All About Angels
There is much in the Bible on Angels
From the book "God's Plan for Man" by Finis Dake FORWARD BY KEITH HUNT Finis Dake was a good Bible scholar to a point. He was somewhat "radical" at times, with ideas and statements he made and gave no Bible Scriptures to back himself up. Yes, somewhat radical for he profusely gave Scriptures to back most of his teachings. As he was a fundamental Protestant teacher, I would strongly disagree with him on certain subject he taught and wrote about. I do agree about 99% with what Dake has written on the subject of Angels. So I here produce 99% of his study on this specific subject. QUOTE: THE SPIRIT-WORLD The Bible is the only Book in the world that gives an insight into the heavenly and infernal worlds. There are hundreds of Scriptures revealing to man all that he needs to know, and we may say, all that he wants to know of the unseen worlds. We mean by the spirit-world all the various spirit beings that inhabit the unseen material worlds about us. There are many kinds of spirit beings revealed in Scripture..... The Scriptures are full of the supernatural. There is but a step from the natural world to the spiritual world. The following are some of the spirit beings in the spirit-world: 1. ANGELIC BEINGS CALLED SEREPHIM These are mentioned only two times in Scripture, but their description proves that they are angelic creatures and heavenly beings: "I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each had six wings: with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke .... 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. And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away and thy sin purged" (Isa. 6:1-7). II. ANGELIC BEINGS CALLED CHERUBIM These are mentioned in several passages, which are too lengthy to quote; so we will give a brief description of them. Ezekiel saw them as the heavens were opened, and he saw visions of God and of cherubims. The cherubims look like men except that each one has four faces and four wings and feet like a calf. Two of their wings join tip to tip, and the other two cover their bodies. Their faces are like those of a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle. Their general appearance is like fire and lightning. They move with the speed of lightning. They are connected to wheels which look like a wheel within a wheel. The wheels are very high and look like a beryl and have many eyes in them. They have a firmament over their heads colored like a crystal. Above this firmament there is a throne on which God sits and He has the appearance of a man. Fire and lightnings and glory are all about the throne and a rainbow is round about the throne (Ezek. 1:5-28; 8:1-4; 10:1-22). Cherubims drove man from Eden and guarded the tree of life (Gen. 3:24). 111. ANGELIC BEING CALLED ZOA OR LIVING CREATURES These are beings similar to the cherubims, except that they have only one head each and are full of eyes before and behind. They are like the seraphims in that they have six wings. One has a face like a lion, one like a calf, one like a man, and one like a flying eagle. They cry, "Holy, holy, holy" to God day and night (Rev. 4:6-9). The word translated beast in this passage is 'zoa,' meaning living creature. The zoa are pictured in Rev. 4:6-5:14 as having harps and singing and worshipping God. They are seen also in other scenes of the book of Revelation saying and doing things such as man does (6:1-8; 7:11; 14:3,9-11; 15:7; 19:4). IV. SPIRIT HORSES AND CHARIOT DRIVERS Paul taught that there were many things in the invisible world like the things we have in the visible world: "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are CLEARLY SEEN, being understood by THE THINGS THAT ARE MADE" (Rom. 