God’s angels are supernatural spirit beings that can interact in the affairs of humanity as He desires. They dwell in God’s kingdom of light, an invisible realm, but are sometimes seen visibly manifesting in the natural realm to conduct His will.
Jesus had support from the Father’s angels during His earthly ministry.
After Fasting 40 Days and Nights in the Wilderness
Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. Matthew 4:11
In the Garden of Gethsemane
41) And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, 42) saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done." 43) Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. Luke 22:41-43
Within His Privilege, Authority, and Availability
52) But Jesus said to him, "Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53) Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? Matthew 26:52-53
No doubt the angels were ready to intervene at the slightest command, but Jesus willingly suffered a horrible death to save us from our sins.
It might be worth noting, a Roman legion was anywhere from 5,000 to 6,000 men. Had Jesus called on the Father for their intervention, 60,000 to 72,000 of them would have been at His side to defend Him and deliver Him.
The ‘Early Church’ had the support of God’s angels.
Prophetic Promise Through Two Angels
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 1:10-11
Deliverance From Prison
17) Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, 18) and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison.
19) But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20) "Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life." Acts 5:17-20
5) Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. 6) And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison.
7) Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, "Arise quickly!" And his chains fell off his hands.
8) Then the angel said to him, "Gird yourself and tie on your sandals"; and so he did. And he said to him, "Put on your garment and follow me."
9) So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10) When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.
11) And when Peter had come to himself, he said, "Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people." Acts 12:5-11
Angelic Help Spreading the Gospel
Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, "Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is desert. Acts 8:26
And they said, "Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you." Acts 10:22
12) Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man's house. 13) And he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, 'Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter, 14) who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.' Acts 11:12-14
It's plain from scripture, angels do not preach the gospel, that mission has been given to us as born-again believers in Christ. Angels do, however, assist those actively spreading the Good News of God’s Kingdom. We can all pray for their support as we share the love of Christ to a lost and desperate world.
We’ll discover more about the realities of the invisible realm next time. Until then, may God our Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ continually bless and keep you.
James BrownCST 07/24/2024