JESUS AND THE ANGELS

 

    Jesus is vastly superior to the angels. He has a "more excellent name" than the Angels (Heb. 1:4). The Hebrew writer said, "God never designated an Angel as 'My Son'" (1:5). In Heb. 1:6 we read, "Let all the Angels worship Him." In other words, Angels are God's messengers, but Jesus is God's Son.

    However, it is interesting to note that in the Gospel accounts, the Angels were very much involved with Jesus throughout His earthly ministry.

    When God's plan began to unfold for the coming of His only begotten Son, the work of preparation was done by Angels. In Luke 1:26-33, a single Angel, Gabriel, appeared to Mary with the message that she, a virgin, would bear a child, and He would be the Son of God. The Angel told her about the birth, the name, and the mission of her yet unborn Son.

    Later, a single unnamed Angel appeared to Joseph, to whom Mary was betrothed, to assure him that Mary's pregnancy was nothing to be ashamed of, and "that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit" (Matt. 1:20). This time, the Angel offered evidence with the ancient prophecy given by Isaiah (7:14).

    On that great night when Jesus was born, the event was announced to a few shepherds who were watching their flocks in a field by an Angel. That one Angel was joined with a heavenly host of Angels giving glory to God and proclaiming the coming of peace and goodwill to men.

    After Jesus successfully defeated Satan in the wilderness temptations, the Scriptures tell us, "Angels came and ministered to Him (Matt. 4:11). Here again we see Angels prevalent in the life of Jesus, reminiscent of Psalm 34:7.

    In the Garden of Gethsemane, with the stress of the Cross directly in front of Him, Jesus prayed so fervently that, "He sweated, as it were, great drops of blood," and an Angel came and strengthened Him (Luke 22:43-44).

    After Jesus was crucified and buried, early on the first day of the week, an Angel came and rolled the stone away from the grave and sat on it (Matt. 28:2). The countenance of the Angel was such that it threw the guards into a comatose state (vs.. 3 & 4). The Angel spoke to the women who had come to the tomb and told them the good news of the resurrection.

    Fifty days later, Jesus was upon the Mount of Olives and ascended into Heaven. As He ascended, the Angels were once again on the scene, and told the disciples that this same Jesus will one day return (Acts 1:10-11).

    Angels announced His birth -- They announced His resurrection -- They announced His return.

    In the Bible, Angels are mentioned 289 times. In the NT, Angels are mentioned 180 times. In the Gospels, they are mentioned 52 times; and from Acts 1:1 to Rev. 22:21, they are mentioned 128 times. Angels are very real. However, the worship of them is sinful (Col. 2:18; Rev. 22:9).

    I keep thinking that there must be a reason that God has told us so much about the work of angels. They are present when the Gospel is preached (Luke 15:10); they are present at the death of the righteous (Luke 16:22); and they are sent forth to minister to those who will inherit salvation (Heb. 1:14). Hebrews 13:2, even informs us that some have "unknowingly" entertained Angels.

    However, we must also be aware that Satan can transform himself into an "angel of light" (2Cor. 11:14) for the purpose of deceiving people. Therefore, there must be "good" Angels, and "bad" angels. The only way to know the difference is by a knowledge of God's Word (cf. Deut. 13:1-5).        

 

                                                                                                       Toby Miller