Lesson 12 January 7, 2004

C. The Nature of Angels? What is their Character

1. They are created beings Ps 148:2 - 5 (bara’)

2. Agent of their creation is God - specifically Christ, Jn 1:3; Col 1:16;

3. All angels as well as Satan were created perfect - holy.

Ezk 28:12, 15a; Mark 8:38; Rev 12:3-4

4. They possess personality (true of both elect and fallen)

a. intelligence - Mt 8:29; 1 Pet 1:12;

b. emotion - Jas 2:19 (shudder/fear); Rev 12:17 (anger)

c. volition - Lk 8:28-31; 2 Tim 2:26; Jude 6

5. They are known for their strength and wisdom;

- strength Ps. 103:20

- wisdom 2 Sam 14:20

6. They belong to a class of beings which should be classified as spirit beings

a. elect angels are referred to as ministering spirits, Heb 1:14

b. demons/fallen angels = evil or unclean spirits, sometimes just spirits; Mt 8:16; Lk 8:2; Lk 7:21; Acts 19:12

c. Being spirit beings does not prevent them from appearing to humans, becoming visible, even looking like humans; Gen 18:2; Gen 19:1-8; Mk 16:5; Lk 2:13

7. They are immortal; no propagation; all male. The number that exists today is the same as that created. Mt 22:30; Mk 12:25

8. They therefore are not subject to death. Lk 20:36

9. They are distinct, separate from humans, not spiritual manifestations of humans who have died; they are higher than man

D. The angels are highly organized.

1. The Elect Angels: (under God’s authority)

a. Michael is an Archangel, whose name means “Who is like El?”; Dan 10:13 = “one of chief princes”

1) He is leader of the angelic armies. Rev 12:7

2) He contended with Satan over the body of Moses. Ju 9

3) He is the Guardian Angel of Israel. Dan 10:13; 12:1 (Where he is called the Great Prince)

b. Gabriel, whose name means “The Mighty One of El,” is the leader of the Teaching Angels. Dan 8:16; 9:20-23; Lk 1:19,26 (He is mighty concerning BD)

c. There are lesser ranking angels, called rulers, authorities, powers, dominions and principalities. Eph 1:21; 3:10;

d. The Seraphim have 6 wings and lead in the worship of God. Isa 6:2,6 (name means to burn, so the implication is that they are the ones who execute judgment on nations - agents of cleansing.)

e. The Cherubim have a multitude of functions before God.

(especially related to guarding His essence, His holiness)

(most frequently used in reference to the Tab. & Temple;)

2. The Unsaved Angels: [fallen - demons]

a. They are led by Satan. Rev 12:7

b. None are named in Scripture, except Satan. (Occult books are full of their names as are New Age lit.)

c. They too have an organization similar to that of the Elect Angels. Eph 6:12; Col 1:16; 2:15; Rm 8:38

3. Their residence:

a. Elect angels, under God’s authority reside in heaven (Mk 13:32) but have access to the earth.

b. Fallen angels, under Satan’s authority, demons; [2 categ.]

1. They are incarcerated in Tartarus, 2 Pet 2:4, as a result of their judgment for leaving their abode, their proper authority, Jude 6, in their escapade with the fair maidens of the antediluvian civilizations. Gen. 6:1-7

2. Unconfined; free, fallen angels, demons, who are always operating in hostility to God through out the time of human history under Satan’s control. Struggle is first with God then with those that are His. [Eph 6:12]

- Satan and his demons have access to the 3^rd heaven until the mid point of the Tribulation; Rev 12:8-9