1:20). He further taught that in his trip into the third Heaven he "heard unspeakable words, which is not lawful for a man to utter" (2 Cor. 12:1-4). In other words, men would have thought he was raving mad if he had told them all that he had seen and heard in Heaven. It vas not best for him to tell all that he knew for fear it would cause men to reject his message of the gospel. Men have such a vague conception of Heaven and spiritual things that it is hard for them to grasp the realities of the spirit world. All we know about it is what the Bible reveals; and, if we take Paul literally in Rom. 1:20, we could very easily believe that there are many kinds of heavenly creatures such as we have on the Earth. He did not limit the number of how many invisible things are made clear by the created things in the Earth; so to be wise let us not limit them. We do know that there are horses in Heaven; as proved in the following Scriptures: "There appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into Heaven. And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof" (2 Kings 2:11-12). Later when the Syrian army came to get Elisha, he prayed to God to show his servant who was on his side. God opened the young man's eyes "and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha" (2 Kings 6:13-17). Zechariah saw red horses, speckled and white with riders on them. He also saw chariots drawn by red, black, white, grisled, and bay horses. They were called "the spirits of the heavens" doing scout work for God (Zech. 1:8-11; 5:1-8). In Revelation 19:11-21 we see the armies of Heaven on white horses following Christ, who also rides a white horse, coming from Heaven to seize the governments of this world and to reign forever. If there are horses in Heaven there may be all kinds of animals, for Heaven is called a "better country," and it is sure to be as good as the planet Earth (Heb. 11:10-16). We know there are cities, streets, mansions, rivers, trees, and other things in Heaven as we shall see in Lesson Forty-two. The more we accept the many plain Scriptures on the things in the heavenly world, the more real the next life will become to us now. V. ANGELIC BEINGS CALLED ARCHANGELS The word archangel is found two times in Scripture - once in connection with Christ coming in the air to take out of the world all the dead and living saints (1 Thess.4:16) and once of Michael who disputed with the devil over the body of Moses (Jude 9). The word arch simply means chief, and it suggests that there is a class of beings higher than ordinary angels. Michael is called in Dan.10:21; 12:1, "the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people" (the Jews). He is spoken of in Rev. 12:7-9 as the commander of the angels of God who will fight against the devil and his angels and will cast them to the Earth. He is called "one of the chief princes" of God in Dan.10:13. If he is one of them, there must be more chief princes or archangels. Gabriel is one according to Dan.8:16-19; 9:20-23; 10:8-11:1; Luke 1:19, 26. Lucifer was one of the chief angels and was given charge to rule the Earth, as we shall see in the next lesson. In Col.1:15-18 we read of thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers in Heaven; so there must be many chief angels. Some of them rebelled along with the devil and are now under him as rulers of certain kingdoms of this world (Dan. 10:13-11:1). VI. ANGEL BEING KNOWN AS COMMON ANGELS The words angel and angels are used 294 times in Scripture. The word is from the Hebrew and Greek words meaning messenger. It is used of the second person of the trinity (of course Finis Dake being a mainline Protestant believed in the "trinity" Godhead - see my studies on the "Holy Spirit" to see that