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.
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and when he was thinking on these things, behold an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph thou Son of David, scruple not to take unto thee Mary thy wife; for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
For this is he, of whom it is written, "Behold I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee."
So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and separate the wicked from among the righteous;
See that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I tell you, that their angels in heaven do continually appear in the presence of my father, who is in heaven:
for in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels of God in heaven.
for in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels of God in heaven.
Then will He say also to those on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
dost thou think that I cannot now apply to my Father, and He will send me more than twelve legions of angels?
dost thou think that I cannot now apply to my Father, and He will send me more than twelve legions of angels?
and the angel said to them, Be not affrighted; for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people, that this day is born, in the city of David, your Saviour Christ the Lord. read more. And this shall be a sign to you, Ye shall find the child wrapped in swaddling bands lying in a manger. And on a sudden there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,
When the messengers of John were departed, He began to speak unto the people concerning John, what went ye out into the wilderness to see?
and sent messengers before Him: who went into a village of the Samaritans to get a place ready for Him.
Thus, I tell you, there shall be joy in heaven over one repenting sinner, more than over ninety-nine righteous persons, that have no need of repentance.
Thus, I tell you, there is joy among the angels of God over one repenting sinner.
and was carried by angels to Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried.
And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina, an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush.
for there stood by me this night an angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, saying,
For this reason ought the woman to have power on her head, because of the angels.
for by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are on the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all were created by Him, and for Him.
Are they not all ministring spirits, sent forth to attend on those who shall be heirs of salvation?
Are they not all ministring spirits, sent forth to attend on those who shall be heirs of salvation?
but ye are come to mount Sion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels,
but ye are come to mount Sion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the first-born who are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the just made perfect,
For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgement; and if He spared not the old world,
To the angel of the church at Ephesus write, These things saith He that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, These things saith the First and the Last, who was dead and is alive;
And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, These things saith He, who hath the sharp two-edged sword;
and I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book and to loose the seals of it?
And I beheld, and heard an angel flying in the midst of heaven saying with a loud voice, Wo, wo, wo to the inhabitants on the earth from the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, that are yet to sound.
And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels fought against the dragon: and the dragon fought, and his angels;
And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the devil and Satan, who deceiveth the whole world: he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him.
And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great milstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus shall the great city Babylon be thrown down with violence, and never be found more.
And I fell at his feet to worship him: and he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow-servant, and a fellow-servant of thy brethren, that hold the testimony of Jesus. Worship God. For the Spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus.
And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together to the banquet of the great God;
And I John am he who saw and heard these things: and when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel, who shewed me these things. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: for I am a fellow-servant of thine, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of those who observe 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/worsley'>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).
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and when he was thinking on these things, behold an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph thou Son of David, scruple not to take unto thee Mary thy wife; for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
and Him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil left Him, and behold angels came and attended Him.
The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
the Son of man will send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all that commit offences, and those who do iniquity, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire,
So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and separate the wicked from among the righteous;
For the Son of man will come in the glory of his father, with his angels, and then he will recompense every one according to his practice.
See that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I tell you, that their angels in heaven do continually appear in the presence of my father, who is in heaven:
See that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I tell you, that their angels in heaven do continually appear in the presence of my father, who is in heaven:
and He will send forth his messengers with a trumpet of a loud voice, and they shall gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
But of THAT day and hour knoweth no one, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only:
Then will He say also to those on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
dost thou think that I cannot now apply to my Father, and He will send me more than twelve legions of angels?
and behold, there had been a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descending from heaven, had come and rolled away the stone from the door, and was sitting upon it:
and behold, there had been a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descending from heaven, had come and rolled away the stone from the door, and was sitting upon it: (and his countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
(and his countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: and the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men:)
and the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men:) and the angel said to the women, Be not ye afraid: for I know that ye seek Jesus who was crucified.
and the angel said to the women, Be not ye afraid: for I know that ye seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay: read more. and go quickly, and tell his disciples that He is risen from the dead; and behold, He is going before you into Galilee; there ye shall see Him; lo, I have told you. And they went immediately from the sepulchre, with fear, and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
But of THAT day and hour knoweth no one, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.
