In all Abrahamic religions, Angels are often depicted as benevolent celestial intermediaries between God and humanity. Other roles include protectors and guides for humans and servants of God.
The word angel derives from the Greek Angelos, meaning “messenger.” It is used in the Bible to denote God’s attendants, with angels often depicted as being guardians of humans, an idea found in ancient Asian cultures as well.
Angels are believed to be superhuman entities that exist to be servants of a higher being. These spiritual beings are thought to be intermediaries between God and humankind. They are believed to perform the tasks of messengers, guides, and
Guardians.
According to the Bible and other religious history, the seven archangels are Michael, Raphael, Gabriel, Uriel, Saraqael, Raguel, and Remiel. Each of these angels has a role assigned to them by God.
Angels who are assigned to the human race excel in strength and are dependent upon the faith of the Saints. When the Saints are losing faith, the Angels are getting weaker to fight for him; but in the increase of faith, the Angels are gaining strength and power.
The reason we found it necessary to do this Bible study is that there are those who do not know we can give instructions to angels. Angels are there for the arie of salvation to aid and abet in your life, regardless of the issue or circumstance. The goal here tonight is to give you biblically congruent scriptures and tools to use; whom and what God has created for our benefit. Below I’ve listed the rank and file of the angels. There are only 3 out of the 9 characteristics that are in the Bible that are overtly written but if we exegete the word in Paul’s descriptions of the kingdom of darkness in Ephesians he lists the hierarchy of the dark kingdom. Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus and said this
Ephesians 1:21-23
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:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
But in the book of Genesis specifically the 6 chapter the author wrote this.
Genesis 6
6 And it came to pass when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.3 And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.4 There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.6 And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.7 And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.
Job 1:6-10
6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.7 And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.8 And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?9 Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
Jude 1:6
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.â€
Revelation 9:14
Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.
We must also discuss angelic visitations in the old testament as they are important for our edification.
1. Present At Creation
When God created the world, it seems it was witnessed by angels.
Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. . . . when the morning stars sang together and all the “sons of God” shouted for joy? (Job 38:4,7).
2. Hagar
Although angels were seemingly present at creation, there is no mention of their ministry until the days of Abraham. After Hagar had conceived Abraham’s child, she was sent out by Sarah, Abraham’s wife. The angel of the LORD found Hagar.
The angel of the LORD found her [Hagar] by a spring of water in the wilderness, the spring on the way to Shur (Genesis 16:7).
Later, when Hagar and Ishmael were sent out by Abraham and Sarah, the Bible says that an angel ministered unto them.
And God heard the voice of the boy. Then the angel of God proceeded to call to Hagar from heaven, and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Do not be afraid; for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is” (Genesis 21:17).
3. Three Angels Visit Abraham
The Bible says that three angels visited Abraham while on their way to Sodom. These angels appeared in the form of men.
He looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them and bowed down to the ground
Genesis 18:2
The angels who met Abraham included the “angel of the LORD.”
4. Rescue Of Lot
Two angels rescued Lot from the destruction of Sodom.
But he lingered; so the men seized him and his wife and his two daughters by the hand, the LORD being merciful to him, and they brought him out and left him outside the city
Genesis 19:16
5. Jacob
Jacob had a variety of experiences with angels. One of these episodes was his famous dream.
He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it
Genesis 28:12
An angel appeared to Jacob in another dream.
Then the angel of God said to me in the dream, ‘Jacob,’ and I said, ‘Here I am!’
Genesis 31:11
Later, angels met Jacob as he traveled.
Jacob went on his way and the angels of God met him
Genesis 32:1
At the end of his life, Jacob said.
The Angel who has delivered me from all harm, may he bless these boys. And may my name live on in them, And the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; And may they grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth
Genesis 48:16
Jacob, therefore, had a number of experiences with angels.
6. Passover Angel
The angel of death killed every firstborn, of both humans and animals, of those families who did not have blood placed over the door post. The families of those who placed the blood were passed over
Exodus 12
7. Giving Of Law
Angels were present at the giving of the law.
The LORD came from Sinai and dawned over them from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran. He came with myriads of holy ones from the south, from His mountain slopes
Deuteronomy 33:2
With mighty chariotry, twice ten thousand, thousands upon thousands, the Lord came from Sinai into the holy place
Psalm 68:17
The “mighty chariotry” is a term for angels.
Stephen’s Speech
In the speech of Stephen, angels are acknowledged as being involved when God gave the law.
It was this Moses whom they rejected when they said, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’ and whom God now sent as both ruler and liberator through the angel who appeared to him in the bush. He is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our ancestors. He received living oracles to give to us. You are the ones that received the law as ordained by angels, but you have not obeyed it
Acts 7:35,38,53
8. Warning To Balaam
God sent His angel to warn Balaam that he was disobeying the Lord.
But the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey, which you have ridden all your life to this day? Have I been in the habit of treating you this way?” And he said, “No.” Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road, with his drawn sword in his hand; and he bowed down, falling on his face
Numbers 22:30-31
9. Rebuke Of Israel
An angel rebuked Israel for their idolatry.