the Holy Spirit is NOT separate "person" from God the Father and Christ - Keith Hunt) who appeared to men as a man, or as a messenger of God. He is called the angel of God (Gen.21:17; 31:11; Ex.3:2; Judges 6:20; 13:9; Acts 27:23); the angel of the Lord (Gen.16:7-11; 22:11,15; Ex.14:19; Num.22:22-35; Judges 2:1,4; 6:11-12,21-22; 13:3-6,13-21; 2 Kings 1:3,15; 19:35; 1 Chron.21:12-30; Ps.34:7; 35:5-6; Isa.37:36; Zech.1:9-19; 3:1-6; 12:8; Acts 7:30-38); His angel (Gen.24:7,40; Ex.23:20; 33:2; Num.20:16; 2 Chron.32:21; Dan.3:28; 6:22); the angel (Gen.48:16; Eccl.5:6; Hos.12:4); mine angel (Ex.23:23; 32:34); and angel of His presence (Isa.63:9). It is clear that all these passages refer to the manifestations of God and not of an ordinary angel: In all other places where "the angel of the Lord" is found, the term refers to ordinary angels, as in Matt. 1:20,24; 2:13,19; 28:2-5; Luke 1:11-38; 2:9-21; Acts 5:19; 7:26; 10:3; 12:7-23. The word angel is used of Christ in Rev.8:3-5; 10:1-11:3. It is used of men in Rev.1:1,20; 2:1,8,12,18; 3:1,7,14; 19:9,10; 22:6-8,16. In most all other places it is clear that common angels who are spirit beings and heavenly creatures are referred to. THE NATURE OF ANGELS: They are intelligent and wise (2 Sam.14:20; 19:27; Matt.24:35); patient (Num.22:22-35); meek (2 Pet.2:11; Jude 9); joyful (Luke 15:1-10); modest (1 Cor.11:10); holy (Mark 8:38); glorious (Luke 9:26); immortal (Luke 20:36); powerful and mighty (2 Thess. 1:7-10; Rev.18:1); obedient (Ps.103:20; Matt.6:10); heavenly spirit beings (Ps.104:4; Matt.22:30; 24:36; Heb.1:14); not demons (Acts 23:8-9); not human (Heb.2:16); limited in knowledge (Mark 13:32); higher than men (Ps.8:5); and are always spoken of as male beings.... They have wills (Isa.14:1214); spirit bodies with hands, feet, eyes, voice, head, mouth, hair, face, and other parts and passions as do men (Judges 13:6; Dan.10:5-21; Rev. 8:1-9:21; 14:6-11; 15:11; 6:21; 2 Thess-1:7-10). They need no rest (Rev.4:8); eat food (Gen.18:8; 19:3; Ps.78:25); can appear visible and invisible (Num.22:35; John 20:12; Heb.13:2); can operate in the physical realm (Gen.18:1-19,24; 22:11; 2 Sam.24; 2 Kings 19:35; Ps.78:49; 91:11; Matt.28:2; Acts 10 and 12); can travel at inconceivable speed (Rev.8:13; 9:1); can ascend and descend (Gen.28:12; John 1:51); can speak languages (1 Cor.13:1); and can act and do all things man can do. THE WORK OF ANGELS: They drive spirit horses (2 Kings 2:12; 6:13-17; Zech.1:7-11; 6:1-6); guard gates (Rev.21:12); wage war in actual bodily combat (Rev.12:7-9; 2 Thess.1:7-10); execute judgments (Gen.19; 2 Sam. 24; 2 Kings 19:35; 2 Chron.32:21; Ps.78:49; Matt.13:41-42; Acts 12:23; Rev.8:1-9:21; 15:1-16:2); minister to saints (1 Kings 19:5-7; Dan.6:22; Matt.4:11; Acts 10; Heb.1:14); rule nations (Dan.10:13-21; 12:1); help each individual (Matt.18:10); sing, praise, and worship God (Luke 2:13; Ps.103:20; 148:2; Rev.5:11); strengthen in trial (Matt.4:11; Luke 22:43); lead sinners to gospel workers (Acts 10:3); direct preachers (Acts 8:26; 27:23); appear in dreams (Matt.1:20-24; 2:13-19); minister before God (Rev.8:2; 14:15-19); bind Satan (Rev.20); guard the abyss (Rev. 9:1; 20:1-3); regather Israel (Matt.24:31); protect saints (Ps. 34:7; 91:11; Acts 12:7-10); separate the good and bad (Matt. 13:39-41); accompany Christ to Earth (Matt.16:27; 25:31; 2 Thess. 