I.
The Angels Of God: Developing
a Biblical Perspective
“Are they not all
ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of
those who will inherit salvation.”
Hebrews
1:14 (NASB)
II.
Why
Should We Study About Angels?
A.
It is a Biblical subject and, therefore, worthy of our
attention.
1.
The word angel or angels occurs some 300 times in our English
Bibles.
2.
The Hebrew word malak (used to describe angels) occurs 108
times in the Old Testament.
3.
The Greek word angellos (also used to describe angels) occurs
186 times in the New Testament.
4.
Paul wrote in 2
Timothy 3:16-17 that all Scripture is profitable for teaching,
therefore, the Scriptures relating to angels are a profitable area
of study for the Christian.
B.
Angels
played a significant role in the life of Christ.
1.
Angels announced Christ’s birth (Luke
1:26-38; Matthew 1:18-24; Luke 2:8-15a).
2.
Angels protected Jesus as an infant (Matthew
2:13, 19).
3.
Angels ministered to Jesus during and after His temptation (Mark
1:13; Matthew 4:11).
4.
An angel strengthened Jesus while in the garden of Gethsemane
(Luke
22:43).
5.
Angels announced His resurrection (Matthew
28:1-7; Mark 16:5-7; Luke 24:4-7; John 20:11-13).
6.
Angels attended His ascension back to heaven (Acts
1:10).
7.
Angels will be with Jesus at His return (Matthew
25:31; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-8).
C.
Angels
play a significant role in the life of the Christian.
1.
Angels have a great interest in man’s salvation (Luke
15:7, 10; 1 Peter 1:10-12). Should we not have an interest in
these spirit beings who have such great interest in us?
2.
Angels minister to those who will inherit salvation (Hebrews
1:14). Should we not study those whose service is aimed at
aiding man in obtaining eternal life?
3.
Upon man’s death, the angels escort the righteous to
Abraham’s bosom (Luke
16:22). Doesn’t this fact create a desire to know more of
them?
4.
The redeemed will someday become “like” angels (Luke
20:34-36). This passage does not teach that we will become
angels; rather, it teaches that we will be like them. Thus, to
study their nature is to learn more about our eternal destiny.
Glory
to God in the church by Christ Jesus
Franklin
Church of Christ
|