Now the angel of the LORD went up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, “I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you into the Land that I had promised to your ancestors. I said, ‘I will never break My covenant with you. For your part, do not make a covenant with the inhabitants of this land; tear down their altars.’ But you have not obeyed My command. See what you have done! So now I say, I will not drive them out before you, but they shall become adversaries to you, and their gods shall be a snare to you.” When the angel of the LORD spoke these words to all the Israelites, the people lifted up their voices and cried
Judges 2:1-4
10. Curse Enemies Of The Lord
During the time of the Judges, an angel cursed those who did not help the LORD against His enemies.
Curse Meroz, says the angel of the LORD, curse bitterly its inhabitants because they did not come to the help of the LORD, to the help of the LORD against the mighty
Judges 5:23
11. Judged Israel For David’s Sin
When David sinned by numbering the people of Israel, God judged them through the angel of the LORD.
But when the angel stretched out his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD relented concerning the evil, and said to the angel who was bringing destruction among the people, “It is enough; now stay your hand.” The angel of the LORD was then by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. When David saw the angel who was destroying the people, he said to the LORD, “I alone have sinned, and I alone have done wickedly; but these sheep, what have they done? Let your hand, I pray, be against me and against my father’s house”
2 Samuel 24:16-17
12. Elijah Strengthened By Angel
The prophet Elijah was strengthened by an angel who brought him things to eat and drink.
Then he laid down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said to him, “Get up and eat.” He looked, and there at his head was a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. He ate and drank, and laid down again. The angel of the LORD came a second time, touched him, and said, “Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you”
1 Kings 19:5-7
13. Angel Killed The Assyrians
The angel of the LORD killed a large number of the Assyrian army.
That very night the angel of the LORD set out and struck down one hundred eighty-five thousand in the camp of the Assyrians; when morning dawned, they were all dead bodies
2 Kings 19:35
14. Saved Three Hebrews From Fiery Furnace
The three friends of Daniel – Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah – were saved from the fiery furnace by an angel. He [Nebuchadnezzar] replied, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the middle of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the fourth has the appearance of a god”
Daniel 3:25
15. Preserved The Life Of Daniel
An angel preserved the life of Daniel in the lion’s den.
My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me because I was found blameless before Him; and also before you, O king, I have done no wrong
Daniel 6:22
Angelic Classifications
*9. Seraphim
Seraphim means “the fiery ones.” It is the plural of the word “seraph.” These angels are mentioned in the Bible as having faces, hands, and feet. Each seraph has six wings, four of which they used to cover themselves in the presence of God as a sign of humility; the other two used to fly. They cry out “holy, holy, holy” and appear to worship God continuously. They are often depicted in religious art.
*8. Cherubim (Plural of Cherub)
These are the angels who are closest to God. They encircle his throne and emit an intense fiery light representing his love. Seraphim are considered “fiery serpents” and not even the other divine beings may look at them. There are only four of them and each has four faces and six wings. When they come to Earth, they leave their serpent appearance behind, preferring tall, thin, clean-cut human embodiments.
7. Thrones
These angels are the keepers of celestial records and hold the knowledge of God. They are sent to Earth with great tasks, such as expelling humankind from the Garden of Eden. Ancient art depicts cherubim as sphinx-like, winged creatures with human faces, not the fat babies with wings that now grace greeting cards and book covers. Ophaniel, Rikbiel, and Zophiel are cherubim, as was Satan before his fall to evil.
6. Dominions or Dominations
Thrones’ appearance is perhaps the most bizarre of the first grouping. They are said to look like great glowing wheels covered with many eyes. They serve as God’s chariot and dispense his judgment in order to carry out his desires for us. The angels in the second choir can exist in a state of transition between the celestial and human worlds. They are considered heavenly governors, attempting to strike a balance between matter and spirit, good and bad. Under the highest angelic forms lay the ‘middle’ angels. Read on to find out more about the virtues, archangels, and guardian angels.
5. Virtues
Think of dominions as middle management. They receive orders from seraphim and cherubim, then dish out duties to the “worker bee” angels of the lower orders. Their main purpose is to make sure that the cosmos remains in order by sending down power to heads of government and other authority figures. Zadkiel (sometimes called Hashmal) is the chief of this order.
4. Powers
Shaped like sparks of light, virtues are in charge of maintaining the natural world, and they inspire living things in areas such as science. They also take orders from the angels above and convert them into miracles for the deserving. When they make themselves The two angels at the ascension of Jesus are believed to have been virtues.
3. Principalities
In their celestial form, powers appear like brightly colored, hazy fumes. Powers are border patrol agents between heaven and Earth. They are the angels of birth and death. Some believe that they also preside over demons who wish to overthrow the world, while others, namely St. Paul, thought the powers themselves were the evil ones. In any case, powers are a group of experts who serve as advisers in terms of religion, theology, and ideology.
The third choir is best known to us because they are most like us with their vulnerability to the act of sinning.
