Angels 2: Characteristics of Angels
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This passage highlights the differences between man and angels.
On the one hand, man is made in God's image, to have dominion over the earth (before the fall).
On the other hand, man is lower than the angels.
While we all know the characteristics of man, what characteristics comprise angels?
Angels are immortal
Angels are immortal
Luke 20:36
Luke 20:36
nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.
Though they are immortal, they are not eternal.
To be immortal means to have life and never die, but that life has a beginning.
To be eternal, is to exist without beginning or end. Only God fits this description.
This is also a good reason why angels have to be part of the creation of our space matter and time universe which was created during the creation week.
Anything outside of that realm would constitute an existence without beginning or end, and only God would be able to fill that.
Angels are both spirit and physical beings
Angels are both spirit and physical beings
Hebrews 1:13-14
Hebrews 1:13-14
But to which of the angels has He ever said: “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool”? Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?
They speak
They possess intelligence
They have emotion (joy)
They have a will
Angels have a physical form, and can appear as humans (though this is not their natural state/appearance).
Genesis 19 - Sodom and Gomorrah
Joshua 5:13-14
Joshua 5:13-14
And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are You for us or for our adversaries?” So He said, “No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, “What does my Lord say to His servant?”
Mark 16:5-6
Mark 16:5-6
And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.
Angels are referred to in the masculine form
Angels are referred to in the masculine form
Every named angel in the Bible is referred to in the masculine form. (Michael, Gabriel and Lucifer)
Revelation 12:7
Revelation 12:7
And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought,
Luke 1:29
Luke 1:29
But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was.
Isaiah 14:12
Isaiah 14:12
“How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations!
The idea of genderless angels comes solely from:
Matthew 22:30
Matthew 22:30
For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven.
Luke 20:35
Luke 20:35
But those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage;
That angels have no gender, is not actually stated anywhere in scripture.
It is an inference which has no means of corroboration.
Just because they don't marry does not mean they have no gender, and numerous other scriptures assign a male gender.
It's interesting that the angels NEVER appear in female form.
They always appear as men. (So much for the pretty ladies with feathery wings and halos)
The angels are also have another physical form, which always invokes fear.
We will look at those forms when we discuss the different classifications of angels.
Angels possess superhuman power
Angels possess superhuman power
Psalm 103:20
Psalm 103:20
Bless the Lord, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word.
As such they are often God's arm in judgment.
Psalm 78:49
Psalm 78:49
He cast on them the fierceness of His anger, Wrath, indignation, and trouble, By sending angels of destruction among them.
We see, especially in Revelation, that angels are capable of manipulating nature and the physical world.
Revelation 16:3
Revelation 16:3
Then the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died.
They are the original weapons of mass destruction.
Revelation 14:18-20
Revelation 14:18-20
And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire, and he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, “Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe.” So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses’ bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs.
Their power is finite, they still rely on God
Their power is finite, they still rely on God
However great and powerful they are, we must be mindful that their power is derived from God.
Their power is finite, and they are unable to do those things that are particular to God: create, give life, or search the human heart.
Even an angel may claim divine assistance when in conflict with another angel.
Jude 1:9
Jude 1:9
Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”
Angels are not above God, but rather, are an important part of His creation.