Why is it important for you to understand Biblical teaching regarding the Angel of the Lord?
First, it reveals that Jesus existed before His earthly ministry as recorded in the New Testament. His existence and ministry did not start at birth (John 1:2; 8:58; 17:5,24).
Second, it assures that there was forgiveness of sins in Old Testament times:
“In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them; In His love and in His pity, He redeemed them; and He bore them and carried them all the days of old.” (Isaiah 63:9)
They were saved by looking forward to the cross, their belief being expressed each time they sacrificed. We are saved by looking back on the final sacrifice of Jesus Christ at the cross.
Third, the closing message of the Old Testament which references the Angel of the Covenant, our Lord Jesus Christ, predicts His New Testament coming:
“Behold, I send My messenger, and he shall prepare the way before Me. And the Lord [the Messiah], Whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; the Messenger or Angel of the covenant, Whom you desire, behold, He shall come, says the Lord of hosts.” (Malachi 3:1, AMPC).
Fourth, by understanding the ministry of the Angel of the Lord you can better understand the ministry of Jesus to you as a Believer. As He ministered to those in Old Testament times, so He will minister to you. Jesus came and walked among us. He died for our sins and rose again.
The Angel of the Lord is the Emmanuel: God with us (Matthew 1:23; 1 Timothy 3:16: 1 John 1:1-2).
Biblical Accounts of the Angel of the Lord and the Ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ
These Biblical accounts confirm that the ministries of the Angel of the Lord are identical to those of Jesus, which supports the belief that these were preincarnate appearances of Christ.
- The Angel of the Lord confirms God’s covenant.
God made a covenant with Abraham to make him a personal, national, and universal blessing (Genesis 12:1-3). In the process of giving these promises, God cut an unconditional covenant with Abraham (Genesis 15:8-21). Later, when Abraham was called upon to sacrifice the promised son, Isaac, the Angel of the Lord confirmed this covenant with him (Genesis 22:11-18). Jesus Christ was sent to confirm the new covenant of deliverance and forgiveness of sins.
- The Angel of the Lord gives revelation.
The Angel of the Lord revealed the birth of Samson to Manoah and his wife (Judges 13). The entire book of Revelation is the “Revelation of Jesus Christ” which was written to show Believers what will happen in the end-times.
- The Angel of the Lord commissions God’s servants.
The Angel of the Lord commissioned Moses (Exodus 3:7-8); Gideon (Judges 6:11-23); Samson (Judges 13:1-21); and Isaiah (Isaiah 6). Likewise, Jesus commissioned His disciples:
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. (John 20:21)
- The Angel of the Lord protects and delivers.
The Old Testament Psalmist declared:
“The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him and delivers them.” (Psalms 34:7)
“No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” (Psalms 91:10-12)
The New Testament proclaims a similar promise from Jesus:
“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
The Angel of the Lord brought the message of deliverance to God people in Old Testament times. Jesus brings this same message:
“Having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” (Ephesians 1:5-7)
“Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” (Hebrews 2:14-15)
“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2)
- The Angel of the Lord leads God’s army.
The Captain of the hosts of God appeared to Joshua and promised him victory (Joshua 5:13-15.) Jesus is the Captain of the heavenly hosts who leads God’s people to victory over the enemy as we stand strong in Him:
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:10-13)
In the end-times, Jesus will lead the hosts of the army of God in final battle (Revelation 16:12-16).
- The Angel of the Lord represents God.
The Angel of His Presence who accompanied Israel in their wilderness trek represented God to Israel:
“In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them; In His love and in His pity, He redeemed them; and He bore them and carried them all the days of old.” (Isaiah 63:9)
The Angel of the Lord disclosed God’s glory, as did Jesus:
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth… No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him. (John 1:14,18)
Christ’s mission was to manifest God to mankind:
“If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.” Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:7-9)
- The Angel of the Lord calls people to spiritual commitment.
The Angel of the Lord called Jacob to faith in God (Genesis 31:11-13). He gave him a new name and left him with a new walk, symbolic of what the Lord does for Believers (Genesis 32:24-32).
One of the ministries of Jesus is to call people to spiritual commitment. He called His disciples from fishing and tax collecting to follow Him. He called Peter to walk on water and feed His sheep. He called Zaccheaus to come down from the tree, and Lazarus to come out of the tomb. He challenged people to total commitment saying…
“He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:37-39)
- The Angel of the Lord redeems.
Jacob spoke of the Angel which redeemed him from all evil (Genesis 48:15-16). The Angel of the Lord redeemed Israel (Isaiah 63:9). Jesus is our redeemer:
“Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 20 He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world but was manifest in these last times for you who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.” (1 Peter 1:18-21)
- The Angel of the Lord guides.
The Angel of the Lord promised to guide Israel to their destination of the Promised Land. Jesus promised to guide us into all truth:
“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” (John 16:13)
If you follow the guidance of the Lord, you will safely make it to your spiritual destination in this life and in eternity.
- The Angel of the Lord comforts.
The Angel of the Lord ministered comfort to Hagar (Genesis 16:7-13). Jesus said:
“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed” (Luke 4:18)
When Jesus departed for Heaven, He promised to send the Holy Spirit as our Comforter:
“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:16-18)
- The Angel of the Lord provides.
Divine provision was made for Hagar and her son in the wilderness (Genesis 16:7-13; 21:14-19). Jesus said:
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:7-11)
The Apostle Paul confirmed:
“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)
- The Angel of the Lord is an advocate and intercessor.
Zechariah pictures the Angel of the Lord as an advocate before God, defending His people against the accusations of Satan. (Zechariah 3:1-17). Jesus is our advocate, defending us before God on the basis of our position in Him.
“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25)
Jesus is our mediator:
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus…” (1 Timothy 2:5)
