God’s Heavenly Warriors, pt. 3
Col. 1:16
Because of the invisible war going on in the air around us between God’s Holy Angels and those who fell w/ Lucifer, the angels of heaven are organized into an intricate system of rank, position and authority.
Let me first show you that as it concerns Satan’s angels. His demons are organized in much the same way:
Ephes. 6:12
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Here we see 4 designated positions of authority. These are 4 classes of demons. Every commentator I read after agrees that these are ranks…different levels of authority in the demonic world.
J. Vernon McGee is a great commentator. I love what he says and HOW he says it too! He has an interesting take on these verses…tho’ this may be just speculation…it’s good food for thought:
Principalities—he believes this would correspond to a general in the military. This would be a very high ranking demon. This demon would have oversight of an entire nation. In Daniel, it talks about “the prince of Persia” in ref. to a specific demon. Other verses also seem to indicate this. Think about America: in the last 100 years our nation has morally and spiritually been influenced greatly by something from the realms of darkness. There is much corruption in Washington, and I have no problem recognizing the demonic influence upon our nation.
Revelation talks about 4 demons which are right now bound beneath the Euphrates River. They could represent the 4 great kingdoms of human history: Grecian, Roman, Persian and Babylonian Empires. These 4 demons could be the prinicipalities which were over these empires. When those empires fell, they were bound, but they will be turned loose upon the 1 world gov’t during the tribulation.
Powers—He believes these demons have the oversight of powerful individuals. This could be a demon possessed world leader, or other leader in great power. I don’t believe a Christian can be possessed, but only oppressed. I am inhabited by the Holy Spirit and I don’t believe an unholy spirit can also inhabit me.
Rulers of darkness—He believes these to have oversight in worldly business and industry. For example: how many would agree w/ me that the Hollywood establishment is corrupt? Sure! There’s a dark force behind that. How about the music industry? Same thing.
Spiritual wickedness in high places—He points out that the phrase ‘high places’ is throughout our OTs. Idol worshippers had their high places where they worshipped Baal and other false gods. McGee thinks these would be demons w/ oversight in areas of religion in the world. Let’s face it, religion is not a good thing. More people will be sent to hell by religion than by Hollywood or the music industry! More wars are fought in the name of religion than because somebody saw violence in a movie!
So, we have these 4 classifications of demons. But this flow chart didn’t start w/ Satan. He is not the originator, just an imitator.
The reason Satan organized his army the way he did is because that’s how God did it w/ His army.
Col. 1:16
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:
Col. 2:10
And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
Ephes. 1:19-21
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, [20] Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, [21] Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
Ephes. 3:10
To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
Here we have 4 levels mentioned among God’s Heavenly Angels. Satan only imitates it to try to match up ‘man to man’.
What do we know about God’s Heavenly Warriors and their flow chart or hierarchy?
We know about:
Michael—the archangel. The prefix ‘arch’ means chief or principle. He is superior to all the other angels. There are no [plural] archangels…only 1…his name is Michael. He is identified w/ the people of God and he is there for our defense and protection.
Daniel 12:1
And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince [principality] which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was…
This is a prophecy of what happens in Rev. 12 when Michael battles Satan and his demons.
Daniel 10:21
But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.
[He is the chief of staff, if you will, in God’s administration]
Rev. 12:7-9
And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, [8] And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. [9] And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
It will be Michael who will accompany Jesus at the rapture, and will announce the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ, and will wake up the bodies of the dead in Christ. It’s not Gabriel.
1 Thes. 4:16
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Gabriel—God’s messenger of mercy and promise. In the Heb. his name means ‘hero’, ‘the mighty one’, or ‘God is great.’ He is often called the Lord’s messenger. He appears only 4 times in the Bible, and each time he’s delivering a message, unfolding the plans and purposes of God.
In Dan. 8 and 9 he reveals to Daniel the chronology of the end times…the panorama of human history and the progression of earthly kingdoms. Twice in Daniel he appears for these purposes.
Then twice in the NT: First, he announces a birth…John the Baptist. Then he announces the birth of Christ.
Luke 1:19
And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.
He just stands in God’s presence, just waiting to be dispatched. He’s at God’s beck and call. That speaks to my heart, because that’s how we ought to be…just standing in His presence, waiting for His Word to be spoken to us.
If God had someone for you to witness to, could you be dispatched immediately to do it? Could God trust you to be His spokesman, and turn to you and give you the task? News flash: He does! Are you His messenger? Ever had someone work for you that didn’t do what you wanted? It’s frustrating. It’s hard to find good help!
The Seraphim—these are angels of indescribably beauty, and they hover over the throne of God…their ministry is to constantly praise and glorify God.
Isaiah 6:1-6
In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. [2] Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. [3] And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. [4] And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
[5] Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. [6] Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:
Sometimes we get to thinking we’re something, but when you’re ready to see yourself as you really are, just spend some time in the presence of God, and you’ll say “whoa” too! Compared to the world around us, we sometimes can feel like we’re alright, but our sinfulness really stands out in the presence of Jehovah!
The Cherubim—have to do with the greatness of God, and they guard His presence.
See Ezek. 10 for further study.
Psalm 80:1
…thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.
Psalm 99:1
The Lord reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.
In the OT temple there were golden statues of cherubim upon the mercy seat which was the lid for the ark of the covenant. What were they symbolic of? They were guarding the Holy of holies, the presence of God, from anyone who did not have access to come in.
They are agents of God’s judgment, guarding His presence. God placed cherubim w/ flaming swords at the entrance to the garden of Eden when Adam and Eve were expelled. They protect God’s glory and His presence.
In summary: angels have structured activity and clearly defined positions. They carry on God’s business on earth and in Heaven.
They aren’t floating on clouds playing harps. We can thank God for His heavenly army, and that we as believers can enjoy spiritual protection by the Holy Spirit of God, and physical protection by the might of God’s Holy Angels. Let’s do our best to be warriors for God as well!
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http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/HeavenlyWarriors.html
