CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE Resources Systematic Theology Wayne Grudem A

CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE Resources: Systematic Theology, Wayne Grudem & A Theology for the Church, ed. Daniel Akin

ANGELS

ANGELS What are they? § Created spiritual beings. § They have not always existed. God created them along with the universe. § Nehemiah 9: 6 - You are the Lord, you alone; you have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host… and the host of heaven worships you. § Exercise Moral Judgments (right vs. wrong) § Some have sinned and fallen from their position (2 Peter 2: 4; Jude 6) § 2 Peter 2: 4 - For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment § High Intelligence- seen as the talk to people throughout Scripture. (Matt. 28: 5, Acts 2: 6 -11, etc. ) § Sing praise to God (Rev. 4: 11; 5: 11)

ANGELS What are they? (cont. ) § Angels are spirits and typically do not have physical bodies. § We thus can not see them unless God gives us some special ability to. (Num. 22: 31; 2 Kings 6: 17; Luke 2: 13) § Numbers 22: 31 - Then the L ORD opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the Angel of the L ORD standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand; and he bowed his head and fell flat on his face.

ANGELS Names for Angels 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Sons of God- Job 1: 6; 2: 1 Holy Ones- Ps. 89: 5, 7 Spirits- Heb. 1: 14 Watchers- Dan. 4: 13, 17, 23 Thrones, Dominions, Principalities, Authorities, Powers- Col. 1: 16 Other Kinds of Heavenly Beings 1. Cherubim 2. Seraphim 3. The Living Creatures

OTHER FORMS OF SPIRITUAL BEINGS The Cherubim § Commanded to guard the entrance to the Garden of Eden. § Genesis 3: 24 - So He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life. § God is enthroned on the Cherubim § God uses them as his chariot (Ps. 18: 10; Ezek. 10: 1 -22) § Two golden figures of Cherubim placed on the ark of the covenant where God dwelt among his people. § Exodus 25: 22 - And there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony, about everything which I will give you in commandment to the children of Israel.

CHERUBIM

OTHER FORMS OF SPIRITUAL BEINGS The Seraphim- Only mentioned in Isaiah 6: 2 -72 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy is the L ORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” 4 6 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the L ORD of hosts!” Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for. ”

OTHER FORMS OF SPIRITUAL BEINGS

OTHER FORMS OF SPIRITUAL BEINGS The living creatures § In Ezekiel and Revelation we see what is known as the “Living Creatures. ” § Ezekiel 1: 5 -14 § Revelation 4: 6 -8 § These are all various parts of God creation that symbolize power and might. § § Wild Beasts Domesticated animals Humans Birds

ANGELS Rank and order of Angels § Michael § Called the Archangel Jude 9 - But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!“ § Chief angel Daniel 10: 13 - But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia.

ANGELS Rank and Order (cont. ) § Michael § Leader of the angelic army revelation 12: 7 -8 § Paul tells of Jesus returning with the archangel’s call in 1 Thessalonians 4: 16. § We are not told in Scripture if Michael is the only archangel or not. Since there is an angel in authority there is then some form of Rank and order. Gabriel also is a special messenger of God. (Luke 1)

ANGELS Angels are only at one place at one time § They are not omnipresent § Scripture depicts them as going from one place to another. (Dan. 10: 12 -14; Luke 1: 26) § They are finite beings, thus can only be at one place at one time like the rest of creation. How many angels are there? § No exact number is given in Scripture, but it is clear there a great number. § Ps. 68: 17 - the chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands. § Hebrews 12: 22 - when we come to worship we come into the presence of “innumerable angels. ”

ANGEL Do you have you own guardian angel? § Psalm 91: 11 -12 - He will give his angels charge of you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. § So God clearly sends his angels for our physical protection. § Grudem- To use an athletic analogy, the angels may be playing “zone” rather than “man-on-man” defense. § There is not enough evidence to say we each have an individual guardian angel. § However their main task seems to be for our protection. Angels do not marry. § Matthew 22: 30 - neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. § Otherwise Scripture is silent.

ANGELS Do Angels have power? § Psalm 103: 20 - “you mighty one who do his word. ” § 2 Peter 2: 11 - “greater in might and power” than rebellious human beings. § On our earthly existence we are lower than angels, Hebrews 2: 7 - “lower than the angels. ” § Their power is great but not infinite like God’s power. § They are used to fight the demonic powers.

