ALL YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT ANGELS

All my life I've wanted to know about angels. So has everyone I've ever known. After years of studying what the Bible has to say about angels and how they were created by God to worship Him AND help human beings, I have compiled the facts as I see them in the Word of God.

I believe you may be as inspired and helped as I have been as you spend a few minutes reading this small booklet and then at your leisure spend further time studying the Scriptures I've included.

I discovered that God refers to these wondrous personages, His angels, no less than 273 times in 34 of the 66 books of the Bible. This is astonishing in light of the fact that the average person, or even the typical Christian believer, knows so little specific information about angels.

It is my desire that the incredible knowledge I've gained through this study—and the exhilarating enthusiasm and delight I now have in seeing how angels help me and everyone else who accepts them—will be yours also.

FACTS ABOUT THE ANGELS WHO HELP YOU

1. The Bible makes it clear that angels were created by God Himself.

Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them (Genesis 2:1).

And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ

(Ephesians 3:9).

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 (Colossians 1:16).

These angels are your heavenly friends and helpers. God created them not only for Himself but also to help Him carry out His mighty works and to work closely with people, particularly those who serve God.

2. Angels are subject to God alone, reporting directly to Him in all that they do.

Now there was a day when the sons of God [angels] came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them (Job 1:6).

Again there was a day when the sons of God [angels] came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the Lord (Job 2:1).

Thus we can trust angels to carry the truth of God and to be responsible to report all their activities to Him.

3. Angels were created before man and were present at man's creation and the creation of the world.

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said.... Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. . . . When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God [angels] shouted for joy (Job 38:1,4,7).

4. We can depend on the word of the angels, for they are God's announcers of His greatest deeds to save our souls and deliver our Jesus.

At Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, angels were the first to announce a Savior had been born, which is Christ the Lord, telling shepherds near Bethlehem the good news.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men (Luke 2:10-14).

5. Angels are eternal beings and will live forever.

Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection (Luke 20:36).

We're not dealing with transient beings who are here today and gone tomorrow. Angels are close by us at all times, and they affect our lives and destinies in very important ways.

6. God did not create the angels to reproduce as He did man.

Since God created angels for the specific purpose of glorifying His Name and ministering to His people, they do not marry; therefore, they remain the same in number, which is innumerable.

As Elisha the prophet said to his young servant when surrounded by a mighty army,

They that be with us are more than they that be with them (II Kings 6:16).

But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection (Luke 20:35,36).

7. The very purpose of God in "sending" angels is to minister unto and help people, especially those who desire to trust in Him.

But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? (Hebrews 1:13,14).

8. Angels are not human; they are spirit beings.

Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire (Psalm 104:4).

And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame offire.... Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? (Hebrews 1:7,14).

Therefore evil men cannot get their hands on the angels to harm or kill them. They exist beyond the sense realm, but are very close at all times to every person for the purpose of doing good to them.

9. Angels cannot be seen by the human eye; they are invisible to physical eyesight.

Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshiping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind (Colossians 2:18).

When God wishes a person to see angels, He gives the person spiritual insight by which the angel, or angels, are seen more clearly than with the physical eye.

10.Angels are of superior intelligence, able to carry out God's directions flawlessly.

Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding (Daniel 9:21,22).

Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days (Daniel 10:14).

To fetch about this form of speech hath thy servant Joab done this thing: and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth (II Samuel 14:20).

11.Angels possess the joy of the Lord, living directly in His presence and worshiping Him day and night._

...when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? (Job 38:7).

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God (Luke 2:13).

12.Angels have a great desire to see the things God has reserved for His saints.

Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into (I Peter 1:12).

This shows us the preciousness of Jesus' suffering for those of us who are in the Body of Christ and the glory that follows His atoning work for our salvation.

13.Angels are vastly stronger than men.

Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word (Psalm 103:20).

And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels (II Thessalonians 1:7).

Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord (II Peter 2:11).

We are surrounded at all times by the vastly superior strength of these divine messengers sent to minster in our behalf. It is time we understand that we are not living in our own strength, or by it. We have mighty helpers.

14.The swiftness of angels far exceeds that of the fastest humans.

Apparently angels can travel faster than the speed of sound or light and be by our side in an instant.

Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation (Daniel 9:21).

And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people (Revelation 14:6).

15.Angels, unlike God, are not omnipotent or all-powerful within themselves; neither are they omniscient nor everywhere present as God is.

But don't worry. God dispatches angels to us with their superior strength and intelligence and with the determination to carry out His will, and they are closer to us than any human beings.

But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia (Daniel 10:13).

Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee (Jude 9).

16.Angels will join    and commingle with all the saints in the    New Jerusalem.

But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect (Hebrews 12:22,23).

Oh, what great things God has in store for His redeemed ones!

17.Angels go by different names, each of which usually denotes the purpose God has for them as individual spirit beings or as groups.

A. Ministers.

Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure (Psalm 103:20,21).

Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire (Psalm 104:4).

But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? (Hebrews 1:13,14).

This signifies that angels do far more than glorify God. The very heart of their activities among people is ministry— bringing to us the services and blessings of God.

B. Host.

And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God's host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim (Genesis 32:1,2).

And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? (Joshua 5:14).

Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied (I Samuel 17:45).

O Lord God of hosts, who is a strong Lord like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee? (Psalm 89:8).

Those angels who serve in God's military service are called the host, the heavenly host, or the host of the Lord. The angelic host has never lost a battle. Also, they will be pressed into service militarily when the Lord defeats the Antichrist and all his forces.

C. Chariots.

And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha (II Kings 6:16,17).

The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place (Psalm 68:17).

And I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came four chariots out from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of brass.... And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth (Zechariah 6:1,5).

Among the things the name angel means is swiftness. Chariots were the fastest vehicles in Bible times. The swiftest beings in all the universe are angels. Thus, the Bible refers to them as chariots.

D. Watchers.

I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven. . . . This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men (Daniel 4:13,17).

This name speaks of angels' divine assignment by God as agents or supervisors. There is a kingdom just beyond our senses that is filled with these angelic watchers, agents of God who watch over us.

E.    Strength as of the mighty.

Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty, give unto the Lord glory and strength (Psalm 29:1).

For who in the heaven can be compared unto the Lord? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the Lord? (Psalm 89:6).

One of God's names is GOD ALMIGHTY, a name He revealed to Abraham. The name of this group of angels speaks of their incredible strength and awesome power, which is manifested at all times in behalf of those who believe.

F.    Sons of God.

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them (Job 1:6).

Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the Lord (Job 2:1).

...when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? (Job 38:7).

While angels are not sons of God as people who believe on Jesus, nevertheless God has designated them sons of God.

G.    Holy ones.

God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him (Psalm 89:7).

Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden underfoot? (Daniel 8:13).

Angels are holy and undefiled by sin and separated to the will of God in all they are and do.

H.    Stars.

... when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted

for joy? (Job 38:7).

Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light (Psalm 148:2,3).

And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born (Revelation 12:3,4).

As the stars of the heavens are too numerous to count and exist in varying degrees of intensity and power, so angels are known for their exceeding brightness and number, surpassing man's ability to count.

MINISTRY OF THE ANGELS

Time after time, the Bible describes how angels ministered to individuals and to God's people in small and large groups. Reading these fascinating accounts is a strong reminder that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever and that since He deployed angels in behalf of His servants in Bible times, He is still deploying these same angels to minister to us today.

18.Both archangels Michael and Gabriel ministered personally to Daniel.

The archangels ministered (1) in Daniel's prayer life and (2) in revelation of the signs of the end-time and the coming of the Messiah.

I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things (Daniel 7:16).

Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz. . . . And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling (Daniel 10:5,11).

19.The Prophet Zechariah received the ministry of angels._

And the Lord answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words. So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.... And I said unto the angel that talked with me, What be these? And he answered me, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem (Zechariah 1:13,14,19).

Then said I, Whithergoest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof. And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him (Zechariah 2:2,3).

Then the angel that talked with me went forth, and said unto me, Lift up now thine eyes, and see what is this that goeth forth. And I said, What is it? And he said, This is an ephah that goeth forth. He said moreover, This is their resemblance through all the earth. And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah. And he said, This is wickedness. And he cast it into the midst of the ephah; and he cast the weight of lead upon the mouth thereof. Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two women, and the wind was in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven. Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah? (Zechariah 5:5-10).

Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, What are these, my lord? And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth (Zechariah 6:4,5).

20.Angels ministered to the young virgin, Mary.

This is incredible proof of God's ability to bring forth the birth of His Son Jesus in the flesh—causing Him to be born of a woman's body to receive the size and shape and form of His all-human body, while being conceived of the Holy Spirit in order to be born without the seed of sin in his heart—making Him fully God and fully man. This is the mystery called the Incarnation.

Without the ministry of angels to Mary, this virtuous young woman would never have known how to submit to God for this miracle of miracles or how to obey the will of God laid down for her.

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end (Luke 1:2633).