1:7-10); witness confessions (Luke 15:8-9); receive departed spirits (Luke 16:22); give laws (Acts 7:53; Heb. 2:2); guard the tree of life (Gen.3:24); give revelations (2 Kings 1:15; Dan. 8:19; 9:21-23; 10:10-20); impart God's will (Acts 5:19-20; 10:1-6); bring answers to prayers (Dan.9:21-23; 10:12-13; Acts 10); and do many other things for God and man. ANGELS ARE CALLED: watchers (Dan.4:13-23); sons of the mighty (Ps.89: 6); sons of God (Gen.6:1-4; Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7); congregation of the mighty (Ps.82:1); saints (Ps.89:7); hosts (Ps.33:6; 103:21; Luke 2:13); spirits (Heb.1:14) and the elect (1 Tim.5:21). GENERAL FACTS ABOUT ANGELS: They were created by Christ before the Earth (Job 38:4-7; Ps. 148:2-5; Col.1:16). They are not to be worshipped (Col.2:16); they are organized into principalities and powers with thrones (Col.1:16; 2:16; Rom.8:38; Eph.6:10-18; 1 Pet.3:22); innumerable (Luke 2:13; Heb.12:22); to be judged or ruled by saints (1 Cor. 6:3); subject to God (Matt.22:30); interested in earthly affairs (Luke 9:31; 15:7-10; 1 Tim.5:21; 1 Pet.1:12); and are being taught wisdom by the church (Eph.3:10; 1 Cor.4:9). They desire to look into the things of salvation (1 Pet.1:10-12); observe us (1 Cor.4:9); can cook (1 Kings 19:5-7); wear garments (John 20:12); appear unawares (Heb.13:2); have been tested (1 Tim. 5:21; Job 4:18); dwell in Heaven (Rev.12:12; 13:6); stand before God (2 Chron.18:18). Christ is better than angels (Heb. 1:5-2:16) SATAN'S ANGELS: They are made subject to Christ (1 Pet.3:22); sinful and rebellious (Job 4:18; 2 Pet.2:4; Jude 6-7; Rev.12:7-9); evil (Ps. 78:49); to be punished (Matt.24:41; Isa.24:21-23; 25:7; Jude 6-7); to be cast out of Heaven (Rev.12:7-9); to fight against Christ at Armageddon (Rev.12:7-9; 19:11-21; 20:1-3; Isa. 24:21-23; 25:7); organized into principalities and powers (Eph. 1:21; 3:10; 6:10-17; Col.3:10,15; Rev.12:7-12). They deceive men (2 Cor.11:14); oppose saints (Rom.8:38; Eph.6:10-18); originally fell with Lucifer (Isa.14:12-14; Ezek. 28:11-17; Matt.24:41; Rev.12:7-12); and Hell is prepared for them (Matt.24:41). THERE ARE TWO CLASSES OF FALLEN ANGELS: those bound (Rev.9:11,14; 11:7; 17:8; 2 Pet.2:4; Jude 6-7) and those that are still loose with Satan and will be cast down to the Earth....(Rev.12:7-12; Eph.6:10-17)..... APPEARANCES OF ANGELS TO MEN: to Abraham (Gen.18:2; 22:11-18); Hagar (Gen.16:7); Lot and the Sodomites (Gen.19); Jacob (Gen.28:12; 31:11-13; 32:1,24-32); Moses (Ex.3); Israel (Ex.14:19; Judges 2:1-4); Balaam (Num. 22: 22-31); Joshua (5:15); Gideon (Judges 6); Manoah (Judges 13:6-20); David (2 Sam. 24:16-17); Elijah (1 Kings 19:5); Elisha (2 Kings 6:16-17); Daniel (6:22; 8:16; 9:21; 10:5-21; 12:5-7); three Hebrew children (Dan.3:25-28); Zechariah 2:3; 3:1-2; 4:1); Joseph (Matt.1:20; 2:13-19); Mary (Luke 1:26-38); Jesus (Matt. 4:11; Luke 22:43); Zacharias (Luke 1:20-38); shepherds (Luke 2:9-14); women (Matt. 28:2-5); disciples (Acts 1:11); Peter and John (Acts 5:19); Phillip (Acts 8:26); Cornelius (Acts 10:3, 30-32); Peter (Acts 12:7-11); Paul (Acts 27:23); John (Rev. 5-2; 7:11; 14:6-21). ANGELS HAVE REAL, TANGIBLE BODIES WITH BODILY PARTS LIKE MEN: They have appeared to men in real bodies, and men could not tell them from other men, as seen before. Paul said, "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for hereby some have entertained angels unawares" (Heb.13:2). This could not be true, neither could scores of facts in the above-mentioned Scriptures be true if all the above spirit beings were not real and if they did not have real bodies. The facts stated above also prove that they have souls and spirits, for they have feelings, passions, appetites, and desires which constitute soul; and they have wills, knowledge, intellect, consciousness, and other faculties which constitute spirit. Thus all seraphims, cherubims, living creatures, archangels, angels, and other spirit beings have bodies, souls and spirits like men. If it can be conceived that all these spirit beings are real and have personal bodies, souls, and spirits, then it certainly is conceivable that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, as three spirit beings also have spirit bodies, souls, and spirits.