Highlights of the “Great Debate”

 

“Do angels appear visibly in our day and time?”       

 

Is it “Wishful thinking?”   

“Just figments of the imagination? “

Does “The mind sees what it wants to see?”

“Too many TV programs like “Touched by an Angel” and “Highway to Heaven?”

 “You be the judge!”  

 

Following are just a few of the many facts to show that angels are limited:

They don’t know the depth of the essence of God.

They don’t know the future, which is known only to God.

They don’t fully comprehend the mysteries of redemption.

They don’t know all of a person’s thoughts.

They cannot on their own perform miracles without the will of God.

 

By their might and power, they surpass all earthly authorities and governments.  

Nevertheless, even their exalted attributes have their limits.

 

In the Old Testament God communicated with people through angels. Now, in the

dispensation of Grace He speaks to us through Christ by the power of His Holy Spirit.

 

We need to honor and give all the glory to God in Christ through the Holy Spirit and wake up to the fact that it is the Holy Spirit ministers on our behalf.

 

We proved that after the book of Acts “the church foundation” angels never visibly appear again until after the Church is gone in the book of  Revelation chapter four verse one.

 

God has given us three things that He did not give to His angels:

1. A “Savior.” the Lord Jesus Christ.

2. The “Bible” Word of God.

3. The “Holy Spirit.”

 

In the Gospel of John chapters 14 through 16 there are seven things the Holy Spirit will do when He comes:


1. “He shall teach you all things,”

2. “Bring all things to our remembrance,”

3. “He shall testify of Me (Jesus):”

4. “He will convict the world of sin.”

5. “He will guide us into all truth:”
6. “Will show us things to come:”

7. “He will glorify Me (Jesus):”

 

The name angel appears in the N.T. 46 times. The name angels 58 times.

 

In the New Testament

After we remove the:

- Visible appearances of the Godhead;  (Father, Son and Holy Spirit).

- “Seraphim” and “Cherubim.”

- Angels seen in dreams and visions,

- Statements made about angels.

- Questions ask concerning angels.

- Angels mentioned in parables.

- Repeats of the same Scripture and angel mentioned more than once in any one  
   given text.

   Example: Gabriel is mentioned 6 times in Lk.1:26-38 

- Angels mentioned in prophecy.

- Voices that are heard, mistaken to be angels. Jn.12:29

     
Then we find out exactly how many actual visible appearances of angel are recorded
in the New Testament..

 
When we answer six questions: Who? What? Why? Where? When? and How of each angel reference then we see them in their true light and understand their purpose.

 

We have considered all the references in the New Testament from Mt. to Rev.4:1

 

There are only eight actual visible appearances of angels recorded in the four Gospels.

  1. Mt.4:11 _____Temptation of Jesus.

  2. Mt.28:2,5 ___ Resurrection of Jesus.

  3. Lk.1:11-19 __ Prophecy, ‘John’

  4. Lk.1:26-38 __ Prophecy, ‘Jesus’

  5. Lk.2:9 ______ Shepherd, ‘Field’

  6. Lk.22:43 ____ Jesus prayed.

  7. Jn.5:4 _______Water

  8. Jn.20:12 _____ at the tomb.

 

Angels visibly appeared only six times after the resurrection of Jesus in the book of Acts.

 

  1. Ac.5:19 _______  Salvation

  2. Ac.8:26 _______  Salvation

  3. Ac.10:3-22 ____  Salvation

  4. Ac.12:7-11 ____  Death

  5. Ac.12:23 ______  Saved Paul, ‘Preach’

  6.. Ac.27:23 ______  Salvation

 

 

Each time an angel appeared it was for the specific purpose of Salvation, with the one exception to kill Herod, because he didn’t give God all the glory.

 

Ac.12:23

“Immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory:

  and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.”

 

So, “What are people really seeing when they say they see angels?”

1. What their culture and religion has taught them?

2. Satan transformed into an angel of light?

3. The mind sees what its wants to see?

________ 

 

The angels are divided into nine choirs or ranks. These nine into three hierarchies.

Each hierarchy having three ranks.

 

1, Seraphim. 2, Cherubim. 3, Thrones.  

4, Dominions. 5, Virtues. 6, Powers.

7, Principalities. 8,Archangels: 9,  Angels.

 

Some of their names and ranks are mentioned in Eph.1:21; Col.1:16

Christ is in the heavens "far above any Principality, and Authority, and Power, and Dominion."

 

Col.1:16

Christ the Son of God created everything visible and invisible," Thrones, Dominions,

 or Principalities, or Powers."

 

Let me highlight each one:

1st, Seraphim, Praise the Lord. 

 

SERAPHIM    Isa.6:1-8

The name seraphim, a Heb. masculine

plural form, designates a special class of heavenly beings in the Holy of Holies. These angelic beings are mentioned only once by name in Isaiah's call to the

prophetical office Isa.6:1-9

 

Seraphim are the highest order of Angels. They are angels of Love, Light and Fire.

They are also called "Burning Ones" because they are aflame with Love.

