ANGELS - 5/50

 ANGELS                                                                   5/50

                                                 Cambodia Basic English Series

Ref: NI^RV.  Slideshow available

1.    What is an Angel?

The original Hebrew and Greek words are translated into English as angel, spy or messenger.  Messengers bring information from God to us or take messages from one person to another. Today we mainly use telephones or computers to send messages.  

2.    Human Messengers.

God uses people as messangers. The prophet Haggai was God’s messenger.  God spoke to the people through him.

Haggai 1:13. I was the Lord’s messenger. So I gave his message to the people. I told them, “The Lord announces, ‘I am with you.’

Joshua also sent messengers. Joshua sent spies to get information about the city of Jericho and to bring it back to him.

Joshua 2:1. Joshua, the son of Nun, sent two spies from Shittim. He sent them in secret. He said to them, “Go. Look the land over. Most of all check out Jericho.”

Jesus also sent messengers.

Luke 9:52. He sent messengers on ahead. They went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him. 

3.    God's Messengers from Heaven.

God also has angels in heaven. They obey Him. Angels obey God and so they do not sin and so cannot die.

Psalm 103:20-21. Praise the Lord, you angels of his. Praise him, you mighty ones who carry out his orders and obey his word. ²¹ Praise the Lord, all you angels in heaven. Praise him, all you who serve him and do what he wants.

4.   Angels Bring Messages From God.

 The angel Gabriel told Mary she would give birth to Jesus.

 Luke 1:26-38

Angels told people about the resurrection of Jesus.

Matthew 28:2-7

When Jesus went up to heaven, angels told the disciples that he would return to the earth.

 Acts 1:11

God’s angels can also speak to men through their actions. It is sometimes difficult to understand that God is always right.

Isaiah 37:36. Then the angel of the Lord went into the camp of the Assyrians. He put to death 185,000 soldiers there. The people of Jerusalem got up the next morning. They looked out and saw all of the dead bodies.

Sometimes angels from heaven look like men.

Joshua 5:13-14. When Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him. The man was holding a sword. He was ready for battle. Joshua went up to him. He asked, “Are you on our side? Or are you on the side of our enemies?”¹⁴ “I am not on either side,” he replied. “I have come as the commander of the Lord’s army.” Then Joshua fell with his face to the ground. He asked the man, “What message does my Lord have for me?”

5.    Angels From Heaven can Think and Make Decisions.

When God’s messengers speak to people they can think and make decisions for themselves.

Daniel 10:12-14. He continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. You decided to get more understanding. You went without food as you worshiped your God. Since the first day you did those things, your words were heard. I have come to give you an answer.

6.    Angels from Heaven Have Emotions.

The Bible describes angels from heaven as having different emotions in different situations. Although they are immortal, angels accept food and drink.

Genesis 18:4-6. Let a little water be brought. All of you can wash your feet and rest under this tree.⁵ “Let me get you something to eat to give you strength. Then you can go on your way. I want to do this for you now that you have come to me. “All right,” they answered. “Go ahead and do it.”

An angel from heaven showed that he liked Daniel.

Daniel 10:11. The man said, “Daniel, you are highly respected. Think carefully about what I am going to say to you. And stand up. God has sent me to you.” When he said that, I trembled as I stood up.

An angel told John not to bow down to him. He called himself John's “fellow servant”.

Revelation 22:8-9. After I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel. He is the one who had been showing me these things.⁹ But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I serve God, just as you do. I am God’s servant, just like the other prophets and all who obey the words of this book. Worship God!”

 7. True Followers of Jesus Will Become Equal to the Angels.

In the Kingdom true followers of Jesus will be made equal to the angels. 

Luke 20:35-36 … Those who are considered worthy to take part in what happens at that time won’t get married. And their parents won’t give them to be married. ³⁶ They can’t die anymore. They are like the angels. They are God’s children. They will be given a new form of life when the dead rise.

Being immortal and like the angels will be extremely interesting for those who are considered worthy. They will be very busy during the Kingdom, doing God's work. They will not be able to sin and will be immortal, but also able to make decisions, think and feel.

 

8.    Angels are with us Today.

When we belong to God through faith and baptism we have angels who are with us.

Hebrews 1:14. All angels are spirits who serve. God sends them to serve those who will receive salvation.

We should treat every person we meet with kindness and love because they may be messengers from God.

Hebrews 13:2. Don’t forget to welcome strangers. By doing that, some people have welcomed angels without knowing it.

We recommend that candidates study Learn to Read the Bible Effectively and God’s Plan With Man (Cambodia friendly versions) before preparing for baptism. Slideshows and translated versions of these are also available. See Lessons 13 and 14: Maps.