ANGELOLOGY:
A Study of Angels
By Charles R. Williams
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction:……………………………………………………………………….. 3
I. What Is the Origin of Angels?............................................................................ 3
II. What Is the State or Form of Angels?................................................................ 4
III. What Are the Attributes of Angels?..................................................................4
IV. What Is the Mission of Angels?......................................................................... 5
V. What Is the Destiny of Angels?.......................................................................... 6
Conclusion:………………………………………………………………………… 6
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A STUDY OF ANGELS
Introduction:
1. Angelology is the doctrine of angels who are primarily the ministers of God’s
providence.
a. The scriptures have much to say about angels.
b. In our time there is a great deal of interest about angels but little investigation by
individuals into the truth about angels.
c. With many the subject is a question of myth or reality.
d. With others they claim to have had numerous experiences with angels.
2. There are several questions that naturally arise relative to angels;
a. What is the origin of angels?
b. What is the state or form of angels?
c. What are the attributes of angels?
d. What is the mission of angels?
e. What is the destiny of angels?
Discussion:
I. What Is the Origin of Angels?
A. They existed before the foundations of the earth were laid, Job 38:4-7.
B. They were not in the beginning, Nehemiah 9:6; Psalm 148.
1. They were created by God.
2. They were not, therefore, from eternity.
C. They are referred to as God’s family in heaven; Eph. 3:14, 16.
D. They are a host, Heb. 12:22-23.
E. They have origination and were created by God, Col. 1:15-17.
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F. They are not glorified human beings, Matt. 22:29-30.
1. We will be “as” angels.
2. They were created as a company, not a race.
3. They do not marry; therefore, they have no sex distinctions.
G. They were created in the image of God and are like man in that they were free
moral agents.
1. They were not robots.
2. They were placed under a law, Psalm 103:20,-21; Jude 6; 2 Pet. 2:4.
H. Angels are of a higher order than man, but lower than God, Christ, or Holy Spirit,
Heb. 2:7; Heb. 1:14.
II. What Is the State or Form of Angels?
A. They are invisible to the unaided human vision; not made of any material
substance, Num. 22:27-31; 2 Kings 6:14-17.
B. They are capable of assuming any form in which God is pleased to employ them,
Heb. 1:7
1. They appeared as horses and chariots, 2 Kings 6:14-17.
2. The appeared as a flame of fire in the midst of a bush which burned and was
not consumed, Ex. 3:2.
C. They frequently appeared as men, Gen. 18:1-2; 19:1-2; Judges 13:9; Gen. 32:22-
28; Mark 16:5; Acts 1:10-11.
III. What Are the Attributes of Angels?
A. Angels are superhuman in knowledge, but they are not omniscient or all knowing.
1. They announced that Sarah would have a child, Gen. 18:10.
2. They announced Zacharias would have a son, Luke 1:11-19.
3. They announced Mary would have a son, Luke 1:26-37.
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4. They warned Joseph to flee to Egypt, Matt. 2:13-15.
5. They announced the second coming of Christ, Acts 1:10-11.
6. They are not omniscient, 1 Peter 1:10-12.
B. They are superhuman in strength and power, but they are not omnipotent, or all
powerful.
1. They smote with blindness the men who gathered at Lot’s house, Gen. 19:11.
2. An angel destroyed by pestilence 70,000 men, 2 Sam 24:15-17.
3. An angel smote 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, 2 Kings 19:35-36; 2 Chron. 32:21
4. They held shut the lions’ mouths in Dan. 6:22.
5. An angel rolled away the stone of Jesus tomb (4,000 lbs.), Matt. 28:2-4.
6. An angel opened prison doors for the apostles, Acts 5:19.
7. An angel smote King Herod, Acts 12:23.
8. An angel broke chains and an iron gate to release Peter from prison; Acts
12:10.
9. They were not omnipotent, 2 Sam. 24:15-16.
C. Angels are superhuman in their incredible swiftness and speed but they are not
omnipresent, nor can they be everywhere at the same time as God is.
1. Gabriel flew swiftly from the presence of God to Daniel while Daniel was
praying, Dan. 9:20-23.
2. They were not omnipresent for they had to go from place to place, Dan. 9:20-
23; Luke 1:26-35.
IV. What Is the Mission of Angels?
A. They are primarily the ministers of God’s providence, (encamped about God’s
people), Psalm 34:9.
B. They are ministering spirits sent forth to do service for the sake of them that shall
inherit salvation, Heb. 1:14.
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C. There are angels that watch after children, Matt. 18:11.
D. They watch with anxious solicitude for the salvation of sinners.
1. They rejoice at repentance, Luke 15:10.
2. They rejoiced at Jesus’ birth, Luke 2:14.
E. They carry the saved home when they fell asleep in Jesus, Luke 16:22.
F. Just as Christians are God’s family on earth, angels compose His family in
heaven.
1. They are an “innumerable host,” Heb. 12:22
2. They are described as legions, Matt. 26:53.
G. They not only serve but they also worship God.
1. They are not to be worshipped by man, Rev. 22:8-9
2. They are God’s servants just as we are.
V. What Is the Destiny of Angels?
A. Obedient angels will be the companions of the redeemed of the new heaven and
the new earth.
B. The Lord’s return will be accompanied with the voice of the archangel and with
the angels of His power; 1 Thess. 4:16; 2 Thess. 1:7-9
C. They will gather together God’s elect from the four winds, from one end of the
heaven to the other, Matt. 24:31.
D. They will sever the wicked from among the righteous, Matt. 13:39-50.
Conclusion:
1. Angels are God’s helpers and messengers.
2. Angels are our fellow servants who are set forth to do service.
3. Angels are not to be worshipped or prayed to.