21.Angels ministered to Joseph._

After his engagement to young Mary —which, in those days, was almost tantamount to marriage—an angel gave Joseph clear and definite directions he could understand, convincing him not to "divorce" Mary before she could bear the humanity of God's Son. Afterwards, Joseph married her and they bore several children together.

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife; for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost (Matthew 1:20).

And when they were departed, behold,

the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.... But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt (Matthew 2:13,19).

22.Angels ministered to the shepherds.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger (Luke 2:9-12).

Only superior beings sent directly from God could have convinced shepherds to leave their flocks at night and to believe that a child lying in a manger and wrapped in swaddling clothes was the Son of the Most High, a light to all men, the Christ of God.

The angel's testimony had a powerful effect on the shepherds.

And following the announcement to the shepherds, the heavenly host filled the sky, praising and magnifying God, and declaring, "Peace on earth and good will to men."

23.Angels were there to minister to the women who came to the empty tomb.

And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: and as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, saying, the Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again (Luke 24:4-7).

The interworking of the angels with the Holy Spirit, Who "raised Jesus' body from the dead," is breathtaking and inseparable from the Resurrection. They lend credibility to the happenings at the tomb and add much to the wonder of the supreme event in Christianity: the resurrection of our Savior, which sealed the guarantee that all God's people will likewise be resurrected and given new bodies at Christ's Second Coming.

24.Time after time angels ministered to the apostles.

A. To all of them.

And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven (Acts 1:10,11).

B.    To Philip.

And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert (Acts 8:26).

C.    To Peter in prison.

And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands (Acts 12:7).

25.Angels ministered to a Roman army captain in his search for the true God.

He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: he lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do (Acts 10:3-6).

One of the most significant things the angel said to this soldier of the occupying army of Rome was, "Cornelius, your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God."

These words ring down through the centuries, teaching us that when we pray and add giving to our prayers, it becomes a memorial to us before God that He acts upon to bring us into His Kingdom and into the supplying of our needs!

26.John, the apostle who gave us the book of Revelation, received ministry from angels.

And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters (Revelation 17:1).

And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife (Revelation 21:9).

27.Angels intervened in the debauched city of Sodom to minister to Lot and his family._

Angels delivered Lot and his family from the Sodomites before fire from heaven destroyed the city.

But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door. And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door (Genesis 19:10,11).

28.Angels ministered to Elisha the prophet and delivered him from the entire Syrian army which had encircled him to kill him.

And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha (II Kings 6:15-17).

There was absolutely no way of escape for the man of God or his servant. But swifter than light, the angels came and dispersed the enemy army, leaving God's prophet in perfect safety and still in charge.

Again, we are shown that because of the ministry of angels we are never alone.

29.Angels minister at the moment of death to those who die in faith.

And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried (Luke 16:22).

Angels, such as this one that carried the soul of Lazarus into "Abraham's bosom," which was a symbol of God's personal presence, are always present at death to carry us beyond the vale of this earthly life into the immediate, personal presence of God.

This is the final reason that while we're here on earth, through faith, we are to have no fear, not even of death. Death as the final enemy can do no more, and the angel of life robs death of its power to destroy us.

ANGELS ACT AS JUDGES

30.The Egyptians who tried to kill the children of Israel were judged by angels.

The angels acted swiftly to clear a path in the wilderness, then through the Red Sea on dry ground. Not one of the Israelites, including both the old and the children, was enslaved any longer, but freed to go to the

Promised Land.

And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of

Egypt.... For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you (Exodus 12:13,23).

31.Angels were sent to fight for Israel against their enemies.

They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera (Judges 5:20).

32.Angels carried the law from God's hands to the children of Israel.

And he said, The Lord came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them (Deuteronomy 33:2).

33.Angels judged the Sodomites.

For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the Lord; and the Lord hath sent us to destroy it (Genesis 19:13).

34.Angels judged the Assyrians.

And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the Lord went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses (II Kings 19:3 5).

35.Angels personally judged the wicked King Herod and caused his death, ending his opposition of the Christians.

And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost (Acts 12:23).

36.Angels will judge the whole earth during the Great Tribulation.

A. They will hold back the four winds of heaven.

And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree (Revelation 7:1).

B. They will pronounce the seven trumpet judgments over all the earth.

And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets (Revelation 8:2).

C.    They remind the world that the archangel Lucifer was cast out of heaven and became the devil.

One-third of the angels also rebelled against God and were cast out of heaven with the devil and became demonic spirits.

And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven (Revelation 12:7,8).

