We’ve been looking at the activity and ministry of angels. These beings are mentioned hundreds of times throughout scripture, and it’s important we have insight into their role and purpose.
According to scripture we know they are God’s host (army), servants, and messengers. They serve Him continually and carry out His purpose and plan in heaven and on the earth.
20) Bless the LORD, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word, heeding the voice of His word. 21) Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, You ministers of His, who do His pleasure.
Psalms 103:20-21
Who makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flame of fire.
Psalms 104:4
Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts! Psalms 148:2
Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, Revelation 5:11
This number has been estimated to be up to1 trillion angels. Amazing, especially considering this is only the number John saw in this encounter. Who knows how many were outside his purview.
These holy heavenly beings not only serve God day and night, but they are also sent to minister to us on His behalf.
13) But to which of the angels has He ever said: "SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, TILL I MAKE YOUR ENEMIES YOUR FOOTSTOOL"? 14) Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation? Hebrews 1:13-14
Protection for the Righteous
11) For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. 12) In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. Psalms 91:11-12
It appears they are assigned to watch over us from childhood to ensure we have every opportunity to fulfill God’s plan for our lives.
"Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 18:10
Angels have supernatural strength and are able to move at tremendous speeds, seemingly at the speed of thought.
1) Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 2) And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. 3) His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. Matthew 28:1-3
“…yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering.” Daniel 9:21
Angels can appear as men
1) Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. 2) But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.
3) Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4) And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments.
5) Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6) He is not here but is risen! Luke 24:1-6a
Angels at Christ’s Ascension
9) Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10) And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11) who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven." Acts 1:9-11
Entertaining Angels Unawares
Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. Hebrews 13:2
These are just a few of the many fascinating examples from scripture describing the ongoing ministry of angels. But wait…there’s more!
We’ll discover more about the angelic and invisible realm next time. Until then, may God our Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ continually bless and keep you.
James Brown
CST 07/20/2024