Angels are spiritual beings created by God. (Psalm 148:2 Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.) (Psalm 148:5 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.) There are many types of spiritual beings though they are all usually referred to as angels. Some angels are loyal to God and some are loyal to Satan. Both God’s and Satan’s angels are ranked in a military hierarchy with some being more powerful than others. Some angels are warriors and some are messengers. Angels are invisible creatures that live in the spiritual realm. God only allows angels to be seen at certain times. Angels live in the real world, not us.
Scripture does not say when God created angels. It does say God breathed them into existence. (Psalm 33:6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.) The host is the angels. Many theologians believe that God created angels prior to the six days of creation and that Satan ruled the world and then God destroyed it and started over again. This is known as the Lucifer flood. No scripture backs that up. I disagree and believe that angels were created during the six days of creation. God said he made everything in these six days and everything would include angels. (Exodus 20:11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.) These same theologians say that angels were here before the foundations of the earth so they had to be created before the six days. This also is not true. The earth was originally covered by water and then on day three God let the dry land appear so this would be the foundations of the earth most likely. Angels may have been made on day 1 or 2 then to see day three. (Job 38:4-7 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.
5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?
6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;
7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?) The morning stars and sons of God refer to angels. It is also possible that angels were created on day four when the stars were created as angels are often compared to stars. (Genesis 1:16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.) (Genesis 1:19 And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.) I just read in Job 38:7 where angels are referred to as morning stars. (Revelation 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.) Another example is seen in Isaiah 14:13 when Lucifer fell and became Satan he said he would exult himself above the stars of God. This refers to angels, not actual stars. (Isaiah 14:13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:) Some other verses comparing angels to stars are Revelation 9:1 and Revelation 12:4. Angels could not have been created long before the six days of creation with Satan already have fallen because God said all of his creation was very good after day six and if sin was already here from Satan, it would not be very good. (Genesis 1:31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.) One thing many theologians do to justify their belief of Satan having been here on earth and God destroying it and then remaking it during the six days is by saying the terms create and made are not the same. They are the same and this is seen in verses that say man was created and also made.
The sons of God mentioned in the old testament in Genesis 6 and in Job always refer to angels. In the new testament, sons of God refers to true Christians.
All angels were created at the same time and no more have been made since. Scripture never says how many angels there are, but Jesus could have called on twelve legions or twenty four thousand when he was getting ready to be crucified. (Matthew 26:53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?) (Revelation 5:11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;) There are many, many angels well in the trillions or more as Revelation 5:11 shows there are more angels than we can count. This also shows that Satan has plenty of angels as well. Angels never die as they are eternal beings. There are no baby angels and all angels are male. Every mention of angels in scripture is in the male reference so when churches have girls playing angels in plays this is unscriptural. Angels of God in heaven do not marry. (Matthew 22:30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.) Some of Satan’s angels did marry women and produced the giants as we saw in our study on Genesis 6. (Genesis 6:2-4 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.
3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.
4 There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.) These angels are locked up whereas the rest of Satan’s angels are free to roam and cause chaos. (Jude 6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.)
Many angels are chariots of God, some of which he rides around in. Satan most likely also has angels that are chariots. I believe these chariots are the supposed UFO’s that people see. (Psalm 68:17 The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.) Elijah was taken up in a chariot of fire. (II Kings 2:11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.) Elisha saw chariots of fire protecting him. (II Kings 6:17 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.)
There are various classes of angels. Not much is said about most of them. Scripture never actually says there is an angelic hierarchy or lists one, but does mention different spiritual beings. Many theologians rank the angels as seraphim, cherubims, thrones, dominions, virtues, powers, principalities, archangels, and angels. This may be correct, but I tend to differ in places. The highest are the cheribums (cherub is singular). Satan as Lucifer was the highest angel ever created and he is a cherub. (Ezekiel 28:14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.) The cherubims cover God’s throne with their wings. This is replicated by the Israelites in the mercy seat of the ark of the covenant which is a pattern of the real throne and mercy seat in heaven. The mercy seat had a cherub on each end facing each other. (Exodus 25:19-20 And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof.