(But is the Holy Spirit a person? Drake would like many Protestant ministers, say, yes. You need to study my study on this Website for the truth of the matter on that issue. See my study called "The Holy Spirit - Trinity?" - Keith Hunt). VI1. DEVILS OR UNCLEAN SPIRITS CALLED DEMONS The subject of demons is very real according to the Bible. The word demon is not found in Scripture, but it means evil spirit or devil. The word devil is used of Satan, the prince of demons (Matt.9:34; 2:24). He is the chief evil spirit and the original source of evil in the universe. The Greek word for devil used in connection with Satan is 'diabolos,' meaning adversary, false accuser, slanderer, devil. It is translated "false accuser" and "slanderer" and is used of men in 1 Tim.3:11; 2 Tim.3:3; Titus 2:3. It is translated devil once when applied to Judas when he became an adversary of Christ (John 6:70). In thirty-four other places it is used of Satan as the chief adversary of God and is translated devil. In the other seventy-six places where the words devil and devils are found, they refer to evil spirits or demons and the word is derived from two different Greek words - 'diamonion' and 'diamon,' meaning evil spirits or devils. There is only one devil but there are many demons..... THE NATURE OF DEMONS: They are evil (Judges 9:23; 1 Sam.18:9-10); intelligent and wise (1 Tim.4:1; 1 Kings 22:22-24; Acts 16:16); powerful (Mark 5:1-18)..... not human, for they possess men and can be cast out (Matt.10:7; Mark 16:17); and are individuals (Mark 16:9); they have knowledge (Matt.9:29; Luke 4:41; Acts 19:15); faith (Jas. 2:19); feelings (Matt.8:29; Mark 5:7); fellowship (1 Cor. 10:20-21); doctrines (1 Tim.4:1); wills (Matt. 12:43-45); miraculous powers (Rev.16:13-16); intelligence (1 Tim.4:1; 1 John 4:1-6); emotions (Acts 8:7); desires (Matt. 8:2831); and other soul and spirit faculties..... THE WORK OF DEMONS They possess people and cause: dumbness and deafness (Matt. 9:32-33; Mark 9:25); blindness (Matt.12:22); grievous vexation (Matt.15:22); lunacy and mania (Matt.4:23-24; 17:14-21; Mark 5:1-18); uncleanness (called unclean spirits twenty-one times) Luke 4:36); supernatural strength (Mark 5:1-18); suicide (Matt.17:15; John 10:10); fits (Mark 9:20); lusts (John 8:44; Eph.2:1-3; 1 John 2:15-17); counterfeit worship (Lev.17:7; Deut. 32:17; 2 Chron.11:15; Ps.106:37; 1 Cor.10:30; Rev.9:20); error (1 John 4:1-6; 1 Tim.4:1); sicknesses and diseases (Matt. 4:23-24; Acts 10:38); torments (Matt.4:23-24; Matt. 15:22); deceptions (1 Tim.4:1-2; 1 John 4:1-6); lying (1 Kings 22:21-24); enchantments and witchcraft (2 Chron.33:6); heresies (1 Tim.4:1); false doctrines (1 Tim.4:1); wickedness (Luke 11:26); fear (2 Tim.1:7); worldliness (1 John 2:15-17; 1 Cor.2:12); bondage (Rom.8:15); discord (Matt.13:39; 1 Kings 22:21-24); violence (Matt.17:15); betrayals (John 13:2; 1 Kings 22:22-23); oppression (Acts 10:38); sin (John 8:44; 1 John 3:8); persecution (Rev. 2:10; 1 Pet.5:8); jealousy (1 Sam.16:14; 18:8-10); false prophecy (1 Sam.18:8-10; 1 Kings 22:21-24); and cause every evil they possibly can to come to man and God. THEY CAN: teach (1 Tim.4:1); steal (Matt.13:19; Luke 8:12); fight (Eph. 4:27; 6:10-18; 1 Pet.5:8); get mad (Matt.8:28; Rev.12:12); tell fortunes (Lev. 20:27; Acts 16:16); be friendly (called familiar spirits sixteen times, Lev. 20:6,27); can go out and come back into men as they will, unless cast out and rejected (Matt. 12:43-45); travel (1 Kings 22:21-24; Mark 5:7,12); speak (Mark 1:34; 5:12; Acts 8:7); imitate departed dead (2 Sam.28:3-9; 1 Chron.10:13; Isa.8:19; Deut.18:11); and do many things when in possession of bodies through