The Ministry of the Angels (Part I)

Lesson Content

I The general features of the angels:

1. There are four groups in the angelic government. They are: Thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers (Col.1:16).

2. Since the angels were created in a perfection meant for them, there was no need for them to attain a growth or greatness beyond that. However, man who was created a little lower than the angels is able to grow to attain the perfection of Christ. Therefore angels desire to look into this great salvation which has been kept for man to receive (I Pet.1:10-12).

3. Angels have an outward glory (Rev.18:1), but the saints of the New Testament have an inner glory which is greater than that of the angels (Col.1:27; Psa. 45:13).

4. The angels of the Lord excel in strength and do His commandments, hearkening unto the voice of His word (Psa.103:20).

5. Though not visible as angels to our naked eye, they have, on several occasions, appeared in the form of man (e.g. Gen.18:2,22; 19:1,5). II The diverse kinds of angels we see in the Old Testament — their various offices:

1. Cherubims — Their office is to cover (protect).

(a) When God drove man out of the garden of Eden, He placed at the east of the garden, Cherubims and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life (Gen.3:24).

(b) God set them upon His holy mountain amidst the stones of fire (Ezek.28:14).

2. Seraphim — Their office is to stand in the presence of God and glorify Him. When Isaiah cried that he was a man of unclean lips, one of the Seraphim flew to him and touched his mouth with a live coal taken from off the altar and cleansed him (Isa.6:2-7).

3. Gabriel — He is appointed to carry good news to the people of God and make them understand the visions (Dan.8:16; 9:21-23).

4. Michael — One of the chief angels; fights for the people of God (Dan.10:1 3; Jude 9).

III Some instances when angels ministered to the people of God in the Old Testament:

1. The Lord and two angels met Abraham as he sat at his tent door and told him about the birth of Isaac (Gen.18:1-10).

2. Two angels met Lot and saved him and his family from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen.19:1-16).

3. An angel prevented Abraham as he took up the knife to slay his son Isaac (Gen.22:10-12).

4. During the journey of the Israelites from Egypt to Canaan, an angel went before them to keep them in the wilderness and to lead them into Canaan (Exo. 14:19,20; 23:20,23).

5. An angel woke up Elijah from his sleep and gave him cake and water (I Kgs.19:5-7).

6. An angel shut the mouths of the lions to keep them from hurting Daniel, who had been cast into their den (Dan.6:22).

7. In the days of king Hezekiah when the Assyrians came against him, an angel destroyed them (II Kgs.19:35; II Chron.32:21).

Moral

Although the angels stand in the presence of God and are so mighty and glorious, they are only ministering spirits. Man on the other hand, has been in the mind of God before the foundation of the world, and it is God’s plan concerning us that we should reign with Him in eternity. We should therefore yield ourselves to God, that His plan might be fulfilled in us.