20 And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be.) Cherubims have four wings and four faces. (Ezekiel 10:20 Every one had four faces apiece, and every one four wings; and the likeness of the hands of a man was under their wings.) (Ezekiel 10:14 And every one had four faces: the first face was the face of a cherub, and the second face was the face of a man, and the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle.) Similar celestial creatures are described in Ezekiel 1 called living creatures with some differences. These may both be types of cherubims or they may be different creatures. (Ezekiel 1:10 As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle.) The creature in Ezekiel 1:10 has a face of an ox instead of a cherub. Both this creature and the cherubims in Ezekiel 10 have man’s hands under their wings and wheels for feet. They move at the speed of thought wherever they look. Cherubims also have eyes all around them. (Ezekiel 10:12 And their whole body, and their backs, and their hands, and their wings, and the wheels, were full of eyes round about, even the wheels that they four had.) At least some cherubims are used as chariots by God for him to ride in. (II Samuel 22:11 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon the wings of the wind.) Cherubim guarded the garden of Eden with flaming swords after Adam’s sin and expulsion from the garden in order to prevent the eating of the tree of life. (Genesis 3:24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.)
Seraphims are most likely the next highest rank of angels. Seraphim means “burning one”. Seraphims have six wings and seem to be the heavenly priests in heaven that assist Jesus who is the High Priest. The Levitical priesthood is most likely a pattern of them. The seraphim (seraph singular) use two wings to cover their faces as not to see the glory of God, two to cover their feet, and two wings to fly. (Isaiah 6:1-3 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
2 Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.
3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.) One seraph gave Isaiah a coal from the altar. (Isaiah 6:6 Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:)
Other types of angels mentioned are thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers though these may refer to Satan’s angels only or maybe to both holy and unholy angels. (Colossians 1:16 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:) Many of these may be the title or function of the angels as they were created. Dominions and principalities are most likely the angels assigned to governments. We do know principalities are assigned to nations, both good and evil principalities. This is seen in Daniel 10 with the prince of Persia, the prince of Grecia, and Michael as the prince of Israel. (Daniel 10:20-21 Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.
21 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.) Angels also are assigned to all churches as seen in Revelation 1-3. It is real angels referred to in Revelation and the seven churches, not pastors as many people preach and teach. Just as Jesus is in church with believers so are angels, both holy and evil. Thrones may refer to angels that are near the throne of God or Satan as well as some of Satan’s angels that rule the various affairs of man. We as Christians wrestle against the angels of Satan. (Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.) Just as both holy and evil angels have a hierarchy, true Christians also need to unite in prayer and in ways that together we are stronger in spiritual warfare. You cannot go it alone as a lone wolf.
Michael is the only angel referred to as an archangel. (Jude 9 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.)Michael means “who is like God”. Many people say Gabriel and Satan are archangels, but scripture never says that. Daniel describes Michael as one of the chief princes so Michael may actually be a principality and archangel just describes his position/rank or title such as a general in an army who is an infantryman and soldier. General is just his rank and title, not who he is. (Daniel 10:13 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.) Arch in archangel means chief. The built in dictionary in the King James Bible even shows this in Daniel 10:13 where it says Michael is “one of the chief princes”. Michael is one of only four angels mentioned by name in scripture. The Roman Catholic Church has others but gets them from the apocryphal books. Michael is the prince of Israel. (Daniel 10:21 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.) Michael is a warrior angel who most likely is in charge just below Jesus as the head of the heavenly army. Michael and his angels will fight against Satan and his angels as they will be permanently cast out of heaven during the midpoint of the great tribulation. (Revelation 12:7-9 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.) Michael also fought against the prince of Persia to help Gabriel get to Daniel as we read in Daniel 10:13. It is possible that Michael is now the highest holy angel or at least near the top.
Gabriel is another angel mentioned in scripture. Unlike Michael who is a warrior angel, Gabriel is a messenger angel. The word angel means messenger. Gabriel is always announcing things. His most important announcement was the coming of Jesus to earth as the God-man. Gabriel told Mary she would give birth to Christ and to name him Jesus which means he who saves. (Luke 1:26-33 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
28 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.
