John Lawrence: Angelology Part 3 of 3

IX. The Ministry of Angels.
Angels are employed in three areas: Earth, Heaven, and the Heavenlies. There is an interplay in these three areas in Scripture, but for purposes of analysis we will consider each separately. It seems they act as priests on earth, as ministers, and in heavenly places as warriors. There is also the doctrine of election (Matt. 24:31) which we will not address here.
A. Their Ministry in Heaven.
The heavenly ministry of angels in God's presence is often that of acting as priests in the Temple of God, and it is always as the ministers of God.
1. Some are connected with the Throne.
Ezek. 1. Cf. Ezek. 28:14.
Rev. 14:3, cf. Luke 1:19
2. Some are connected with praise and worship.
Isa. 6:1-3
Psa. 103:20, 148:1-2
Rev, 4:6-9; 5:6,8,11-14.
Rev. 7:11-12; 19:4
3. Some are connected with priestly cleansing.
Isa. 6:5-7.
4. Some are connected with intercession and prayer.
Rev. 5:8, a shallow bowl
Rev. 8:3-4, frankincense, i.e., censer
5. Some have to do with revelation.
Rev. 6:1, 3, 5, 7
Cf. Giving of the Law, Acts 7:53, Gal. 3:19, Rev. 1:1, etc.
6. Some of them minister judgment,
Rev. 8:5, Rev. 15:7, Cf. Rev. 5:8 where same word is used.
These vials are censers in which are coals of fire,
7. Some of them play instruments,
Harps- Rev. 5:8.
Trumpets - Rev, 8:2, 6, 13,
Some are connected with representation: Matt.19:10, cf. Luke 1:19
All their ministry is at the command and direction of God. They worship and praise the triune God (Phil. 2:9-11; Heb.1:6). They always obey the command of God. Their humility is shown by covering their feet and their servitude by covering their face, while their readiness to carry out the will of God is shown by their flying (Isa. 6:2). Angels are called an assembly or congregation of the Lord, of which the assembly on earth in its worship and praise is a picture.
B. Their Ministry on Earth.
Angels have an administration on earth to carry out the will of God whether material, spiritual, visible or invisible. As such they were and are messengers. Their activity covers all history, ancient, and modern, national and personal.
1. In relation to the Material Creation and Judgments.
They have power or will yet have power over certain elements in nature in the Tribulation.
Rev. 7:1-2. "holding the four winds of the earth."
Rev. 17:18. "power over fire." Cf. 16:8.
Rev. 16:5. "the angel of the waters."
Ps. 104:4
In Rev. 16 angels are carrying out judgments which are upsetting the balance in nature.
Thus Scripture connects angels with draught, disaster, death and destruction.
Cf. Sodom, famines, etc., Ezek. 10:2, 9:1-7, Joshua 5:14, 6:20.
In Matt. 28:2 it appears the angel caused the earthquake.
Cf. John 5:3b-4. This is not in the ‘best’ manuscripts, but it is the traditional explanation for verse 7 which is genuine except for "when the water is troubled." cf. Vs 17.
A note by Hodge is applicable here, but is not reproduced.
Compare the working of the evil forces of angelic beings.
Rev. 13:13-15.
2 Thess. 2:9.
Rev. 16:13-4.
In Revelation 16 angels are ministering judgments while Satan is working to relieve them. Today, God’s angels are ministering the good and Satan’s are bringing infliction on people.
2. In Relation to the Nations.
a. The Nation of Israel.
The Word of God states that Israel has a guardian angel! Nothing is ever mentioned about any other nation.
Dan. 12:1, "standeth for the children of thy people."
Dan. 10:21-11:1
The other nations of the earth have evil demons ruling over them and there is a conflict between the good and the evil.
Dan. 10:20, Dan. 10:12-13, Dan. 8:10-12, Ezek. 28:2,12.
Ezekiel 9 confirms not only the fact of Israel having a guardian angel but also of other angels which minister various cities. There were evidently six angels who were responsible for the one city of Jerusalem alone. Ezek, 9:1-1l.
This gives added reason to hold that the angels of the seven churches are not just men but spirit beings who are guardians over the church, Since Israel has been set aside temporarily, God is working through the churches and this is the present day object of Satan's attack, while Israel was the object up to the beginning of the church. Since this is true it is reasonable that each local assembly has one or more angels today who guard it even as the individual believers have ministering spirits to minister to them.
b. The Other Nations.
All other nations are in the hands of the prince of this world (John 14:30) and controlled by powerful forces of evil, Paul refers to them as "world-rulers" (Eph. 2:2; 6:12; Matt. 4:8, 12:26; Rev. 2:13).