D.    They pronounce to all unbelievers the eternal hell that is awaiting them.

The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb (Revelation 14:10).

E.    Angels call for the fall of Babylon, this present ungodly world-system.

And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication (Revelation 14:8).

And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird (Revelation 18:1,2).

F.    Angels are God's messengers who will pour out the seven vials of judgment upon unrepentant man.

And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God (Revelation 15:1).

G.    Angels will accompany Jesus in His Second Coming when He will be revealed to all the world, taking vengeance on those who have rejected God.

And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ (II Thessalonians 1:7,8).

H.    Angels gather all those who do not know God and have obeyed satan, casting them into hell, which was not made for man but for satan and his demonic spirits.

The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world (Matthew 13:39,40).

I.    Angels will bind satan, the fallen archangel Lucifer, and cast him into the "bottomless pit.”

And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years (Revelation 20:1,2).

J. Angels shall gather God's "elect" from among the children of Israel, as part of the great Remnant of God's people from the beginning of time until the end.

And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other (Matthew 24:31).

ANGELS AND JESUS

37.Angels continually worship Jesus.

And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him (Hebrews 1:6)

38.Angels were created by Jesus for His glory.

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).

39.Angels prophesied of Jesus' birth.

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife; for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:20,21).

40.Angels announced Jesus' miraculous birth.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men (Luke 2:9-14).

41.Angels warned Joseph to take the holy child and flee from the murderous wrath of Herod.

The angels told Joseph to take the Child to Egypt until Herod died, then return with Him to the little town of Nazareth in Israel where He was to grow up.

And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him (Matthew 2:13).

42.Angels    personally ministered to Jesus as He agonized in the Garden of Gethsemane, strengthening Him for the cross.

And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him (Luke 22:43).

43.Angels rolled away the huge stone at the tomb on Resurrection morning.

And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it (Matthew 28:2).

44.Angels were the ones chosen to announce that Jesus had risen from the dead.

And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay (Matthew 28:5,6).

45.Angels prophesied of Jesus' Second Coming.

And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven (Acts 1:10,11).

46.Angels are in total obedience to Jesus' authority over them._

...who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him (I Peter 3:22).

THE ANGEL OF THE LORD

This angel is specifically called "the angel of the Lord" because God called on him to do mighty things.

1. The angel of the Lord is the angel who wrestled with Jacob, and changed his name from Jacob (meaning trickster) to Israel (meaning prince, one who prevailed with God).

And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved (Genesis 32:24-30).

2. The angel of the Lord redeemed Jacob from all the evils of his past life and prepared him to be the patriarch of his descendants, the children of Israel.

The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth (Genesis 48:16).

3.    The angel of the Lord spoke to Moses from the burning bush, telling him to "go down and let My people go.

And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed (Exodus 3:2).

4.    The angel of the Lord protected Israel from the Egyptians at the glorious crossing of the Red Sea.

And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them (Exodus 14:19).

5.    The angel of the Lord helped prepare the children of Israel for their trip with Moses through the wilderness to the Promised Land.

Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him. But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries. For mine Angel shall go before thee, and bring thee in unto the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites: and I will cut them off (Exodus 23:20-23).

6.    The angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon in his shyness and frustration and gave him God's commission to deliver Israel from the army of the Midianites which was out to destroy God's people.

And there came an angel of the Lord, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites. And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour (Judges 6:11,12).

7.    The angel of the Lord tenderly ministered to Elijah in his weariness and in what he thought was his greatest failure, giving him strength to continue his all-important prophetic work.

And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee (I Kings 19:7).

8.    The angel of the Lord appeared to Joshua, the young successor to Moses, encouraging and reassuring him that God was with him.

And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? And the captain of the Lord's host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so (Joshua 5:13-15).

9. The angel of the Lord literally saved Jerusalem from the armies of the Assyrians.

For I will defend this city to save it for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake. Then the angel of the Lord went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses (Isaiah

37:35,36).

10. The angel of the Lord delivered the three Hebrew children—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—from Babylon's fiery furnace.

Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God (Daniel 3:28).

ARCHANGELS

When God established the order of angels to worship Him and minister to people, He created three mighty archangels to rule over them:

Lucifer was a covering over God's throne, had power over the riches of the earth, was the most beautiful of all, and ruled over one-third of the angels.

Gabriel seems to be the great military angel and makes the most important announcements from heaven.

Michael appears to be attached to Israel and in direct conflict with Lucifer, who sinned against God and was cast down to the earth, along with one-third of the angels who followed him in rebellion. Lucifer became the devil, or satan, the archenemy of Christ and God's people.

