TRV
The Nature of Angels
The Nature of Angels: Heavenly Servants of the Almighty
The vast and intricate tapestry of God's creation extends beyond the visible realm, encompassing a celestial host of beings known as angels. These powerful, intelligent, and numerous spirits play a significant role in the divine economy, serving as God's messengers, warriors, and worshippers. Often misunderstood or relegated to mere folklore, a Biblically sound understanding of angels reveals their true nature and purpose as revealed in the King James Version of the Bible.
Their Origin and Creation
Angels are not eternal beings, nor are they divine. They are creatures, brought into existence by the sovereign will of God before the foundation of the world. The Scriptures clearly state that God created all things, both visible and invisible, including these heavenly hosts.
Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light. Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.
Their creation predates humanity and the physical universe as we know it, evidenced by their presence at the very inception of creation, rejoicing in God's work:
Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
The "sons of God" here refer to angels, indicating their existence and joyful participation in witnessing God's creative power.
Their Nature and Attributes
Angels possess distinct characteristics that set them apart from both God and humanity:
- Spirit Beings: Angels are primarily spirits, not bound by physical bodies in the same way humans are. While they can assume physical forms to interact with the material world, their essential nature is spiritual.
Jesus Himself affirmed the distinction between spirit and flesh when He said, Luke 24:39, "for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have."Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
- Numerous: The angelic host is vast, an innumerable company. The Bible uses language that conveys an immense multitude, far beyond human counting.
The Apostle John in his vision saw, Revelation 5:11, "the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands."But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
- Intelligent: Angels possess profound wisdom and knowledge, though not omniscience, as only God is all-knowing. They have a greater understanding of divine matters than humans.
However, they do not know the timing of Christ's return (Mark 13:32).And my lord the king is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth.
- Powerful: Angels are endowed with mighty strength, capable of executing God's will with swiftness and force. An angel rolled back the stone from Christ's tomb (Matthew 28:2), and one angel slew 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in a single night (2 Kings 19:35).
- Holy: Before the rebellion of Satan and his followers, all angels were created holy and perfect. Many remain so, serving God without blemish. They are frequently referred to as "holy angels" (Mark 8:38).
- Immortal: Angels do not experience death. Once created, they exist perpetually. Jesus affirmed this regarding resurrected believers, stating they would be "equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection" (Luke 20:36).
- Genderless and Asexual: Angels do not marry or procreate. They exist outside of human biological distinctions.
For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.
Their Hierarchy and Organization
While the Bible does not provide an exhaustive organizational chart, it does suggest a structured hierarchy among the angelic hosts, indicating different ranks and functions:
He will also be heard at the Lord's return: 1 Thessalonians 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."But Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
This suggests an ordered structure within the angelic hosts, reflecting God's orderliness.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:
Their Roles and Activities
Angels are not idle; they are constantly engaged in fulfilling God's will and purposes throughout history:
- Worshipping God: Their primary and most constant activity is to worship and glorify God. They surround His throne, continually crying "Holy, holy, holy."
And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
- Serving as Messengers: The very word "angel" (from the Greek angelos) means "messenger." They delivered messages from God to humanity throughout the Old and New Testaments, announcing births, warnings, and prophecies (e.g., Gabriel to Mary in Luke 1:26-38).
- Executing God's Judgments: Angels are instruments of divine wrath and judgment against sin. They participated in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:1-29) and will play a crucial role in the judgments of the Great Tribulation (Revelation 7:1-3, Revelation 8:2).
- Ministering to Believers: Angels are sent to protect, guide, and strengthen God's people. They ministered to Jesus after His temptation (Matthew 4:11) and in Gethsemane (Luke 22:43). They also minister to believers, as stated in Hebrews 1:14.
The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
- Involved in Prophecy and Revelation: Angels were instrumental in conveying prophetic visions and revelations, particularly to Daniel and John the Apostle (Daniel 8:16, Revelation 1:1).
- Present at Christ's Second Coming: Angels will accompany Jesus Christ at His glorious return, gathering His elect and executing judgment upon the ungodly.
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
Fallen Angels (Demons)
Not all angels remained in their holy estate. A significant portion rebelled against God under the leadership of Satan, the "anointed cherub that covereth" (Ezekiel 28:14). This rebellion resulted in their expulsion from heaven and their transformation into demons, or evil spirits.
These fallen angels now serve Satan in his rebellion against God, engaging in spiritual warfare against believers (Ephesians 6:12). Their ultimate destiny, along with their leader, is eternal damnation in the lake of fire, a place "prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41).And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
Conclusion
The nature of angels, as revealed in the KJV Bible, paints a picture of powerful, intelligent, and numerous spirit beings, created by God to serve His purposes. From their origin before time to their pivotal roles in prophetic events, angels are constant reminders of God's majesty, His sovereign control over all creation, and His intricate plan for humanity. While they are mighty and glorious, they are not to be worshipped; rather, they serve as examples of perfect obedience and ceaseless worship of the One true God, to whom all glory and honor belong.
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