And the angel answering said to him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God, and I am sent to speak to thee, and to tell thee this good news:
But in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin who was betrothed to a man, whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the name of the virgin was Mary. read more. And when the angel came in to the room to her, he said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured; the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women! and when she saw him, she was confused at what he said, and pondered in her mind what sort of salutation this could be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary; for thou hast found favor with God: and behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS: He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God shall give Him the throne of David his father, and He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary to the angel, How can this be, since I am a virgin? And the angel answered and said unto her, The holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee, and therefore thine holy offspring shall be called the Son of God: and lo, thy cousin Elisabeth also hath conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month with her that was called barren; for nothing is impossible with God. Then Mary said, Behold the servant of the Lord, may it be unto me according to thy word. So the angel departed from her.
And on a sudden there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,
the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of GOD.
When the messengers of John were departed, He began to speak unto the people concerning John, what went ye out into the wilderness to see?
For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when He comes in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.
and sent messengers before Him: who went into a village of the Samaritans to get a place ready for Him.
Thus, I tell you, there is joy among the angels of God over one repenting sinner.
and was carried by angels to Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried.
for they can die no more, being like the angels: and they are the children of God as being the children of the resurrection.
for they can die no more, being like the angels: and they are the children of God as being the children of the resurrection.
for they can die no more, being like the angels: and they are the children of God as being the children of the resurrection.
And there appeared to Him an angel from heaven strengthening Him.
And while they were in perplexity about it, behold, two men stood by them in shining robes.
one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they said to her, Woman, why dost thou weep? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid Him.
And while they were looking stedfastly toward heaven, as He went up, behold two men in white stood by them;
And while they were looking stedfastly toward heaven, as He went up, behold two men in white stood by them; who said, Ye men of Galilee, why do ye stand gazing up to heaven? This Jesus who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in the manner ye have seen Him going into heaven.
But an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison by night, and having brought them out said,
And an angel of the Lord spake to Philip, saying, Arise and go southward to the way that leads down from Jerusalem to Gaza, which is desert.
He evidently saw in a vision, about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius!
And behold an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the room; and smiting Peter on the side, he waked him, and said, Rise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
but immediately an angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and being devoured by worms he died.
for there stood by me this night an angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, saying,
far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
for by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are on the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all were created by Him, and for Him.
Let no one deprive you of your reward by an affected humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into what he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his carnal mind;
I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou keep to these things without preference of persons, doing nothing with partiality.
Being as much superior to the angels, as He inheriteth a name more excellent than they.
Are they not all ministring spirits, sent forth to attend on those who shall be heirs of salvation?
Are they not all ministring spirits, sent forth to attend on those who shall be heirs of salvation?
By faith he observed the passover and sprinkling of the blood, that he, who destroyed the first-born of the Egyptians, might not touch them.
but ye are come to mount Sion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the first-born who are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the just made perfect,
For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgement; and if He spared not the old world,
Whereas Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, did not presume to bring against him a railing accusation, but said, "The Lord rebuke thee."
As to the mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks; the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels fought against the dragon: and the dragon fought, and his angels;
And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the devil and Satan, who deceiveth the whole world: he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him.
And I fell at his feet to worship him: and he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow-servant, and a fellow-servant of thy brethren, that hold the testimony of Jesus. Worship God. For the Spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus.
Hastings
ANGEL
1. Old Testament.
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and when he was thinking on these things, behold an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph thou Son of David, scruple not to take unto thee Mary thy wife; for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy;
and Him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil left Him, and behold angels came and attended Him.
The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
For the Son of man will come in the glory of his father, with his angels, and then he will recompense every one according to his practice.
See that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I tell you, that their angels in heaven do continually appear in the presence of my father, who is in heaven:
See that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I tell you, that their angels in heaven do continually appear in the presence of my father, who is in heaven:
for in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels of God in heaven.
and He will send forth his messengers with a trumpet of a loud voice, and they shall gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
But of THAT day and hour knoweth no one, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only:
So when the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon his glorious throne:
Then will He say also to those on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
dost thou think that I cannot now apply to my Father, and He will send me more than twelve legions of angels?
and the angel said to the women, Be not ye afraid: for I know that ye seek Jesus who was crucified.
and He was there in the wilderness forty days tempted by Satan, and among the wild beasts: and angels ministred unto Him.
for whosoever shall be ashamed of me, and of my words, in this degenerate and sinful age, of him will the Son of man be also ashamed, when He cometh in the glory of his Father, with the holy angels.
