ANGENOLOGY

                                                            ANGENOLOGY

Definition: Angel is an order of heavenly being who are superior to man in power and intelligence

Angels are spirit being created by God (Gen 2;1 Neh. 9;6 Eph 3;9 Col 1;6). The time of their is not revealed, but they are in heaven (Matt. 22:30, Eph. 3:10, Jn. 1:51, Lk. 2 13:15).

DISPENSATION OF ANGELS

The word Dispensation is found in the bible. In the new testament 7 (seven times) from the original manuscript of authorised version of the bible. It occurs in two ways

1.  Dispensation in 4 (four times) 1Cor 9:17; Eph. 3:2: Col 1:25

2. Translated Stewardship in 3 (three) times Lk. 16:2-4 1Cor. 9:17: Matt. 25:14-30

Definition of Stewardship: This is the management of another person's property finances, or household affairs

As far as Christians are concerned, stewardship involves the responsibility of managing God's work through the church in which the accountability will be rendered to him that calleth us into the work

God has appointed all Christians to be His stewards on earth  

Dispensation in the Bible interprets "ISE IRIJU" STEWARDSHIP"

There are (9) nine dispensation

1. Angels- 1

2. Man-7

3. Eternal - 1 which involves the trinity God Man, that is the redeemed ones and the faithful Angels

DISPENSATION HAS TWO SIDES

1. Divine sides- (God) God holds administrative of worlds affairs included with human being

2. The human side - His stewardship

NB: Both man and Angels are tested in their stewardship and both failed and as a result Judgment followed

Definition: Dispensation is a time measurement a period which is identified by its relation to some particular purpose of God - a purpose to be accomplished within that period .                                                                  It involved distinctive revelation, testing, failure and judgment

Dispensation of Angels: Lucifer was the governor of the original world created by God                                   Period - from the time original earth was created till the day of its pollution Gen. 1: 1,2

                                         THE EXISTENCEOF ANGELS

The word "Angel" first occurred in Gen 16:7, when the angel of the Lord ministered to Hagai after Sarah has mistreated her  (1913 BC). The Angels were created by God but the time of their creation was not revealed.  Col. 1:16 "For by him were al, things created, that are in heaven, and that were in  earth, visible. "Matt 4:11. Angels came to Ministered to Jesus at the greatest temptation in Matt 18:10, Jesus speaks of guardian angels "Take in heaven their angels do not one of this little ones; for I say unto you that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my father which is in heaven"                                                Jesus believed in angels and so did Paul, Col. 2;18 IIThess. 1:7.

THEIR NATURE

a.   Creature that is created beings, they were called forth out of nothing by the power of almighty God.   We are not told the exact time of their creation but we know that before man appeared they had been long in existence and that taken place leaving two classes - the good and evil angels; Being creatures they refuse worship (Rev. 19:10, 22:8,9) and man, on his part, is forbidden to worship them Col. 2:18

SPIRITS 

The Angels are described as spirit because unlike men they are not limited by physical and natural conditions. They appear and disappears at will, and travels with unimagined rapidity without the use of natural means                                                                                                                                                                                Though purely spirits they have the power to assume the form of human being in order to make their presence visible to the sense of man Gen. 19:1-3

IMMORTAL

That is not subject to death in Luke 20:34,35 Jesus explained to the Sadducees that the resurrected saints will be like the angels in the sense that they cannot die any more

NUMEROUS

The scripture teaches that their number is very great "Thousand thousands...... and ten thousand time " Dan. 7:10 More than twelve legions of angel "Matt 26:53 "Multitude of heavenly host Lk. 2:13 " An innumerable company of angels Heb 12:22 Their creator and master is therefore described as the lord of host".

SEXLESS

Angels are always described as male, but in reality, they are sexless, they do not propagate their kindness. Luke 20:34,35

THEIR CLASSIFICATION

A.   The Angel of the Lord : The manner in which "The Angels of the Lord" is described distinguishing him from any others angels . The power of pardoning or retaining transgression is attributed to him and the name of God is in him. Exd. 23:20-23.

