Bible Study on Angels

Lamb

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At my church, we recently went through a bible study on angels and demons. I left my papers at church in my folder, but I'm still exploring the topic more at home. I have a file from a study a pastor I met online gave to me many years ago, so I'm looking through that now.

One thing that was brought up is that Jesus didn't die for the angels. The good angels are "holy", so they don't need Jesus to die for them and as for the fallen angels, we know that they don't repent in the end. Jesus did not die for them either, He died for mankind.

I'll be adding more things to this thread, but others are welcome to add too.
 

NewCreation435

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The first references I found about angel is in Genesis 16:7,9 and is the Hebrew transliterated word mal'ak which means messenger or representative.
You often see angels being used as messenger such as when Gabriel went and told Mary that she would have a son and he would be the Savior.
Hebrews 1:14 calls angels "spirits"
They are referred to as being numerous and appear to have different ranks

Easton's Bible Dictionary says about angels
(1.) The existence and orders of angelic beings can only be discovered from the Scriptures. Although the Bible does not treat of this subject specially, yet there are numerous incidental details that furnish us with ample information. Their personal existence is plainly implied in such passages as Gen. 16:7, 10, 11; Jdg 13:1-21; Mat 28:2-5; Hbr 1:4, etc.

These superior beings are very numerous. "Thousand thousands," etc. (Dan 7:10; Mat 26:53; Luk 2:13; Hbr 12:22,23). They are also spoken of as of different ranks in dignity and power (Zec 1:9,11; Dan 10:13; 12:1; 1Th 4:16; Jud 1:9; Eph 1:21; Col 1:16).
 

Lamb

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Hebrews 1:14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

I'd like to explore those ways.
 

Lamb

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Most angels are in the masculine sense, but there is one instance of female in Zechariah 5:9.
 

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Most angels are in the masculine sense, but there is one instance of female in Zechariah 5:9.
This is interesting. May I point out that two women in the text are never referred to as angels. So are we justified in calling them angels?
 

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This is interesting. May I point out that two women in the text are never referred to as angels. So are we justified in calling them angels?

I guess it's the wings that gives us info about them being angels?

Then I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, two women coming forward! The wind was in their wings. They had wings like the wings of a stork, and they lifted up the basket between earth and heaven.
 

Origen

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I guess it's the wings that gives us info about them being angels?

Then I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, two women coming forward! The wind was in their wings. They had wings like the wings of a stork, and they lifted up the basket between earth and heaven.
Here is another interesting point. Angels are never said to have wings in the Scriptures. Both the cherubim (4 wings, Eze. 1:6) and seraphim (6 wings, Isa 6:2) are said to have wings, but they are never called angels. The four living creatures in Revelation 4:8 also have six wings, but they are not identified as angels.
 
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Lamb

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Here is another interesting points. Angels are never said to have wings in the Scriptures. Both the cherubim (4 wings, Eze. 1:6) and seraphim (6 wings, Isa 6:2) are said to have wings, but they are never called angels. The four living creatures in Revelation 4:8 also have six wings, but they are not identified as angels.

In the bible study that my pastor led recently, the cherubim and seraphim are classified as angelic beings.
 

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In the bible study that my pastor led recently, the cherubim and seraphim are classified as angelic beings.
Many people make that claim, but neither the cherubim or the seraphim are identified as angels in the Scriptures.

Here are all the occurrences of the word cherub\cherubim.

The word seraph/seraphim occurs only twice.

If you examine each occurrence you will find that the word angels is never used. Perhaps you have Bible software. Then you can do a more detailed search.

Much of the theology concerning angelology does not come from the Bible but from external sources.
 
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Albion

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In the bible study that my pastor led recently, the cherubim and seraphim are classified as angelic beings.
That's the traditional view of the different choirs of beings commonly called angels, but although different classifications of angelic beings have Biblical support, the particular rankings and attributes come from various Christian writers and then from Tradition.

Accordingly, the highest are the Seraphim, followed by the Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Archangels (the messengers to mankind) and then Angels (such as Guardian Angels).
 

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Many people make that claim, but neither the cherubim or the seraphim are identified as angels in the Scriptures.

Here are all the occurrences of the word cherub\cherubim.

The word seraph/seraphim occurs only twice.

If you examine each occurrence you will find that the word angels is never used. Perhaps you have Bible software. Then you can do a more detailed search.

Much of the theology concerning angelology does not come from the Bible but from external sources.


Do you think it could be like where the word trinity isn't in the bible, and yet it applies?

That's the traditional view of the different choirs of beings commonly called angels, but although different classifications of angelic beings have Biblical support, the particular rankings and attributes come from various Christian writers and then from Tradition.

Accordingly, the highest are the Seraphim, followed by the Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Archangels (the messengers to mankind) and then Angels (such as Guardian Angels).

