The Elect Angels
THE ELECT ANGELS
There are two basic categories of angels described in the Bible, just as there are two basic kinds of people. There are those who love the Lord and who seek to follow Him and there are those who do not.
Designations of Angels.
There are several different designations that are used to describe those angels who are aligned with the Lord and in His service.
Holy Angels|Jesus described the Son of Man coming in His glory with the holy angels (Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26)|
Angels of God|Jacob's vision of a ladder stretching to heaven was populated with the angels of God (Genesis 28:12; John 1:51).|
Angels of heaven|Jesus speaks in Matthew 24:36 of how not even the angels of heaven know the timetable of His coming.|
Chosen Angels|Paul speaks of the witness of the chosen angels in 1 Timothy 5:21). This suggests that the destiny of the angels rest ultimately in the hands of the one who chose them.| Characteristics of Angels.
They cannot die|...those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage; 36 for neither can they die anymore, for they are like angels (Luke 20:35-36).|
They are mighty|...the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire (2 Thessalonians 1:7).|
They are subordinate to Christ|...Jesus Christ, 22 who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him. (1 Peter 3:22).|
They cannot tell what we are thinking|This is suggested in the prayer of Solomon as he speaks to the Lord, saying: Thou alone dost know the hearts of all the sons of men (1 Kings 8:39).|
Perhaps it is only happenstance that angels are always described in the masculine gender. They occasionally appear in the form of men, but we never read of them appearing in feminine form. This is not to suggest that such a thing is impossible.
3. The Role of the Angels.
They shall gather the elect at the second coming of Christ (Matthew 24:31).
They carry the saved to heaven (Luke 16:22).
They served as messengers to bring the law (Acts 7:53; Galatians 3:19).
They are ministers to the elect (Hebrews 1:14).