In Ex. 32:34 it is says "My Angels shall go before thee " which in Ex. 33 14 is varied " My presence (literally, "My face") shall go with thee and I will give thee rest. The two are combined in Is. 63:9: "In all their afflictions he was afflicted and the angel of his presence saved them". Two important things are said concerning this angel : Firs, that Jehovah's name, that is His revealed character, is in him, and that he is Jehovah's face that is, that face of Jehovah may be seen in him. Hence he saves and will not pardon transgression, though he has the power. Compare also Jacob's identification of the angel with God himself. Gen. 32:30; 48:16. One cannot avoid the conclusion that his mysterious angel is none other than the son of God, messiah, the deliverer of Israel and Saviour of the world to-be. Therefore the Angel of the lord is really an uncreated being

THE ARCHANGEL

Michael is mentioned as the archangel or chief angel Jude 9; Rev. 12:7; compare 1Thess. 4:16. He appear as the guardian angel of the nation of Israel Dan. 12:1.                                                                                                               This indicate that he is also very high in rank; he stands in the presence of God (Luke 1:19) and to him are committed messages of the highest importance in the relation to the kingdom of God. Dan. 8:16; 9:21.

ELECTS ANGELS

"Elects Angels" are probably those angels who stood true to God during Satan's rebellion. 1Tim 5:21, Matt. 25:41.

ANGEL OF THE NATIONS

Dan. 10:13,20 seems to teach that every race has its guardian angel, which is concerned with the welfare of that nation. It was time for the Jews to return from captivity (Dan. 8:1,2); and Daniel set himself or prayer and fasting for their return. After three weeks an Angel appeared and gave reasons for the delay of the prayer, that the prince of Persia had opposed the return of the Jews, perhaps being reluctant to lose their influence for the land of Persia. The angel told him that in his petition for the return of the Jews, he had no supporter except Michael the prince of Hebrew nation Dan. 10:21 The prince of Greek was no more inclined that the prince of Persia favored the departure of the Jews. Dan. 10:20

CHERUBIM

Appeared to be a high rank angel connected to God's retributive (Gen. 3:24) and redemptive purpose (Ex. 25:22) concerning man. They are described as having the face of a lion, ox, man and eagle and this suggests that they represents creaturely perfection-lion-like strength, man-like intelligence, eagle-likespeed and they are very near to God and they carry the assurance that "the creator itself also shall be delivered from bondage of corruption" Rom. 8:21

SERAPHIM

As mentioned in Isaiah 6. We know little about them. one writer thinks that they constitute the very highest order of angels, and that their distinguishing characteristics is a burning love for God (the word seraphim means "burning ones")

THEIR POPULATION

a.    NUMEROUS                                                                                                                                                                                               The scripture teaches that their number is very great "Thousands, thousands - and ten thousand times ten thousand".                                                                                                                                                                                            Dan. 7: 10" More than twelve legions of angel"                                                                                                                   Matt. 26:53"Multitude of the heavenly host"                                                                                                                     Luke, 2:13 "An innumerable company of angels"                                                                                                                      Heb. 12:22 "Their creator and master is therefore described as the "Lord of host"

COMPANIES OF ANGELS MENTIONED

                              a. Cherubim (Gen. 3:24)

                              b. Seraphim (Is. 6:2,6)

ANGELS MENTIONED BY NAME

1.     Michael -He was the archangel who contended with the devil about the body of Moses (Jude.9)

2.    Gabriel - Was the angelic prince sent from heaven to make pronouncement to Mary and Joseph in     respect of the son (Jesus) to be born (Lk. 2:9,13) and the one who directed the flight to Egypt (Matt. 2:13,19)

3. Lucifer - (Is 14:12: Ezek. 28:11-17)

THEIR CHARACTER

OBEDIENT: They fulfill their commission without question or hesitancy. Therefore we pray "Thy will be done, as it is in heaven" Matt. 6:10 compare Psalm 103:20; Jude 6; I Pet. 3:22

REVERENT: Their highest activity is the worship of God Neh. 9:6, Phil. 2:9-11; Neh. 1:6

WISE: "As an angel... to discern good and bad" was a proverbial expression in Israel II Sam. 14:17. Angelic intelligence exceeds that of men in this life, but is necessary finite. Angels cannot directly discern our thought (I kings 8:39) and their knowledge of the mysteries is limited 1 Peter 1:12 Speculates one writer "It is held that their intellectuals image are so far more comprehensive than our own than a single image in the angelic mind comprises more details than a life time of study might reveal to us here"

