III. The Protection by God (vs. 7) So we have a God who Hears, Helps and Holds. But what is the medium in which He keeps us safe? Who is doing God’s bidding on our behalf? Are angels real? The Misconception of Angels. (People say when someone dies -- they become an Angel, or I have my guardian Angels and think that they are a dead family member) What kind of Power do the Angels possess?
A. The Angel - Hebrew: mal·äk' -- Messenger or Representative 4X translated as Ambassador. The Greek: angelos -- divine messengers / ambassadors sent by God.
They are Messengers/representatives of the Lord Himself to carry out God’s agenda, for the sole purpose of doing His bidding.
Scripture tells us that these ever-living beings are created by God to serve as ministers to us, the heirs of God’s Salvation.
(Heb 1:14 NKJV) Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?
What are some of their roles they play in their service to the Almighty?
They come to reassure us and offer hope. (After Jesus’ temptation by Satan in the wilderness...angels came and ministered to Him..” (Matt. 4:11)
They come to give us guidance and direction.
They come to call us to special missions.
They come to rescue us from some great dangers.
While at times angels appear as radiant being, (at the Tomb of Jesus) very often angels come in the guise of ordinary men.
(Heb 13:2 NKJV) Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so [doing] some have unwittingly entertained angels.
Angels have also been involved in salvation history’s pivotal events.
Host of angels witnessed the creation of our universe.
Angels were involved in teh miracles that won Israel’s release from slavery in Egqpt.
Angels observed the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, and angels administered Old Testament law.
Angels announced the Savior's birth.
Angels ministered to Jesus at Gethsemane the night before the Crucifixion.
Angels rolled the stone away from the empty tomb.
They announced His resurrection they were present at His ascension and will be a significant part in His return.
However not all angels are good….there is a dark side, Demons -- fallen angels “Spiritual Wickedness in Heavenly places.” (Eph. 6:12)
The bible speaks in Satan leading a rebellion (Ezek. 28; Is. 14) against God and how a host of angels sided with him against God. One third to be exact shown in: (Rev. 12:4) His (The Dragon / Satan) tail drew a third of the stars (Fallen angels / Demons) of heaven and threw them to the earth
They have an intense hostility toward God and the human beings whom God loves.
Praise God for Jesus, the Cross and Resurrection, for He has broken the power and influence over those who have been sealed with the Holy Spirit! These fallen angels must submit to the Mighty Name of Jesus!
B. Their Attributes “Angel of the Lord” - If Satan is scripture's premier “bad” angel, it helps us to understand that the “angel of the Lord” is scripture's premier “good” angel. He appears frequently throughout the old testament.
What is so special about this Angel from the others? We have a detailed account in the story of Hagar…(Sarah’s maiden who she gave to Abraham, mother of Ishmael, she was banished by Sarah after Isiah was born into the wilderness there at the end, no water, no food literally dying, she had an encounter with the “Angel of the Lord”
This was what most theologians refer to in the bible as a “Theophany” -- an appearance of God in human or angel form. Thus the special name for this Angel. (The Angel of the Lord)
In the N.T. known as a “Christophany” -- Jesus clothed in an Angelic form.
This angel is considered as God Himself. No other angel speaks for or as God himself (Judg.2:1) “I will multiply your descendants” Most likely “the Angel of the Lord” is an earthly visitation of God Himself cloaked as an angel.
Important to note that this declaration of David in Ps 34:7 is really of the The Lord God Almighty Himself.
C. Their Array “encamps all around”
Encamps -- khä·nä' -- to decline, incline, encamp, bend down, lay siege against to pitch a tent.
We see this aspect in scripture of the surrounding, encampment of God. Like a hedge set around us.
This Theophany of God as an Angel.
(Psa 91:4 NKJV) He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth [shall be your] shield and buckler.
Differing from giving his angels charge over you….vs. 11-12.
In the New Testament we see Jesus illuding to His Old Testament roll about Israel.
(Mat 23:37 NKJV) "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under [her] wings, but you were not willing!
David was declaring though I am surrounded by enemies on both sides, I am protected, shielded encamped all around…. under His wings, protected by the Almighty!
D. Their Association “those who fear Him”
Who are the recipients of this protection? Those who fear Him!
Fear -- yä·ra' -- fearing; morally, reverent. Properly humble and reverent to the Moral superiority of God in light of myself.
(Gen 22:12 NKJV) And He said, "Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only [son], from Me."
If you want this protection you need to have a proper association with God.
E. Their Accomplishment “and delivers them” (khä·lats') -- to remove, draw out, draw off, take off, withdraw, equip (for war), arm for war, rescue, be rescued.
David’s I. Praise to God lead to II. His Prayer to God (God hears, God helps and God Holds) lead to the Protection of God via The Angel of the Lord! PROTECTION FOR THE BELIEVER.
PUNISHMENT for your enemies -- What kind of Power does this Angel Produce?
(2Ki 19:20, 35 NKJV) Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, "Thus says the LORD God of Israel: 'Because you have prayed to Me against Sennacherib king of Assyria, I have heard.' ... And it came to pass on a certain night that the angel of the LORD went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand; and when [people] arose early in the morning, there were the corpses--all dead.
Jesus -- our Sacrificial Lamb our delivering Angel of the Lord...brought and bought deliverance once and for all, to the greatest enemy man has ever known….DEATH! How? Through the Cross, Dying, Giving Himself. HE STAYED ON THE CROSS UNTIL THE WORK OF REDEMPTION WAS FINISHED!
Did Jesus have an out if he wanted it?
(Mat 26:52-53 NKJV) But Jesus said to him, "Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. "Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?
I’m so glad that He didn’t give into to the temptation to come down and explode into His glorious, destroying form of the Angel of the Lord when the Religious Leaders said:
(Mat 27:41-43 NKJV) Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said, "He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him. "He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, 'I am the Son of God.' "
FOR THE BELIEVER: The One who Praises, God hears their Prayers and sends forth Ministering Spirits / Angels (Heb. 1:14) to Provide Protection!
These Promises and Precepts will Provide “Mirth in the Midst of Madness”