Even though angels are not ‘ministering’ to the Nations, nevertheless, there are holy angels who are spoken of as "watchers" or "holy ones.
Dan. 4:13, 17, 23
These watch over the progress of evil in the nations and surely inflict judgment at God’s command when the conditions reach a certain point.
Dan. 4:13, Acts 12:22
They are not in actual control of the Satanic controlled governments, but are "watchers" who only let evil progress to a certain degree and then bring judgment according to the will of God. Gen. 19.
They may also be involved, through the Judgment of one kingdom and the rising of another, in the strengthening or establishing of a Gentile nation or ruler which inflicted judgment upon another. Dan. 11:1.
3. In relation to the Life of Christ.
a. Predicted His birth, Luke 1:26-38.
b. Informed Joseph concerning the nature at His birth, and gave Him His name, Matt. 1:20-21.
c. Announced His birth to the shepherds, Luke 2:8-15.
d. Protected the Savior after His birth, Matt. 2:15,19
e. He was worshipped by angels, Heb, 1:6,
f. Ministered to Christ after temptation, Matt. 4:11, They were not assisting in the encounter, but after victory was manifested did they minister. Same is true of Calvary. This indicates the spreading of a table in the presence of His enemies. Cf. 1 Kings 19:5-8,
g. Strengthened Christ in Gethsemane, Luke 22:43,
Only Luke records this. Man slept, angels did not. Man drained Him, angels strengthened Him.
h. Always ready to defend the Lord, Matt. 26:53; Ps. 91:11,12
i. Rolled away the stone from the tomb, and announced the Lord's resurrection. Matt, 28:2, 6.
The Roman guards and all the formidable weapons of the Roman army were no match for an officer from the court of Heaven.
j. They were present at the ascension, Acts 1:11.
Some feel they formed a chariot, just as they did for Elijah, Luke 24:51; Ps, 68:17-18,
k. They will accompany Christ at the Second Advent, Matt. 25:31,16:27. If the presence of one angel filled the guards at the tomb with terror, how much more will ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands and myriads?
l. They will ascend and descend upon Him, John 1:51.
4. In Relation to Believers.
Their total ministry in relationship to believers is to do the will of God (Ps. 103:20). We do not invoke their service. They are servants, not to us, but to God for us.
The question may well be asked why angels are not presently seen by men. Paul’s admonition against the worshipping of the angels" (Col. 2.18) may afford the answer. "If men have not abstained from worshipping their fellow-men, when these latter have been priests or media of divine communications, the danger of idolatry would be much greater if we came into close and constant contact with angels" (Strong, p. 453). Cf. Rev. 22:6,9.
a. In the Old Testament dispensations only.
(1) They minister to the believers who die.
Luke 16:22, Concerning soul.
Jude 9, Concerning body.
b. In both the Old and New Testaments.
(1) They give and interpret revelation.
Old Testament: Job 33:23.
Dan. 7:16; 10:5,11
Zech. (Many places)
Gal 3:19; Acts 1:53.
New Testament:
Rev. 1:1; 22:6,8.
(2) They protect and deliver God’s people.
Old Testament: Gen. 19:11, 1 Kings 19:5, Dan.3:28, 6:22.
New Testament: Acts 5:19, Acts 12:11, Heb. 1:14.
c. In the New Testament only.
In reference to the church, God uses angels to carry out
His purposes more frequently than we have any idea.
Dr. L. Chafer makes a very important observation: "In Old Testament terminology, sometimes angels are called sons of God while men are called servants of God. In the New Testament this is reversed. Angels are servants, and Christians are sons of God. This peculiar order may be due to the fact that, in the Old Testament, men are seen as related to this sphere over which angels are superior; while, in the New Testament, saints are seen as related to their final exaltation into the likeness of Christ, compared to which estate the angels are inferior."(II, 23).
(1) They are eyewitnesses of the church.
1 Cor. 4:9 - Men and demons rejoice. But angels know and
strengthen him . . . and this knowledge becomes his motive to patient endurance.
1 Cor, 11:10 -Angels veil their faces while they worship, as an act of subjection and reverence. Eph. 3:10.
1 Tim. 5:21 (Cf. 3:15 where showing he is talking about local congregation). Heb. 12:1.
In matters of preaching, the service of the church, and soul-winning, the angels look on. This is also an incentive for endurance to us which is, therefore, a ministry which angels carry on,
(2) They serve believers.
Matt. 18:10 - These are those young in the faith,
Heb. 1:14.
(Cf. Ps. 91:11-12),
This verse infers that the elect have not only a
guardian angel, but at any point in time, a myriad of
them, to protect them against evil.
