“Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 18:10)
INTRODUCTION
As we have learnt in previous studies, angels possess intelligence (1 Peter 1:12), show emotion (Luke 2:13), and exercise will (Luke 1:19). Angels are spirit beings (Hebrews 1:14) without true physical bodies. Although they do not have physical bodies, they are still personalities and occasionally appear in physical form.
Angels are an entirely different order of being than humans. Human beings do not become angels after they die. Angels will never become, and never were, human beings. God created the angels, just as He created humanity. The Bible nowhere states that angels are created in the image and likeness of God, as humans are (Genesis 1:26). Angels are spiritual beings that can, to a certain degree, take on physical form. Humans are primarily physical beings, but with a spiritual aspect. The greatest thing we can learn from the holy angels is their instant, unquestioning obedience to God’s commands.
What did Jesus teach or say about angels?
- Jesus revealed that the angels ascend and descend through Him.
There is a school of thought that the ladder Jacob saw in his dream (Genesis 28:12) is Jesus Christ, through whom angels come and go to perform their ministries:
“And He said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”” (John 1:51)
- Jesus said that angels watch the rejoicing over sinners who repent.
“Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10)
- Jesus revealed that angels represent children before the Father.
“Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 18:10)
- Jesus taught that angels do not marry or procreate.
“Jesus answered and said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage. But those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.” (Luke 20:34-36)
“Jesus answered and said to them, “Are you not therefore mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God? For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are like angels in heaven.” (Mark 12:24-25)
- Jesus taught that angels do not die.
Please also note that the scripture in Luke 20:34-36 above confirms Jesus’ teaching that angels don’t die
- Jesus revealed that angels have access to the presence of God.
“And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.”” (Luke 1:19-20)
“…In Heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in Heaven.” (Matthew 18:10)
- Jesus revealed that angels attend Believers at the time of death.
Physical death is the result of mankind’s sin (Genesis 3). It is the separation of the spirit and soul from the body (James 2:26). As Believers, we do not need to fear death (Hebrews 2:15). Because Jesus overcame death, we are no longer subject to its finality. The death of Believers is precious to God (Psalm 116:15; Revelation 14:13; Philippians 1:21). In Luke 16, Jesus told a story about a rich man and a beggar, revealing that the beggar who knew the Lord was escorted to paradise by angels. The angels were not just with him at the time of death, but they carried him into Paradise. The Bible states that Satan is the prince of the power of the air. Perhaps angels are sent to safely escort Believers through his territory.
- Jesus taught that the angels do not know the exact time of His return.
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” (Matthew 24:36)
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Mark 13:32)
- Jesus taught that angels will come with Him when He returns.
“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.” (Matthew 25:31)
“For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.” (Matthew 16:27)
- Jesus taught that angels will reap the final harvest.
“The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. Therefore, as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age.” (Matthew 13:39-40)
- Jesus taught that the angels are involved in gathering the wicked into judgment.
“The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Matthew 13:41-43)
- Jesus revealed that angels will gather the elect.
“And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” (Matthew 24:31)
Jesus said that in the end-times, angels would gather the elect of God from the earth (Matthew 24:31). The elect of God does not mean that God chooses some people to go to hell and others to heaven. It means that God know those who have accepted, loved and served Him. They are His elect.
“And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.” (Mark 13:27)
- Jesus said that angels will divide the wicked from the righteous.
“So, it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 13:49-50)
- Jesus said He would acknowledge Believers before the angels.
“Also, I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.” (Luke 12:8-9)
“For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:38)
