The Ministry of the Unfallen Angels Today

First, they are engaged in the constant worship of God (Psalm 148:1-2; Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8).

Second, they ministered in various ways to the patriarchs and to the nation of Israel (Genesis 18:1,2; Numbers 20:16; 1 Kings 19:5; 1 Chronicles 21:15; Zechariah 1:9).

Third, Angels were especially active the time of the Incarnation. Luke 1:11, 13, 18, 19, 26, 28, 30, 34, 35, 38; 2:9, 10, 13, 21; 22:43.

Four, There were numerous angelic visitations in the early Acts period while God as yet dealing with the nation of Israel under the gospel of the Kingdom (Acts 5:19: 8:26; 10:3, 7, 22; 12:7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 23).

Fifth, Christ will come the second time with His mighty angels to judge and to establish His Kingdom (Matthew 13:39, 41, 49; 24:31; 25:31; 2 Thessalonians 1:7; Revelation 7:1; 8:2; 9:14; 12:7; 14:10; 15:1-7; 16:1; 17:1; 21:12).

Sixth, As noted earlier, angelic visitations are not part of the program of this present dispensation. Chafer remarks on this fact:

In the plan of God, the present age is evidently void of angelic manifestations. This could easily be due to the fact that, as in no other age, the saints of God are indwelt by the Holy Spirit and are subject to His leading, which leading is more constant, vital, and exalting than angelic visitations could possibly be.

It would appear that another reason for the lack of such visitations today is the fact that whereas God's dealings with the Jews were always by outward signs and wonders, His dealings in this present dispensation are purely spiritual apart from such outward manifestations.

A FEW FACTS REGARDING ANGELS, CREATION:

1. There is no specific account in the Bible of the creation of the angels. The Biblical account of creation is concerned mainly with the earth and mankind. Perhaps, the most clearly set forth regarding the creation of the angels is in Col. 1:16 " For by him (Christ) 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:" While the word angel does not appear in this passage, it is evident that Paul is referring to them under the title of principalities and powers ( See Romans 8:38; Ephesians 3:10; 6:12; Colossians 2:15), since angels are heavenly beings and he includes all things in heaven.

2. Manner of creation, again it is not stated in Scripture, but has been generally assumed that all of the angels were created at one time, which means that each angel is the direct creation of God and that the number of the angels has neither increased nor decreased since their creation.

3. Time of their creation, the inference from the Scripture is that angels were created at the time of the creation of the heavens. It is evident that Satan, who is a fallen angle, had been created and had fallen before the creation of man.

4. Angels possess personality. They are not mere automatons, although the description of the cherubim in Ezekiel 1 might seem to suggest this. The fact that angels can express emotions, such as praising God; that they can exercise will, as Satan did in declaring: "I will be like the most High;" that they can be held accountable for their actions, as is evident from their future condemnation and that they can reason and carry on intelligent communication, as Satan did in the temptations of our Lord, are all evidences of personality.

5. Angels are spirits. "Who maketh his angels spirits" (Psalm 104:4). "Are they not all ministering spirits" (Hebrews 1:14). Christ said "A spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have" (Luke 24:39).

6. Angels possess super-human power. Man was made lower than the angels (Hebrews 2:7). Peter points out the fact that angels are "greater in power and might" than men. (2 Peter 2:11). Paul speaks of Christ coming with His mighty angels. ( 2 Thess 1:7).

7. Angels are sexless. This is evident from the fact that they neither marry nor are given in marriage (Matt. 22:30), and from the fact that there is no procreation among them. However, angels are always represented in the form of a man whenever their appearance is described. Contrary to the imaginations of artists, angels are never represented as females in Scripture.