Spurgeon's comment on this is rich: "Not one guardian angel but all the angels are here alluded to. Ps 91:11,12 They are the bodyguard of the princes of the blood imperial of heaven, and they have received commission from their Lord and ours to watch carefully over all the interests of the faithful. It is down in the marching orders of the hosts of heaven that they take special care of the people who dwell in God. They garrison the body, soul and spirit of the saint. Whether they repel demons, counteract spiritual plots or even ward off the subtler physical forces of disease, we do not know. Perhaps we shall one day stand amazed at the multiplied services the unseen bands have rendered us."
(3) They serve the local church.
Rev. Ch.1-3.
There are a number of reasons why we may know that
local churches have guardian angels as well as
individuals. What kind of churches must these be?
-1- The word angel used elsewhere in the Book of Revelation.
It is only used in this sense.
-2- The technical use of the word angel as in Rev. 16:5,
"The angel of the waters."
This can be none other than an angel presiding over
the waters; the angel of the churches are parallel.
-3- The symbolical significance of stars all through
Scripture. Heb. 1:7, Psa. 104:4, Isa. 14:12ff
Job 38:7, Rev. 12:4,9, Rev. 9:1 with Luke 10:18.
-4- The position of the 7 stars being in the Lord's right
hand.
Angels are now in heaven and are completely subject
to the Lord's authority. Redeemed man is not now
in heaven, etc.
-5- The use of the word "mystery" for both the churches
and the "angels".
A human elder ruling over a church is no mystery.
An angel over each church is something you would
never have known apart from divine revelation.
-6- The length of time involved knowing that these seven
letters to the seven churches are for the entire
church through the entire age.
-7- The function of angels in the 0.T.
Israel has a guardian angel.
Dan. 10:21, 12:1.
-8- The function of angels in the New Testament
The real conflict is in spiritual realms.
Eph. 6; 1 Cor. 11:10, 1 Cor.4:9, Matt.18:10, Heb. 1:14
More on the purpose of the holy angels:
(4) They make the will of God known (guide).
Matt 1:20-21.
Acts 8:26.
Acts 10:3-6.
(5) They bring encouragement in time of need (succor).
Matt. 28:5-7.
Acts 27:23-24.
Acts 5:19.
Acts 12:7-10.
(6) They have access to our minds and can influence us for good.
Charles Hodge, Vol. I, p 642.
"The angels not only execute the will of God in the natural world, but they also act on the minds of men. They have access to our minds and can influence them for good in accordance with the laws of our nature and in the use of appropriate means. They do not act by that direct operation, which is the peculiar prerogative of God and His Spirit, but by the suggestion of truth and guidance of thought and feeling, much as one man may act upon another. If the angels may communicate one with another, there is no reason why they may not, in like manner, communicate with our spirits. In the Scriptures, therefore, the angels are represented as not only affording general guidance and protection, but also as giving inward strength and consolation. If an angel strengthened our Lord himself after His agony in the garden, His
people also may experience the support of angels; and if evil angels tempt to sin, good angels may allure to holiness. Certain it is that a wide influence and operation are attributed to them in Scripture in furthering the welfare of the children of God, and in protecting them from evil and defending them from their enemies."
As Satan uses evil angels and demons to suggest to us sin, so God may use the good angels to suggest and encourage holiness of life.
Strong points out that ‘recent psychical researches’ disclose almost unlimited possibilities of influencing other minds by suggestion. Cf. hypnotism. He says: "If other men can so powerfully influence us, it is quite possible that spirits which are not subject to limitations of the flesh may influence us yet more." p.454.
Observation:
Catholics have gone overboard in their doctrine of angels. They give thanks to angels and offer prayers to angels. This is thrice forbidden in the Word (Rev. 19:10; 22:9; Col. 2:18). An Englishman wrote: "When we send an offering to the King, the King's messenger durst not appropriate the King's exclusive due." We owe the angels no worship; they are only our "fellow-servants" in the kingdom of God. Yet Catholics are wrongly taught to choose some saint who has passed on to be their guardian angel, and then to pay something to have that saint or angel, like St. Michael, to do them some favor. But the Word of God stands clear: "worship God alone".
Since Catholics do this, we have gone overboard in the other direction. To recognize that angels may and are used by God is entirely different from worship of them. Since Catholics do the latter, it is no reason we should reject the former.
The mistake of Catholics is to not realize that the angelic ministry is entirely in God's hands--that they are the servants of God, not of man. Therefore, it is entirely wrong to pray to them or request anything directly of them. They are to follow God's will, not ours. They serve us only at His direction, not at our entreaty. We are to live for the Lord--He will take care of the angels and us. Cf. Rev. 19:10
5. The Practical Application of this doctrine.
It causes us to understand:
1. Something of the greatness of our God and of His total plan through time and eternity, earth and heaven, matter and spirit, substance and space, visible and invisible, etc. Everything has a place, a purpose and a reason.
2. Something of the greatness of holy angels who minister to us and also of the wicked greatness of evil angels and demons who oppose us.
3. Something of the greatness of our salvation which is complete in every aspect and of the infinite resources that we have in Christ.
4. Something of the preciousness of our faith and lives to God and of the battle that exists over us between the forces of heaven and hell, and to know the resources already available by the grace of God.
5. Something of the seriousness of temptation and the effects of sin in ourselves even to heavenly spheres.
6. Something of what our own eternal existence will be like. While we will not be angels, in many points we will be like angels. It is wrong to sing: "I want to be an angel . . " We never shall be angels. Yet the day is coming when the distance between angels and redeemed men will be nearly taken away and a oneness in design and communion realized.(Heb. 12:22, 23). The praises of angels are to be mingled with the praises of the Church to compose worship before the throne. (Col. 1:20; Rev. 5:9,12).
7. Something of what real subjection and service is.
Holy angels demonstrate this.
8. The holy angels have a relationship to unbelievers.
a. They minister judgments now.
Dan. 4.
Acts 12:22, 23.
b. They will be used to minister judgments upon earth dwellers in the Tribulation.
Entire Book of Revelation:
Fire, hail, blood, wormwood, darkness, plagues of locusts, poisons of scorpions, ulcers, brimstone, floods, famines, flames, impure demons, unclean beasts, thunders, lightning, earthquakes, etc,
c. They will be used to separate the wheat from the tares at the Second Coning of Christ,
Matt. l3:39~42.
Matt. 24:31
Matt, 25:31,32.
2 Thess. 1:7-8.
Zech. 14:5.
9. Their Ministry in Heavenly Places.
This is perhaps the place of the greatest angelic ministry, not minimizing either their ministry before the throne or on earth with us. This is their natural place of abode. It is where the whole conflict with principalities, powers, rulers of darkness of thi8 cosmos, and spiritual wickedness in heavenly places exists. Eph. 6:12.
The ministry of the Holy Spirit and of the Holy Angels are absolutely distinct and should not be confused. The Holy Spirit indwells every believer making it impossible for any unholy spirit to ever indwell
(1 John 4:4), although it is possible for them to influence or tempt the believer. The Holy Spirit is the source of all power to live the Christian life in victory over the flesh. He is sent to be the Paraclete in anything we need down here. He is always present, always ready to assist in any way we ask Him to, but never forces Himself against our own volition, even in subduing he flesh. He guides the believer into truth; He makes known the will of God; etc.
While angels and the Holy Spirit are seen in Scripture to work closely together on earth, their work is nevertheless kept distinct (Acts 8:26, 29). The ministry that angels perform for us in heavenly spheres is even more unique and separate in their operations, for the Word gives no mention whatsoever that the Holy Spirit operates in heavenly spheres today even though He is omnipresent. The angels sphere of ministry, however, is in the heavenlies primarily and on earth only secondarily.
Two books give us a glimpse of a whole world of conflict above us that is going on: one, in the Old Testament, and one in the New. Daniel has revealed how the real conflict is in heavenly spheres and the battle on earth is only a mock affair.
Daniel 10:12-13.
Daniel 10:20,21; 11:1
Dan. 8:10-13.
Cf. Rev. 12:7-8.
Paul in Ephesians has further emphasized the spiritual conflict that still exists in the present day age in which we live.
Eph. 6:10-18.
In order to comprehend the significance of this conflict, it is necessary to understand the meaning of the term repeated five times in Ephesians: "Heavenly places."
1:3, "... who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings
in heavenly places in Christ."
1:20, "which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from
the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion."
These four terms are used of angelic authority.
2:6, "And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus."
3:10, "To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God."
6:12, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places ("heavenly places")."
A comparison of the first three reveal Paul is talking about the very Holy of Holies--God's Throne where Christ is seated and which is far above angelic spheres. However, in the last two, heavenly places refer to the Holy Place of God's universe where angels abide. It is in this last sphere where there is a continual battle raging which extends even to the earth.
When Satan is cast down to the earth in the middle of the tribulation period, he is cast out of heavenly places which includes heaven itself, God's throne, where Satan accuses us day and night, and it includes the dwelling place of angels or the second heaven also. This is seen from Revelation 12: 8, 9, and 12. It includes not only Satan, but also his angels with him (12:9), showing that now their sphere of operation and conflict is in the second heaven, even though their Leader has access to the throne room (if not his wicked and evil angels).
The conflict that is going on in the second heaven reaches even to us on earth, and, therefore, we are commanded to make appropriate provision against it by taking the complete armor God has provided for our well being. Notice that Ephesians 6 mentions nothing about our advancing, or gaining ground, but only about our standing, and not giving ground. We are to take the armor that the Lord has provided so that Satan and his forces cannot get at us and defeat us, but we are not equipped to defeat him. This is the work of the angelic forces, not us. The only offensive weapon that we have is the sword of the Spirit and it is not used to advance, but only to foil the enemy as Christ did by the spoken word so as not to give him ground.
Translation of Eph. 6:10-17:
"Finally, continually be strengthened in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on yourselves once for all the full armor of God that you might be able to stand up to the craft of the Devil. For our contest is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly spheres."
"On account of this take up the full armor of God, in order that you may be able to stand face to face in the evil day, and having achieved all to stand. Take your stand, therefore, having girded your loins with truthfulness and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having bound on the feet in a state of preparedness the gospel of peace, in front of all having taken up the shield of faith, with which ye shall be able to quench all of the darts that had been set on fire of the wicked one, and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the spoken word of God." …Lawrence
This is not the full dress, but only the armor.
(a) Military Belt – holds in the garments so you will not be tripped up by yourself. It is the last thing that is put on, but the first thing mentioned. The belt is truth, i.e., truthfulness. Many a person has been tripped up by a lie he himself has told. When we lie the enemy does not have to do a thing. We have trapped ourselves.
(b) Breastplate-Protects the vital organs of the body.
This protection is righteousness. A person that knows he is not living right is defeated before he gets into battle. A righteous mode of life is necessary else the heart(emotions) is struck, etc. If iniquity in a believer’s heart is found, he is cowardly, and defeated. Cf. Israel at Ai (Joshua 7).
(c) Hob-nail boot of the soldier provides protection from
sharp objects and when in hand to hand combat provides a sure footing on slippery ground. This sure footing is the state of preparedness of the gospel of peace. It is not our giving out the gospel, but the effect of the gospel upon us. I am to experience the peace of God even in the midst of conflict. It may be very severe. This protects my footing, lest I should stumble.
(d) Shield by which we are able to quench all the darts that had been set on fire of the wicked one. This was a movable piece of armor. The shield was large: perhaps 30" x 38" high. It was both large and heavy. It covered the soldier himself. Sometimes soldiers would march shoulder to shoulder locking shields together. This kept the rest of the armor from being hit as well as the person. The shield is FAITH.
Not initial faith of salvation, but faith in God's love provision, and Word. The very thing Israel lacked after being redeemed out of Egypt (Heb. 3:4). Faith is what takes God at His Word in time and claims the promises for any given situation. We are saved by faith alone, and are to live by faith alone: "The just shall live by faith". The minute any believer begins to live by sight, fiery darts have him in their piercing and he will panic and falter.
(e) Helmet to provide protection for the head. It was leather to which was sown meta1 or shells and protected the head from the down- ward thrust of a long sword. The Helmet is salvation. It is the assurance of being saved, past, present, and future, and all that this means.
1 Thess. 5:8 "the hope of salvation."
hope = "a settled conviction, assurance."
No one can last one moment in battle who does not know that he is saved by grace through faith alone. Our minds are very important, for Satan can gain anything and everything if he can reach our thoughts.
Phil. 4:4-8.
2 Cor. 10:5.
2 Tim. 1:7.
(f) Sword to provide a means whereby we may be victorious and active, not just defensive. The sword is the spoken Word of God. See Matt. 4. It is the Word of God as applied to any given situation to defeat the temptations of Satan. The temptation of Christ is a vivid illustration.
Belt--Not truth, but Truthfulness.
Breastplate--Not righteousness imputed, but righteousnesses.
Shoes--Not Gospel of Peace, but good news of peace to us.
Shield--Not Faith initial, but our continued life of faith.
Helmet--Not salvation, but the assurance of salvation.
Sword – Not Word, but the Word spoken, and applied.
Having appropriated all this, the believer is now ready for going into conflict (battle). How many the enemy slays because they are going into the battle not fully armed and armored.
Paul is not emphasizing the holy angels' part here in this conflict, but rather our part. God takes care of their part, so that is not for us to concern ourselves with, but only to be sure our part has been taken care of completely. The praying in the Spirit, and the watching--being continually on guard--is the attitude and state in which we should continually be. (Eph. 6:18).