ANGEL OF THE LORD Instances of the angel of the Lord § Gen. 16: 10 - Then the Angel of the L ORD said to her, “I will multiply your descendants exceedingly, so that they shall not be counted for multitude. § Gen. 16: 13 - Then she called the name of the L ORD who spoke to her, You. Are-the-God-Who-Sees; for she said, “Have I also here seen Him who sees me? ” § Gen. 22: 12 - And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me. ” § Gen. 31: 11 - Then the Angel of God spoke to me in a dream, saying, ‘Jacob. ’ And I said, ‘Here I am. ’ § Ex. 3: 2, 6 - And the Angel of the L ORD appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed; Moreover He said, “I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. ” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God.

ANGEL OF THE LORD Instances of the angel of the Lord § Clear instances of the angel of the Lord appearing as God Himself, perhaps more specifically as the Son taking on a human body for a short time in order to appear to human beings. Instances of an angel of the Lord § These instances they are distinguished from God. § 2 Sam. 24: 16; Ps. 34: 7; Zech. 1: 11 -13; Luke 1: 11) § Sometimes even mention they are sent by God.

WHEN WERE ANGELS CREATED? Happened at least before the seventh day of creation. § Gen. 2: 1 - Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all th host of them. § Ex. 20: 11 - For in six days the L ORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the L ORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it. § Only possibility of getting more specific is seen between Gen. 1: 1 and Gen. 1: 2. § Jumps right into the creation of earth, possibly implies the heavens are done. § Also the earth is uninhabited, contrasted with the possibility that heavens was full. § Also Job 38: 6 -7 tells us that the angels shouted for joy when God created the earth.

PURPOSE OF ANGELS Angels are used to show the greatness of God’s love and plan for us. 1 st Distinction: Angels are never said to be made “in the image of God. ” § We are more like God than angels are. § Character and traits § We will be made higher than the angels. § We are able to bear children that are in our likeness, after God’s image.

PURPOSE OF ANGELS 2 nd Distinction: Though many angels sinned against God, none were saved. (2 Peter 2: 4) § God did not offer a way for them to be saved. § Remember this is just for God to do. § We do not deserve our salvation § Shows how much God loves us because he offers us salvation. § Also some angels did not sin. Whereas all humanity has sinned.

PURPOSE OF ANGELS Angels remind us that the unseen world is real. § The Bible consistently speaks of angels. § 2 Kings 6: 17 - And Elisha prayed, and said, “L ORD , I pray, open his eyes that he may see. ” Then the L ORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. § Ps. 148: 2 - Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts! § This reminds us that it is a reality of the existence of the unseen world. § It is not science-fiction. § Do not put yourselves in a belief of no supernatural. § Problem among Baptists. § Hebrews mentions that angels can make “inspection visits. ” § Hebrews 13: 2 - Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.

PURPOSE OF ANGELS To protect us § When we are suddenly delivered from danger or distress, we might suspect that angles have been sent by God to help us, and we should be thankful. § Angel shut the mouth of lions in the lions den for Daniel (Dan. 6: 22) § Delivered the apostles from prison (Acts 5: 19 -20) § Ministered to Jesus in the wilderness (Matt. 4: 11) § Psalm 91: 11 -12 - For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. § We should be thankful to God for this.

PURPOSE OF ANGELS Angels are examples to us. § Obedience § They do it immediately, joyfully and without question. § Worship § Seraphim- worship without ceasing. § Revelation 5: 11 -12

PURPOSE OF ANGELS Angels also carry out some of God’s plans. § § § Bring messages to God’s people Carry out some of God’s judgments. (i. e. , plagues of Egypt) Killing leaders (2 Chron. 32: 21) Strikes Herod dead (Acts 12: 23) Pouring out God’s wrath in Revelation (16: 1) When Christ returns the will join him in a great army. (Matt. 16: 27; Luke 9: 26; 2 Thess. 1: 7)

OUR RELATIONSHIP TO ANGELS Need to be cautious of false doctrine from angels. § Beware of ones that preach a false gospel. § 2 Corinthians 11: 14 - Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. § These angels are either Satan or his demons. § No real angel will give you a false gospel. Angels must not be: § Worshiped § They are God’s instruments, not for us directly. § This was a false teaching being taught at Colossae. § Prayed to: We only pray to God and Jesus is the only mediator of our prayers. § Seek them: “To seek such appearances would seem to indicate an unhealthy curiosity or a desire for some kind of spectacular event rather than a love for God and devotion to him and his work. ”