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                      FOUNDATIONAL SURVEY OF THEOLOGY

                              Section Eight: ANGELOLOGY

                          Lesson One: INTRODUCTION
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Angelology is the study of angels.

        The word "angel" is a translation of the Greek word AGGELOS,
            Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, # 32. This word is also translated "messenger, messengers," 
(Matt. 11.10; Mark 1.2; 
Luke 7.24, 27; 2 Cor. 12.7).

          These invisible spirit beings were created with the intended purpose that they "bring great glory to God Who 
sits upon the throne" (Rev 4.9,11).

              "Since we know that there are many forms of created
         beings of a lower sphere than man, it is reasonable to believe that, though invisible, there are beings of a higher 
order than man." Chafer, L.S., Major Bible Themes, p. 41.

    Evidently these beings were created by God for His own
        purposes. Apparently, they were created before the creation of man.

          They appear to be greatly interested in the human race. All our lives are constantly under their surveillance and observation.

             Some of the angelic realm seek to interrupt the lives of
         God's people. This is particularly true in light of God's will to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ.

          It is to the believer's advantage to understand the angelic realm. To know the hosts of heaven is of great benefit 
to those who walk through time. The Word of God has a 
great deal to say about the inhabitors of the "heavenlies."

                 The believer is allowed by God to learn from the
          faithfulness of the holy angels and to avoid the errors of the disobedient angels.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

                         I. The OCCURRENCE of Angels

          The occurrence, the very existence, of angels is doubted by many and even denied by some.

                There are several evidences, however, that clearly
                demonstrate their existence in space-time history.

                     A. Evidences In the Scriptural Record

              Angels are found in at least 37 of the 66 books of the
                                            Bible.

                       1. The Old Testament Occurrences

                 In the Old Testament there are 108 references to
                            "angels" recorded in 17 books.

                       2. The New Testament Occurrences

                In the New Testament there are 165 references to
             "angels" recorded in 20 books. 75 of these occurrences
                               are in the Revelation alone.

              To deny the Biblical record of the existence of angels
                               is to deny the Scriptures...

                   B. Evidences In the Saviour's Revelation

                The Lord Jesus believed in the literal existence of
                       angels (cf. Matt. 18.10, 25.41, 26.53).

                  To deny the Saviour's declaration is to deny the
                                           Saviour.

                  To affirm both the Scriptural and the Saviour's
               declaration is to believe in the literal occurrence of
                                            angels.
 

                             II. The ORIGIN of Angels

                         A. Angels are "Created beings"

                         1. By Direct Creation From God

                Under the administration of the Lord Jesus Christ
                 (cf. Col. 1.13-16; cf. Ezek. 28.15; Psa. 148.2-5).

                          2. By Distinct Creation By God

                Some angels are "ministering spirits" (Heb. 1.14;
                            cf. Matt. 4.11 and Luke 22.43).

                 Some angels are "observing spirits" (1 Cor. 4.9;
                                         Eph. 3.10).

                Some angels are "worshipping spirits" (Rev. 5.11,
                                            7.11).

                 Some angels are "serving spirits" (Rev. 7.1, 8.2
                                              ff).
 

                             B. Angels are Creature Beings

            They are "Below God" and "above man" by God's design
                                 (cf. Psa. 8.5; Heb. 2.7).
 

                        C. Angels are Confirming Beings

            Angels were created before the Earth's "Foundation was
          laid" (Job 38.2-7) where they, "sons of God shouted for joy" at God's handiwork.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

                       D. Angels are Considerable Beings

                 The angelic realm is an "Innumerable company."
             Descriptive terms reflecting the angelic realm include:

                             1. "Myriads" (Heb. 12.22)

             2. "Ten thousand times ten thousand" (Dan. 7.10)

                        3. "Twelve legions" (Matt. 26.53)
 

                           Section Eight: ANGELOLOGY

                     Lesson Two: THE ORDER OF ANGELS
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                           I. The ORGANISM of Angels

                              A. Their Created Estate

                     Angels are designed to bring glory to God.

                          1. They are "Spirit" creations

                They are not necessarily bound by space and time
                                 (Heb. 1.7; Psa. 104.4).

                           2. They were created "Holy"

                  More exactly, angels were created in a state of
                               unconfirmed righteousness.

                 This was apparently characteristic of all angels,
             though some are cursed because of their disobedience
                        (Ezek. 28.15; Matt. 25.41; Rev. 12.4).

                                3. They are "Human-like"

                On specific occasions angels have appeared in the
                       form of men (Gen. 18.1-2; Acts 1.8-10).