29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
32 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:
33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.) Gabriel also appeared to Zacharias to announce the coming conception of John the Baptist. (Luke 1:19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.) Gabriel also came to Daniel after Daniel had prayed to God. We saw how Michael came to help Gabriel in his fight against the prince of Persia. This shows how some angels are more powerful than others. I also read in Jude 9 how even Michael did not challenge Satan directly, but had the help of God. We see how both Michael and Gabriel are around in both the old and new testaments showing they are immortal.
Michael and Gabriel are both holy angels. The next two angels mentioned in scripture are both fallen angels. The first is Satan who has other names as well. We will discuss him later. The second is Apollyon. (Revelation 9:11 And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.) Many people claim that Apollyon is Satan. I believe this is incorrect. Apollyon is the chief angel of the bottomless pit and was the leader of the angels that rebelled against God and mated with females in Genesis 6 to produce the giants. Satan is not yet in the bottomless pit. Apollyon is one of the angels locked up in chains of darkness. (II Peter 2:4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;) I have in previous sermons explained that the angels locked up are the angels of Genesis 6. The angels that rebelled along with Satan are still free.
Lucifer is the fourth angel mentioned in scripture. Lucifer was originally the top angel who rebelled against God as his pride got to him. Lucifer wanted to be like the most high. He wanted to be God and still does. (Isaiah 14:12-14 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.) Lucifer rebelled and convinced one third of the angels to rebel with him. (Revelation 12:4 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.) After Lucifer rebelled, God changed his name to Satan which means accuser or adversary. He is also referred to as the devil, the dragon, Beelzebub, the tempter, and many other names. As Lucifer, he was created in perfection and he had built in instruments into his body and most likely led the heavenly worship services. This is why Satan has so controlled music such as rock and roll and rap, and all the others. His body was also covered with precious stones. (Ezekiel 28:13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.) Notice this is verse 13 with the number thirteen meaning rebellion. Satan is a cherub as seen in this verse and once covered the throne of God. As Lucifer, he was to have reflected the light of Jesus as seen in his name meaning light bearer. Satan is the one who deceived Eve and got her and Adam to sin. He appeared as a serpent which he indwelled. (Revelation 20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,) Satan was jealous of man who was made in the image of God and angels are not. God also gave Adam dominion of the earth which Satan wanted. After Adam sinned, Satan gained control of the world and today is the prince of this world and the prince of the power of the air. This means Satan is in charge of all of the evil angels and devils. (John 16:11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.) (Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:) Satan and his angels still have access to heaven and God. This is seen in Job in more than one verse. (Job 1:6 ¶ Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.) Satan goes to and fro in the earth looking to devour people especially Christians as he already has the unsaved. Because of Adam’s sin, all people are now born with a sin nature and need to call upon Jesus to save them to change this. Because of this sin nature all people are born the children of Satan rather than God. Satan wanted to devour Peter as a roaring lion. (I Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:) Satan has given much power to people such as rock and roll stars and politicians. He will also do the same with the antichrist. (Revelation 13:2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.) Satan will mate with a woman to produce the antichrist as Genesis 3:15 shows. (Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.) The antichrist will be his literal seed just as the giants were of the angels of Genesis 6. Satan has been a liar and murderer from the beginning. The first words he said in scripture were a lie to Eve. (John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.)Satan is behind all lies such as evolution.Satan has tried to kill Jesus many times and prevent his coming, both the first and second comings. Satan always tries to copy everything God does. Satan has tried to steal the rainbow from God and has produced his own false bibles. Satan is the most powerful being after God, but he can only do what God allows him to do. Satan as a created being does not have the attributes of God such as omnipotence (all powerful), omniscience (all knowing), or omnipresence (present everywhere at the same time). This is why Satan must rely on the assistance of the other fallen angels and devils for information. Satan is behind the coming New World Order and the chaos in this world. Satan has been worshipped under many names such as Baphomet by the Freemasons. Satan will be locked in the bottomless pit for a thousand years during the millennium to show that people are wicked and rebellious even without Satan. He will be loosed for a short bit and will lead one last great rebellion against God before being cast into the lake of fire. All of the evil angels will join him there for all eternity. Hell and the lake of fire were created for Satan and his angels. Hell and the lake of fire were never intended for man. People only go there because they reject Jesus as their Saviour and choose to spend eternity with Satan. (Matthew 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:) Satan can appear as an angel of light in order to deceive people. (II Corinthians 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.) Satan is behind all of the evil in the world. God does allow Satan’s angels to do work for him. God has four angels bound in the Euphrates. We do not know why they are bound, but they will be released on God’s timing and they will dry up the Euphrates river to allow the 200 million man army to cross over on dry ground to confront the antichrist during the tribulation. These angels will kill a third of all people. (Revelation 9:14-16 Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.
