CHAPLAIN’S PAGE: ANGELS
A much-neglected subject is the ministry of angels. There are over two hundred and fifty references to them in Scriptures which should make us think seriously concerning their manifold functions. In the same way that the Archangel Devil, Satan, is viewed as a comical figure, so too are the angels who are faithful to God. Artists throughout the centuries have depicted them as anaemic beings sporting a large set of feathered wings. Their design is so aerodynamically flawed it is doubtful if they would even get off the ground. These messengers of God are able to materialise and dematerialise at will, and are not restrained by the confines of time and space.
Angels are a separate creation from man, and their beginnings go back into the mist of time. Their function, as far as we know, appear to be divided into the following five categories: I) To serve and praise Almighty God, 2) To act as messengers between God and man, 3) To guard and protect the nation of Israel, 4) to minister to those who are the heirs of salvation and to look after children, 5) To accompany our returning Lord at His second advent, and to do battle on the nations who are His enemies. Not all angels are equal in rank or status and are divided into 1) Principalities, 2) Powers, 3) Thrones, 4) Dominions, 5) Legions, but not necessarily in that order.
Angels like us have free will, otherwise there wouldn’t have been those who rebelled against God. At this present time, we humans are a little lower than them and even Jesus in His manhood was lower (Hebrews 2:9: “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man”.). Admittedly, His earthly work was completed and He took up His rightful place in heaven and the angels were again subject to Him.
The day will come when thy will be subject to us, for Paul tells us “Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?“(l Corinthians 6:3). The final and great judgement of fallen angels will be by our Lord Jesus Christ “And the angels which kept not their first estate but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.” (Jude 6).
At some time, maybe aeons ago, one of God’s most trusted angels revolted, believing that he should have more power, and even tried to ascend the throne of God
“How art thou fallen from heaven, o Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! (Isaiah 14:12). This arrogance is so profound , so all consuming, that he declares “For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High”. (Isaiah 14:13-14). Almighty God could have dealt with him then, and restored peace and harmony in the heavens. The reason that He delayed is not for us to know at this time. (see Deuteronomy 29.29) Lucifer, son of the morning, Satan , drew a third of all the angels on to his side (Revelation 12.4) “And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth”. Peace in the Heavens at last! That’s good news, now for the bad news, ‘Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time”. (Revelation 12.12)
It is of special interest to note when Satan and his angels were cast out of heaven. It was after the resurrection of Jesus, for he was dislodged by the power of the shed blood of the Lamb. “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death”. (Revelation 12.11). Almighty God placed the responsibility of conducting this was his special Archangel Michael.
“And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people (Israel)” (Daniel 12.1). Michael, the general with a two thirds majority overcame Satan and Heaven was now free.
The glorious news of the birth of Jesus Christ two thousand years ago, was given to Mary by an angel in a deeply moving conversation recorded in Luke 1:28-38.
Again, it was an angel who announced to the shepherds in the field that Jesus had been born “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people”. “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God” (Luke 2:10,13). Thirty three years later, in the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed with great earnestness to His Father that the cup of suffering could be taken away from Him . There were more than twelve legions of angels ready and waiting for just one word and they would have rescued Him from that approaching mob armed with swords and staves (Matthew 26:55) “in that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me?” Our wonderful saviour did not call for their help. He willingly went through a farce of a trial, the beatings, the whippings and the crucifixion, alone and unaided. What a saviour! There is little doubt that Satan and a multitude of his angels were also present in the garden doing all in their power to keep Jesus away from the cross. Had they been successful we would still be dependent upon the sacrifices of animals for every sin committed.
In many events recorded in Scripture, there was  angelic presence, sometimes, invisible, sometimes visible to a select few and sometimes to many. At Christ’s ascension, the apostles and an unknown number of men from Galilee were on the Mount of Olives when He was  taken up, and two angels spoke to them saying “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so  come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven”. (Acts 1:11).
Angels are not only able to appear and disappear at will, but it is certain that many of God’s secrets have been revealed to them. There is one secret that has been kept from them, and that is the day of our Lord’s return. “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only”. (Matthew 24.36). One of the most amazing encounters that any man has had with an angel was Daniel. It took the angel three weeks to reach him as he was prevented by one of Satan’s angels. It was Michael himself, the Archangel for Israel who got him on his way again.
We have little concept of the continual battle which is waged around us. Paul tells us that all those who do not accept Christ as their Saviour are easy prey for the “the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2). Even as believers, we dare not lower our defences. Paul issues a stern warning “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world” (1 Peter 5: 8-9). It is absolutely certain that angelic forces of evil never let up. They know instinctively when we are off our guard and our defences are down, it is then that they attack. Even our Lord suffered Satan’s attack. It was when he was weak after forty days without food, that Satan offered Him all the kingdoms of the world (Matthew chapter 4). So powerful is Satan as prince of this world ” Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out” (John 12.31)
He has has a legal right to offer kingdoms to anyone he chooses. Notice how Jesus answered him three times ‘it is written‘. So powerful is the written word that “Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him”. (Matthew 4.11). Each of us as Christians are given defence against Satan “resist the devil and he will flee from you”(James 4.7). David knew about the protection by angels “Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.” (Psalm 34:7)
When the apostles were cast into prison it was an angel who allowed them to escape (Acts 5.17-28). Again, when Peter was imprisoned, his congregation prayed without ceasing, and an angel helped him make a dramatic escape (Acts 12:6-11). Later, Paul was being transported by ship as a prisoner when they came into a tempestuous wind “But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.“(Acts 27.14).He and two hundred and seventy-five others were saved by the intervention of an angel. Elijah was fed by an angel in the wilderness (1 Kings 19:5-8) “And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat. And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again. And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God”.Daniel was saved from the Lions Daniel 6:22 “My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also, before thee, 0 king, have I done no hurt”. These are just a few instances where humans have been delivered by the timely intervention of God’s messengers. In more recent times, most have heard of the Angel of Mons and the White Cavalry. Both these events were attested by both British and German soldiers.
Despite their exalted position in God’s great plans, John was expressly told not to worship the angel who was sent to give him the prophecy of Revelation. Revelation 22:8-9 “And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God”. We now await the great finale of the church age, the glorious reign of Jesus Christ, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. This will be the most amazing and spectacular event this world will ever see. Paul was given a glimpse of this soon coming event “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;”
What a great comfort to know, even in our darkest hours, that these celestial beings never cease to give help and protection to those who are the sons and daughters of God.
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