Arrangement And Purpose

by LITHGOW, I. | Category: The Ministry Of Angels | Feb 2007

How many angels were created?

Revelation 5:11 reads, ‘Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne…and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands’. There are also angels who sinned and who are reserved for judgement (2 Pet.2:4; Jude 6). In Revelation 12:7, we read of a future war between Michael and the dragon and his angels. We therefore conclude that there are incalculable numbers of angels.

Ezekiel 28:13–15 furnishes us with information regarding how angels were brought into being, revealing the great difference between these created beings and the human race. Angels are created perfect and know no maturing process, whereas every individual born of woman passes through various stages before attaining adulthood.

What is their purpose?

In the Old Testament in particular it did not seem to be something out of the ordinary that men and women knew angelic ministry. Our experience is different as we, in all probability, have never seen an angel, nor are we conscious of angelic assistance in the same way as those in former days. Could it be that in this day of grace angelic activity is not as necessary owing to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the believer?

Note the scripture in 2 Thessalonians 2:7 ‘For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work: only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way’. If we take the view that ‘He’ in the afore- mentioned verse is referring to the Holy Spirit, then His restraining power will be withdrawn after the rapture of the Church, which could be a reason why angelic activity is prominent throughout the book of Revelation. Nevertheless, it is clearly stated in Hebrews 1:14 that they are all ‘ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation’.

Is there a hierarchy within their ranks?

All angelic creation share a commonality of appearing to be in the male gender (Gen.19:1,2; Mark 16:5; Luke 1:19); equally they neither marry nor experience death (see Luke 20:35,36).

The description of the angel Michael as ‘one of the chief princes’ (Dan.10:13), and as the great prince (Dan.12:1), coupled with Jude's clear delineation of him as ‘Michael the archangel’ (see also Rev.12:7), clearly indicate position. The same inference can be drawn from the way in which the angel Gabriel is referred to in Daniel 8:16; 9:21 as well as his statement ‘"I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God"’ (Luke 1:19).

Within their ranks there is also diversity of shape and form: we read of angels in the form of men and creatures with wings and other differences in their anatomy. Was the form of angelic creation found in Genesis 3:24 where God ‘placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden’ superior in rank to other angels? It would appear that there is a limited number of cherubim among the vast hosts of angels (see also Ezek.10).

Isaiah chapter 6 is the only place in Scripture where seraphim are mentioned. There, they are also spoken of in the plural, but without the definite article, which perhaps suggests that although they are numerous, they are possibly higher in rank, given their close association with the presence and glory of the Lord. Their form also appears distinct from that which we generally associate with angels.

Space forbids comment regarding the various references to angelic beings found in Ephesians 1:21, 3:10 and Colossians 1:16. These scriptures clearly indicate responsibility, organisation and order within the ranks of angels.

Do angels have personal names?

Yes, but only two angels out of the countless multitudes are named in Scripture: Gabriel and Michael. Their names reveal a close proximity to God. The nature of Michael's service is particularly towards the nation of Israel and to specific individuals within Israel.

Revelation 1:1 and 22:16 both use the personal pronoun when speaking about the angel in question - perhaps indicating a sphere of service uniquely and singularly discharged on behalf of the Son of God?

LITHGOW, I. | Feb 2007
The Ministry Of Angels