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Today we hear a lot about angels. We even have movies being made about them. How important are they to us and what does the Bible have to say about them. Let's take a look at both the new and the old testaments to get an accurate picture of man's dealings with these heavenly beings.

We find in Nehemiah 9:6, that angels were made by the Lord; "Thou alone art the Lord. Thou hast made the heavens, The heaven of heavens with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, The seas and all that is in them. Thou dost give life to all of them And the heavenly host bows down befroe Thee." and in Colossians1:16 we read, "By Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers, All things were created through Him and for Him." The angels were created by the Lord and for the Lord.

In Phillippians 2:9-11 we find that God "has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven and of those on earth, and of those under the earth." Also in Hebrew 1:6 we read, And when He again brings the first-born into the world, He says. AND LET ALL THE ANGELS OF GOD WORSHIP HIM." The angels will worship the First Born, JesusChrist. And they worship God.

In Isa. 6 and in I Kings 22:19 we find those who saw the "Lord sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by, on His right hand and on His left."   And in Revelation, John saw angels surrounding the throne of God. In Rev. 10:1-6 an angel of God is waiting to usher in the end time of man on earth, and in Rev. 21:12 an angels stands at each of the twelves gates to welcome the redeemed home to their rest in the holy city. The Hebrews believed the angels, millions upon millions comprised the heavenly host and surrounded the throne of God. In Rev. 19:14 we find the angels comprised the armies of heaven. "And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses.

An angel of God halted the hand of Abraham when he held the knife to Isaac's heart (Gen. 22:11-12). It was an angel in Heb. 22:17-18 who assured Abraham, God would never forget His promises to him. Angels were commissioned to destroy Sodom in Genesis 19:12-13, "Then the men (angels) said to Lot, 'Whom else have you here? A son in law, and your sons, and your daughters, and whomever you have in the city, bring them out of the place; for we are about to destroy this place, because their outcry has become so great before the Lord that the Lord has sent us to destroy it" An angelspole to Moses from the burning bush (Exodus 3:1-2). It was the eath angel that struck down the first born of the Egyptians (Ex. 12:12-13). The angels act on behalf of God.

"Bless the Lord, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word. Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, You ministers of His, who do His pleasure," Psalms 103:20. The angels have great strength.    In the Lord's prayer (Matt. 6:10), Jesus prays, "Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven," He is saying, as only He can know, may your will be done on eatth as fully as it is accomplished in heaven by the angelic host. The angels obey His voice and do the will of God.

"When the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy!" Job 38:7. "Praise Him all His angels," Psalms 148:2, "And one cried to another and said: 'Holy, holy holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!"   Isaiah 6:3. "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, goodwill toward men!" Luke 2:13-14.   The angels celebrate and praise God! And they saw the happenings on earth and rejoiced!

"The chariots of God are twenty thousand, Even thousand of thousands: the Lord is among them as in Sinai, in the Holy Place." Ps. 68:17. A heavenly host accompanies God.    In Stephen's address to the high priest he states, "You now have become the betrayers and murderers, who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it." Acts 7:52-53. The Law was given by the ministration of angels.   And in Hebrews 2:2, "For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast and every transgression and disbedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation." The angels brought not only the law, but salvation to them. .

"The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him. And delivers them," Psalms 34:7. "For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up," Psalms 91:11-12. "My God sent His angel and shut the lion's mouths, so that they have nto hurt me," Daniel 6:21 The angels have charge over the children of God to protect them.

The angels are: examples of meekness (II Peter 2:11, Jude 9:1), wise (2 Samuel 14:20), mighty (Psalms 103:20), holy (Matt. 25:31), elect   (I Timothy 5:21), and innmerable (Job 25:3, Hebrews 12:22).

The angels make God's announcements: The conception of Christ (Matthew 1:20-21, Luke 1:31), the birth of Christ (Luke 2:10-12) the resurrection of Christ (Matthew 28:5-7, Luke 24:23), and the ascension and second coming of Christ (Acts 1:11).

The angels have played an enormous role in history. And they will continue to bring forth the purposes of God in our lives until all are brought to salvation. The Hebrews believed that angels were in control until the Messiah should arrive on the scene.

Don't miss part two of this series..comparing the sons of god, to the Son of God is next!

Father, we thank You that you have given Your angels charge over us to protect us. The self same angels that protected the Hebrew children coming out of Egypt, saved Daniel in the Lion's den, announced the birth of Christ and sit at your throne and crying Holy, Holy, Holy. How blessed are we and so careful your watch care over us. For we are higher than the angels, we were made in Your image and with the express intent of having fellowhip with You. You are so good, even the hairs on our head are numbered. Thank you Lord, I feel safer tonight, because I know You care for me! In Jesus name I pray, Amen

Angels