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The Ministry of Angels
Article by Martin G. CollinsThe angels who remained loyal to God are powerful, responsible, purposeful, faithful, and obedient beings tasked with ministering to God's elect. As chief servants of God Almighty, they do His will in all things, whether toward His future sons or against the wicked. The ministry of the holy angels to the elect includes guiding, providing for, protecting, delivering, comforting, and gathering. The author of Hebrews calls them ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation. To minister means to do service for, and holy angels are sent forth to save us from accidents or premature death and to help us attain eternal life. Their ministry is an inspiring and encouraging proof of God's care and concern for us. God has commissioned His angels to guide events for the benefit of the elect. Abraham knew that God would send one of His angels to oversee the efforts of finding a wife for Isaac, ensuring the trip's success. Angels also provide for the elect, especially in times of need, as seen when an angel provided food and water to Elijah in the wilderness, enabling him to travel a great distance. Sometimes, angels comfort God's people, as when an angel assured Paul during a tempest at sea that he and those with him would survive. In the future, God will commission His angels to gather the elect to Christ at Jerusalem when He returns in great power and glory. God often sends His angels to protect and deliver His elect. The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him and delivers them, showing that God expects loyalty and obedience as a prerequisite to giving His protection. In New Covenant times, God continues to deliver His servants through angels, as when an angel awakened Peter from prison on the night before his planned execution. Under God's direction, the ministry of angels is to guide, provide for, protect, deliver, comfort, and watch over the elect. These holy angels, though greater beings than we are now, remain loyal and dedicated servants of God, helping us attain salvation and levels in the God Family far greater than their own.
God's Ministering Angels
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsAngels, as ministering spirits created to serve those seeking salvation, reflect and express God's love through their noble efforts. As peerless agents of God, they provide protection, assistance, guidance, and comfort to His creation and to Jesus Christ, exemplifying lives of selfless service to both God and man. God has charged His angels with our protection and well-being, as seen in Psalm 91:11-12, where He commands them to guard us in all our ways, bearing us up lest we stumble. In the story of Daniel in the lions' den, an angel sent by God shut the lions' mouths, preserving Daniel unharmed because of his innocence before Him. Similarly, angels rescued Lot and his family from a violent mob in Sodom, ensuring their safety. Angels also facilitate God's will by guiding events for the benefit of His elect. When Abraham sent his servant to find a wife for Isaac, he trusted that God would send His angel to prosper the journey, making it successful. This divine assistance ensured the fulfillment of God's plan. Moreover, angels provide for physical needs, as demonstrated when an angel brought food and water to a despondent Elijah in the wilderness, sustaining him for his arduous journey. The angel's care enabled Elijah to continue on his path. Angels possess the capacity to administer comfort and strength to God's people. During a tempestuous storm at sea, an angel appeared to Paul, reassuring him not to fear, for God had granted safety to all aboard and ensured Paul's mission to stand before Caesar. Likewise, an angel comforted Jesus before His trial and crucifixion, and Gabriel's words strengthened Daniel. God's promise to the Israelites in Exodus 23:20, to send an Angel to keep them in the way and lead them to the prepared place, reveals both His love and the role He designed for angels to express that love. Combined with the superior life of Jesus Christ, the tireless efforts of these ministering angels bolster our confidence that God provides all we need to attain eternal life in His Kingdom.
Hebrews (Part Eight): Greater Than Angels (cont.)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Angels, as ministering spirits, play a significant role in God's administration of creation. They are described as God's ministers, employed to execute His will in governing the natural world, as seen in Psalm 104. A minister, in this context, is synonymous with a servant, tasked with carrying out the desires of another. In Psalm 103, angels are portrayed as obedient to God and excelling in strength, a quality that extends beyond physical power to include intellectual capacity for understanding and controlling natural forces such as weather, often leaving human witnesses in awe of their capabilities. Their involvement in divine operations is further evidenced in Daniel 7, where a vision reveals a multitude of angels actively ministering around God's throne, indicating a bustling heavenly realm where they serve in vast numbers. Revelation 5 underscores their immense population, suggesting a figure of 100 million angels, a number comparable to a significant earthly population, all purposefully engaged in God's service. They are not idle but are integral to the governance of creation, carrying out His commands with diligence. Angels are depicted as higher than mankind in their natural state, not bound to Earth, and capable of traveling between heaven and earth in their service to God, as noted in John 3:13. Their obedience, strength, and radiant presence often evoke awe or fear in humans, as seen in various biblical encounters. Despite their elevated status, powers, and glorious role in God's governance, angels remain in subjection to the Lord Jesus Christ, who, as their Creator, holds authority over them, even during His time as a man on Earth. Now ascended to the right hand of God, His position surpasses that of any angel, affirming His immeasurable superiority as both Creator and High Priest.