                              4. They are "Masculine"

                  Regardless of opinion, there is not one angel in
             the Bible record who is declared to appear as a female
                     angel (Matt. 2-3; Mark 16.5-6; Luke 1.26)

                              5. They are "Deathless"

                The Scripture suggest that angels do not die (Luke
                                         20.35-36).

                          6. They are "Personal beings"

                      By Their minds (1 Pet. 1.12; 2 Pet. 2.4).

                    b. By their emotions (Luke 2.10-14, Job 38)

                       c. By their wills (Jude 6,9, 2 Tim. 2.26)

                         B. Their Communication Service

                Angels are designed for declaring the glory of God

            1. Their praise is frequently "visible" (Matt 4.3,11,
                                 Luke 24.4-7, Rev 15.6)

                 2. Their praise is frequently "vocal" (Mk 16.5-7,
                                Luke 1.28-38, Rev 4.6-8)
 

                        II. The ORGANIZATION of Angels

             All angels may be categorized into two classes of spirit
                                           creation.

                     A. The UNFALLEN OBEDIENT Angels,

               These are angels who kept their first estate and are
                     designated as "Holy Angels" (Matt. 25.31).

          1. The Archangel Michael, whose name means 
"Who is like unto God"
(Dan. 10.21, 12.1, Jude 9, Rev 12.7-10).

                  The angel Gabriel may fall in this category, but
                    is not so distinguished in the Scriptures. His
               name means "the mighty one" 
(Dan 8.16, 9.21, Luke 1.19)

              2. The Elect angels, chosen angels (1 Tim. 5.21)

                 3. The Cheribim, living creatures
(Gen. 3.24, Ex.
   25.17-20, Ezek. 1.1-18)

                 4. The Seraphim, associated with fire, Isa. 6.2-7)

                     B. The FALLEN DISOBEDIENT Angels

                  These are angels, who left their created estate.
         Subsequently, they are judged and condemned to the lake of fire (Matt. 25.41).

             This category includes those who are currently confined and those who are free to do their 
master's bidding.

             1. Those who are currently confined in Tartarus (2
              Pet. 2.4, Jude 1.6), The place of the abyss, in chains.
 

                 2. Those who are not currently confined, but
            permitted by God to exercise what freedom He permits.

                          Satan seems to be their chief.

                  Satan's aids, demons, "devils" (KJV) (Mark 5.9,
                                      15, Luke 8.30).

              In future studies we will consider such features as the
                 ministry of angels, Satan, his fall, his forces, the
                   believer's defense against Satan's opposition.

             However, it should be clearly declared, that apart from
            the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ every individual on
               the face of the earth is subject to Satan's direction.

               He is the prince of this world "Who has blinded the
                eyes of them that believe not, lest the light of the
                glorious gospel of Christ should shine unto them."

                  Trust the Lord to stand between you and Satan
                       eternally, trust Him as your Lord today.
 

                              Section Eight: ANGELOLOGY

               Lesson Three: THE MINISTRY OF ANGELS
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                  "And (the) four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night saying

Holy, holy, holy,
                                   Lord, God Almighty,
                  Who was and is and is to come!" Revelation 4.8

                  "... the angel said o them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings
of great joy which will be to all people.

               For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, Who is Christ the Lord.

                 And this (will be) the sign to you: you will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, 
lying in manger.'

              And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, 
and saying,

              'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good
                            will toward men!" Luke 2.11-14
 

         Angels comprise God's "spirit company" of individual.
They serve His glory and good pleasure.

             Their presence at great occurrances of Divine dealings
           indicate their unique responsibility as God's ministers and messengers.

            In order to gain futher insight intothe nature of angels, a detailed examination of their various ministries, 
as declared in the Word of God,
is both realistically feasible and valuable to
                 the encouragement and edification of the saints.
 

                    I. The PRESENCE of Angels in Time-History

                             A. Angels were at the Creation

               They shouted for joy at the "laying of the foundation
                                of the earth..." (Job 38.7)
 

                             B. Angels were at the Fall

             When Adam plunged the human race into sin and death
           (Genesis 3) angels were there.

                         1. Adam - Enticed by the cherub

                 Satan, "the serpent," (Gen. 3.1 cf. Rev. 12.9) by
                   deceit and deception encouraged Adam's sin.

                       2. Adam - Encounter with cheribim

                Set by God with flaming sword to maintain the way
                             to the Tree of life (Gen. 3.24).

                    C. Angels were at the giving of the Law

             God's gift to Moses (Acts 7.53; Gal. 3.19) was through
                                 the mediation of angels.