STRENGTH: Angels are strong Ps. 103:20, "Bless the lord ye angels, that excel in strength"

               a. One angel killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in one night 2 Kings 19:35

               b. One angel slew 70,000 Israelites following David's sin in 2 Sam  24:15,16

               c. One angel thwarted the power of Rome, broke the seal and rolled away the stone from the                tomb. Matt 28:2,4

               d. One angel will one day bind the devil and imprison him for thousand years

               e. Four angels loosed 200,000,000 Euphratean Horsemen Rev. 9:15,16

There are various ranks and orders of angel Michael is called an archangel Jude. 9, The bile speaks of archangel, angels, principalities, powers, dominions and thrones - Col 1:16, Dan 10:12 21 1Thess. 4:16, 1 Peter 3:22

Angels are immortal Luke 20:35,36 without materials bodies. knowing nothing of decay and death. If Jesus was an angel he could not have die. Angels are sexless and unmarriageable - Matt. 22:30 Luke 20:35,36

HOLY: Being set apart and for God they are "Holy Angels" Rev. 14:10

THEIR WORKS

               a.   GOD'S AGENT: They are mentioned as the executor of God's decrees of judgment Gen. 3:24;      Num 22:22-27, Matt. 13 :39,41,49 ;16:27;  24:31; Mark 13:27, Gen 19:1 2 Sam 24:16, 1Chr.                21:14-18

               b.   GOD'S MESSENGER  

                     (Angels literally means "Messenger" ) Through angels God send:

1.   Annunciation. Lk. 1:11-20; Matt. 1:20,21

2.   Warnings Matt. 2:13; Heb 2:2

3.   Instruction Matt. 28:2-6, Acts 10:3 ; Dan 4:13-17

4.   Encouragement Acts 27:23, Gen 28;12

5.    Revelation Acts 7:53, Gal. 3:19, Heb 2:2, Dan. 9:21-27.

               C.   GOD'S SERVANTS

               "Are they not all ministering spirit, sent forth to minister for men who shall be heirs of salvation". Heb 1:14. Angels are sent to sustain (Matt. 4:11) Luke, 22:43; 1 Kings 19:5, to preserve Gen. 16:7, 24:7; Ex. 23:20 Rev. 7:1) to deliver (Num 20 :16; Psalm 34:7; 19:11 Is. 63:9, Dan 6:22; Rev. 8:3,4 to minister to the righteous after death. Luke 16:22.

THEIR RELATION TO MAN

When visible to human being angels consistently appears in human form (Gen. 18:2; Dan 10:18; Zach 21). Sometimes, however their appearances inspires awe (Judge 13:6; Matt. 29:33-4; Luke 24:4).

Angels are never known to appear as wicked people only to those whom the bible views as good, such as Abraham, Moses, David, Daniel, Jesus, Peter and Paul. They are charged with the caring of such peoples and serving them in times of need (Ps. 91:11-12, Heb. 1:14). They also guide and instruct people good people (Gen 24:7, 40; Ex. 14:19).

This task is illustrated by the role that angels played in God's giving of the law to Moses (Acts 7:38; Heb 2:2) Sometimes their guidance comes through human dreams (Gen 28:12; 31:11)

Angels also protect the people of God (Ex. 14:19-20); Dan 3:28, Matt.26:53). They meet a wide variety of human needs, including relieving hunger and thirst (Gen 21 :17-19; Mark 1:13) and overcoming loneliness and dread (Lk. 22:43). They sometimes deliver the people of God from danger

Although they are not the objectives of salvation, angels are interested in the salvation of human being (Lk. 15:10; 1Cor 4:9). They also were particularly active in the events surrounding the birth and resurrection of Jesus (Matt. 1:20 2:13;19 28:2; Luke 1: 11-38; 2:9-15; 22:43; 24:23; John 20:12). The frequency with angels participate in human affairs has diminish since Pentecost, probably because of the larger role by the holy spirit in the lives of Christians since then.

Jesus spoke frequently on angels, both good and bad (Matt. 13:41; 26:53, Mark 8:38; Luke 12:8-9). Angels are quite real and they play a vital part in God's plan for the world.