*2. Archangels
These angelic beings are shaped like rays of light. Just like a principal in the school, it’s the principalities who oversee everything. They guide our entire world — nations, cities, and towns. What’s more, they are in charge of religion and politics. As if their plate isn’t full enough, they are also in charge of managing the earthly duties of the angels below them.
archangels respond best when dealing with matters involving all humankind. They are the first order of angels that appear only in human form. As such, they function among us as pioneers for change in the form of explorers, philosophers, and human rights leaders. This order is most commonly known because they are mentioned by name in the Bible — Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael.
1. Angels
These might just be called “regular angels.” They are guardians of people and all things physical and are the most common type of angels. These angels are sent as messengers to humanity. Personal guardian angels come from this category. Angels may also protect and warn humans as well as act as warriors on behalf of God.
Angels praise God
Psalm 148:1-2
1Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the heights. 2 Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.
Isaiah 6:3
3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
They worship God
Heb 1:6
But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: “Let all the angels of God worship Him.
Rev 5:8-13
8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. 9 And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals because you were slain, and with your blood, you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. 10 You have made them be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.†11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!†13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, forever and ever!â€
They rejoice in what God does
Job 38:6-7
6 To what were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone, 7 When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy?
They serve God
Psalm 103:20
Bless the Lord, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word.
Rev 22:9
9 Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. [a]For I am your fellow servant and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.â€
They appear before God
Job 1:6
6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and [a]Satan also came among them.
Job 2:1
2 Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the Lord.
They are instruments of God’s judgments
Rev 7:1
After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree.
Rev 8:2
And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets.
They carry out war against demonic forces
Dan 10:13
But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.
Rev 12:7–8
7 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they [a]did not prevail, nor was a place found for [b]them in heaven any longer.
They bring answers to prayer
Acts 12:5-10
5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but [a]constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. 6 And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were [b]keeping the prison. 7 Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!†And his chains fell off his hands. 8 Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandalsâ€; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.†9 So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.
They aid in winning people to Christ
Acts 8:26
26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.†This is [a]desert.
Acts 10:3
3 About [a]the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!â€
They encourage in times of danger
Acts 27:23-24
23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, 24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar, and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’
They care for the righteous at the time of death
Luke 16:22
22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.
Aid in deliverance
Hebrews 1:14
14 Are they, not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
2 Kings 6:16,
When the servant opened his spiritual eyes, he saw an army of angels and chariots of fire surrounding the entire Syrian army!
- Let Your angels ascend and descend upon my life (Gen. 28:12).
2. Give Your angels charge over me and deliver me (Ps. 91:11).
3. Let the angel of the Lord chase the enemy (Ps. 35:5).
4. Let the angel of the Lord persecute the enemy (Ps. 35:6).
5. Let Your angels fight for me in the heavens against principalities (Dan. 10:13).
6. Let the angel of Your presence save me (Isa. 63:9).
7. Let Your angels go before me and make the crooked places straight (Zech. 12:8).
8. Send Your angels before me to prosper my way (Exod. 33:2).
9. Lord, hear my voice and send Your angels to deliver me (Num. 20:16).
10. Send Your angels to minister unto me (Matt. 4:11).
11. I have come to Zion and to an innumerable company of angels (Heb. 12:22).
12. I am an heir of salvation. Send Your angels to minister to me (Heb. 1:14).
13. Send Your angels to deliver me from the hand of the enemy (Matt. 12:11).
14. Lord, confess me before Your holy angels (Luke 12:8).
15. Send Your angels in the night to minister to me (Acts 27:23).
16. Let Your angels meet me as I walk in my destiny (Gen. 32:1).
17. Send Your angels to be involved in reaching the lost (Acts 8:26).
18. Release Your angelic army to fight for and defend Your church (Ps. 68:17).
19, Send Your angels to smite the demons that come to destroy me (Isa. 37:36).
Do Angel respond to our call?
2 Kings 6:16,
When the servant opened his spiritual eyes, he saw an army of angels and chariots of fire surrounding the entire Syrian army!
Angels were always carrying out God’s plans and purposes in the Bible. They haven’t retired since then, either. Angels are at work today just as they’ve always been. More importantly, they are not flying around up there. They are HERE. This earth is full of them!
You have an angel working with you. He belongs to you. He’ll be with you all the days of your life. He’s always before the face of the Father
Angels are tremendously strong, but they all bow to the Name of Jesus. They are here to add their strength to what you do. You have authority in the Name of Jesus where your angels are concerned.
Do you take your angels with you everywhere you go? It’s true—they follow you everywhere you go but are you taking them with you spiritually? Are you putting them to work?
Angels are at your service—to carry out God’s will—to protect you from danger and harm. When you plead the blood of Jesus over yourself, your vehicles, your home—you’re employing angels. When you declare Psalm 91 over your life—you’re employing angels. When you speak out, “Angels are protecting me. I send forth ministering angels to protect me and my familyâ€â€”you’re employing angels.
Psalm 103:20-21 (NKJV)
“Bless the Lord, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word, heeding the voice of His word. Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, you ministers of His, who do His pleasure.â€
There is absolutely no scripture that states that we cant command angels as a matter of fact
Ephesians 1:21 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:
Hebrews 1:14
Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
Romans 8:17
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Romans 6:11-18
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.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.13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
We have the authority in Christ Jesus
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