15 And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.
16 And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.) People often say the devil made me do it. It is true that Satan and his angels do heavily influence people, but not all sin is caused by them as man is wicked himself. This will be seen at the end of the millennium with the number of people as the sand of the sea rebelling against God with Satan after Satan is loosed for a short time. Satan had been locked up for a thousand years for God to show how wicked man is on their own. (Revelation 20:3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.) (Revelation 20:8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.) Satan and his angels were defeated when Jesus rose from the grave. They will ultimately be cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.) Notice the beast (antichrist) and the false prophet who were cast into the lake of fire before the start of the millennium are still there when Satan is cast in a thousand years later. No one gets annihilated in hell or the lake of fire, but will burn and be in torment for all eternity. Satan along with fallen angels and devils can bring disease to people such as is seen in Job when God allowed Satan to inflict Job with disease. (Job 2:7 ¶ So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.) They can also take it away to deceive people believing they performed a miracle and are from God.
Devils are part of Satan’s kingdom. Many theologians say they are the same as the evil fallen angels that rebelled with Satan. I disagree and believe they are the spirits of the giants who died in the flood. Angels have a spiritual body, but devils were always looking for a body, even an animal body. The giants had angel dads and so they were part angel and part man. When they died in the flood they did not go directly to hell like people since they had angel DNA. I believe this is why they always sought a body, even swine when they were cast out of a person. (Matthew 8:31 So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.) Devils possessed many people and as many as 2,000 possessed a man and called themselves Legion because they were so many. (Mark 5:9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.) (Mark 5:13 And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.) It is true that angels can possess people such as Satan possessed Judas Iscariot and will the future antichrist, but I still believe they are different creatures. Devils are the ones behind all idols and it was devils that people sacrificed to when they thought they were sacrificing to gods. (Psalm 106:37 Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils,) (Deuteronomy 32:17 They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.) The devils know God is real and tremble. This is why people need to believe in Jesus as their Saviour, not just believe that God is real and Satan is real. (James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.) They also know their coming fate in hell. Some devils just as angels are more wicked than another. (Matthew 12:5 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.) Most likely unclean spirits are the same as devils. Ghosts seen by people are devils.
Angels are the spiritual beings most often mentioned in scripture. Angels are ministering spirits. (Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?) Angels protect those who will become Christians. Angels as spirits have a spiritual body. (Hebrews 1:7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.) (Psalm 104:4 Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:) We see angels compared to fire. I have already shown how angels are compared to stars and stars are balls of fire. Angels often appeared to people as men. Some examples are the two angels who came with Jesus to destroy Sodom or the angels who guarded the tomb of Jesus. (Luke 24:4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:) These angels in scripture did not take on the body of a man, but rather this is their spiritual body that resembles a man. (I Corinthians 15:40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.) The verses around this one show there is a body for each type of animal, person, star, moon, et cetera and also for angels. Jesus as God is a Spirit who has always looked like man as man got the look because he was made in the image of God. Angels eat food just like people or animals. If angels did not have a body angels could not eat. They eat manna. (Psalm 78:23-25 Though he had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven,
