Angels and the Church
Bob Yandian
“But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels.” (Hebrews 12:22)
“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)
Angels cannot be numbered. And these mentioned in our text are the elect angels who form two thirds of the angels created. The other third of the angels fell with Lucifer at his rebellion (Revelation 12:4) and are bound in chains today under the earth (2 Peter 2:4, Jude 6). Of those fallen, some will be released for a short time during the Tribulation (Revelation 9:11). All demons and fallen angels are under Satan’s authority and take their commands from him. Their job is to disrupt God’s plan by destroying and occupying Jerusalem and getting rid of the Church. Satan thinks he is smarter and more powerful than God and is out to accomplish his plans, despite what scripture says is the outcome of his agenda.
Elect angels are different. They work for God and are out to cause His plan to come to pass. We are included in God’s plan and thus, the work of angels.
Ranks of Angels
Cherubim
The first and highest class of angels are Cherubim. They have two wings and are the first angels mentioned in the Bible. They were placed in the garden of Eden to guard the tree of life (Genesis 3:24). They are also the guardians of the throne of God (Ezekiel 10:1-5). Their images were made of gold and placed on top of the ark of the covenant over the mercy seat where the blood of the sacrifice was sprinkled after being shed (2 Kings 19:15, 1 Chronicles 13:6). Lucifer was the highest-ranking angel in heaven, called the anointed Cherub who covered (ruled) (Ezekiel 28:14). He was the highest ranking of the highest-ranking angels, just below the godhead.
Seraphim
These beautiful angels always remain in heaven and have six wings (Isaiah 6:2). They guard and announce the holiness of God throughout heaven (Isaiah 6:3).
The Archangel
There is only one, Michael (Jude 9). Gabriel is not said to be an archangel but is a companion of Michael (Daniel 10:13). Apparently, Gabriel is a messenger angel (Daniel 8:16, 9:21, Luke 1:19, 26). Michael has a group of angels who do his bidding. They are called Michael and his angels (Revelation 12:7).
Chief Princes
Gabriel is the leader (Daniel 8:16). He is a messenger angel who remains in the presence of God until given an assignment. In the book of Daniel, Gabriel worked with Michael (Daniel 10:13). He brought the message of the birth of John the Baptist to Zechariah (Luke 1:19), to Mary about the birth of Jesus (Luke 1:26-28), and it was probably Gabriel bringing the message to John on Patmos (Revelation 1:1).
The Hosts (Armies) of Angels
These angels remain on earth among men but can travel back and forth to heaven to bring messages to us from God. They are also innumerable (Hebrews 12:22) but are different than the angels who remain in heaven or bring messages to men and nations. They have no wings and can appear as men. They appeared to Abraham and delivered Lot and his family from Sodom. The homosexuals of Sodom wanted to have sex with them, but the angels struck the men with blindness. They are constantly with us and can appear to us. We do not always recognize them as assisting angels (Hebrews 13:2). They are said to have always been among men and were ever-present surrounding Elisha (2 Kings 6:17).
Angels Are Our Servants
“Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14)
All elect angels were created by God and are directly under His command. But God has shared that authority with those of us who are saved. This authority was not given to believers in the Old Testament, but when the Church began and when the new birth was given. Also, a change in the chain of command over the elect angels. God has lifted born again believers over the level of angels. God is, of course, the highest of all beings. Jesus Christ is just under Him and the Holy Spirit under Jesus. In the Old Testament, man was under angels, learned from them, and even fell before them in honor. But now, born again mankind is between the godhead and angels. No angels sit at the right hand of God, next to Jesus, but believers do (Ephesians 2:6). This does not mean we can simply tell angels what to do. But the Word of God lays out the proper use of this authority He has given to us over a segment of His greatest creation.
How Do We Send Angels to Minister?
“Bless the Lord, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word, heeding the voice of His word” (Psalm 103:20).
If angels listen and obey the voice of God’s word, then the question arises, which word do angels harken to, the written or the spoken word? And who do they listen to? We are God’s voice in the earth. Angels harken to us when we speak God’s word. We can’t just command angels to accomplish our will. We speak God’s word and angels obey God’s will through our voice. John the Baptist spoke God’s word and so can we. “I am the voice of One, crying in the wilderness…” (John 1:23). Note the capital O. John was the voice of God, quoting the prophet Isaiah.
Angels and Prayer
One way we voice God’s word is through prayer. The Angel of the Lord was sent to answer the prayer of one man, Abraham. Later, other angels responded to Abraham’s prayer (Genesis 18:1-3, 21-33). Gabriel and Michael were sent to answer prayer for one man, Daniel (Daniel 10:10-12). An angel from God’s host was sent to rescue Peter because of a group prayer of believers (Acts 12:1-10).
Angels and the Four Gospels
Many times, angels carried out God’s will and the will of believers during the time of Jesus’ ministry. Zachariah met an angel who struck him speechless for a period of time. Gabriel was sent to Mary to announce Jesus’ birth. Gabriel also came to Joseph in a dream to confirm Jesus’ birth. Angels announce Jesus’ birth to the shepherds. Joseph was warned by an angel in a dream to hide Jesus in Egypt. After He chose the disciples, He said they would see angels ascend and descend on Him. Angels accompanied Lazarus into Abraham’s bosom. Jesus confesses us before angels at our salvation. Children have guarding angels appearing before God. Angels bring healing, demonstrated at the Pool of Bethesda. Angels ministered to Jesus after His resurrection. When Jesus arose from the dead, angels stood by the empty tomb to greet the woman and
announce He was now alive.
The Church Age Began with Angels as Jesus Ascended
“Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 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)
The Mission of Angels to the Church
The apostles were set free from prison (Acts 5:17-20). Phillip was told to go to Gaza (Acts 8:26,27). Cornelius saw an angel in a vision (Acts 10:3-6). Peter was set free from prison as the church prayed (Acts 12:7-10). Herod was struck dead (Acts 12:21-23).
And Paul told those on board the ship of coming deliverance from the storm for everyone (Acts 27:21-24). Angels secretly visit Christians (Hebrews 13:2). The archangel will accompany Jesus when He returns for the Church (1 Thessalonians 4:16).
Jesus Will Set Up His Earthly Kingdom Accompanied by Angels
An angel brought the message of Revelation to John (Revelation 1:1). An angel delivers the prayers of the saints to heaven (Revelation 8:3-4). Angels will deliver the wrath of God to earth (Revelation 7:2, 8:5-13, chapter 16). Angels will assist Jesus at His Second Coming by traveling to the ends of the earth, separating the wicked from the just, gathering the wicked for judgment, and protecting the just from judgment. Angels will preach the gospel during the tribulation (Revelation 14:6). And an angel will place Satan into the Bottomless Pit (Revelation 14:6).