          D. Angels were involved in the earthly life and ministry
                                 of the Lord Jesus Christ

           1. Announcing His birth (Luke 1.26-38, 2.8-13; Matt.
                                             1.20)

               2. After His temptation in the wilderness (Matt.
                                             4.11)

                3. In the garden before His arrest (Luke 22.42-44)

              4. At the resurrection (Matt. 28.2; Mark 16.5-7; Luke
                                           24.4-7)

                            5. At His ascension (Acts 1.10)

              6. They will accompany the Lord Jesus at His Second
                               advent (Matt. 24.3), 25.31)
 

                 II. The PROGRAM of Angels in Time-History

                       A. The Ministry of the Holy Angels

                       1. To God as Declared in His Word

                  They are engaged in the direct worship of God.
               Consider the following verses (Psa. 89.6-8, 99.1-2,
                 148.1-2; Isa. 6.1-3; Dan. 7.10; Matt. 18.10; Rev.
                                            4.6-8)

                     They rejoice in God's working. How do they
                respond to "creation" (Job 38.4-7), and "salvation"
                                      (Luke 15.10)?

                How are angels involved in the execution of God's
                     will in Psa. 103.20, 104.4 and Heb. 1.14?

                          2. To Man as Directed by God

                    How are they involved in the direction of the
                 affairs of nations (Dan. 10.10-14, 20, 21, 12.1)?

                How are they seen guiding and directing believers
                      (Psa 91.11; Acts 5.19, 8.26; Dan. 6.22)?

               Note how they minister to God's people (Heb. 1.14;
                                      1 Kings 19.5-8).

                  How are they used to deliver and defend God's
                 servants (2 Kings 6.17; Acts 12.7-11, 27.23-24)?

               How might God use them to deliver the redeemed to
                              the Redeemer (Luke 16.22)?

                        3. To the World as Determined by God

                Examine their returning with the Lord Jesus at His
                                      Second Advent:

                   - To separate the wicked from the just (Matt.
                                       25.31, 13.49)

                  - To discipline the disobedient (2 Thess. 1.7-8;
                                           Jude 15)

                         B. The Menace of the Unholy Angels

          1. They oppose God's PURPOSE (Zech. 3.1, Dan. 10.10-
                                     14, Isa. 14.13-15)

                    They constantly seek to hinder God's PLAN

            2. They oppose God's PEOPLE (Luke 13.16, 2 Cor. 12.7,
                              Eph. 6.11-12, 1 Thess. 2.18)

             They constantly seek to hinder God's PERSONALITIES

              3. They oppose God's PERSON- The Lord Jesus Christ
                        (Matt. 4.1-10, 2 Cor. 11.10-15, 4.3-4)

                      They constantly seek to hinder God's sole
                                 PROVISION for sinners.
 

                    III. The POSITION of Angels in Time-History

            Angels, today, are actively involved in various ministries
                                    to the human race.

         Those known as the "holy" angels serve God in their ministry of righteousness, glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ. Those described as "unholy" or "fallen" seek to discredit the Lord
        Jesus with all their power and action. The human race currently serves as the battle ground for the ministry of angels. To, or  against, the Lord Jesus Christ. Even now, this battle is
               intensively active in our midst.

              The "holy" angels, ministering spirits, are constantly
       directed to serve the Saviour, by serving the saved 
(cf. Jude 9),
         while the "unholy Angels" seek at every hand to interrupt that service.

          A. As a member of the human race, you are very much
                                  involved in this battle.
 

            B. You are either the object of angelic service to the
              glory of the Saviour, or you are "blinded by the god of
               this world (Satan)", who seeks to keep you from the
               "light of the glorious gospel of Christ" (2 Cor 4.3-4)

               C. God's only provision for Divine deliverance from
               Satan's power and dominion is the shed blood of the
                                     Lord Jesus Christ.

         Trust Him today for moment by moment salvation from all the "wiles of the Wicked One."
 

                                       Memory verse:

            "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." Hebrews 2.9

                           Section Eight: ANGELOLOGY

            Lesson Five: THE OFFENCE AND OBJECTIVE OF SATAN
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            "How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the
          morning! (How) you are cut down to the ground, you who did weaken the nations!

         For you have said in your heart:
                                I will ascend into heaven,
                I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will
                     sit on the mount of the congregation on the
                               farthest sides of the North;
                   I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,
                              I will be like the Most High.

              Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest
                                     depths of the Pit.