24 And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven.
25 Man did eat angels’ food: he sent them meat to the full.) An angel got Peter out of prison and appeared to many others. Angels were around Jesus throughout his life. They were at his birth singing to the shepherds. (Luke 2:13-14 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.) Angels are the host of heaven. Angels ministered to Jesus after spending forty days in the wilderness. (Matthew 4:11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.) An angel ministered to Jesus after he sweat drops of blood before going to the cross. (Luke 22:43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.) Two angels appeared at the ascension of Jesus to let the disciples know that Jesus would return some day. (Acts 1:10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;) These angels are always in white as they represent the purity of God. Angels along with Christians will return with Jesus at his second coming. (Revelation 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.) Angels appeared in many other aspects of Jesus’ life. Angels will carry Christians to heaven when they die. (Luke 16:22 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;) Angels are higher beings then people, but one day we will become higher than them and we will judge them. (Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.) (I Corinthians 6:3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?) Angels look into salvation as it intrigues them as there is no salvation for the evil angels. (I Peter 1:12 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.) Jesus took on the nature of man, not angels. Jesus died as a man, not an angel. (Hebrews 2:16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.) I believe all angels were given free will just like Adam and Eve were and once they sinned they were permanently locked in as evil angels and the holy angels are locked in as holy angels. Holy angels rejoice over one sinner who repents. (Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.) Angels are powerful beings as they open prison doors, moved the rock at Jesus’ grave, and performed many other acts. (II Thessalonians 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,) Angels are referred to as sons of the mighty in reference to God as mighty. (Psalm 89:6 For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD?) Angels are mightier than people, but do not speak evil of dignitaries as they are placed there by God. (II Peter 2:11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.) Angels are not only God’s messengers, but some also bring some of God’s wrath to man. This will be seen during the great tribulation as 14 angels pore out on man the trumpet and vial judgments. Children at least have guardian angels and I believe all adult believers do as well. (Matthew 18:10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.) Peter was released from jail by an angel and when he went to John Mark’s mom’s house Rhoda saw Peter at the gate but thought he was Peter’s angel. (Acts 12:15 And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.) This shows people believed that Christians at least had guardian angels and they may have even been taught this by Jesus. Angels are never to be worshipped including Satan. This is what Satan has always wanted. (Colossians 2:18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,) An angel told John not to worship him, but to worship God. (Revelation 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.) (Revelation 22:8-9 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.
9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.) God shares his worship with no one including angels. If an angel accepts worship he is one of Satan’s angels. Some people have seen angels and never knew it. (Hebrews 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.) Normally God only allows people the honor to tell other people the gospel, but during the great tribulation an angel will fly around the world proclaiming the everlasting gospel. This will be because God will have called all believers home to him in the rapture and he promised to always have a witness for him. (Revelation 14:6-7 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,
7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.) The gospel this angel preaches is the same gospel preached by Paul and other godly men of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus for a sinful mankind in need of a Saviour. God warned that even if an angel from heaven proclaimed a gospel different from this, then we were to ignore it. Both Islam and Mormonism where founded this way by a supposed angel giving the men new revelations. (Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.) When God creates the new heaven and new earth, angels will still live in heaven and people on earth just as it is now. Heaven was made for the angels and earth for people. I already mentioned how angels are immortal. Angels never are killed while engaged in spiritual warfare unlike what is taught by some theologians in some books such as This Present Darkness and the other in the series. Angels are often depicted with wings, but scripture only says the cherubims and seraphims have wings. All of the angels seen by people in scripture always looked like ordinary men with no wings. Angels also do not have halos as they are often painted with. Scripture never says a thing about them. Holy angels are usually seen dressed in white to represent the purity of Jesus and often times they glow reflecting a small portion of the glory of God. The Sadducees denied the existence of angels, but scripture clearly shows they are real.
Often times in the old testament the angel of the LORD or the angel of God is mentioned. This angel was none other than the pre-incarnate Lord Jesus Christ and not just an angel. These appearances are known as theophanies.
Many theologians believe a heavenly divine council exists in heaven with both holy and evil angels on it with God ruling over it. They believe God allows the angels to help make decisions that affect man and the earth. They believe the sons of God mentioned in Job refer to Satan coming to this council. They get the idea of a divine council from Psalm 89:5-7. (Psalm 89:5-7 And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints.
6 For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD?
7 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.) Sons of the mighty in verse 6 refers to angels. It appears that saints, which are saved people, may also be on this council as angels are not referred to as saints. Jesus will allow Christians to help him rule during the millennium so it is possible that he also allows the angels to assist him in ruling though he will always have the final say. Some believe when God wanted Ahab to die he had the council decide how to do it. One evil angel spoke up and said he would be a lying spirit to deceive Ahab and God allowed him to do so. (I Kings 22:19-23 And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left.
20 And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth–gilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner.