Yes, that sounds like the order of categories I saw on my worksheet, but it's at church in my folder, so I can't really compare it now. They all fall under the classification of heavenly angelic beings from what I'm told.
 

Albion

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Much of the theology concerning angelology does not come from the Bible but from external sources.
That's true, and there are different conclusions reached by different people, but there are over 200 Bible references to these beings we call angels, and most of the "kinds" are referred to in Colossians 1:16.

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him. (KJV)

 

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That's true, and there are different conclusions reached by different people, but there are over 200 Bible references to these beings we call angels, and most of the "kinds" are referred to in Colossians 1:16.
100% agree

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him. (KJV)

The things is thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers are never called angels. I have no doubt they are heavenly beings, nevertheless they are not specifically identified as angels in the Scriptures. And this is my point.
 

Albion

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Is the point only that we have a term for these beings that isn't used in Scripture for the heavenly hosts, and which we commonly call angels? Because the word itself is found there.

If that's it, I'm thinking that the earlier comment in post #11 about our use of the word Trinity seems apt.
 
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Lamb

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For me, and probably for others, it's just easy to classify them all as angelic beings, even though within that there is a category for "angels". With this thread, let's explore all of them :D
 

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In Islam they believe that everyone is assigned 2 angels, one on the right to write down the good deeds the person does and one on the left to write down the evil deeds the person does. In a works righteous religion, I guess that makes sense since they don't believe in Jesus as their Redeemer. But that's probably where the angel and devil on the shoulders emanated from?
 

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I found a bible study that said

Demons can only sin

Angels cannot sin
 

Origen

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I found a bible study that said

Demons can only sin

Angels cannot sin
I would ask myself a few questions concerning those claims.

(1) What is the scriptural support for the claim angels cannot sin?
(2) Do angels have free will? If so, then why can't they sin?
(3) Many people hold the view that demons are fallen angels. If angels cannot sin, then who are these demons?

Food for thought!
 

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I would ask myself a few questions concerning those claims.

(1) What is the scriptural support for the claim angels cannot sin?
(2) Do angels have free will? If so, then why can't they sin?
(3) Many people hold the view that demons are fallen angels. If angels cannot sin, then who are these demons?

Food for thought!

Here are some answers:



What is the two-fold moral classification of angels?
A. It is believed that all angels were originally created without fault and, like Adam in the Garden, placed on a probation of some sort. They were theologically, during this time, posse non pecarre (able not to sin). But the probation period ended when heaven’s chief angel, Lucifer by name, instigated a great revolt against Jehovah God Himself. See Isa. 14:12-15 and Ezek. 28:11-19.

B. It is suggested by Rev. 12:3-4 that he was able to persuade one-third of heaven’s angels to side with him in this terrible rebellion.

C.The ones who did so, thus became non posse non pecarre (not able not to sin), while the remaining two-thirds were pronounced non posse pecarre (not able to sin)

D. From that point on, the faithful angels are referred to as holy and elect angels (Mark 8:38; 1 Tim. 5:21), while the fallen angels are known as the devil’s angels (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 12:9).
 

Origen

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What is the two-fold moral classification of angels?
A. It is believed that all angels were originally created without fault and, like Adam in the Garden, placed on a probation of some sort. They were theologically, during this time, posse non pecarre (able not to sin). But the probation period ended when heaven’s chief angel, Lucifer by name, instigated a great revolt against Jehovah God Himself. See Isa. 14:12-15 and Ezek. 28:11-19.

B. It is suggested by Rev. 12:3-4 that he was able to persuade one-third of heaven’s angels to side with him in this terrible rebellion.

C.The ones who did so, thus became non posse non pecarre (not able not to sin), while the remaining two-thirds were pronounced non posse pecarre (not able to sin)

D. From that point on, the faithful angels are referred to as holy and elect angels (Mark 8:38; 1 Tim. 5:21), while the fallen angels are known as the devil’s angels (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 12:9).
I don't know about you, but I do not find any of that convincing.

He states: "A. It is believed that all angels were originally created without fault and, like Adam in the Garden, placed on a probation of some sort. They were theologically, during this time, posse non pecarre (able not to sin). But the probation period ended when heaven’s chief angel, Lucifer by name, instigated a great revolt against Jehovah God Himself. See Isa. 14:12-15 and Ezek. 28:11-19."

(1) The Bible never claims Adam or the angels were a probation period of any kind. It is a ridiculous claim.
(2) Again no passage in the Bible states angels cannot sin.
(3) No passage calls Lucifer heaven’s chief angel.
(4) Neither Isa. 14:12-15 nor Ezek. 28:11-19 support any of his claims.


Isa. 14:12-15
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!
how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God:
I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;
I will be like the most High.

Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.


Ezek. 28:11-19
Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,

Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.

Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.

Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.

Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.

By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.

Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.

Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.

All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more.
 
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