The symbols of God's majesty, promises, and acts toward His creation have been hijacked and misused by fallen humanity to promote agendas and teachings that are in total opposition to His Holy purposes and Being. The rainbow, the visible symbol of His promise not to destroy the earth with water as He did in the days of Noah (Genesis 9:11-17) has been abducted by the homosexual community to display their "pride" and "lifestyle" before an approving world in clear violation of God and HIs commandments towards sexual purity and the established role of men and women. It needs to emphasized that it was pride that got Satan thrown out of heaven (Isaiah 14:12-17) and consigned him and his fallen angels to a future punishment in hell (Matthew 25:41). I do not want to follow his example and neither should anyone with an ounce of sense.
The specific role and work of Satan and his demonic hosts will be presented in a later message, but since they are part of the angelic creation, it would be worth our while to look at the doctrine of angels in general and their service to God. Even the fallen angels are subject to His will and need His permission to do anything in this world. No one nor anything is out of the control of the Sovereign LORD of all creation, and we need to remember this as we witness this world falling not just into visible chaos and increasing evil, but that all of it is the proof that the words of the Bible are true as it pertains to future events and the soon return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Both the faithful angels and the fallen ones play an active role in the events of history and will fulfill the Sovereign plans and will of the LORD. The world has abducted the idea and work of angels as well and have twisted and warped them to fit ideologies and teachings that are contrary to the Word of God. The truth about who angels are and what they do need to be shown in the light of God's Word, and His Word alone.
The Scriptures teach that the angelic hosts are real and authentic. 37 books of the Bible describe them and their work and the word "angel" appears 275 times. Jesus taught about the existence and work of the angels and were of service to Him during His time of ministry (Matthew 18:10, 26:53). They are created beings (Colossians 1:16) and were in existence before the foundation of this present world (Job 36:6-7), and were all created in a state of holiness (Jude 6).Angels have emotions, intellect, and will (Luke 2:13; 1 Peter 1:12; Jude 6). Angels are sprit beings without the ability to reproduce after their own kind (Mark 12:25; Hebrews 1:14). The teaching that fallen angels took physical form to procreate with human women producing the pre-flood beings known as the Nephilim (Genesis 6:1-4) is a popular belief in many Christian circles, and has some validity as a theory for the fact that these beings who were also known as "giants" were not pure angelic offspring, but an unholy mutation that led to their eternal imprisonment for attempting to pollute and destroy the Messianic bloodline promised by God at the time of the Fall (Genesis 3:15; 1 Peter 3:18). There is room for disagreement on this particular interpretation, but it does seem that the fallen demons have been at work ever since Eden to thwart the work of God, and this might have been just such an attempt. Anything beyond what we read in the Word of God is mere speculation.
The Bible teaches that angels cannot die, are distinct from us, innumerable, and are extremely powerful (Psalm 8:4-5; Luke 20:36; Hebrews 12:22; 2 Peter 2:11). They are organized and have specific responsibilities all centered on the worship and service of God. One angel is named in Scripture; the Archangel Michael (Jude 9), who is the protector of God's chosen people, Israel (Daniel 12:1). There are the chief princes (Daniel 10:13), ruling angels (Ephesians 3:10); the guardian angels for both people in general and children (Matthew 18:10; Hebrews 1:14). The Seraphim (Isaiah 6:1-3) are shown in light of the worship of God, and the cherubim are responsible for guarding the holiness of God (Genesis 3:22-14). There are also the "elect angels" mentioned in 1 Timothy 5:21. We are also warned to not give worship to angels, since they are created beings in the service of God (Revelation 22:9). This is the sin that drove Satan out of heaven based on his pride and arrogance to defy the person and rule of God. He tried to have the Lord Jesus bow to Him in an exchange for the kingdoms of this world (Matthew 4:8-11, 16:26; Luke 4:6-8), to no avail.
The Scriptures teach that angels have specific ministries:
I. Their Ministry to Jesus
1) They predicted HIs birth (Luke 1:26-33)
2) they announced HIs birth (Luke 2:13)
3)They protected Him when He was a baby (Matthew 2:13)
4) They strengthened Him after His series of temptations by the devil (Matthew 4:11)
5) They were ready to defend Him at a moment's notice (Matthew 26:53)
6) They strengthened Him during HIs ordeal in Gethsemane (Luke 22:43)
7) They rolled away the stone from His tomb (Matthew 28:2)
8) They announced HIs resurrection (Matthew 28:6)
II. Their Ministry To Believers
1) They have a general ministry of rendering aid to us (Hebrews 1:14)
2) They are involved in answering our prayers (Acts 12:7)
3) They observe our experiences (1 Corinthians 4:9; 1 Timothy 5:5:21)
4) They encourage us in dangerous times (Acts 27:23-24)
5) They assist us in evangelistic efforts (Luke 15:10; Acts 8:26)
6) They care for the righteous at death (Luke 16:22; Jude 9)
III. Their Ministry to the Nations
1) The Archangel Michael is the guardian of Israel (Daniel 12:1)
2) They are God's agents in the execution of His Divine will and providence (Daniel 10: 21)
3) They will be involved in the judgments of the coming Tribulation (Revelation 8, 9. 16)
IV. Their Assignment toward the Unbelievers
1) They announce impending judgments (Genesis 19:13; Revelation 14:6-7)
2) They inflict punishment Acts 12:23)
3) They will be the reapers in separating the righteous from the wicked at the end of the age (Matthew 13:39)
Again, anything beyond what the Sovereign LORD has decreed in His Word does not need our attention or time. The fact is that time as we know it is running out and the approaching wrath of God upon this wicked world is a certainty. Are you prepared to meet God and have you come to Him for salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12)? Will God's holy angels welcome you into heaven with joy along with the redeemed, or will you join the devil and his fallen angels in eternal hell for you rejection of the Gospel message and the ONLY hope you have of escaping the coming judgments promised in the Scriptures? He offers you eternal life, peace and rest (Matthew 11:28-30; John 10:28-30). How will you respond this day?
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