Angel

AN'GEL. Gen 24:7. This word, both in the Greek and Hebrew languages, signifies a messenger, and in this sense is often applied to men. 2 Sam 2:5; Luke 7:24 and Luke 9:52. When the term is used, as it generally is, to designate spiritual beings, it denotes the office they sustain as the agents by whom God makes known his will and executes his government. Our knowledge of such beings is derived wholly from revelation, and that rather incidentally. We know, from their residence and employment, that they must possess knowledge and purity far beyond our present conceptions, and the titles applied to them denote the exalted place they hold among created intelligences. Christ did not come to the rescue of angels, but of men. Comp. Heb 2:16. The angels are represented as ministering spirits sent forth to do service to the heirs of salvation. Heb 1:14. They appear at every important stage in the history of revelation, especially at the birth of Christ, Luke 2:9-13, in his agony in Gethsemane, Luke 22:43, at his resurrection. Matt 28:2; Mark 16:5; Luke 24:4, and at the final judgment. Matt 13:41. Of their appearance and employment we may form some idea from the following passages — viz. Gen 16:7-11. Compare Gen 18:2; Gen 19:1 with Heb 13:2; Jud 13:6; Eze 10; Dan 3:28 and Dan 6:22; Matt 4:11; Matt 18:10 and Matt 28:2-7; Luke 1:19; Luke 16:22 and Luke 22:43; Acts 6:15; Acts 12:7; Heb 1:14; Heb 2:16; 2 Thess 1:7; Rev 10:1, Lev 10:2, 1 Chr 24:6. Of their number some idea may be inferred from 1 Kgs 22:19; Ps 68:17; Dan 7:10; Matt 26:53; Luke 2:9-14; 1 Cor 4:9; Heb 12:22. Of their strength we may judge from Ps 103:20; 2 Pet 2:11; Rev 5:2; Rev 18:21; Rev 19:17. And we learn their inconceivable activity from Jud 13:20; Isa 6:2-6; Matt 13:49; Matt 26:53; Acts 27:23; Rev 8:13. There is also an order of evil spirits ministering to the will of the prince of darkness, and both active and powerful in their opposition to God. Matt 25:41. It would seem the proper inference from Matt 18:10 that every believer had a guardian angel. The same idea is suggested in other passages, as Ps 91:11, Jer 1:12; Luke 15:10; Acts 12:15. They are the companions of the saved. Heb 12:22, Heb 12:23; Rev 5:11, Rev 5:12. They are to sustain an important office in the future and final administration of God's government on earth. Matt 13:39; Matt 25:31-33; 1 Thess 4:16. But they are not proper objects of adoration. Col 2:18; Rev 19:10. Angel of his Presence, Isa 63:9, by some is supposed to denote the highest angel in heaven, as Gabriel, who stands "in the presence of God," Luke 1:19; but others believe it refers to the incarnate Word. Angel of the Lord, Gen 16:7, is considered, by some, one of the common titles of Christ in the Old Testament. Ex 23:20. Compare Acts 7:30-32 andActs 7:37, Acts 7:38. Angel of the Church. Rev 2:1. The only true interpretation of this phrase is the one which makes the angels the rulers and teachers of the congregation, so called because they were the ambassadors of God to the churches, and on them devolved the pastoral care and government. Angel of Light. See Devil.