Angels

Hebrews 1:13-14

1. Introduction
   1. Angels have become very popular in recent years.
   2. Unfortunately, much of the information people have today about angels is based more on fiction than fact.
   3. Why should we study angels?
      1. It is a biblical topic, and therefore profitable (2 Tim. 3:16-17)
      2. They are interested in us! (Luke 15:7,10; 1 Peter 1:10-12)
      3. We will someday be like them (Matt. 22:29-30)
   4. Let us examine some of the facts that the Bible reveals about angels.
2. The Origin and Nature of Angels
   1. The Origin
      1. They were created (Psalm 148:1-5; Nehemiah 9:6)
      2. They were created some time before the earth was created (Job 38:47)
      3. They are a part of God’s family in heaven (Ephesians 3:15)
   2. The Nature
      1. They are of a higher order than man, but lower than God (Psalm 8:5; Heb. 2:7)
         1. They have super-human knowledge, but are not omniscient
            (Mark 13:32; Matthew 24:36; 1 Peter 1:10-12)
         2. They have super-human strength, but are not omnipotent
            (Psalm 103:20; 2 Samuel 24:15-17)
         3. They have super-human speed, but are not omnipresent (Daniel 9:20-23)
      2. They are innumerable (Hebrews 12:22; Revelation 5:11)
      3. They are without marriage (Matthew 22:30)
      4. They have a special interest in our salvation (Luke 2:13-14; 15:10; 1 Peter 1:10-12)
      5. The form of angels vary, taking whatever form God desires for them (Hebrews 1:7;
         Genesis 18:1-2; Hebrews 13:2; 2 Kings 6:15-17; Matthew 28:2-3)
      6. There is rank among angels (Jude 1:9)
3. The Activity of Angels
   1. Their Present Activity
      1. They worship God (Revelation 5:11-14)
      2. They are ministers of God’s providence (Psalm 34:4-7; Hebrews 1:14)
      3. They are possessed of children (Matthew 18:10)
      4. They rejoice at a sinner’s repentance (Luke 15:10)
      5. They carry the spirits of the righteous dead into paradise (Luke 16:22)
   2. Their Future Activity
      1. They will accompany Christ at His return (Matthew 16:27)
      2. They will announce His coming (1 Thess. 4:16)
      3. They will separate the wicked from the righteous (Matthew 13:41-42)
      4. They will execute judgment (2 Thessalonians 1:7-8)
4. Conclusion
   1. God’s angels are on the side of those who know and obey Him.
   2. God’s angels are agents of judgment to those who don’t know God, or obey His gospel
   3. You will meet the angels of God yourself someday. How will you encounter them?

– Steve Higginbotham, PreachingHelp.org

September 13, 2009