Angelic Responsibilities
Sermon/Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsGod's holy angels are powerful, responsible, and loyal beings, created to serve as His messengers and representatives in His universe-ruling government. They are commissioned to minister to the faithful elect of God, acting as serving and ministering spirits under His direction. As stated in Hebrews 1:14, these angels are sent forth to minister to those who will inherit salvation, providing service to the saints of God's church. Their ministry includes guiding, providing for, protecting, delivering, comforting, and gathering the elect according to God's will, demonstrating His care and concern for His people. God has tasked His angels with guiding events for the benefit of His saints. For instance, in Genesis 24:7 and 40, Abraham expressed confidence that God would send His angel to guide his servant in finding a wife for Isaac, ensuring the success of the mission. Additionally, angels provide for the needs of God's people, as seen in I Kings 19:1-8, where an angel supplied food and water to Elijah in the wilderness, sustaining him through God's provision. Protection is another vital role, with Psalm 91:11-12 illustrating how angels are charged to guard God's obedient children, bearing them up in their hands to prevent harm. In Daniel's case, God sent His angel to protect him in the lions' den, showcasing divine intervention for the innocent and respectful. Angels also deliver God's people from danger, as evidenced by Peter's miraculous release from prison in Acts 12, where an angel awakened him, guided him past guards, and led him to safety. The ministry of angels extends to comforting the elect in times of trial and will include gathering them at Christ's return, as foretold in Matthew 24:29-31. Though powerful and greater than humans currently, angels operate solely under God's authority, with no independent power. They are dedicated servants, helping the saints attain salvation and reach levels in the God Family far beyond their own, reflecting their absolute loyalty to God.
Do Angels Live Forever?
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughAngels, as ministering spirits, play a significant role in God's purposes as revealed in Scripture. Hebrews 1:13-14 from the Amplified Bible provides a clear overview of God's intent for creating angels, portraying them as beings sent to serve and assist in His plans. Created before humanity, angels have existed for at least 6,000 years, with no record in the Bible of any angel dying, even amidst their rebellion and the ensuing war. Unlike humans, whose lifespans have shortened over generations, angels appear to endure indefinitely, sustained by a spirit life that remains mysterious. Scripture shows both God and angels consuming food similar to that of humans, as seen in Psalm 78:25, where men ate angels' food during the wilderness journey, yet it remains unclear what sustains their longevity. As spirit beings, distinct from God's own Spirit, angels are part of His creation, serving under His authority and reflecting His design for order and purpose in the unfolding of His will.
The Spirit World
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAngels are described as ministering spirits, created by God to serve and assist in His divine plan. They are spirit beings, lesser than God but greater in power and might than humans, though humans hold a greater potential for future glory. As revealed in Hebrews 1:14, angels are sent forth to minister to those who will inherit salvation, acting as servants to support God's elect in their spiritual journey. Their role includes protecting and aiding believers, as they are watchful over humanity, often referred to as "watchers" who remain vigilant without need for rest. The Bible emphasizes their humility and submission to God's authority, as seen in Revelation 19:9-10 and 22:8-9, where an angel refuses worship from John, declaring himself a fellow servant and directing reverence solely to God. Angels consider themselves brothers to believers, sharing a common Master and mission, working together as fellow slaves under God's direction. Their responsibilities extend beyond mere messengers to include various tasks such as delivering Lot from Sodom, comforting Jesus in Gethsemane, and rolling away the stone from His tomb, demonstrating their active involvement in God's work. Despite their great intelligence and power, angels are not omniscient, desiring to look into the deeper matters of salvation and God's plan of redemption, which were hidden even from them until revealed through Jesus Christ. Their humility is further exemplified by Michael the archangel, who, in contending with the devil, refrained from reviling accusation and deferred to the Lord for rebuke, showing respect for authority. Angels, as ministering spirits, remain dedicated to serving God and assisting His people, fully engaged in supporting the path to salvation.
