Angel
From CreationWiki, the encyclopedia of creation science
Angel (or Mal'ak in Hebrew) quite specifically means messenger of God. It is also considered somewhat of a general term within secular society for any spiritual being that exists outside of the normal boundaries that we call space and time. Within classic biblical Christian tradition these messengers of God, or angels were created by God during the creation week.
The will of angels is that in accordance with the Lord's which can be implied from Psalm 103:20 . Having said that, Gods will is the salvation of mankind thus communication. In most cases angels are used as messengers that help God communicate to people (good or bad). For example within the New Testament book of Luke 2:8-20 an angel foretells the coming of the Messiah. Also within Genesis 18 angels announce that Sarah will have a son, and the destruction of Sodom.
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Hierarchy and Types
The Bible reveals the existence of a multitude of spirits, and even the existence of a spiritual hierarchy. Within the ranks of hierarchy, the Bible refers to archangels, seraphim, cherubim, principalities, powers and authorities as well as angels. There are beings known as the sons of God, who, from the context, are clearly spiritual beings, whether they are or are not angels is not stated.
The Angel of the Lord
- Main Article: Jesus Christ
At various places, the Bible refers to the Angel of the Lord who seems to be more than an ordinary angel. This name is generally taken to describe a christophany (appearance of Jesus) within the times of the Old Testament.
Sons of God
- Main Article: Bene Elohim
The Bene Elohim are a group of beings mentioned in passing in the Old Testament book of Genesis 6:4 . It is unclear what the Sons of God were, but they are distinguished from the daughters of men. There are at least three schools of thought regarding these beings.
Fallen Angels
Although all spirits were created by God and therefore were originally good, at some point in time a large number of them rebelled against God and became evil, which is the implication regarding Matthew 25:41 .
Satan
- Main Article: Satan
Satan is the highest ranking of the angels who rebelled against God. He is stated to have corrupted and dragged down with him a third of the angels. These became demons and unclean spirits, according to the Bible.
Angellic Interactions
There are a number of occasions in the Bible where angels become visible and interacted with the physical world. Several Biblical references suggest that they may take on the physical form of humans so as to be virtually indistinguishable.
In some instances, they take on the form of humans for this purpose while others require them to appear in their original form.Luke 2:9 Genesis 18:2
Eating
Genesis 18:1-8 states that three beings which appeared to Abraham, ate the food which Sarah prepared for them. Manna is also referred to as the bread of angels Psalm 78:25 .
Wrestling
In Genesis 32:22-32 , Jacob wrestled with an angel. This angel could not win against Jacob, so he dislocated Jacob's thigh; still Jacob held on and refused to release the angel without a blessing. The angel did deliver a blessing, and declared that from that day forward, Jacob's true name would be Israel ("he struggles with God"), because he had actually struggled with a messenger of God and won.
Reproducing
Many interpret the Nephilim as progeny of a union between fallen angels called the Sons of God and the daughters of men. However some use Matthew 22:30 to support that angels do not reproduce - At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.
Service Roll
Generally speaking, the roll of Angels is to do the bidding of the Lord Psalm 103:20 . On occasion, they have served as messengers in carrying news of coming destruction, birth,
Psalm 148:2 Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his heavenly hosts.
Messenger
Angels are used on numerous occasions to bring news to people (good or bad). In some instances, they take on the form of humans for this purpose[1], at others times they are described to shine [2].
- Luke 2:8-20 : angels foretell the coming of the Messiah.
- Genesis 18 : angels announce that Sarah will have and son and the destruction of Sodom.
Punisher
Psalm 78:49 He unleashed against them his hot anger, his wrath, indignation and hostility— a band of destroying angels.
Matthew 13:41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil.
Protector
Psalm 91:11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
Matthew 24:31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
Matthew 4:11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
Gallery
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 Der Engel verhindert die Opferung Isaaks. By Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn |
 Abraham and the Three Angels. By Gustave Doré |
 Angel at Brooklands cemetery. |
References
External links
- Angel by Wikipedia
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