(Hebrews 1:13-14) Angel = Malak (OT), Aggelos (NT) = “Messenger”
A. Future state of man is… “Like angels” (Mark 12:18-25) ”Doth not yet appear” (1 John 3:1-2) (1)Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. (2) Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
B. Angels are NOT human souls (i.e. Clarence in “It’s a Wonderful Life”)
1. God created them AS angels (Psalms 148:1-5) When? (Job 38:4-7)
C. Paul tells of the Spiritual realm (2 Corinthians 12:2-4)
1. No law of language (on earth) can describe it
2. No testimony (inspired) outside of the Bible for the spiritual world
A. Some GOOD --- Some BAD
1. NO angel was created bad, they BECAME bad HOW? (Can’t add dark, must take away light. -- c.f. 1 John 1) (Jude 1:6)_ And the angels 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. (2 Peter 2:4-9) (1) (2) John implies the angels were under LAW *Not known if they were the same as law given to man in the N.T., but still law) (1 John 3:4) Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. (Romans 4:15) Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
2. SOME angels stayed GOOD
a. HOW? *They stayed “in” the light of God’s truth, and continued to obey Him (Psalms 103:20-21) (20)Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. (21) Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
B. Fellowservants (Revelation 19:10) And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. (Revelation 22:8-9) (8)And I John 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 shewed me these things. (9) Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. Fellowservant [Sundoulos] (4889) “From 4862 & 1401; a co-slave; i.e. servitor or ministrant of the same master (human or divine)” Angels are more powerful than humans, but still equal as servants of God. NOT to Be Worshipped Angel worship was a custom of the Jews, that Paul warned against. (Colossians 2:16-20) (16)Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: (17) Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. (18) Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, (19) And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. (20) Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (3)
C. Angels CANNOT relate a “NEW” gospel to us today (Galatians 1:6-8) (6)I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: (7) Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. (8) But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. The revelation of the gospel was FINAL (Jude 1:3-4) (3)Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. (4) For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. It was COMPLETE (2 Peter 1:1-4) (1)Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: (2) Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, (3) According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: (4) Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. It is EVERLASTING (Revelation 14:6-7) (6)And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, (7) Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
A. Angels are NOT dead humans
B. Angels of God are “fellow servants” of Christians, and NOT to be worshiped
C. Angels are forbidden by God to reveal any “NEW” gospels