The Angel of God
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAngels are presented in Scripture as ministering spirits, playing a vital role in God's plan for those who are heirs of salvation. Though the Bible provides only minimal details about them, it reveals their purpose in specific instances where they act on behalf of God's people. Their actions often align with divine intervention, as seen in rare moments where their presence is deduced through events that mirror biblical accounts. These ministering spirits perform their duties with seriousness and humility, serving as guardians over God's elect, even if their work remains largely unseen by human eyes. Our limited insight into the angelic realm reminds us to live by faith, focusing on the unseen eternal realities rather than the temporary physical world, trusting in the spiritual support that surrounds us.
Can Angels Marry Women?
'Ready Answer' by John ReissAngels are described as ministering spirits, distinct from human beings in their composition and purpose. God makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flame of fire, as confirmed in Psalm 104:4. Hebrews 1:14 further establishes that they are all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation. Unlike humans, who are fashioned after the Godkind with the potential to join His Family, angels were created as servants without the capacity to reproduce or inherit the Kingdom of God. Their role is to carry out God's will and assist in fulfilling His purpose, consistently portrayed as mighty servants rather than potential members of the God Family.
The Gift of Discerning Spirits
'Ready Answer' by David F. MaasAngels are often entrusted by God Almighty with His Word and significant responsibilities, demonstrating His trust in them as ministering spirits. In Scripture, when people express fear at the appearance of angels, these beings typically offer comfort, saying something akin to "Fear not," as seen in various accounts. This gentle approach contrasts with the intimidating tactics of evil spirits, highlighting the distinct nature of angels as bearers of God's reassurance and support to believers.
Heirs of Salvation
Sermonette by Ronny H. GrahamAs we complete our spiritual walk, we will attain the dominion God promises in Psalm 8, a psalm that has all mankind as the subject.
Heirs of Salvation
'Prophecy Watch' by Ronny H. GrahamAs God's children, we have not received the fullness of the inheritance. We will not possess the entire inheritance until the first resurrection.
The Book of Daniel (Part Seven)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsDaniel's efficacy in prayer resulted in his view of God's omnipotence and absolute sovereignty. God has a timetable in world history.
Saved By His Life
Sermonette by Austin Del CastilloContrary to the belief that most of the Christian professing world hold that we are saved by the death of Jesus Christ, in reality we are saved by His life.
Why Hebrews Was Written (Part Nine)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughGod has communicated tirelessly with humanity through men and angels. The first chapters of Hebrews displays Christ's superiority over even the angels.
Why Hebrews Was Written (Part Eight): Hebrews 1
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughHebrews 1 delivers a knock-out punch to skeptics like many first-century Jews who claimed He falls short in qualifying as our High Priest and Savior.
Hebrews (Part Ten): Chapters 1 and 2
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God created angels as ministering spirits to take care of the heirs of salvation. The Bible is filled with examples of angels rescuing God's people from harm.
Who Do You Trust? (Part Three)
Sermon by Mark SchindlerThe corruption of sin was brought on the world through the rebellion of Satan and his fallen angels, an event which took place between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2.
After the Resurrection
Sermon by Mark SchindlerThe absence of the 100 pounds of aloes, the folded 'turban,' and the rolled away stone indicate that a thorough cleansing and purification had occurred.
The Cunning of Satan
Sermon by Kim MyersThe process of being taken over by sin usually takes place over a lengthy period of time as we allow Satan's deceptive words to corrode our attitudes.
Hebrews (Part Two)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughHebrews is addressed to a people living at the end of an era, who were drifting away, had lost their devotion, and were no longer motivated by zeal.
Satan (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe origins of our adversary, Satan the Devil, and his host of fallen angels or demons. God has promised us protection if we yield to and obey Him.
Countering Presumptuousness
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughKorah, Dathan, and Abiram were not content with where God had placed them, but, in a spirit of pride, wanted to arrogate to themselves the office of Moses.
Hebrews (Part Three)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJesus blazed a trail, giving a pattern for qualifying (through suffering and resisting sin) for our responsibility as priests, reconnecting man and God.