And when the angel came in to the room to her, he said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured; the Lord is with thee;
And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from Him for a time.
For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when He comes in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.
But I say unto you, Whosoever shall own me before men, the Son of man will also own him before the angels of God. But he, that disowneth me before men, shall be disowned before the angels of God.
Thus, I tell you, there is joy among the angels of God over one repenting sinner.
and was carried by angels to Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried.
for they can die no more, being like the angels: and they are the children of God as being the children of the resurrection.
and not finding his body there, came and said likewise that they had seen a vision of angels, who said He was alive.
And He saith unto him, Verily verily I say unto you, Ye shall hereafter see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.
And He saith unto him, Verily verily I say unto you, Ye shall hereafter see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.
But an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison by night, and having brought them out said,
But an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison by night, and having brought them out said, "Go stand 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 Sina, an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush.
And an angel of the Lord spake to Philip, saying, Arise and go southward to the way that leads down from Jerusalem to Gaza, which is desert.
And he said, Who art Thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus the Nazarene whom thou art persecuting: it is hard for thee to kick against the goads.
He evidently saw in a vision, about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius!
and he told us how he had seen an angel in his house, standing and saying to him, Send men to Joppa, and fetch hither Simon,
And behold an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the room; and smiting Peter on the side, he waked him, and said, Rise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself and tie on thy sandals: and he did so. And he saith unto him, Throw thy garment round thee, and follow me.
And they said to her, Thou art mad: but she confidently affirmed that it was so. Then said they, It is his angel.
but immediately an angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and being devoured by worms he died.
For the sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit; but the pharisees acknowledge both. So there was a great clamor: and the scribes that were of the party of the pharisees rose up and contended, saying, We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.
for there stood by me this night an angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, saying, Fear not, Paul, thou must be brought before Cesar, and behold God hath given thee all that are sailing with thee.
For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things future,
For it seems to me that God hath as it were exhibited us the apostles last upon the stage as appointed to death; for we are made a spectacle to the world, and to angels and to men.
And I would not have you partakers with demons. Ye cannot drink of the cup of the Lord, and the cup of demons: ye cannot be partakers of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons.
For this reason ought the woman to have power on her head, because of the angels.
For I neither received it, nor was taught it by man, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
for by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are on the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all were created by Him, and for Him.
Let no one deprive you of your reward by an affected humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into what he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his carnal mind;
Let no one deprive you of your reward by an affected humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into what he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his carnal mind;
and to you, who are in trouble, rest with us, at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven,
Whereas Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, did not presume to bring against him a railing accusation, but said, "The Lord rebuke thee."
And I John am he who saw and heard these things: and when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel, who shewed me these things. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: for I am a fellow-servant of thine, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of those who observe 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?
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dost thou think that I cannot now apply to my Father, and He will send me more than twelve legions of angels?
And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina, an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush.
This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? did God send, by the hand of the angel that appeared to him in the bush, to be their ruler and deliverer.
And they said to her, Thou art mad: but she confidently affirmed that it was so. Then said they, It is his angel.
For the sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit; but the pharisees acknowledge both.
What then availeth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come, to whom the promise was made; and it was delivered by angels in the hand of a mediator.
For our conflict is not with flesh and blood only, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the world and of the darkness of this age, against wicked spirits in heavenly places.
Are they not all ministring spirits, sent forth to attend on those who shall be heirs of salvation?
Be not forgetful of hospitality; for thereby some have entertained angels, not knowing it.
and the angels that kept not their primitive state, but left their proper abode, hath He reserved in everlasting chains, under darkness, to the judgement of the great day:
and the angels that kept not their primitive state, but left their proper abode, hath He reserved in everlasting chains, under darkness, to the judgement of the great day: