Before you answer please bear in mind that the word used for "angel" here is literally translated "messenger" and doesn't necessarily mean an angelic being. I've done a very in depth study on this individual and have drawn my own conclusions but would like to hear your opinions. I'd also encourage you to do a similar study, preferably using a Topical Study Bible to make it easier
2006-11-09 05:25:11 · 4 answers · asked by utuseclocal483 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Angels are spiritual beings created by God to serve Him, though created higher than man. Some, the good angels, have remained obedient to Him and carry out His will, while others, fallen angels, disobeyed, fell from their holy position, and now stand in active opposition to the work and plan of God. The holy angels are messengers of God, serving Him and doing His bidding. The fallen angels serve Satan, the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4).
The doctrine of angels follows logically the doctrine of Christ, for the angels are primarily ministers of Christ's providence. When areas of theology are slighted, this will likely be one of them. One has only to peruse the amount of space devoted to angelology in standard theologies to demonstrate this. This disregard for the doctrine may simply be neglect or it may indicate a tacit rejection of this area of Biblical teaching.
A careful study of Angelology, we will examine the following:
1. Terms used of angels;
2. The existence of angels;
3. The creation of angels;
4. The nature of angels;
5. The classification of angels;
6. The ranking of angels;
7. The ministry of angels;
8. The identity of the Angel of the LORD [Jehovah];
9. The identity of the sons of God in Genesis 6:1-8; and
10. The role of angels in medieval Jewish thought (optional).
The terms used of angels are as follows:
1. Angels;
2. Holy ones;
3. Host;
4. Chariots;
5. Watchers;
6. The Angel of the LORD [Yahweh or Jehovah];
7. Elohim;
8. Stars; and sons of God.
Though other words are used for these spiritual beings, the primary word used in the Bible is angel. The Hebrew word for angel is mal`ach, and the Greek word is angelos. Both words mean "messenger" and describe one who executes the purpose and will of the one whom they serve. The context must determine if a human messenger is in view, or one of the celestial beings called "angels," or if it is being used of the second Person of the Trinity as will be discussed below.
Illustrations of uses that do not refer to celestial beings:
1. For human messengers from one human to another (Luke 7:24; James 2:25).
2. For human messengers bearing a divine message (Haggai 1:13; Galatians 4:14).
3. For an impersonal agent, Paul's thorn in the flesh described as "a messenger of Satan" (2 Corinthians 12:7).
4. For the messengers of the seven churches (Revelation 2-3). It is also used in connection with the seven churches of Asia, "To the angel of the church in ..." Some take this to mean a special messenger or delegation to the church as a teaching elder, others take it to refer to a guardian angel.
Thus, the term angelos is not only a generic term, pertaining to a special order of beings (i.e., angels), but it is also descriptive and expressive of their office and service. So when we read the word "angel" we should think of it in this way
Holy Ones
The un-fallen angels are also spoken of as "holy ones" (Psalm 89:5, 7). The reason is twofold. First, being the creation of a holy God, they were created perfect without any flaw or sin. Second, they are called holy because of their purpose. They were "set apart" by God and for God as His servants and as attendants to His holiness (cf. Isa 6).
Host
"Host" is the Hebrew tsaba, "army, armies, hosts." It is a military term and carries the idea of warfare. Angels are referred to as the "host," which calls our attention to two ideas. First, it is used to describe God's angels as the "armies of heaven" who serve in the army of God engaged in spiritual warfare (Psalm 89:6, 8; 1 Samuel 1:11; 17:45). Second, it calls our attention to angels as a multitude of heavenly beings who surround and serve God as seen in the phrase "Lord of hosts" (Isaiah 31:4). In addition, tsaba sometimes includes the host of heavenly bodies, the stars of the universe.
Chariots
Chariots applies to angels in the sense that they are part of God's host or army that accomplish His purpose. Psalm 68:17 refers to angelic intervention that enabled victory over kings and armies that opposed Israel (cf. Psalm 68:12, 14). This term is used also in 2 Kings 6:16-17, where Elisha and his servant were protected by an angelic task force of horses and chariots. Zechariah's visions included four chariots which carried out God's military judgments on the nations surrounding Israel. These are further described as "four spirits of heaven, going forth after standing before the Lord of all the earth" (Zechariah 6:5).
Watchers
In Daniel 4:13, 17 a holy watcher is mentioned and that in the singular; Daniel 4:17 uses the plural "watcher." These are probably angels who are sent by God to observe. The name suggests watchfulness. They are also involved in bringing a message from God to man. Whether these are a special class of angels is unknown.
The Angel of the LORD [Yahweh or Jehovah]
A careful study of the many passages using this term suggests that this is no ordinary angel, but a Theophany, or better, a Christophany, a preincarnate appearance of Christ. The angel is identified as God, speaks as God, and claims to exercise the prerogatives of God. Still, in some passages He distinguishes Himself from Yahweh (Genesis 16:7-14; 21:17-18; 22:11-18; 31:11-13, Exodus 3:2; Judges 2:1-4; 5:23; 6:11-22; 13:3-22; 2 Samuel 24:16; Zechariah 1:12; 3:1; 12:8). That the Angel of the LORD is a Christophany is suggested by the fact a clear reference to "the Angel of the LORD" ceases after the incarnation. References to an angel of the Lord in Luke 1:11; and 2:8 and Acts 5:19 lack the Greek article which would suggest an ordinary angel.
Elohim
Elohim by itself is sometimes applied to angels. The name Elohim is used both for God and for angels. The angels are elohim; and as a family or class they are "sons of Elohim." This is the understanding of the writer to the Hebrews (as well as the translators of the Septuagint) when he takes "a little lower than elohim" as a little lower than angels (Hebrews 2:7; cf. Psalm 8:5; see also Genesis 35:7). Moses described Jacob's experience at Bethel by saying that Elohim were revealed [plural verb] unto him (Genesis 35:7). This term pictures angels along with God as a supernatural class of beings of great strength and higher than weak and mortal man.
Stars
The term "stars" is used symbolically of angels, denotes their heavenly nature and abode. God speaks to Job about the wonders of creation and the time when "the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God [bene elohim] shouted for joy" (Job 38:7). It is rather natural that stars and angels be compared as heavenly creations that reflect the power and wisdom of God. They are often mentioned in the same context (cf. Psalm 148:1-5). Both angels and stars are called "the host of heaven" (Deut 4:19; 17:3; 1 Kings 22:19; Nehemiah 9:6; Psalm 33:6). In fact, astrology is connected to demon worship through this term (Jeremiah 19:13; Acts 7:42; particularly 2 Kings 23:5, 10, 24). Divination and worship of the stars is condemned by, the Scripture (cf. Deut 18:10-14) as connected with demonological elements. It is not strange, then, to note that Satan is described in his rebellion and warfare against God as a "wonder in heaven ... a great red dragon on ... and his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth" (Revelation 12:3-4). This force of spirit beings is later called "Satan ... and his angels" (Revelation 12:9). Stars, then, speak symbolically of heavenly spirits created by God.
Sons of God
In their holy state, un-fallen angels are called "sons of God" (Hebrew transliteration, bene elohim) in the sense that they were brought into existence by the creation of God (Job 1:6; 38:7). Though they are never spoken of as created in the image of God, they may also be called "sons of God" because they possess personality like God.
This only part of what you have asked for. This is part of the doctrine of Angels. I can give you more information by giving me your email address.
2006-11-09 06:01:20 · answer #1 · answered by NIGHT_WATCH 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is an appearance of Christ. Check out the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. In the furnace was the appearance of a fourth person described as The Son of God, indicating it was Christ.
Daniel 3:25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.
2006-11-09 05:31:50 · answer #2 · answered by Bad Cosmo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well it is hard to say , I would need to know which scriptures you speak of. It could me Christ, it could be the Arc Angel Micheal, It could be...... Maybe you could add some details.GOD bless
2006-11-09 05:46:43 · answer #3 · answered by Piper 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In some cases, the "Angel of the LORD" is the pre-incarnate Christ.
2006-11-09 05:30:52 · answer #4 · answered by bbjones9 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