Angels:
        Celestial Spectators of Planet Earth

        As you all know, the topic of angels is a popular item today. Nearly all of the talk shows air the subject. Songwriters sing about angels. Storytellers write captivating tales about them. Cupid sends forth his arrows on Valentine's Day. We could go on and on. Not long ago, one of the major television networks aired a two-hour Prime Time special entitled, "Angels: The Mysterious Messengers." The 'angel' thing has become a commercial, media event with a lot of fiction emerging. The purpose of this four-part series is to separate fact from fiction. We need to be careful that the 'light' that surrounds "angel mania" doesn't go out when we hold it up against the scriptures.

        "If they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." (Isaiah 8:20)

        There are many reasons why angels are so popular today. In his book, "Angels Among Us", Ron Rhodes writes:

        *Angels are popular today because they allegedly offer humankind a form of spirituality that does not involve commitment to God or the laws of God.

        *As Time puts it, "for those who choke too easily on God and His rules, angels are the handy compromise, all fluff and meringue, kind and nonjudgmental. They are available to everyone, like aspirin."

        *Christianity Today magazine suggests that angels too easily provide a temptation for those who want a fix of spirituality without bothering with God himself.

        *Guardian angels are popular today because of people's perceived need for protection in a threatening world.

        *Angels have grown popular as a reaction against the materialism and secularism of Western Society.

        *Angels are popular today because they allegedly give assurance to all people regarding life after death.

        The excitement many have about angels today is rooted in wildly unbiblical ideas. We need to be discerning. Just because it feels warm and right doesn't mean that it's true. In fact, some of what is being taught and written about angels today in some of the best selling books seems to have more to do with fallen angels (demons) than with God's holy angels. These fallen angels are impostors who pose as benevolent helpers of humankind, yet really encourage a spirituality without Christ and without God, and apart from God's revelation. I suspect that much about what is being written and reported concerning angels has more to do with doctrines of devils described by Paul in the pastoral epistles. 

        "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons." (1 Tim. 4:1)

        This shouldn't be at all surprising since Paul speaks about this in 2 Corinthians 11:14,15. 

        "And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve."

        Are you aware that you could be opening yourself to demonic oppression and depression by believing every spirit? This is a warning. Discern the spirits because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

        ANGELS ARE CREATED BEINGS

        There are two common errors concerning Angels. The first is that every new wish or desire that God expresses is the occasion for the immediate creation of a new angel to carry out that desire. When that desire is accomplished, the angel dies. The second, and more familiar says that when a person dies he immediately becomes an angel. Both of these errors are patently unbiblical. The Bible, God's inspired word, is the only authoritative source of knowledge we have concerning angels. One thing is very clear. They are created spirit beings. They have not existed forever, neither were they formerly human.

        The eternal Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, created angels. Psalm 148: 1-5 declares, 

        "Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD from the heavens, praise him in the heights above. Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his heavenly hosts. Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars. Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies. Let them praise the name of the LORD, for he commanded and they were created."

        Angels came into being at a specific time. They are permanent spirit beings. They don't die after their work is completed. They have eternal existence.

        For example, Michael, the archangel was pictured by Daniel (in chapter 12) as a servant of God hundreds of years before Christ was born. Revelation 12, speaking of a time yet future, Michael is also active at the end of last days on behalf of God's people Israel. Like all angels, Michael is a permanent spirit being.

        In the Old Testament, God is portrayed as Creator. When we read the New Testament, Christ is seen as Creator. It is as God that Christ brought all creation into being. (see John 1:1-3; Hebrews 1:1-3). You see, God the Son created all things and when all was done he rested from all his creation. It is all finished; there is nothing more being created. "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: All things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist." (Colossians. 1:16,17).

        The term thrones, dominions, principalities and powers are taken to refer to hierarchies or ranks of angelic beings.

        WHEN WERE ANGELS CREATED?

        Job 38:4-7

        This question has been debated for centuries. Were the hosts of angels created when God created the heavens and the earth? Many theologians believe angels were created some time before the heavens and the earth (or the physical universe) and man. There seems to be good evidence that this is true. Speaking to Job, the Lord asked him rhetorically,

        "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone-- while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?" (Job 38:4-7)

        This passage tells us that when God created the heavens and the earth and man, that all the angels of God shouted for joy. There is every reason to believe that at the time of creation of the material universe of stars, planets, that there was a vast world of spirit beings. These spirit beings shouted as a massive angelic choir when God created the heavens and the earth and everything in it.

        ELECT AND EVIL ANGELS

        It is important to see that all the angels God created were holy and good, for it would be opposed to the character of God to create anything evil. When God finished His creation he saw that it was good. God did not create Lucifer and the fallen angels as such. They became that way through their own pride and rebellion. (Jude 6) This tells us, then, that God created angels with the capacity to choose and that in this instance their choices led to rebellion.

        Peter uses the Greek Tartarus to indicate where some of the sinning angels were sent. This same word, translated hell , is used only in the New Testament. It refers to the place where some fallen angels "who did not keep their proper domain" (Jude 6) are kept awaiting judgment.

        The pre-cosmic fall of Satan, described in Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28, included a sizable contingent of angels who followed him (possibly one third of all the angels (cf. Rev. 12:4). Some of these have been reserved in chains awaiting the concluding judgment of all angels (cf. 1 Cor. 6:3), while others remain active agents of Satan. These are demons or angels of Satan.

        It is interesting to note that all the angels originally enjoyed being in the direct presence of God and heaven's perfect environment. This made the rebellion of some angels even more sinful. Once the angels were put to the test to remain loyal to God or to Lucifer, their decision was made permanent. Those angels who decided to remain loyal to God were made permanent in their loyalty. At the same time, Lucifer's decision along with his angels was also fixed. These evil angels were confirmed in their state of rebellion.

        There is a verse in 1 Timothy 5 that reads: "I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism." They are elect because God intervened to permanently confirm them in their holiness. Therefore good angels are now incapable of sinning. The lines have been drawn and they are absolute. Because of that, we see them in this verse as observers from God's viewpoint of what goes on with the saints on earth.

        Evil Angels--- (Matt. 25:41) those angels who followed Satan are evil. They are unredeemable. They are permanently continuing to judgment without recourse. They are irrevocably consigned to the lake of fire.

        How tempted we are to run in despair when clouds of trials and temptations come our way. If we would look closely at our situation through the eyes of faith, we would also see God's angels of mercy coming to our aid. This should comfort us, stimulate us and challenge us to live holy lives in our present world.


        Order In Heaven and Earth
        Angels Among Us - Part One
        Angels Among Us - Part Two

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