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These pages are designed to aid study or investigation for Christian discipleship through individual Bible study, Cell groups, Home groups, or meeting one to one. The questions could be used alone allowing each person to use their own Bible.
In the spiritual realm there are beings called angels. The Greek word angelos means messenger. Angels are unseen unless they reveal themselves. They were created by God for a distinct purpose and are powerful agents to do His will.
Bible Zone
- God’s Messengers - Angels are powerful agents sent to bring about God’s will.
- Person’s Angel - People have angels that act on their behalf.
- Angel’s in Battle - angels are involved in spiritual battles.
Many people’s conception of angels come from medieval paintings (hence the picture on this page). It is good to go to the Bible for a more accurate perspective. We will loo at two passages.
Genesis 19 gives us a snapshot of angels being mistaken for people, yet people with a difference. There are other times when they appear like people.
- How did the angels appear to Lot?
- How did the angels appear to the men of the town?
- What authority and power do the angels have in this situation?
Genesis 19:1-5 & 12-13 1 That evening the two angels came to the entrance of the city of Sodom. Lot was sitting there, and when he saw them, he stood up to meet them. Then he welcomed them and bowed with his face to the ground.2 "My lords," he said, "come to my home to wash your feet, and be my guests for the night. You may then get up early in the morning and be on your way again."
"Oh no," they replied. "We'll just spend the night out here in the city square."
3 But Lot insisted, so at last they went home with him. Lot prepared a feast for them, complete with fresh bread made without yeast, and they ate.4 But before they retired for the night, all the men of Sodom, young and old, came from all over the city and surrounded the house.5 They shouted to Lot, "Where are the men who came to spend the night with you? Bring them out to us so we can have sex with them!"
... 12 Meanwhile, the angels questioned Lot. "Do you have any other relatives here in the city?" they asked. "Get them out of this place—your sons-in-law, sons, daughters, or anyone else.13 For we are about to destroy this city completely. The outcry against this place is so great it has reached the LORD, and he has sent us to destroy it."
Note: - Verses 1-5 relate how the God tested the people of the Sodom, to discover who should live and who should die.
Luke 1 relates how an angel tells John the Baptist’s father that he will have a son.
- What emotional response did Zechariah have to seeing the angel?
- What was the angel’s rightful place in creation?
- What was the angel’s power and authority?
Luke 1:11-20 11 While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar.12 Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him.13 But the angel said, "Don't be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John.14 You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth,15 for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth.*16 And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God.17 He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children,* and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly."
18 Zechariah said to the angel, "How can I be sure this will happen? I'm an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years."
19 Then the angel said, "I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news!20 But now, since you didn't believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time."
Jesus gives further insight into how angels operate. Matthew 18:10
- What connection does an angel have with a person?
- What is the position and function of these angels in heaven?
10 "Beware that you don't look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father.*
The book of Daniel gives some insight into the spiritual battle where angels are involved. A man appears to Daniel and describes a spiritual battle. (Some call the man who appeared an angel, others see similarities with the description of Jesus in Revelation 1.)
- What was the position of Michael (an angel)?
- What was Michael’s involvement in the spiritual battle
Daniel 10:20-11:1 He replied, "Do you know why I have come? Soon I must return to fight against the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia, and after that the spirit prince of the kingdom of Greece* will come.21 Meanwhile, I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. (No one helps me against these spirit princes except Michael, your spirit prince.*11:1 I have been standing beside Michael* to support and strengthen him since the first year of the reign of Darius the Mede.)
ANGELS
