"Angels: Origin and Purpose"

Steven J. Wallace

"Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind" (Col. 2:18).

There is always a lot of interest and wild imagination regarding the subject of angels. Hollywood has cashed in on the subject by making various shows to capture the interest of the people in the world with "Touched by an Angel," "City of Angels," "Angels in the Outfield," and others. Like today, angels interested those in the first century—some even worshiped them!

Where did angels come from?

The Bible teaches that angels are created beings.

Speaking of man, the Holy Spirit says, "You have made him a little lower than the angels…" (Heb. 2:7). This seems to imply that angels were therefore made a little higher than man. In Psalm 148 we find angels poetically mentioned with the sun, moon, stars, the heavens of heavens, and waters above the heavens praising the Lord. The reason? "…For He commanded and they were created" (Psa. 148:5). Although angels are great, the Lord alone is to be exalted (Psa. 148:13). His name is greater than anything found on earth, in the heavens, or above the heavens. Although notable beings, angels are not worthy of worship because they are creatures—supernatural creatures, but still creatures, nonetheless.

We can also know that angels were created good and have the freedom of choice to do good or evil.

The apostle Peter stated, "For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment" (2 Pet. 2:4). God did not spare them when they sinned. "Sinned" is from a Greek word that means to miss the mark and wander from the path.

Jude mentions that some angels did not keep their proper domain (Jude 1:6). Since they have sinned, they have the choice to do good or evil. Further, in order to sin, they must have law and are held accountable to that law. However, unlike man, Jesus didn't die to redeem angels (Heb. 2:15, 16).
What is true with angels is also true of Satan. "He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil" (1 Jn. 3:8, emp. added, SJW).

What purpose did angels serve?

Like any creature, there is a purpose in its creation.

Angels were created to worship and serve God. Hebrews 1:6, "But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: 'Let all the angels of God worship Him.'"

Angels were created to minister in things pertaining to salvation. Hebrews 1:7, "And of the angels He says: 'Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire.'" They are ministering spirits sent forth to minister (Heb. 1:14). The idea is that angels are quick to administer the service commanded of them. Recall how suddenly the chariot of fire appeared for Elijah (2 Kin. 2:11). Later, Elisha prayed that one could see those who were with him, and he was able to see the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire (2 Kin. 6:15-17). Angels served in announcing the births of Samson and Jesus (Jud. 13:3, 4; Matt. 1:20, 21).

Angels were created to assist in judgment. Two angels went down into Sodom to see the status of the city and give a warning to Lot (Gen. 18:20-22; 19:1ff). They were involved in the judgment of the city. An angel of the Lord killed 185,000 Assyrians in one night
(2 Kin. 19:35).

Angels had a part in administering the law (Gal. 3:19; Acts 7:53; Heb. 2:2; Rev. 1:1). We find them administering information to certain men such as Elijah, Joseph, and Philip (2 Kin. 1:15; Matt. 2:13; Acts 8:26).

Angels were created to administer to Jesus. We read of them doing this after His temptation (Mk. 1:12, 13).

Many other things could be listed. Angels are seen in Scripture opposing evil men, assisting godly men, opening prison doors, etc. Paul said an angel stood by him while he was in the storm in Acts 27:23-25.

We could spend time in another article looking at some things angels can presently do. But let's be assured that they cannot add to or subtract from the instruction revealed in the gospel (Gal. 1:6-10). Salvation is only discovered through the written word. Take advantage of it today! The angels in heaven want you to (Lk. 15:10)!

Sentence Sermons

"Jesus is the only fountain who can satisfy the thirsty soul."

"Bible mathematics: We do not add to the Bible nor subtract from it, but rightly divide it."

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