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Angels
Angelology - Chafer
Angelology is the branch of theology dealing with angels. In
Lewis Sperry Chafers Systematic
Theology, he notes that Colossians 1:16 says that creation
included things invisible as well as things visible, and angels are among the things that are
invisible. Many angels were created, and although they are mentioned numerous times in the Bible, we still know very little about
them. Angels are mentioned 108 times in the Old Testament. The word "angel" simply means messenger, and
sometimes it is used for men who acted as messengers. (Luke 7:24, James 2:25, Revelation 1:20). Jesus used this word when
referring to departed human spirits (Matthew 18:10). The position angels hold by creation is above men (Hebrews 1:2-7, 2 Peter
2:11). Psalm 148:2-5 and Colossians 1:16 give us the account
of the origin of the angels in creation.
Angels are classified in the Bible as follows:
1) The Angel of Jehovah - This is the pre-incarnate appearing of Jesus
Christ, so this is not classified as a reference to an angel.
However, in the sense that Jesus Christ was sent by God the Father to
reveal Himself to man, he is indeed a messenger (Exodus 23:20, 32:34,
33:2).
2) Gabriel - The word "Gabriel" means the might one (Daniel 8:6, Luke
1:19-38).
3) Michael - He is an archangel and he is the head of the armies of
heaven (1 Thessalonians 4:16, Jude 1:9, Revelation 12:7).
4) Cherubim - These are the defenders of God's holiness (Genesis
3:22-24, Exodus 25:17-22, Isaiah 37:16, Ezekiel 1:5, 28:14).
5) Seraphim - Isaiah 6:2.
6) Principalities and powers - This phrase is sometimes used of good
angels, and sometimes it is used of evil angels (Romans 8:38, Ephesians
1:21, 3:1110, 6:12, Colossians 1:16, 2:10, 15, Titus 3:1, 1 Peter 3:22,
Luke 21:26).
7) Elect angels - 1 Timothy 5:21.
8) Angels known by their ministries - These include: angels
of the waters (Revelation 16:5); the angel of the abyss (Revelation
9:1); the angel with power over fire (Revelation 14:18); seven angels
with trumpets (Revelation 8:2); and, the watchers (Daniel 4:13, 17,
23).
9) Satan and the demons.
10 Jeremiel, Uriel, Raphael - These are mentioned only in the
Apocryphal writings.
Angels are legion (Matthew 26:53); i.e., they are many. They
form the hosts of the heavens (Luke 2:13). They neither
increase nor decrease in number. It is unclear from the
Scriptures whether or not angels have any kind of bodies, but they can
appear as men (Matthew 28:3). Angels are able to fly (Isaiah
6:2), and it seems as though their home is in heaven. Although this may
be the second heaven, the stellar spaces (Matthew 24:29).
Christ passed through the angelic sphere when going to and coming from
the earth (Ephesians 1:21, Hebrews 2:7, 4:14).
Angels have various ministries (Psalm 34:7, Revelation 22:8-9), and
they do behold the things of earth (Luke 12:8-9, 15:10). They
were present at creation (Job 38:7); at the giving of the law (Acts
7:53, Galatians 3:19, Hebrews 2:2, and Revelation 22:16); at the birth
of Christ (Luke 2:13); at the scene of Christ's temptation (Matthew
4:11, Luke 22:43); at the resurrection of Christ (Matthew 28:2); at
Christ's ascension (Acts 1:10; and, they will be present at the second
coming of Christ (Matthew 13:37-39), 24:31, 25:31, 2 Thessalonians
1:7).
Angels are usually classified as either unfallen (holy) angels (Mark
8:38) or fallen angels (Matthew 25:41). In the end times
there will be war between these two classes of angels (Revelation
12:7-10). The fallen angels are either free (demons) or bound
(2 Peter 2:4, Jude 1:6).
Owen Weber 2012 |
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