21 And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him.
22 And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so.
23 Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.) Psalm 82:1 also seems to mention the heavenly congregation or council. (Psalm 82:1 God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.) Watchers are angels that watch over the affairs of men. Daniel speaks of them and possibly may refer to these watchers being on this divine council to determine the affairs of men. (Daniel 4:17 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 4:17 is in reference to the decision to have Nebuchadnezzar lose his kingdom and live outside like an animal for seven years. It appears that the watchers assisted God with this decision with the phrase “This matter is by the decree of the watchers”. Elsewhere in Daniel 4 we see a watcher came down to Nebuchadnezzar to tell him of his doom as the watchers had decreed or decided. Jewish tradition says the sons of God that mated with women in Genesis 6 had been watchers.
Revelation mentions four beasts around the throne of God. They have similar features to both the cherubims and seraphims but appear to be different creatures. (Revelation 4:6-9 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.
8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,) These beasts have eyes all around and six wings like the seraphims. They worship God all the time. Unlike the cherubims which have four faces, the beasts seem to only have one face with each one a different face. This is similar to the living creatures mentioned in Ezekiel 1 that have similar features to the cherubims and may be the same but there are some differences so they are at least a slight variation of the cherubims.
Satanic creatures that are locked in the bottomless pit with the angels that sinned with the women in Genesis 6 are released during the great tribulation. These creatures are locusts with many unusual features. (Revelation 9:7-10 And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men.
8 And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions.
9 And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle.
10 And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.) These locusts have long hair like a woman and teeth of a lion, faces of a man, and wings. It makes you wonder if these were from mating of angels with animals or God originally made them this way. Strange satanic creatures.
When people die they do not become angels and angels do not get wings. They either have wings or they do not. Angels never age or die.
People often ask if angels live in the same dimension as us or in a supposed fourth dimension. Scripture does not give us an exact answer. We do know that angels are normally invisible but that God does allow them to be seen by us at times.
Angels have their own language or languages. (I Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.)
It is possible that animals can see spiritual beings such as when Balaam’s ass saw the angel of the LORD or it just may be only at certain times just like people. This may be why sometimes cats and dogs act the way they do. (Numbers 22:25 And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall: and he smote her again.)
Nothing can separate us from the love of God, not even angels. (Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.)
Angels just as men are attracted to women’s long hair. This is one reason why women can cover their head while praying, but not men. According to Jewish tradition this is one of the things that determined which female was chosen by the angels in Genesis 6. (I Corinthians 11:10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.)
Just as angels are often compared to stars, they are also compared to birds. They even have wings and fly like birds. More often than not the relation to birds is of evil angels and devils such as in Revelation 18:2. (Revelation 18:1-2 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.
2 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.) Owls are seen throughout scripture compared to devils and throughout history owls and other birds have long been associated with Satan. Owls are often compared in scripture with dragons with Satan being called the dragon. (Isaiah 34:13-15 And thorns shall come up in her palaces, nettles and brambles in the fortresses thereof: and it shall be an habitation of dragons, and a court for owls.
14 The wild beasts of the desert shall also meet with the wild beasts of the island, and the satyr shall cry to his fellow; the screech owl also shall rest there, and find for herself a place of rest.
15 There shall the great owl make her nest, and lay, and hatch, and gather under her shadow: there shall the vultures also be gathered, every one with her mate.) This comparison of angels to birds may even be seen in how birds are divided into clean and unclean birds though beasts are as well and the unclean birds often eat dead animals such as the vulture and raven.
Satyrs are creatures associated with Satan. It is not known exactly what they are except that they are evil. Greek mythology said they are part man and part horse. Roman mythology said they were part man and part goat. Goats have long been associated with Satan. Whatever they are they are not good. (Isaiah 13:21 But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there.) The cockatrice is another creature that is associated with Satan and it is not exactly clear what it is. Supposedly it was a dragon or some say snake with a rooster head. That is possible as strange creatures referred to as beasts are mentioned in Revelation. (Jeremiah 8:17 For, behold, I will send serpents, cockatrices, among you, which will not be charmed, and they shall bite you, saith the LORD.) Revelation 9:17 speaks of horses breathing fire and with heads of lions. (Revelation 9:17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone.) We see unclean spirits that looked like frogs. (Revelation 16:13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.)