They are closest to God. In the Throne Room (Holy of Holies).  

 

Seraphim fly above the Throne of God and constantly sing His praises. Seraphim have to do with the Holiness of God and uncleanness in His people. Isa.6:2-8

Described under a human form, with faces, hands. They are existing spiritual beings.

They "have six wings; two cover their face, two cover their feet, ‘and lower part of their bodies’with two they fly, and Praise Almighty God and cry unto one another, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory."

 

They cover their faces so as not to not to look upon the Holy One. They cover the lower part of the bodies so as to bring shame before the Holy One.

 

In Christian theology, the seraphim occupy with the cherubim the highest rank in the celestial hierarchy.

They are in the direct presence of God.

 

Isaiah sees the seraphim as flames of fire.

Isaiah is amazed, because he was a man of polluted lips and dwelt among a people of polluted lips. He was unworthy to join the seraphim in singing praises to God, nor to be the messenger of God to his people. Compare Ex.4:10; 6:12; Jere.1:6

 

One of the seraphim flew towards Isaiah bearing a live coal which he had taken from the altar, and with which he touched and purified the Prophet's lips, that henceforth these might be consecrated to the utterances of inspiration.

 

In this instance they are angelic beings. Seraphim are mentioned by implication in

Rev.4:6-9
These are Seraphim, because they have six wings. Cherubim have only four.

 

 

 

2nd, Cherubim, symbols of the presence of God.

Cherubim, are the second highest order of angels. Their name stands for "Wisdom" or "one who prays." (Ezek. chapters 1 and 2)

 

Cherubim, plural; Cherub, singular They like the seraphim are identified with The Holiness of God.

 

Cherubim, have been called the golden ones. They dwell in peace. In an area of the heavens that is inaccessible to attacks from the devil. Where sin cannot enter! In a place where pure spirits dwell. Cherubim are always nearest to God.

They are located in the midst of God’s throne room. In The Third Heaven.
2 Cor.12:2 “Holy of Holies,” 

 

They are throne-bearers, or "carriers," of His Divine Majesty. 

 

CHERUBIM OF GLORY. Heb.9:5

Cherubim are symbols of the presence of God.

  1. He rode upon a Cherub, and did fly. (flew upon the wings of the wind)."
         2 Sam.22:11; Ps.18:10

  2. The sound of heir wings was as the Voice of God.Ezek.1:24; 10:5

  3. The Glory of God (Lord) went up from the Cherubim. Ezek.9:3; 10:2,4

  4. The Lord spoke from between the Cherubim. Ex.25:22; Num.7:89

  5. They display The Glory of God (Lord). Isa.37:16; Ezek.1:26-28; 9:3; 10:4,5

  6. God Dwells, (Manifests His Presence from) between the Cherubim!

         1 Sam.4:4; 2 Sam.6:2; 2 Kgs.19:15;1 Chr.13:6; Ps.80:1; 99:1; Isa.37:16
   7. The Glory of God was over the Cherubim (lifted up their wings) Eze.11:22
   8. The Glory of God was exhibited upon  the Cherubim. Ezek.1:22, 26-28; 10:4, 18-20

  9. He saw the Cherubim under the God of Israel. Ezek.10:20

10. When Cherubim appear God is present. Cherubim glide. They do not fly.

11. They are never recorded as speaking in the Scriptures.

12. Their Service is rendered immediately to God.

13. They are creatures by whom God produced great effects of His power.

14. They work the purpose of God. 1 Sam.4:4; Ezek.1:15-21; 10:9-17

 

Ezekiel sees them as Chariot Bearers of Jehovah. They are the actual Chariot. They made up the wheels, body and canopy). He sees the “Living Chariot or Carriers of God” coming from the north quarter of Heaven in The Cloud (Shekinah Glory)! When they appear to men, they are His Throne or the Bearers of it.

 

Cherubs are the first Angels mentioned in the Bible when two Cherubs are placed by God to guard the gates to Eden with Flaming Swords. "He drove out

the man; and at the east of the Garden of Eden he placed the Cherubim, and a Flaming Sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the Tree of Life." Gen.3:24

 

Are upon the Mercy Seat above the Ark of the Covenant in a kneeling praying position in the Holy of Holies. Etc.

 

3rd, Thrones, Charioteers around God’s throne. “Wheels” and the “Many-eyed ones.”

4th, Dominions, are an Order of Guardian angels.

5th, Virtues, Brilliant or Shining ones”

6th, Powers, also called “Rulers, Authorities” Souls are subject to the powers.

7th,  Principalities, “Chief rulers” and “Guardian of nations.”

8th,  Archangels: Michael the only archangel mentioned by name in the Scriptures.

       KJV He “Commands God’s Army of Angels”

       Gabriel, Messenger of Redemption. 

9th,  Angels, Order closest to humans.

 

       They are called the “Host of heaven.” The Army of the skies.”

 

       The Great Debate is still going at the "Spirit of Truth."

 

You are invited to the "Spirit of Truth," (Bible study) every monday evening

at 6:00pm.  Call for directions at 865-945-5533