A Study On Angels

A STUDY ON ANGELS

Text: Hebrews 2:5-9

5 For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.

6 But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?

7 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:

8 Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.

9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

Satan does not at all want believers to understand correctly the doctrine of angels. However, he does not mind the perverted perception that most people have concerning angels. What is commonly believed about angels borders on the absurd. To many, an angel is nothing more than a “pet rock” or some kind of superstitious good luck charm to be called upon when needed. Satan does not at all mind one having an improper understanding of angels such as this. He just does not want you to know who he really is.

To properly understand angelology is to understand that Satan or Lucifer was a fallen angel. Satan would rather people not know the truth about him. Another false, wicked teaching says that Satan and Jesus Christ were both angels. This teaching says that Satan and Jesus were brothers. Such teaching is a blatant attack on the deity of Christ.

In recognizing that Christ is superior to the angels, may we learn just who they are. We will consider three thoughts in this brief but important study. Notice: I. The responsibilities of the angels (V. 5); II. The ranking of the angels (Vv. 6-7); III. The replacement for the angels (Vv.8- 9).

I. THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ANGELS. (V. 5)

A. What Was Their Responsibility in the Past? (V. 5)

How did the angels come into existence? In answering this question, there is no room for speculation. To speculate at this very foundational point in our consideration would make us no different that those who have a superstitious belief in angels. We complement the question “how did the angels come into existence with this question, “What truth do we have for obtaining our answer?” The only truth that we find available is the Word of God.

What does the Bible say regarding angels? In answering this question, the Bible plainly tells us that God created all things that are on the earth including man, as shown in Genesis chapter one. Psalm 148:5 tells us of the origin of angels. They were created by God.

Since they were created by God, He had a definite purpose for their creation. They were not created just to exist. Psalm 148:5 refers to the angels that were created and also to the way that they were created. The verse says, “Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.” They were created to glorify God; to worship, and to serve Him. Their existence is taught in at least thirty-four books of the Bible. The word angel appears about 275 times in the scriptures. The New Testament book of Colossians (1:16) tells us that all things, including the angels, were created by Him and for Him. “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:”

Jesus Christ spoke very tenderly about angels in Matthew 18:10, “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.” This verse shows the special ministry that the angels have which allows us to refer to them as guardian angels (Psalm 91:11; Acts 12:15). More will be later said about this facet of their ministry.

Out of respect to the volume of time required in completing our Hebrew study we will abbreviate the time spent on the study of angels. We will, however, give enough in-depth material to help us understand the way the angels work within the context of our Hebrew study. We must first understand the beginning or the past work of the angels.

One does not need to read very much in the Bible before he sees the part that the angels play in worship. This part of their ministry is clearly defined in Isaiah chapter six. The Seraphim (used here to describe the heavenly angels) were present when Isaiah saw in a vision the throne of the Lord. The Seraphim are seen functioning for the purpose of ascribing to the Lord the perfect holiness of God. They were also attending to Isaiah upon his confession of sin, followed by the purging of his sin (Isaiah 6:6-7), that he might be fit for worship.