THE POPULAR ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIBLE PROPHECY

ANGELS Part II

THE CLASSIFICATION OF ANGELS 

The Bible describes several kinds of angels:  • Cherubim are the highest class of angels. They attend the glory, holiness, and majesty of God (Ezekiel 1:514).  • Seraphim are “burning ones” or angelic incendiaries who are ablaze with  the glory of God and continually announce His triune holiness (Isaiah 6:3). 

Living beings (Hebrew, hayoth) is a general designation of the angels who both direct the worship of God and express His judgments (Revelation 4; 14).   •Michael is designated as the “archangel” in Jude 9. Dickason (p. 70) notes, “This title immediately sets him above the angels as the military leader of an army of angels in the battle with Satan” (Revelation 12:7).   •Gabriel is the messenger who announces the birth of John the Baptist to  Zacharias (Luke 1:11-12) and the birth of Jesus to Mary (Luke 1:26-29). He also revealed several prophetic messages to Daniel (9:21). 

THE MINISTRY OF ANGELS 

Angelic beings minister to God and God’s people in several ways:  • worshiping God (Revelation 4:6-11) • serving God and His people (Hebrews 1:7,14) • destroying evil (Genesis 19:1-13) • protecting God’s people (Daniel 6:20-22) • delivering God’s word (Revelation 2:1) • executing God’s judgment (Revelation 6) 

Angels have different ranks (thrones, powers, rulers, authorities—Colossians 1:16; Ephesians 1:20-21; 3:10), and they are immortal. But we must remember they are not divine. Fascination with angels is often a vain attempt to fill the spiritual void that only Christ can fill. The Bible clearly instructs us not to worship angels (Colossians 2:18; Revelation 19:10; 22:9). They are merely the messengers of God to point us to Him. 
—DAVID JEREMIAH 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bietenhard, Hans. “Angel.” In The New Testament International Dictionary  of New Testament Theology. Vol. 1. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1986.  Bromiley, G.W. “Angel.” In Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1984. 
Davidson, M.J. “Angels.” In Dictionary  of Jesus and the Gospels.  Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1992. Dickason, Fred. Angels:  Elect and Evil. Chicago: Moody Press, 1995.  Jeremiah, David. What the Bible Says About Angels.  Sisters, OR: Multnomah, 1996. Oropeza,  B.J. 99 Answers to Questions About Angels, Demons and Spiritual Warfare. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1997