               Those who see you will gaze at you, (saying, is) this
        the man who made the earth to tremble, who shook kingdoms;
         who made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed its cities,
                  (Who) did not open the house of his prisoners?"
                                      Isaiah 14.12-17
 

            From his creation as "Perfection" (Ezek. 28.15), Lucifer,
      which means "light bearer," is found in rebellion against the Holy God, his Creator.

            He, who began as "perfect in all his ways..." containing a "multitude of merchandise," is the one who purposed to be "filled in the midst with violence" (Ezek. 28.16); "lifted up because of his beauty" and "corrupted his wisdom by reason of his brightness"
(Ezek. 28. 17).

              As we consider Satan's offence, note God's continuing
            discourse is against "a king." In this passage, Isaiah the
        prophet, speaks against the "King of Babylon" (Isa. 14.4) God calls for a proverb.

          This king is certainly not Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, the Head of Gold, for he will not come on the 
scene for a hundred years. This proclamation is also contrary 
to Nebuchadnezzar's final end, as he "extolled and honored the King of Heaven..." (Dan. 4.33-37).

           This king is obviously the "god of this w orld" 
(2 Cor. 4.4;
          1 Cor 8.5) who actively seeks the worship of men.
This king desires to be "like the Most High..." without honoring Him Who created him.
 

         I. The OFFENCE of Satan, Revealed in His Rebellion

                              A. His Pride of POTENTIAL

                               "I will ascend into heaven"

             Question: From where is Satan ascending if he was not
                      in heaven when he made this declaration?

                              B. His Pride of POWER

                   "I will exalt my throne above the stars of God"

                      Question: Who are these "stars of God?"

                             C. His Pride of POSITION

                "I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation"

                       Question: What does this term signify?

                            D. His Pride of PERFORMANCE

                  "I will ascend above the heights of the clouds"

                 Question: What kind of ability and productivity is
                           required to accomplish this feat?

                              E. His Pride of PRAISE

                             "I will be like the Most High."

               Question: What is wrong with desiring to be like the
           Most High? Note, this is the same rational Satan used with Eve.

                 "And the serpent said to the woman, 'You will not
           surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, 
knowing good and evil." Gen. 3.4-5

          This lie has been around a long time.
 
 

          II. The OBJECTIVE of Satan, Revealed in His Character

                         A. Consider his PERSONAL NAMES

                           1. "Lucifer," son of morning

                The "shining one," this was apparently his original
            name, given him by God following his creation. Only God refers to him by this name, although Satan apparently
                  seeks to maintain the image (cf. 2 Cor. 11.14).

                        2. "Satan," the resister, the hater

                 He is the agitator, who seeks to provoke God by
              afflicting the human race. Observe the manner of his
                 activity afflicting God's servants in the following
                                         Scriptures.

                    The Lord Jesus Christ (Matt. 4.9-10, 16.23)

                                  David (1 Chron. 21.1)

                                 Job (Job 1.6-22, 2.3-8)

                                    Ananias (Acts 5.3)

                           Church-age believers (1 Cor. 5.5)

                             The Apostle Paul (2 Cor. 12.7)

                         3. "Devil," slanderer or accuser

                                        Observe him:

                           "tempting" (Matt. 4.1; Luke 4.2 )

                            "possessing" (John 6.70, 13.2)

                               "reproducing" (John 8.44)

                                  "sinning" (1 John 3.8)

                         "snaring" (1 Tim. 3.7; 2 Tim. 3 .6-7)

                                "deceiving" (Rev. 20.10)

                                        4. "Apollyon"

                 This name means destruction or destroyer (Rev.
                                            9.11).

                                    5. "Beelzebub"

                This name which means "lord of the fly, lord of the
                                         dung heap."

                     This false title attributed to the Lord Jesus
              Christ by the religious establishment of the day. This
              erronous attitude comprised the sin referred to as the
            "unpardonable sin" (cf. Matt. 12.24, 27, Luke 11.15-19).

                                      6. "Belial"

                This name means "worthless" or "lawless," (Deut.
                13.13; 1 Sam. 30.22; 2 Chron. 13.7, 2 Cor. 6.15).

                   B. Consider his PERSONALITY NATURE

             1. He is called "The prince of the power of the air"
                                          (Eph. 2.2)

             2. He is called "the god of this world" (2 Cor. 4.4)

                3. He is called "the ruler of demons" (Matt. 12.24)

               4. He is called "the ruler of this world" (John 12.31)
 

                            III. The Oppostion to Satan

            The Christian can draw solace from his Lord's revelation,
Satan is a real enemy.

                                     - Who is judged...

                    - Who is defeated by the Authority of God...

         - Who appears free, but is controlled by the direction of God.