A reading of Isaiah 14:12-17 and Ezekiel 28:12-19 will give you a clear idea of Lucifer's fall. Here are Scriptures about Gabriel and Michael which I shall give you in order.

ACTIVITIES OF THE ARCHANGEL GABRIEL

1.    Gabriel explained the prophetic vision of the ram and goat—the vision of the end-time—to Daniel in Babylon.

And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision (Daniel 8:16).

2.    Gabriel gave Daniel a detailed explanation of the 70 weeks which concerned the children of Israel and all God's people.

Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.

And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.

At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter and consider the vision.

Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall even in troublous times.

And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself.. and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate (Daniel 9:21-27).

3.    Gabriel told Zacharias of the coming birth of John the Baptist, who would be the forerunner of Jesus the Messiah.

But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John (Luke 1:13).

4.    Gabriel appeared to Mary, telling her she would give birth to Jesus.

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth (Luke 1:26).

5.    Gabriel visited Joseph, Mary's betrothed, and calmed his fears about Mary's purity.

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife; for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost (Matthew 1:20).

6.    Gabriel gave Joseph a special and specific warning of King Herod's plot to kill the baby Jesus.

And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him (Matthew 2:13).

7.    Gabriel later told Joseph about the death of Herod.

But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life (Matthew 2:19,20).

8. Gabriel announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds, telling them to go quickly and see the child.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men (Luke 2:9-14).

GABRIEL'S WORKS IN THE CHURCH AFTER THE DAY OF PENTECOST

9.    After Peter and the apostles were cast into prison in Jerusalem for performing mighty healings and miracles among the people in the name of the resurrected Christ, Gabriel freed them.

...and laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life (Acts 5:1820).

10.    Gabriel sent Philip the Evangelist to the desert of Gaza to preach to the Ethiopian eunuch on his way back home and win him to Christ.

And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert (Acts 8:26).

11.    Gabriel appeared to the Roman army captain, Cornelius, directed him in his hunger to know the true God, and sent Peter to take him the good news of the gospel.

He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius (Acts 10:3).

12.    When Peter was in jail in Jerusalem, scheduled to be martyred the next day, and while the church in Jerusalem was praying for him "without ceasing," Gabriel entered the prison and led Peter to safety and back to his ministry.

And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands (Acts 12:7).

13.    Gabriel executed Herod for his blasphemies against God.

And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost (Acts 12:23).

14.    On the tossing deck of the boat when Paul's life was in danger, Gabriel appeared to him and told him that not a one of them would lose their lives even though the ship would go down.

For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve (Acts 27:23).

15.    Gabriel will sound the trumpet and lift his mighty voice over all the earth at the Rapture of the saints.

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first (I Thessalonians 4:16).

ACTIVITIES OF THE ARCHANGEL MICHAEL

16.    After 21 days of hindrance from Lucifer the devil, Michael came to bring Daniel the answer to his prayer. Lucifer could no longer hold it up.

But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. ... But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince (Daniel 10:13,21).

17.    During the Great Tribulation during the end-time, it is Michael who will defend Israel.

And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book (Daniel 12:1).

18.    Michael successfully contended with the devil, the former Lucifer, for the dead body of Moses and turned the situation directly over to the Lord.

Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee (Jude 9).

19.    Michael fought against satan in the heavenlies during Lucifer's war in heaven with God.

And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels

(Revelation 12:7).

ANGELS AND YOU

My dear friend, the Lord is very close to you as you read this little book. His heart yearns for you to know these things about His angels, whose ministry includes bringing so many of God's blessings of deliverance and supply directly to your life.

God's angels are always close by. Even as you hold this little book in your hand, reading about them from the Word of God and the things I've shared with you, precious angels of God are present to bless and help you.

I urge you to develop a conscious awareness of their reality and presence with you as they act on God's assignment to strengthen and support you.

LET'S PRAY

Dear God, I thank You for giving us this this clear scriptural information about Your angels and their ministry in our behalf and about the things to come upon this earth and in eternity.

I pray that each of us will determine in our heart to learn more and more about the ways angels help us. I ask You to especially illuminate our minds and spirits so that we will be personally alert to all You are doing and, in particular, to how You have placed Your angels near us.

Dear friend, I pray for your spirit, mind, body, finances, family, and your total well-being. I ask God to draw you closer and closer to Him and to give you the exact miracles you need, beginning this very hour.

All glory to God and His Holy Name!

Sincerely,

Table of Contents

Start