like as ye fled for the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. And the LORD my God shall come, and all saints with him.
While he thus thought, Behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: For that which is conceived in her is of the holy ghost.
When they saw the star they were marvelously glad;
Then the devil left him, and, Behold, the angels came and ministered unto him.
And the enemy that soweth them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world. And the reapers be the angels.
For the son of man shall come in the glory of his father, with his angels, and then shall he reward every man according to his deeds.
See that ye despise not one of these little ones. For I say unto you, that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my father, which is in heaven.
See that ye despise not one of these little ones. For I say unto you, that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my father, which is in heaven.
For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are married: but are as the angels of God in heaven.
And he shall send his angels with the great voice of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his chosen from the four winds, and from the one end of the world to the other.
But of that day and hour knoweth no man: no not the angels of heaven, but my father only.
"When the son of man shall cometh in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the seat of his glory
Then shall the King say unto them that shall be on the left hand, 'Depart from me ye cursed, into everlasting fire, which is prepared for the devil and his angels.
Either thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my father, and he shall give me more than twelve legions of angels?
The angel answered, and said to the women, "Fear ye not. I know well that ye seek Jesus which was crucified.
and he was there in the wilderness forty days, and was tempted of Satan, and was with wild beasts. And the angels ministered unto him.
Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words, among this adulterous and sinful generation: of him shall the son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his father with the holy angels."
And the angel went in unto her, and said, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women."
And as soon as the devil had ended all his temptations, he departed from him for a season.
For whosoever is ashamed of me, and of my sayings: of him shall the son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in his own glory, and in the glory of his father, and of the holy angels.
I say unto you, Whosoever confesseth me before men, even him shall the son of man confess also before the angels of God. And he that denieth me before men, shall be denied before the angels of God.
Likewise I say unto you, Joy is made in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth."
And it fortuned that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: The rich man also died, and was buried in hell.
neither are married, nor yet can die any more. For they are equal unto the angels: and are the sons of God, inasmuch as they are the children of the resurrection.
and found not his body. And came saying, that they had seen a vision of angels which said that he was alive.
And he said unto him, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending, and descending over the son of man."
And he said unto him, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending, and descending over the son of man."
But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors and brought them forth, and said,
But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors and brought them forth, and said, "Go step forth, and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life."
"And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush.
Then the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, "Arise and go towards midday unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is in the desert."
And he said, "What art thou, Lord?" And the Lord said, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it shall be hard for thee to kick against the prick."
The same man saw in a vision evidently, about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming into him, and saying unto him, "Cornelius."
And he showed us, how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said to him, 'Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, named also Peter:
And behold, the angel of the Lord was there present, and a light shined in the lodge. And he smote Peter on the side, and stirred him up, saying, "Arise up quickly." And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, "Gird thyself and bind on thy sandals." And so he did. And he said unto him, "Cast on thy mantle about thee, and follow me."
And they said unto her, "Thou art mad." And she bare them down that it was even so. Then said they, "It is his angel."
And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the honour, and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit. But the Pharisees grant both. And there arose a great cry, and the scribes which were of the Pharisees' part arose and strove, saying, "We find none evil in this man. Though a spirit, or an angel hath appeared to him, let us not strive against God."
For there stood by me this night the angel of God: whose I am, and whom I serve: saying, 'Fear not Paul, for thou must be brought before Caesar. And lo, God hath given unto thee all that sail with thee.'
Yea and I am sure that neither death, neither life, neither angels; nor rule, neither power, neither things present, neither things to come,
Me thinketh that God hath set forth us, which are apostles, for the lowest of all: as it were, men appointed to death. For we are a gazingstock unto the world, and to the angels, and to men.
Ye cannot drink of the cup of the Lord, and of the cup of the devils. Ye can not be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.
For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head, for the angels' sakes.
neither received I it of man, neither was I taught it: but received it by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
for by him were all things created, things that are in heaven, and things that are in earth: things visible, and things invisible: whether they be majesty or lordship, either rule or power.
Let no man make you shoot at a wrong mark, which after his own imagination walketh in the humbleness and holiness of angels, things which he never saw: causeless, puffed up with his fleshly mind,
Let no man make you shoot at a wrong mark, which after his own imagination walketh in the humbleness and holiness of angels, things which he never saw: causeless, puffed up with his fleshly mind,
and to you which are troubled, rest with us; when the Lord Jesus shall show himself from heaven, with his mighty angels,
Yet Michael the archangel, when he strove against the devil, and disputed the body of Moses, durst not give railing sentence, but said, "The Lord rebuke thee."
I am John, which saw these things and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down, to worship before the feet of the angel which showed me these things. And he said unto me, "See thou do it not, for I am thy fellow servant and the fellow servant of thy brethren the prophets and of them which keep the sayings of this book. But 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
the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair, and took unto them wives, which they best liked among them all.
"Where wast thou, when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell plainly if thou hast understanding.
Where wast thou, when the morning stars praised me together, and all the children of God rejoiced triumphantly?
The chariots of God are many thousand times a thousand, the LORD is among them, as in the holy place of Sinai.
There drew forth a fiery stream, and went out from him. A thousand times a thousand served him. Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The judgment was set, and the books opened.
And I heard a man's voice in the river of Ulai, which cried, and said, "O Gabriel, make this man understand the vision."
Yea, while I was yet speaking in my prayer, behold, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen afore in the vision, came flying to me, and touched me about the offering time in the evening.
Nevertheless, I will show thee the thing that is fast noted in the scripture of truth. And as for all yonder matters, there is none that helpeth me in them, but Michael your prince.
Either thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my father, and he shall give me more than twelve legions of angels?
"And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush.
This Moses whom they forsook, saying, 'Who made thee a ruler and a judge?' - the same God sent, both a ruler and a deliverer, by the hands of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.
And they said unto her, "Thou art mad." And she bare them down that it was even so. Then said they, "It is his angel."
For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit. But the Pharisees grant both.
Wherefore then serveth the law? The law was added because of transgression - till the seed came, to which the promise was made - and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood: but against rule, against power, and against worldly rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness for heavenly things.
Are they not all spirits to do service, sent for to minister for their sakes, which shall be heirs of salvation?
Be not forgetful to lodge strangers. For thereby have divers received angels into their houses unawares.
The angels also, which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day:
The angels also, which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day: