02.08. Angelology (Angels)
ANGELOLOGY (ANGELS) I. Nature of Angels 1. Creatures (Revelation 19:10; Revelation 22:8-9; Colossians 2:18) 2. Spirits (Hebrews 1:14) 3. Immortal (Luke 20:34-36) 4. Numerous (Daniel 7:10; Matthew 26:53; Luke 2:13; Hebrews 12:22) 5. Sexless (Luke 20:34-35) II. Classification (1 Peter 3:22; Colossians 1:16; Ephesians 1:20-21) 1. The Angel of the Lord (Exodus 23:20-23, Exodus 32:1-35, Exodus 34:1-35; Isaiah 63:9) 2. The Archangel: Michael (Jude 1:9, Revelation 12:7); Gabriel (Luke 1:19; Daniel 8:16; Daniel 9:21) 3. Elect Angels – Stood true during Satan’s rebellion (1 Timothy 5:21) 4. Angels of the Nations (Daniel 10:13, Daniel 10:20; Ephesians 3:10; Colossians 2:15) 5. Cherubim – Connected with God’s retributive (Genesis 3:24) and redemptive purposes (Exodus 25:22) F. Seraphim – ’Burning Ones’ (Isaiah 6:1-13)
III. Character 1. Obedient (Psalms 103:20; Jude 1:6; 1 Peter 3:22) 2. Reverent (Nehemiah 9:6; Hebrews 1:6) 3. Wise (2 Samuel 14:17; 1 Kings 8:39; 1 Peter 1:12) 4. Meek (2 Peter 2:11; Jude 1:9) 5. Mighty (Psalms 103:20) 6. Holy (Revelation 14:10)
IV. Work
1. God’s Agents – Executors of God’s decree of judgments (Genesis 3:24; Matthew 13:39-41, Matthew 13:49; 2 Kings 19:35; Acts 12:23) 2. God’s Messengers (angels) – (Luke 11:20; Matthew 1:20-21; Genesis 28:12; Revelation 1:1) 3. God’s Servants (Hebrews 1:14; Matthew 4:11; Genesis 16:7; Psalms 103:20) V. Classification 2 1. Ministering Spirits 2. Warring Angels 3. Worshipping Angels 4. Messenger Angels VI. Angelic Appearances (3 Theories)
1. Simulation - Angels appear in different forms during which they reproduce the very nature and functions of the form they take. Critique: This is impossible for it would imply the essential transformation of angelic nature and confusion in the order of creation. Proof: Angels never appear in reality as animals or as females.
2. Restriction – Angels appear in different forms only superficially; essentially, however, they are restricted to their own angelic nature. Critique: This view assumes that angels use deceptive methods in their ministry, which is false.
Against both the theories, the fact that God neither uses deception nor is in short of instruments (when God needed a fish, He used a fish and didn’t transform an angel into a fish) counts.
3. Negation – Angels do not assume different forms but appear as they are, though in different dimensions of glory (Judges 13:3-5). It is, then, safe to infer from this that angels look like humans. In fact, Jesus said that in the resurrection men would be like angels (Matthew 22:30).