whom they operate. THEY ARE CALLED: devils (Mark 16:17); familiar spirits (Lev. 20:6); unclean spirits (Mark 1:27); evil spirits (Luke 7:21); seducing spirits (1 Tim. 4:1); and other things. They are made subject to Christ and believers by the atonement, the name of Jesus, and the Holy Spirit (Matt.8:16-17; 12:28; Mark 16:17; Luke 10:17; Acts 19:15). Thousands of them can enter into and take possession of one man at the same time (Mark 5:9). They must be discerned, tested, resisted, and rejected by believers (1 John 4:1-6; 1 Cor.12:10; Eph.5:27; 6:10-18; 1 Pet. 5:8-9). They are possessed of more than ordinary intelligence (Matt. 8:29); their rightful place is in the abyss (Luke 8:31; Rev. 9:1-21); they have a personality (Luke 8:26-33);....are Satan's emissaries (Matt.12:2629); and are numerous (Mark 5:9). They enter into and control both men and beasts (Mark 5:1-18) and seek embodiment (Matt.12:43-45; Luke 8:32): Demon possession and demon influence are different (Matt.4:23-24 with 16:21-23). They know their fate (Matt.8:31-32) and those who have power over them (Acts 19:13-17). They fear God (Jas.2:19); inflict physical maladies (Matt.12:22; 17:1518); war on saints (Eph.6:10-18) and influence men (1 Tim.4:1-5; 2 Pet. 2:10-12). All unbelievers are more or less possessed (influenced is a better way to describe it - Keith Hunt) with them (Eph. 2:1-3). The only resources against them are prayer, bodily control, and the whole armour of God (Matt.17:21, Eph.6:10-18)...... .....Traffic with demon spirits is forbidden in both Testaments (Lev.19:31; 20:6; Deut.18:10; Isa.8:19-21; 1 Chron.10:13-14; Luke 4:41; Acts 16:16; 1 Tim.4:1-5; 2 Pet.2:1-3; 1 John 4:1-6). V111. OTHER SPIRIT BEINGS IN SCRIPTURE There are many kinds of demon spirits, fallen angels, and other spirit beings mentioned in Scripture. It is certain they were not created wicked. They were originally created perfect and sinless and became fallen and unclean. Even the prince of demons is spoken of as being "perfect in thy ways from the day that thou was created, TILL iniquity was found in thee" (Ezek.28:11-17). God could not and did not create anything sinful. Everything in the spirit and human realms that is wicked and rebellious has become this way because of sin and because of free choice. The fallen angels, demons, and those mentioned below are all rebels in connection with the planet Earth. They have sinned with the original rebellion on Earth under Lucifer, or they would not be confined in prisons under ("on" - is the truth not "under" - Keith Hunt) the Earth or be operating on he Earth now against God..... They perhaps lived on the Earth when Lucifer ruled. At any rate they are not a part of Adam's creation that was created in the six days of Gen.1:3-2:25. They are supernatural beings, as is clear from the description of them. Whether there are many other kinds of creatures now confined in the Earth is not known.. We have mention of the fact that "every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in the earth, and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father" (Phil.2:9-11). Eternity will reveal the many kinds of creatures that are...but it is now revealed that there are some, and that they all have knees and tongues; so they must be real creatures with spirit bodies, souls, and spirits. All creatures we have listed thus far are intelligent creatures....In other words, enough is revealed in Scripture to give a clear idea of the existence of real creatures - some sinful and some holy; some rebels confined in prisons for sin and others still loose; and some rebellious and some still faithful to God..... ............... Entered on Keith Hunt's Website August 2003 |
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