Can you explain angels?
Introduction. There are about 300 references to angels in the Bible. Angels are: "...a distinct order among the higher echelons of universal beings ...angels are spirits, supernatural celestial beings" (Zondervan Pictorial Ency. of the Bible). Some have angels acting out of harmony with the scriptures. Angels must not be worshipped (Col. 2: 18). Angels do not have the authority to declare anything different from God's word (Gal. 1: 8).
Origin and purpose of angels. Angels are evidently created beings (Ps. 148:2-5). Angels pre-date man (Job 38: 1-7). There are good and bad angels (Matt. 25:41, 2 Pet. 2: 4). Angels have been messengers (Matt. 1: 18-21), servants (Heb. 1:14), and instruments of God (2 Kings 19: 35).
Angels and man. Both angels and man are created (Gen. I, Col. 1) and both are inferior to God (Rev. 5, Matt. 4: 10). Both are free moral agents (2 Pet. 2: 4, Gen. 2,3). Angels are over man (2 Pet. 2: II). Angels are "sexless" (Matt. 22: 30) and do not marry. Angels cannot be heirs of God as man can be (Rom. 8: 17, 1 Pet. 1:12).
Angelic organization and activity. There is obviously a hierarchy among angels. The term archangel suggests such (1 Thes. 4: 16). We also read of cherubim (Gen. 3: 24) and seraphim (Isa. 6: 2,3), which appear to be a high ranking order of angels. These angels are winged. Angels are never referred to as "female." Angels were used by God in giving the law of Moses (Gal. 3: 19), the destruction of Sodom (Gen. 18,19), and in escorting Lazarus to Abraham's bosom (Luke 16: 22).
The occult has become obsessed with angels. Remember, any view of angels which has angels acting out of harmony with or taking the place of the scriptures is patently false (Gal. 1: 8,9).
Origin and purpose of angels. Angels are evidently created beings (Ps. 148:2-5). Angels pre-date man (Job 38: 1-7). There are good and bad angels (Matt. 25:41, 2 Pet. 2: 4). Angels have been messengers (Matt. 1: 18-21), servants (Heb. 1:14), and instruments of God (2 Kings 19: 35).
Angels and man. Both angels and man are created (Gen. I, Col. 1) and both are inferior to God (Rev. 5, Matt. 4: 10). Both are free moral agents (2 Pet. 2: 4, Gen. 2,3). Angels are over man (2 Pet. 2: II). Angels are "sexless" (Matt. 22: 30) and do not marry. Angels cannot be heirs of God as man can be (Rom. 8: 17, 1 Pet. 1:12).
Angelic organization and activity. There is obviously a hierarchy among angels. The term archangel suggests such (1 Thes. 4: 16). We also read of cherubim (Gen. 3: 24) and seraphim (Isa. 6: 2,3), which appear to be a high ranking order of angels. These angels are winged. Angels are never referred to as "female." Angels were used by God in giving the law of Moses (Gal. 3: 19), the destruction of Sodom (Gen. 18,19), and in escorting Lazarus to Abraham's bosom (Luke 16: 22).
The occult has become obsessed with angels. Remember, any view of angels which has angels acting out of harmony with or taking the place of the scriptures is patently false (Gal. 1: 8,9).